Do cultures that eat with their hands have better immune systems?
103827
Interesting theory.  There are some similar theories around diseases like asthma.  Basically, by challenging your immune system, you make it stronger, a la Nietzsche "What does not kill me, makes me stronger."  \nI don't know the answer to your question, but I wouldn't be surprise if they did.
888525
They stay to themselves and so no viruses, ect. enter .  They get a lot of moving around which, in our society of couch potatoes, is unusual, so they have no circulation (heart) problems.  Genetically, they marry within their own community  and pass on the strong immunity to sickness.  They eat a healthy diet off the land...no preservatives.  Watch...now that we have found them and go visit, they'll start catching things and get sick.
223787
I don't know about the other mammals, but in humans it has been suggested that the drive in human infants to eat dirt is an adaptation to train the undeveloped immune system. This may or may not be related to putting other things in the mouth.
642936
Yes, and the first girl is right. I cook almost ALL our meals with minced garlic and my husband and I don't get sick anymore. Even though he used to always get sinus infections. Not anymore though. \nGarlic, doesn't just take great - it's great for you! ;)
850484
I think they are referring to a diet - I'm not sure where it came from but there's a book- where the author explored the thought that by using your blood type to navigate where you're family has descended from you can pick better choices of food to help keep your body healthy in it's own way. I believe it stemmed back to the hunter/gather idea and how different climates and food sources in days long ago still dictate how our bodies choose to process food (red meat vs fish vs vegetarian)..... I read a part of the book - it was interesting idea, but I did not try the diet.
975763
Yes.  There is a large (and rapidly growing) body of scientific research that shows probiotic supplementation improves the health and function of the gut.  A healthy gut is key to a healthy body.  Many chronic diseases appear to have a gut component such as microfloral dysbiosis (an imbalance between good and bad organisms living in the gut).\n\nThere are more bacteria in your gut than cells in the body.  The genetic material in these bacteria is estimated to be ten times more than the genetic material in your entire body's cells.  The typical gut contains 400-500 different strains of bacteria.  When the 'bad guys' become dominant (e.g. after use of antibiotics or acid-inhibitor drugs like Nexium, Prilosec, or Pepcid) or bacteria 'overgrowth' develops in the small intestine or stomach, then significant toxicity, nutrient depletion and inflammation can result.\n\nBacterial dysbiosis can lead to a 'leaky gut' that results in chronic absorption of toxins and allergens into the body.  It can also lead to 'bacterial translocation' - a condition where bacteria enter the body and cause havoc in places like the liver, kidneys and joints.\n\nProbiotic supplements may help to counter these serious imbalances.\n\nBest wishes and good luck.
413292
They have only one real purposre.  First, they dramatically increase the total surface area of your small intestines to help absorb nutrients.  That's why when you get sick and get diarrhea, it's because the illness (virus,bacteria, etc.) has destroyed those villi and decreased the surface area of your intestine and all the stuff you eat just goes right through you.  Second, they say that it assists with motility (moving stuff through) but that isn't really true. You have muscles around your intestines that squeeze in a rythmic pattern and slowly push through section by section.
718340
Animals can sometimes carry infectious organisms which don't cause them to be sick, but which can infect humans. \n\nTurtles, for instance, often carry salmonella. As do many reptiles and amphibians. Poultry does as well, which accounts for advice to cook chicken very well. \n\nWild mice in the N American SW desert can carry and spread to humans a family of viruses called hanta virus (originally found and identified in Korea). In fact, rodents generally (or rather their fleas) are the carriers of bubonic plague. \n\nAll that said, contaminated food is ordinarily handled more or less safely. The intensely acid conditions in the stomach don't really contribute much to digestion, but are lethal to most bacteria. This is why less than sterile food circumstances in some places don't lead to widespread death from the contamination. It does cause a more or less continuous low grade of food upset and such, and in some cases some very bad diseases (such as cholera). But even if not perfect, stomach acidity does a pretty good job of keeping us safe from most contamination infection problems.\n\nIt may be that your guys lout of a co-worker will get sick, but probably not. A better choice would perhaps be to only bring some fruit for lunch -- perhaps the bully wouldn't want to steal a half-eaten apple?
45390
Good Question:\n\nParamecium eat bacteria.
916865
Everything you do, touch, breath, eat and drink affects your immunity. How to build strong immunity in your body is greatly affected by how you live your life. Sleep, exercise, nutrition, stress reduction, and health conditions are the main providers of foundation of having strong immune response.\n\nThings to do:\n>>Live a healthy life in general.\n>>Adequate rest and sleep - during deep sleep, our bodies release potent immune-enhancing substances that strengthen immune function.\n>>Regular exercise -  The body has a remarkable ability to increase its metabolic capacity through consistent regular physical conditioning.\n>>Good nutrition -  A healthy balanced diet of vegetables, fruits, whole and fortified grains, and dairy products, with small amounts of fish and meat if you wish. is absolutely essential to maintain good immunity. A healthy immune system depends on adequate amounts of protein, fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and other important metabolic nutrients. \n>>Detoxification - effects of  toxins and pollution are harmful to the immune system. Avoiding source of toxins and pollution is the best way to help.\n>>Avoid geting stress - stress has been found to stimulate immune-suppressing chemicals such as adrenaline. Stress reducers such as meditation, relaxation, guided imagery, and hypnosis can effectively enhance immunity.\n>>Avoid smoking or getting exposed to smoke - smoking suppresses immune cells.\n>>Immunization against some diseases is a good help.☺
675231
no it doesn't, you can get parasites regardless of your immune system's condition.
222492
Yes, there is limited (but rapidly growing) medical literature on this.  Go to Pubmed and try a search with  terms such as: microflora, dysbiosis, arthritis, inflammation, and/or lipopolysacharrides (LPS).\n\nGood luck!
1027318
Yes, diseases can transfer through those mediums. Actually, the virus or bacteria can stay alive and active even if the fruits or vegies are well-rinsed.
373489
I don't know where you got your information, but you're a little off.\n\nIt is true that eating human flesh can make a person "sick," but the disease that is at the center of this issue is called "kuru," or "the laughing sickness." It has been documented among the Fore people of New Guinea.\n\nWe now know this to be a prion disease (like mad cow) and it is spread by eating the brain or nervous system tissue of an infected individual. However, the fact is that these diseases are spread not only through cannibalism, but can also be transmitted if a person eats any infected flesh.\n\nIt is thought that the Fore were one of the last people on Earth to practice cannibalism, and the toll that this disease has taken has stopped the practice (as far as we know.)\n\nThe reason that these cultures were able to survive, even with a scourge like this, is because the disease is far from being instantly fatal. Kuru incubates over a period of two to twenty-three years, giving people plenty of time to get infected and then reproduce.
48536
Also, if u don't eat birds (if ur a vegetarian) u won't get the bird flu. Vegetarianism also has a lot of other benefits. The PETA and Vegan Outreach websites have a lot of info on that.
315499
Hi Sven.\nSome foods that nourish the immune system are Reishi Mushrooms, Shitake Mushrooms, All friuts and vegetables, nuts and grains. Whole foods in general will nourish the immune system. Herbs that you can use are; Echinacea, Garlic, Astragalus, Golden Seal, Sage, Rosemary to name but a mere few. Drniking lots of filtered water and getting plenty of sleep.\n\nHope this helps.\n\nCraig - Naturopath.
1162547
If mishandled (someone went to the bathroom without washing his hands, then stuck his hands in the syrup) or untreated, it could definitely grow microorganims that can cause illness. However, I'm not aware of a plant disease that could be communicated to humans if that was your question.