Boost The Immune System, Play On The Lawn
Updated: Nov 22, 2022
This study is the first human intervention trial in which urban environmental biodiversity was manipulated to examine its effects on the commensal microbiome and immunoregulation in children.
Abstract from the Finnish study
As the incidence of immune-mediated diseases has increased rapidly in developed societies, there is an unmet need for novel prophylactic practices to fight against these maladies. This study is the first human intervention trial in which urban environmental biodiversity was manipulated to examine its effects on the commensal microbiome and immunoregulation in children. We analyzed changes in the skin and gut microbiota and blood immune markers of children during a 28-day biodiversity intervention. Children in standard urban and nature-oriented daycare centres were analyzed for comparison. The intervention diversified both the environmental and skin Gammaproteobacterial communities, which, in turn, were associated with increases in plasma TGF-β1 levels and the proportion of regulatory T cells. The plasma IL-10:IL-17A ratio increased among intervention children during the trial. Our findings suggest that biodiversity intervention enhances immunoregulatory pathways and provide an incentive for future prophylactic approaches to reduce the risk of immune-mediated diseases in urban societies.
Complete article: https://advances.sciencemag.org/content/6/42/eaba2578
Healthier Immune System and Skin in 28 Days
When daycare workers in Finland rolled out a lawn, planted forest undergrowth such as dwarf heather and blueberries, and allowed children to care for crops in planter boxes, the diversity of microbes in the guts and on the skin of young kids appeared healthier in a very short space of time.
Compared to other city kids who play in standard urban daycares with yards of pavement, tile and gravel, 3-, 4-, and 5-year-olds at these greened-up daycare centres in Finland showed increased T-cells and other important immune markers in their blood within 28 days.
"We also found that the intestinal microbiota of children who received greenery was similar to the intestinal microbiota of children visiting the forest every day," says environmental scientist Marja Roslund from the University of Helsinki.
Outdoors Improve Eyesight
Another study published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology suggests that being outdoor in the sunlight helps reduces the risk of children developing myopia (short sightedness). In this digital age where children are often glued to their digital devices, it is important for parents to get them to play outdoors and to make it fun for them to be outdoors. Read more about this study: https://www.sciencealert.com/scientists-urge-children-to-play-outside-for-their-eyesight
Suggestions for wellbeing
7 days challenge
The benefits of being outdoor for children and adults are evidence in the direct impact that being outdoor can have on a person general health and wellbeing. Therefore, to kick start the process, you can start this 7 days program. - Start 16 hours intermittent fasting. - Take a high dose of Vitamin D and B-Complex. - Enjoy a magnesium foot soak. - Step, sit or lie on the lawn for 20 mins twice a day. - Get 20 mins or as much direct sunlight as possible. - Cut out sugar from the diet.
- Start a hobby like gardening so that your hands are touching the soil and plants. - Drink a healthy amount of water.
After a week your inflammation markers should be down, your immune system should be boosted and your eyesight should improve. Worth it, right?
