How Germaphobia Will Weaken Us in the Long Run

Almost overnight, COVID-19 turned the United States into a nation of germaphobes. After all, you won’t lose a fight that you are not in!

Did you ever notice that the parents who are the most cautious about their children being exposed to pathogens often have some of the sickest children? These parents get very frustrated because they wash and sanitize everything that their children come in contact with, and they’re are still getting sick!

On the surface it may seem that the sanitary approach may be a sound one, but it is not! The daily exposure to pathogens that we all experience strengthens our immune systems. These pathogens trigger a natural immunization that we all benefit from. This is the premise that vaccinations are based upon, but without the potential side effects that are associated with a number of vaccinations.

We all have about two to three pounds of microbes in us and on us. These microbes make up our microbiome and consist of bacteria, viruses, fungi and even protozoa. A healthy microbiome consists of about 100 trillion microorganisms with the biodiversity of about 2,500 different species. We need a balance of over 85% beneficial microbes to under 15% pathological microbes to be healthy. Our immune system is greatly dependent on the health and strength of our gut microbiome. Beneficial microbes also aid digestion, synthesize nutrients, and act as scouts to tag pathogens for our immune system to target! Our gut bacteria produce the vast majority of the feel-good hormone serotonin. Serotonin is artificially boosted by many anti-depression drugs that are associated with numerous serious side effects. Eating fermented foods such as sauerkraut can greatly enhance our gut microbiome and natural serotonin production. Probiotics (good bacteria) are often recommended for good gut health. Also noteworthy is how prebiotics are important because they feed probiotic bacteria. Prebiotics, are indigestible plant fiber that feed the bacteria of the large intestine.

Our current dilemma is that most people are avoiding all microbes because of COVID-19, but they are also avoiding beneficial microbes. There is no way to allow contact to normal environmental microbes barring COVID-19 viruses.  This germophobic behavior is unfortunately weakening our overall immunity by avoiding our normal microbe exposure.

What can we safely do to correct this imbalance?  Try to visit as many ecosystems as possible, such as the beaches, mountains, forests wetlands and deserts. Being exposed to the fresh air, soil, sand and foliage of different ecosystems will give your microbiome some welcome diversity as well as reduce stress. Don’t be afraid to be active in the dirt, sand and soil, since that is where the real benefits are.  These areas are very COVID-19 free!

Foods That Are Beneficial
to the Microbiome

Sample Interview Questions
to Ask Dr. Mike

1.    What is the benefit of being a germaphobe during this pandemic?

2.    What is the downside of being germophobic at this time?

3.    Are all microbes bad?

4.    What is the difference between immunization and vaccination?

5.    How can we expose ourselves to beneficial microbes, while avoiding COVID-19?