There’s been an idea, prevalent for years, that country living makes stronger kids. The ‘farm boy’ archetype is a strong, tall, broad, and healthy boy. But what’s the truth behind that? Is there something better on a farm? Is there a magic bullet that boosts the immune system?
Interestingly, it turns out the answer is yes–but if you were guessing it was something as simple as “air quality,” you’re wrong.
“Innate Immunity and Asthma Risk” On The Farm
The New England Journal of Medicine published a study on August 4th, 2016, entitled “Innate Immunity and Asthma Risk in Amish and Hutterite Farm Children.” The study looked at two groups–the Amish community in Indiana and the South Dakota Hutterites. These communities have “lifestyles [which] are similar with respect to most of the factors known to influence the risk of asthma, including large sibship size, high rates of childhood vaccination, diets rich in fat, salt, and raw milk, low rates of childhood obesity, long durations of breast-feeding, minimal exposure to tobacco smoke and air pollution, and taboos against indoor pets.” However, there is one major difference–the Amish live on individual dairy farms, and use horses for plowing; the Hutterites live on “communal farms” which use more modern, industrial farming techniques. (1)
The Results Of The Farm Article On The Immune System
When the results of the study came in, they were shocking. The researchers compared 30 children from the Amish community and 30 from the Hutterite community. Surprisingly, Hutterite children are almost four times more likely to have asthma than the Amish children. What is the reason for it?
The New York Times explains:
[The Amish children] all had a large proportion of neutrophils — white blood cells that are the immune system’s paramedics and are part of what is known as the innate immune system. These children’s neutrophils were newly emerged from their bone marrow, evidence of a continual low-grade reaction to microbial invaders.
(1, 2)
The Farm-Fresh Difference Of Immunity
So, what causes these white blood cells? There is one difference between these two communities; consequently, it’s to this difference in farming practices we can turn. The dust in Amish households, interestingly, is filled with bacteria from the farm animals. Because the Hutterites use more modern technology, and the Amish use horses to plow their fields, there are more of these animal mores brought into the house. Therefore, Amish children “are exposed to an environment rich in microbes, showed exceedingly low rates of asthma and distinct immune profiles that suggest profound effects on innate immunity.” The researchers even suggested that this research be used to create an immune system-boosting spray. (1, 2)
The Immune System, Farm Life, And The Hygiene Hypothesis
Up to 10% of school-aged children have asthma according to The New York Times. Upsettingly, asthma is incurable and can cause lifelong issues. Some children ‘grow out of it’ with lessened symptoms. However, many don’t. So, how could this spray prevent breathing issues? The spray works on the ‘hygiene hypothesis’. Children don’t get exposed to those microbes that pump up those neutrophils–and boost the immune system response–if their environment is too clean. (2)
