Two of three essential gut bacteria reside in DIRT!
When I was young, my mother kept a meticulously clean home, and I certainly did not play in dirt! However, despite being very healthy, as I grew into my teens and later, I was diagnosed with so-called IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) and I have many allergies. Although I think I probably also have a ‘bad gut gene’, it is very likely that my pristine environment helped me develop, or caused my allergies.
Recently I agreed to give a two-hour talk called “An Introduction to Prebiotics and Probiotics: Your bacteria and You”, in which I covered quite a bit of the most recent research on this topic. I also produced a booklet by the same name (from the slides I showed) that you can obtain from Amazon as a booklet or e-book very cheaply through this link. (This link is to Amazon USA so you may have to change Amazon to your own country to obtain the ‘hard copy’). Also, the booklet/talk covers a great deal more about Prebiotics and Probiotics than this blog!
If you have a group who would benefit from hearing my talk on this topic, please contact me to discuss an arrangement.
Three good Bacillus subtypes that everyone needs for the health of their gut and colon are Bacillus subtilus, whose normal source is SOIL and COMPOST! This bacteria promotes the growth of other good bacteria, namely Lactobacilli and Bifidobacterium while at the same time, it suppresses undesirable forms. The second important bacteria is Bacillus coagulans, which is readily available in the ‘traditional’ fermented foods Kimchi and Sauerkraut! The third is another soil-based probiotic Bacillus clausii, which is found both in SOIL and on the surface of soil-grown vegetables. This suggests that provided we know enough about the quality of the soil that the vegetables are grown in (e.g. organic soil), then we shouldn’t wash our vegetables too thoroughly.
Allowing young children to play in the dirt not only exposes them to two of these highly beneficial bacteria but it also has several benefits for their physical, cognitive, and emotional development. Here are some key advantages:
Physical Health Benefits
- Immune System Strengthening: As explained above, exposure to dirt and soil microbes can help strengthen a child’s immune system, making them less susceptible to allergies and autoimmune diseases.
- Exercise: Playing outside in the dirt encourages physical activity, which is crucial for developing motor skills, coordination, and overall fitness.
- Sensory Development: Handling dirt and other natural materials can enhance sensory experiences, aiding in the development of touch, smell, and even taste.
Cognitive Development
- Curiosity and Exploration: Digging in the dirt can spark curiosity and a desire to explore, fostering a sense of wonder and encouraging scientific thinking and inquiry.
- Problem-Solving Skills: Engaging with nature and unstructured play in the dirt can help children develop problem-solving skills and creativity as they build, dig, and manipulate their environment.
As well as these, there are the emotional and social benefits of Stress Reduction: Being in nature and playing with dirt can reduce stress and anxiety, leading to improved mood and emotional well-being.
Free play in the dirt allows children to make their own decisions, boosting their confidence and independence. This is usually not done alone so playing in the dirt often involves group activities, which can enhance social skills, cooperation, and teamwork.
In summary, playing in the dirt offers a wide range of benefits that contribute to the healthy development of young children, helping them grow into well-rounded individuals. Clearly, dirt is not essential to becoming a normal adult but it does help in many aspects.
But are there risks? These days, dirt is likely to also contain chemicals of various sorts. These can arise from various sources, such as contaminated soil, agricultural chemicals, industrial pollutants, and household substances.
So, we now have to ask what are the risks of toxic chemical exposures for children playing in the dirt? Here are some key risks to consider:
Sources of Toxic Chemicals
- Pesticides and Herbicides: Residues from agricultural chemicals used in nearby land or gardens can contaminate the soil.
- Heavy Metals: Lead, arsenic, cadmium, and other heavy metals can be present in the soil, especially in urban areas, near old buildings with lead-based paint, or near industrial sites.
- Industrial Pollutants: Past industrial activities frequently leave behind various harmful substances, such as PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls), dioxins, and PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons).
- Household Chemicals: Runoff from household chemicals like cleaning agents, paints, and automotive fluids can contaminate soil.
- Pet Waste and Fertilizers: Pathogens and chemicals from pet waste and fertilizers can also pose risks. Furthermore, home gardeners are constantly being encouraged to add fertilizers and other chemicals to their gardens.
Health Risks of Chemical Residues in Soil
Heavy metals such as lead and mercury can cause significant neurological damage, affecting cognitive development, behaviour, and motor skills. Furthermore, inhalation of contaminated soil dust can cause respiratory problems and exacerbate conditions like asthma.
And it doesn’t end there: Ingesting contaminated soil can lead to gastrointestinal distress and infections, or direct contact with certain chemicals can cause skin irritation, rashes, or allergic reactions.
Furthermore, many chemicals like pesticides and industrial pollutants can disrupt hormonal systems, potentially leading to developmental and reproductive issues and long-term exposure to certain chemicals, such as PAHs and dioxins, can increase the risk of cancer!
Vulnerability of Children
Children are especially vulnerable to chemical exposures as their skin is more permeable, and their bodies absorb chemicals more readily than adults. Furthermore, children are more likely to ingest soil due to their tendency to put their hands or objects in their mouths, children’s developing organs and systems are more vulnerable to the toxic effects of chemicals and early exposure can lead to a longer duration of health effects over their lifetime.
If we want children to play in the dirt can we provide “safe dirt”
This sounds bizarre but it seems that the only way to allow children to play in the dirt and stay safe will be to provide fit for purpose dirt! This dirt must still have the necessary soil microbes so it can’t be sterilised but perhaps this could create a new ‘cottage industry’? Some confectionary-based products that are currently available as ‘play dirt’ are definitely NOT THE ANSWER!