The hygiene hypothesis states that a lack of exposure to microorganisms—both beneficial and potentially harmful—during early childhood increases susceptibility to development of allergic diseases by creating an imbalance in immune system development. Brenda has blogged on the topic before, and I’ve blogged about immune balance.

A recent study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology has found that gut diversity in infancy helps protect against the development of allergies.¹ The study involved 40 children: 20 with atopic eczema, and 20 children with no health conditions. Stool samples were collected from each child at one month and twelve months of age, and the DNA of bacteria present in the infants’ guts was identified. The diversity of gut microflora at one month of age was significantly greater in the healthy children than in those children who later developed allergies.

The researchers suggested that in the absence of stimuli from a diverse array of microbes, the immune system may overreact against harmless antigens in the environment, such as food. I have blogged on the topic of food sensitivities, as well, highlighting the importance of maintaining immune balance with a good balance of gut bacteria.

So how do infants acquire gut bacterial diversity? First, by vaginal delivery, through which they are inoculated with protective bacteria from their mother (which works best if mom is on a plant-based diet, eating prebiotic foods, and taking probiotics throughout the pregnancy); second, by breastfeeding, which delivers yet more beneficial bacteria and prebiotics to feed the beneficial bacteria establishing in the baby’s gut; three, without the use of unnecessary antibiotics, which decrease gut bacterial diversity; and four, with a healthy diet consumed by the mother. When any of these factors cannot be optimized, probiotics formulated for infants can help build the beneficial bacteria in the gut.

References

1.  T.R. Abrahamsson, et al., “Low diversity of the gut microbiota in infants with atopic eczema.” J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2011 Dec 6. [Epub ahead of print].

Leonard Smith, M.D.

Dr. Leonard Smith is a prominent Board-Certified, general, gastrointestinal and vascular surgeon who had a successful private practice for 25 years. In addition to his active surgery practice, he also incorporated lifestyle, diet, supplementation, exercise, detoxification, and stress management into many of the therapies he would prescribe. Many of his patients with cancer, cardiovascular disease, and other serious illnesses did so well under his treatment regimes that he began to devote most of his career to foundational health care and preventive medicine.

Share this Post...

allergic, antibiotics, balance, beneficial, beneficial bacteria, childhood, Children, eczema, food sensitivities, gut, gut bacteria, gut bacterial diversity, gut diversity, harmful, healthy diet, Hygiene Hypothesis, immune balance, immune system, infancy, microbes, microflora, microorganisms, prebiotic, Probiotics

Atrazine is the most widely used herbicide in the United States. Over 75 million pounds of it are applied to corn and other crops, many in the Midwest. Atrazine is the most common pesticide contaminant found in groundwater, surface water, and rain in the United States. A recent study has found that women living in areas where atrazine water contamination is found are more likely to experience menstrual irregularities than women living in regions where there is no contamination.

I have blogged on the adverse hormonal effects of atrazine before. It has been found to turn male frogs into females, even at low concentrations. In 2009 atrazine was also linked to low birth weight in Indiana newborns, and menstrual irregularities have been found in women exposed to atrazine through agricultural work.

In this new study, women from two different cities in Illinois were compared with women from two different cities in Vermont. Illinois has the highest rates of atrazine water contamination, though the levels found in the study were still under limits set by the Environmental Protection Agency. The women in the Illinois cities were almost five times more likely to report irregular periods than the Vermont women, and more than six times more likely to go more time between periods.

Emily Barrett, a reproductive health scientist at the University of Rochester in New York stated, “These types of changes to hormone concentration and ovarian function could potentially lead to problems with fertility.” The study did not look at fertility, but hopefully more studies will address this.

Atrazine is sprayed on 75 percent of corn, as well as other crops. Corn is used in so many foods, and is used to make so many different ingredients in foods. This week, start reading your food labels to discover how widespread corn is. Then, take measures to replace the largest sources of non-organic corn with organic corn in your diet. It’s worth it. We’ve got to reduce our chemical exposure. Eating organic, when possible, is a big way to do that.

Share this Post...

allergic, antibiotics, balance, beneficial, beneficial bacteria, childhood, Children, eczema, food sensitivities, gut, gut bacteria, gut bacterial diversity, gut diversity, harmful, healthy diet, Hygiene Hypothesis, immune balance, immune system, infancy, microbes, microflora, microorganisms, prebiotic, Probiotics

The atopic diseases of childhood—Eczema, asthma and rhinitis (nasal allergies)—are increasingly more common, especially in developed countries like the US. One of the main explanations for this increase is known as the Hygiene Hypothesis (I’ve mentioned it before.) The Hygiene Hypothesis states that children who grow up in ultra-clean environments lack the immune-building contact with everyday microbes. This lack of microbial interaction results in underdeveloped immune systems that lead to immune dysfunction.

Eczema, asthma and rhinitis all involve immune dysfunction. If an infant has one of these conditions, she is more likely to develop another one later in life. For example, many children with Eczema during infancy go on to develop asthma in later childhood. Further, if a parent has an atopic disease then the child is more likely to also be affected by an atopic disease.

A recent study found that a combination of probiotics (beneficial bacteria) and prebiotics (soluble fibers that feed probiotics) reduced asthma-like symptoms in infants with Eczema. In this study, 90 infants under 7 months of age received infant formula either with the synbiotic (pre- and probiotic) or just infant formula for 12 weeks. One year later, the infants in the group receiving the pre- and probiotics had a 20 to 28 percent lower risk of asthma symptoms.

Researchers are still trying to determine just how this works, but it is known that gut microbial balance works to “educate” the immune system, over 70 percent of which resides in the gut. A proper gut microbial balance plays a big role in early immune development. Truly, optimal gut health is the foundation of total body health.

Share this Post...

asthma, atopic, atopic diseases, balance, child, childhood, disease, eczema, formula, gut microbial balance, Hygiene Hypothesis, immune dysfunction, immune systems, immune-building, infancy, infant, microbes, microbial, nasal allergies, prebiotics, Probiotics, rhinitis, symptoms, synbiotics, total-body health

Summary:
In this video blog I discuss a recent study published in the journal “Pediatrics” that suggest a very odd way to help children that have eczema. What do they suggest? What are some other options? Tune in and find out…

Full Script:

Can you imagine putting your infant or young child into a bath of bleach water with the raw skin associated with eczema? Well that is exactly what a study published in the journal Pediatrics is suggesting. The bleach, being an antibacterial will help eliminate bacteria on the skin as a result of so much scratching.

Julie Block, of the National Eczema Association says this type of suggestion “will help people learn options that they can do at home to empower themselves”.

Sounds more like a punishment to me.

How about all the studies out there now showing that probiotic supplements can greatly reduce eczema in children. Or how about getting your child tested for food allergies and sensitivities, which play a huge role in the development of eczema.

If your worried about the bacteria try getting a natural anti-bacterial cream from your local health food store. I’m willing to bet it won’t contain bleach!

In the meantime, ReNew Life Formulas has an award-winning line of probiotic supplements for children and adults.

Share this Post...

allergies, bacteria, bleach, Brenda Watson, eczema, national eczema association, pediatrics, Probiotics, sensitivities