A new Northwestern University study suggests that American parents should ease up on antibacterial soap and perhaps allow their little ones a romp or two in the mud --- or at least a much better acquaintance with everyday germs.
The research suggests that inflammatory systems may need a higher level of exposure to common everyday bacteria and microbes to guide their development. "In other words, inflammatory networks may need the same type of microbial exposures early in life that have been part of the human environment for all of our evolutionary history to function optimally in adulthood," said McDade, also a member of the Institute for Policy Research's Cells to Society (C2S).
More on study.
Related Blog Posts
Why Play?
Countdown to good health.
High cost low activity playgrounds.