Dirt and Health
Healthy Living, Vol.5 No.10

Dirt & Health Healthy Living, Vol.5 No.10 Asthma. Allergies. Irritable bowel syndrome. Rheumatoid arthritis. Lupus, Crohn's disease. Chronic fatigue syndrome. Immune disorders. All are reaching epidemic proportions. To protect yourself from these disorders-and to aid your body's healing quest in the case of such disorders-may I respectfully suggest you get dirty? Do not be surprised by what I say. Dirt is so essential to health that if you or a loved one is suffering from any of the above conditions, this may be due to your lost connection to the soil. Indeed, society's growing separation from dirt and germs may well be the cause of the growing incidence of these maladies, says epidemiologist David Strachan, who first advanced the over-cleanliness theory in 1989 when he was at Britain's London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. At that time, Dr. Strachan noticed that children belonging to large families were much less likely to develop asthma, hay fever or eczema. Dr. Strachan theorized older children coming home dirty with all sorts of resident soil microorganisms were actually protecting their younger brothers and sisters. We need dirt, says Dr. Strachan. He may be onto something. Cancer Institute, Pharmaceutical Companies Seek Pay Dirt Throughout the world, scientists are carrying spoons and sandwich bags no matter where they go in search of ever-exotic sources of such soil organisms. They are seeking out new and unique soil organisms in bat caves, hot springs, undersea volcanoes, and even from mummies. Each exotic locale may yield a completely new discovery. Indeed, these vast resources have not even begun to be tapped. Even the National Cancer Institute is getting in on the action and funding research on dirt. It is thought by some of our leading government officials that in our soil we may find a treatment for AIDS, cancer, and other deadly diseases. Consider these discoveries: While vacationing in Norway an employee at Sandoz Pharmaceutical took home a mold found in soil that later led to development of the anti-rejection drug cyclosporin. A scientist scouring the soil of an Indonesian temple discovered microbes that can turn starch into sugar. In Japan, a scientist picked up a clump of soil from a golf course that is now used to cure parasitic infections plaguing livestock. How Dirt Improves Health The idea that dirt is good for our health is paradoxically due to our exposure to both protective and infectious microorganisms found in soil. According to a recent report in the New Scientist, researchers have discovered the microorganisms found in dirt influence maturation of the immune system so that it is either functional or dysfunctional. Among the cells of the immature immune system are so-called nondifferentiated T-helper cells (Th cells), which are primarily produced by the thymus gland. These Th cells control the initiation or suppression of the body's immune reactions and regulate many other immune cells. Among the TH cells that develop as we mature are Th1 and Th2 helper cells. Th1 cells are the quintessential cop who do their job of defending your body very very efficiently-with little wasted effort. TH1 cells produce only as many germ-zapping antibodies as necessary to stop an invader. The message here is economy of action. But on the other hand, Th2 cells are the armed forces of the body and when they go out to do battle it is like sending in the army, navy, marines and air force. The TH2 cells are "total response" defenders. When we are children, if we are exposed to an adequate amount of viruses and bacteria and other microorganisms-if we are allowed to play in the dirt, put our fingers in our mouths or suck on old dirty clothing-our Th cells will mature into desirable Th1 cells. But, without adequate exposure to soil microbes, our immune cells tend to mature into Th2 cells. We have failed to adequately educate our immune system. Are Our Children Too Clean? Too many children today and in the last fifty years have been denied this much-needed exposure to soil microorganisms. In other words, we're living in too clean an environment. The immune systems of children and even adults no longer are being properly educated. Perhaps a sense of balance is required, and we have overemphasized elimination of microorganisms from our environment. This, coupled with the fact that most of the country has become so urbanized that kids hardly ever are found playing in the garden or walking on country roads, shows us that we have lost contact with our germ-rich earth. Today, more than ever, we over sterilize everything. We have disinfectant dishwashing soap and disinfectant body lotions and skin bars with triclosan-even disinfectant produce washes. We sterilize our agricultural soil with pesticides and herbicides, destroying beneficial and harmful bacteria alike, even harming plants' natural immune systems. Our food used to have loads of bacterial organisms which became part of the plant and which we consumed. Now, our soil is sterile. Pesticides and herbicides are to the soil as antibiotics are to the human gut. "Eating vegetables directly out of the soil as part of food was good for primitive man," says gastroenterologist Joseph Brasco, M.D., of the Optimal Wellness Center in Schaumburg, Illinois. "The organisms living in that soil caused primal man to thrive. But today it's different! Given the paranoia that modern men and women in western society feel against ingesting soil of any kind, these ancient soil-based organisms no longer are part of our food supply. Yes, times do change! It used to be that a pioneering farmer working his fields, the so-called 'sod-buster,' who became hungry simply dug into the ground, pulled up some carrots, brushed off the dirt, and chomped away on vegetables containing the residual dirt and all. The farmer kept his gastrointestinal tract functioning well by ingesting these extracurricular homeostatic soil organisms. But that's not the way it is anymore. So fastidious are residents of Western industrialized nations that too much cleanliness has become somewhat detrimental to one's gastrointestinal tract. We have to eat dirt once in awhile." Keep in mind, this quote is from a board-certified gastroenterologist. Take another case in point: our drinking water. Once, drinking water teemed with mycobacteria. Now, I'll be the first to tell you, some of these pathogens were deadly, and the fact that today our water supplies are disinfected and so much safer than a century ago is certainly important to public health. On the other hand, I should also point out the fact that populations in countries with low rates of asthma still drink water with billions of mycobacteria per liter. The chlorination process used to disinfect water also disinfects the human body, eliminating both good and bad microorganisms. Oh, sure, we are exposed daily to some of these microorganisms, but leading researchers say that most people are no longer exposed to large enough quantities of microorganisms from our soil, dust, air, water and foods to achieve optimal health. With an over sterile environment, our relationship to the earth has been severed. We live in air-conditioned offices and homes and pass from one to the other walking upon concrete or traveling in cars on polluted highways. Our foods are irradiated to further kill the microorganisms. We use antibacterial preservatives. The idea of fermented foods is almost foreign to Americans. With our modern, high-tech processing methods, food manufacturers have eliminated many of our food's most important life-giving nutrients. It is ironic that, even though our parents yelled at us for eating mud pies, perhaps it was the best thing we could have been doing for ourselves. Primal DefenseTM to the Rescue In order to restore health, many people need to restore their connection to the soil. While obviously not everyone can go out and start making mud pies, do a little gardening or hike in the mountains, there is another way of doing so: homeostatic soil organisms or HSOs seem to be the healing link between our soil and our bodies. In 1978, one such U.S. scientist working in a pristine Asian rain forest discovered unique mounds of soil he quickly identified as characteristic of soil organisms of an unusual nature. He brought a small quantity of these HSOs to the United States for use in experimentation. Because these bacteria are not regularly found on the North American continent, the scientist had to create a new culture for research purposes. Over the next three years his research team performed studies on the unknown homeostatic soil organisms. These researchers identified the various strains; determined whether they possessed toxicity to living organisms; and ascertained if they were beneficial to human health. In vivo tests on rodents and other animals proved the bacteria were nontoxic to higher living organisms. Botany studies indicated the HSOsTM were beneficial to plants and soil. At Mexican institutions, clinical tests were conducted with the microorganisms, applying them topically to open wounds. The organisms were also ingested. No toxicity reactions or side effects were observed even at very high amounts of ingestion. Over time, the researchers perfected a process for selectively breeding superior strains of these HSOsTM until they produced cultures that furnished good, positive body reactions: more normal bowel movements; improved sleep patterns; fewer colds and flu; and greater amounts of energy. During the breeding experiments, the scientists brought their HSOs to university laboratories in California for further experiments. This work eventually resulted in Primal DefenseTM with HSOsTM, the first HSOTM formula from Garden of Life, a nutritional company based in Jupiter, Florida (800-622-8986). By reintroducing HSOsTM to the human body, persons suffering from immune disorders-including food allergies, irritable bowel syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and Crohn's disease-enhance their healing response. HSOsTM help to accomplish the educational process that was earlier disturbed when the link was broken between beneficial soil organisms and the patient's body. They help to at last educate the body's Th cells as they never were during infancy; the process might be more aptly called building "tolerance." Through constant exposure to the lost HSOsTM, the body's Th cells become "tolerant" and mount only necessary, not excessive, immune responses. In a sense, this formula gives the immune system the workout it missed in our highly sanitized world. Both Dr. Peter Rothschild, of the State Academy of Medicine, Apodaca, Mexico, and William C. Bryce, M.D., Ph.D., of Huntington Beach, California, offer additional perspective on this reeducation process. These researchers note HSOs produce proteins, which the immune system reacts to as an antigen (a protein or carbohydrate substance capable of stimulating an immune response). The HSOsTM stimulate the body's Th cells to influence other immune cells, especially B-lymphocytes that are produced in the bone marrow, to produce nonspecific or un-programmed antibodies. These antibodies have the ability to take a fresh, new look at newly introduced bodily invaders. They have not been preprogrammed to overreact and are freely available to travel where and when needed. "The beauty of it all is that this huge reservoir of extra antibodies is always on hand for the immune system to utilize as long as the individual is taking the HSOs regularly," says Dr. Rothschild. "Without them, this reservoir of extra antibodies is unavailable. Thus, by ingesting homeostatic soil organisms on a regular basis the effectiveness of one's immune system becomes vastly enhanced." But, in fact, the reestablishment of the HSOTM-body link yields far more benefits than simply aiding in cases of autoimmune disease. Overall bodily functions and immunity are greatly improved. Cholesterol levels are naturally reduced; energy levels are increased; and resistance to disease-causing organisms is enhanced. Take two HSOsTM in the Primal DefenseTM formula-Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus lichenformis. In studies conducted in Germany at the University of Berlin's Max-Volmer Institute, these two HSOsTM were shown to inactivate human immunodeficiency, herpes simplex (HSV-1 and HSV-2), simian immunodeficiency, feline calicirirus, murine encephalomyocarditis, and other lipid enveloped viruses-along with mycoplasmas, fungi and bacteria. These HSOs do so by producing a potent chemical called surfactin, a detergent-like substance that dissolves the lipid membranes of lipid enveloped viruses, thereby rendering them completely inactivated. Jordan Rubin, C.N.C., is the founder of Garden of Life and responsible for the introduction and popularization of HSOsTM worldwide. The Doctors' Prescription The science of HSOsTM is exploding, and what we are learning is essential to good health. The newly recognized ability of HSOsTM to aid our quest for healing and maintaining good health is one of the most exciting breakthroughs in modern nutrition. Of course, the irony is that we are talking about a nutritional treasure from the earth's soil. I would urge anyone with intractable immune conditions, allergies, low energy, inability to gain weight, fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome to take advantage of HSOsTM. The formula that I recommend is Primal DefenseTM with HSOsTM. It is available at natural health centers and from health professionals nationwide. The usual dosing regimen includes taking one to two caplets per day for the first week, increasing your intake every few days to six to twelve caplets daily (in two to three servings). Continue this saturation level for a minimum of three months. The formula is best taken on an empty stomach about a half hour before meals or before bedtime. My company, Garden of Life, is located at 1449 Jupiter Park Drive, Suite 16, Jupiter, Florida 33458. Call me with your health questions. Of course, I cannot diagnose or treat you over the phone, but one of our experts can help to set up a personalized HSO program for you, including a recommended daily dosage and provide additional educational material. Our toll-free number is (800) 622-8986. Our website is www.gardenoflifeusa.com, and you can e-mail us at info@gardenoflifeusa.com. The Modern Soil Connection Functions and Actions of Encapsulated HSOsTM The HSOsTM in Primal DefenseTM provide even more important health benefits. The HSOs establish colonies in the entire digestive system, starting in the esophagus and ending in the colon, by attaching themselves to the walls of these organs. Burrowing behind the putrefaction, which lines the intestinal walls, they eat and destroy unfriendly microorganisms. The decay is then dislodged and flushed out of the body in the normal evacuation process. This aids in detoxification of the intestinal tract, increases the body's ability to absorb nutrients, and, again, makes the immune system super strong, especially in its ability to fight viruses and bacteria. The HSOsTM are extremely aggressive against all pathological molds, yeasts, fungi, and viruses but, at the same time, they help the body to efficiently eliminate such pathogens without an over stimulatory effect as with autoimmunity. Moreover, protozoa, worms, and other parasites are eliminated as well by the aggressive action of the HSOsTM, both within the intestines and throughout the other organs and tissues. Candida albicans, yeasts, and molds are obliterated. HSOsTM Pool New RNA/DNA in the Cells HSOs are rich sources of DNA and RNA, the naturally coded instructions for the cells to reactivate their own repair. Working in a symbiotic relationship with bodily tissues, HSOsTM create a pool of extra DNA/RNA raw materials that are immediately available when needed, accelerating healing of wounds and other tissue disturbances, including burns, surgical incisions, and infections. HSOsTM Quench Free Radicals by Creating SOD HSOsTM produce the free radical quencher, superoxide dismutase (SOD), a powerful antioxidant. Unless extinguished at once, free radicals attack any physiological molecule, causing cancers and other tissue damage. SOD, working enzymatically, is a first-line defense against free radicals before they can cause organ damage. It's found in only a few foods, and the assimilation and retention of SOD is difficult. SOD is created as a byproduct of the HSOsTM metabolism. HSOsTM Stimulate Alpha Interferon Production HSOsTM stimulate the production of a key immune system regulator, the polypeptide alpha interferon (a molecular protein). The scientific community has long known about the great virus-fighting ability of alpha interferon. Research documents over 50 of its immune-regulating effects. Alpha interferon has been synthesized and used for a variety of illnesses, notably cancer, but the recombinantly derived version is extremely costly, inefficient, and has many adverse side effects. Performing research studies on the beneficial bacteria at the State Academy of Medicine in Apodaca, Mexico, Dr. Rothschild and his coworkers report that the HSO formula, "when consumed at the recommended dosage, stimulates the body's endogenous alpha interferon production. The product itself does not contain any alpha interferon but comprises a singularly efficient set of nutrients that seem to increase specifically and most effectively the body's natural alpha interferon production." Working on human immunopathic patients, the research team demonstrated that the human body requires extremely small daily quantities of alpha interferon to maintain a lively and effective immune response. According to Dr. Rothschild, this tiny bit of therapeutic substance produced by the immune system in reaction to the bacteria is an effective neutralizer of the toxic effects of pathogenic viruses that cause herpes, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, influenza, and other potentially life-threatening illnesses. HSOsTM Stimulate the Production of Human Lactoferrin Present in the homeostatic soil organisms themselves is a certain substance that stimulates the formation of human lactoferrin, a member of the family of iron-carrying proteins. As affirmed by Dr. Rothschild, lactoferrin protein is found in the specific granules of neutrophils where it exerts an anti-microbial activity by withholding iron from ingested pathogenic bacteria and fungi. For this reason HSOsTM exhibit characteristics akin to fungicides, virucides, bactericides, and parasiticides. "Iron carried by lactoferrin is extremely bioaccessible-greater than 95%-yet it will not be delivered to noxious microbes." Lactoferrin is identified by specific receptors and delivers iron to the epithelial cells of the small intestine. Iron is released only at the point of recognition and does not, therefore, become available for any other microorganism in the intestinal tract.