Phytotherapy Blog
Dogs and the microbiome
When I was a scout in Denmark, it was an accepted idea that we would probably eat 7 pounds of dirt each year and that it was somehow good for us. We now know it is may improve our microbiome: "New indicate that new parents shouldn't be afraid of a little dirt — or fur. After monitoring a cohort of nearly 1,200 infants, Lynch and her colleagues found that a dog might be a baby's best friend when it comes to avoiding respiratory disorders2. "The only factor that discriminated high- from low-risk groups was dog ownership," says Lynch (main author). She says that dogs (and, to a lesser extent, cats) "increase the diversity of bacteria and lower the diversity of fungi in the houses where these babies are raised". This finding aligns with other research showing that a rural upbringing or growing up on a farm might yield a richer gut microbiome that reduces the risk of inflammatory respiratory diseases relative to children raised in more urban environments."
Reference:
The hunt for a healthy microbiome Despite evidence of the gut microbiome's role in human health, researchers are still working out what shapes the community of microbes. By Michael Eisenstein https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-00193-3
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About the author
Michael Thomsen PhD scholar, MSc, ND
I firmly believe in the value and preservation of traditional medicine. I work to inform health professionals about the incredible value of medicinal plants and I work with industry to improve the quality of the medicinal products made from medicinal plants and nutrients.
I now divide my time between clinical practice where I specialise in cancer support and my various business activities.
Michael Thomsen is a Naturopath with over 30 years’ experience. Originally from Denmark, Michael completed studies in Naturopathy and Herbal Medicine in Sydney, graduating in 1986. He has a Master of Science, from the Graduate School of Integrative Medicine, Swinburne University and is currently completing a PhD at Sydney University Medical School.
Michael has extensive industry experience as past technical manager of leading herbal medicine companies in Australia. He is the original author of the popular Phytotherapy Desk Reference now in its fourth edition having sold 16,000 copies worldwide.