In the News - A new study in the journal Pediatrics suggests that hand washing of dishes may be healthier than using an automatic dishwasher. The study, which looked at 1029 families with children ages 7-8 years finds that some allergy related disorders are less common in families who primarily hand wash their dinner and cookware as opposed to using a dishwasher.
The authors theorize that perhaps, since hand washing would appear to be a less thorough method of cleansing, residual bacteria left on dinnerware might help subjects to develop a more natural tolerance to various allergens. Some findings include the following. Eczema was seen in 38% of children from "dishwasher" families as opposed to only23% in families who typically hand wash. Asthma was more than four times as common (7.3%) in machine washed families compared to hand washed households (1.7%). Nasal allergies didn't appear to be as much increased, but were still increased at 12.9% vs. 10.3%. Additionally, the study showed that families who eat fermented foods and farm-fresh produce are less likely to exhibit allergies.
The authors acknowledge there are real limits to the research due to possible confounding factors such as; the fact that "hand washing" is often done in households where family members live in more close proximity with one another, such families may have lower hygiene standards in general, and/or inhabit areas where there are higher bacterial counts in general. All of these are conditions which tend to be associated with a lower incidence of allergy related disorders.
Author: Mark R. Payne DC
Link to Full Text: http://pediatrics.aappublications.org
There has always been an argument that being too clean can create its own problems. This is an interesting article and it deserves attention because we don't want to sterilize our self into increased sickness. The recent article on peanut allergies also showed that exposure to little bits of peanuts can reduce allergies in kids... It is a very similar thought process and maybe researchers are about to change their thought process on reducing allergies in kids. At Chipley Chiropractic, we are here to help you and sometimes just push you to think about the possibility that what we have learned may not be correct. Stay Healthy my friends - Dr. Chipley
The authors theorize that perhaps, since hand washing would appear to be a less thorough method of cleansing, residual bacteria left on dinnerware might help subjects to develop a more natural tolerance to various allergens. Some findings include the following. Eczema was seen in 38% of children from "dishwasher" families as opposed to only23% in families who typically hand wash. Asthma was more than four times as common (7.3%) in machine washed families compared to hand washed households (1.7%). Nasal allergies didn't appear to be as much increased, but were still increased at 12.9% vs. 10.3%. Additionally, the study showed that families who eat fermented foods and farm-fresh produce are less likely to exhibit allergies.
The authors acknowledge there are real limits to the research due to possible confounding factors such as; the fact that "hand washing" is often done in households where family members live in more close proximity with one another, such families may have lower hygiene standards in general, and/or inhabit areas where there are higher bacterial counts in general. All of these are conditions which tend to be associated with a lower incidence of allergy related disorders.
Author: Mark R. Payne DC
Link to Full Text: http://pediatrics.aappublications.org
There has always been an argument that being too clean can create its own problems. This is an interesting article and it deserves attention because we don't want to sterilize our self into increased sickness. The recent article on peanut allergies also showed that exposure to little bits of peanuts can reduce allergies in kids... It is a very similar thought process and maybe researchers are about to change their thought process on reducing allergies in kids. At Chipley Chiropractic, we are here to help you and sometimes just push you to think about the possibility that what we have learned may not be correct. Stay Healthy my friends - Dr. Chipley
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