What Makes an Immune Response Healthy Versus Unhealthy?

In the last month it seems that allergies have been much worse than in previous years. I have had more conversations about pollen and dust this Spring than I remember. While pollen levels and other allergens may be higher in 2021 than in previous years, I think a lot of the increased allergies has to do with lack of ‘exposure’ to our immune system because of precautions taken during Covid. Less exposure, less opportunity for our immune systems to ‘learn’ and improve and strengthen.

Have you ever heard of "the hygiene hypothesis"? The idea is that environmental sensitivities that lead to allergies and auto-immune disorders may also be caused by a lack of childhood exposure to infectious agents, probiotics, and parasites. Living in super-clean environments (for example, spending a great deal of time indoors without pets) may leave a child's immune system uncalibrated and over-sensitive, resulting in a host of allergies and hypersensitive reactions to innocuous substances later on.

In fact, a recent research article cited antimicrobial soaps as problematic, and actually destructive, to health. One common antimicrobial agent, Triclosan, has been found in many bodily fluids, including the urine of pregnant women, and the cord blood of newborn infants.

The study, published in Environmental Science and Technology, studied 180 expectant mothers in Brooklyn, New York. The researchers found triclosan in 100 percent of the women’s urine samples, and triclocarban (another common antimicrobial agent) in 87 percent of the samples. Of the 33 cord blood samples they looked at, 46 percent contained triclosan and 23 percent contained triclocarban.

Triclosan and triclocarban, which are also common in toothpaste and lotions, are also endocrine disruptors. The risk there is that the chemicals can mimic thyroid hormones, potentially disrupting the metabolism and causing weight gain or weight loss. Previous research has also shown a connection between higher levels of triclosan in urine, and allergy diagnoses in children.

Stick to regular good old soap and water. It's just as effective and there are no dangerous possibilities of disruption of thyroid function or worse! Let’s get back to more ‘normal’ life. Get outside, get fresh air, get sunshine, and get healthier!