Why our allergies are getting worse —and what to do about it

Seasonal allergies are getting worse, affecting 30 to 40% of the world’s population.

Rise in allergies: Medical anthropologist Theresa MacPhail explores theories behind the increase in allergies in her book, Allergic
* Factors include an excessive emphasis on hygiene, a shift in diets towards processed foods and less fiber, and a rise in exposure to environmental toxins.

Hygiene hypothesis: It is suggested that early exposure to germs and bacteria, especially for young children, helps to train their immune systems and prevent oversensitivity.

Diet’s effect: The change in diets over the last 200 years, from natural foods to processed, directly impacts the balance of our gut microbiome, throwing off the immune system.

Skin as defense: Our skin acts as a barrier against allergens, and showering less frequently or using milder products can help maintain a healthy defense against allergies.

View original article on NPR

This summary was created by an AI system. The use of this summary is subject to our Terms of Service.

Contact us about this post

Posted

in

by

Tags:

Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *