Think of the problem it would be if sheep herders became allergic to wool by prolonged exposure! It is more likely that they would become tolerant.
As you say our individual immune systems are very flexible. We are programmed with tendencies but not absolute allergies. This is why there is a lot of hope for early exposure therapy to prevent some of the more common allergies like peanuts,eggs and animals.
Most allergies are hereditary. Or, to be clearer, the tendency to develop allergies is hereditary. If your parents or one parent has allergies you are more likely to have them. But WHAT you are allergic to will vary depending on a lot of factors only one of which is early exposure to or avoidance of allergens. In general allergens are not harmful in themselves, so many generations of exposure is not likely to cause MORE people to be allergic but rather fewer.
Thank you for the video. Is there any evidence that certain allergies are hereditary? This would seem to correlate with the exposure idea in the hygeine hypothesis. If a group of people have not been exposed to certain stimulus for many generations is it possible that their desecendant's immune systems may view it as hostile? Or are our indidividual immune systems more flexible and not predetermined in this sense by inherited dna?
There is research going on about how to prevent allergies. Unfortunately for us adults, it seems that we have to increase our exposure to allergens when we are VERY young. the evidence suggests that children who are raised on farms or in less cleanly inner cities have fewer allergies when they grow up.....because of the early exposure. If you already have allergies then the best thing you can do is avoid those things you are allergic to.
You are right, it is a theory called The Hygeine Hypothesis. It was formulated more than 15 years ago and has been supported by a lot of good research since then. This is discussed in detail in Evolution Rx, my new book which just came out.
This is so true. I grew up in the inner city of Baltimore and I have no allergies at all. Not one. I feel sorry for people when they can't do anything or eat anything because of allergies, while I'm enjoying shell fish, peanuts, kittens, puppies, and a lovely spring day. Thank goodness I grew in the filth.
you are so right. and thank you for the comments. the fact that blacks are not afraid of the sun may account for why they have 1/2 the osteoporosis of whites!!!
Think of the problem it would be if sheep herders became allergic to wool by prolonged exposure! It is more likely that they would become tolerant.
As you say our individual immune systems are very flexible. We are programmed with tendencies but not absolute allergies. This is why there is a lot of hope for early exposure therapy to prevent some of the more common allergies like peanuts,eggs and animals.
Thank you for your comments.
wmeller 4 days ago
Most allergies are hereditary. Or, to be clearer, the tendency to develop allergies is hereditary. If your parents or one parent has allergies you are more likely to have them. But WHAT you are allergic to will vary depending on a lot of factors only one of which is early exposure to or avoidance of allergens. In general allergens are not harmful in themselves, so many generations of exposure is not likely to cause MORE people to be allergic but rather fewer.
wmeller 4 days ago
Thank you for the video. Is there any evidence that certain allergies are hereditary? This would seem to correlate with the exposure idea in the hygeine hypothesis. If a group of people have not been exposed to certain stimulus for many generations is it possible that their desecendant's immune systems may view it as hostile? Or are our indidividual immune systems more flexible and not predetermined in this sense by inherited dna?
narotax 5 days ago
There is research going on about how to prevent allergies. Unfortunately for us adults, it seems that we have to increase our exposure to allergens when we are VERY young. the evidence suggests that children who are raised on farms or in less cleanly inner cities have fewer allergies when they grow up.....because of the early exposure. If you already have allergies then the best thing you can do is avoid those things you are allergic to.
wmeller 10 months ago
Well what I should do to avoid allergies? Get dirty?
jbmw25 10 months ago
Now thats just a theory
yoyoSal 2 years ago
You are right, it is a theory called The Hygeine Hypothesis. It was formulated more than 15 years ago and has been supported by a lot of good research since then. This is discussed in detail in Evolution Rx, my new book which just came out.
wmeller 2 years ago
This is so true. I grew up in the inner city of Baltimore and I have no allergies at all. Not one. I feel sorry for people when they can't do anything or eat anything because of allergies, while I'm enjoying shell fish, peanuts, kittens, puppies, and a lovely spring day. Thank goodness I grew in the filth.
cushrinada 4 years ago
you are so right. and thank you for the comments. the fact that blacks are not afraid of the sun may account for why they have 1/2 the osteoporosis of whites!!!
wmeller 4 years ago