How to Avoid Being Overly Hygienic

    If the hygiene hypothesis holds up (and there’s mounting evidence that it
will), trying to keep your environment overly sterile could backfire big time
and actually increase your risk of developing acute and chronic illnesses.

Appropriate exposure to a variety of microorganisms from day one is key to
developing a strong immune system. Your mucus provides the substrate for a
complex symbiotic relationship between viruses, bacteria, and probably other
players that have yet to be discovered.

Once again, Mother Nature has proven much wiser than we humans! You can avoid being “too clean” and bolster your body’s natural defenses by:

        Educating yourself on the differences between natural and artificial
immunity, and making informed decisions about the use of vaccinations

        Avoiding unnecessary antibiotics. Remember that viral infections are
impervious to antibiotics, which only work on bacterial infections

        Letting your child get dirty. Allow your kids to play outside in the
dirt (and realize that if your kid eats boogers, the world won’t end).

        Avoiding the use of antibacterial soaps and other antibacterial
household products, which wipe out the microorganisms your body needs
exposure to in order for proper immune function. Simple soap and water are
all you need for effective hand washing. Antibacterial chemicals (typically
triclosan) are quite toxic and have even been found to promote the growth of
resistant bacteria and superbugs.

        Consuming organic, optimally locally grown meats that do not contain
antibiotics.