Article on parasites and allergies

[mbeezie]

http://www.thebostonchannel.com/health/ ... etail.html



Mary Beth

[Gloria]

This will be an interesting study to follow. The thought of swallowing whipworm eggs, even in a capsule, isn't very appealing, but we've read where others don't want to stop the regimen once they've experienced being able to eat foods without worry. I wonder if it would be possible to follow the regimen until the gut is healed, and then follow a simpler maintenance diet regimen.

I also thought this quote was interesting:

In impoverished countries there are fewer cases of allergies. But in the United States, where most people are focused on hygiene and cleanliness, doctors have noticed a dramatic increase in sometimes life-threatening allergies in he past decade.

Of course, we've been focused on hygiene and cleanliness the past few years because of MRSA. Is it true that in impoverished countries there are few cases of allergies? Could that also be because they don't have a varied diet?

Gloria

[tex]

Is it true that in impoverished countries there are few cases of allergies? Could that also be because they don't have a varied diet?

I'm sure that's one of the reasons. Obviously, a very limited diet automatically cuts out a lot of potential food allergies. Parasites obviously provide a major defense against many immune system reactions, in those countries, of course. Also, that "statistic" may just a data error. When most of the population can't even afford health care in life-threatening situations, they aren't very likely to request help for something as minor as most allergies, so statistical surveys are not likely to detect problems outside of the medical system. (Even in the case of serious food allergies, all the patient has to do to resolve the issue, is to avoid that food). Also, remember that drugs cause a lot of allergies, and drug use is way down in impoverished countries.

A better way to express that concept would be, "Allergies are only a major problem in countries where the population is generally affluent enough to be able to afford drugs and medical treatment". Allergy-awareness would be much lower in this country, for example, if it weren't for all the drug ads that bombard us all day long, reminding us that there's a simple "fix" for those watery eyes, or that post-nasal drip. The pharmaceutical industry is a past master at creating a market for it's products.

Tex

[tex]

Mary Beth,

The trouble with researchers, is that sometimes they don't know when to start, and when they get something going, they don't know when to stop. Helminths for IBD control have been studied for years. Dr. Weinstock's group pretty well trashed this out years ago, but instead of moving forward, and getting approval for a treatment protocol, everyone wants to continue studying it - everyone except IBD patients, that is - they want to use the concept, but their hands are tied. Here's an early report:

http://www.newtreatments.org/loadlocal.php?hid=949

Here's a recent plea by a researcher who is a Crohn's patient:

http://waitingforthecure.com/I/2009/09/ ... community/

Thanks for the link.

Tex