Western hygiene could rob us of useful gut bacteria: study

By Michael Koziol
Updated May 12 2015 - 5:08pm, first published April 17 2015 - 10:30pm
Researchers believe differences in microbiota were driven largely by differences in hygiene and sanitation.
Researchers believe differences in microbiota were driven largely by differences in hygiene and sanitation.
Researchers believe differences in microbiota were driven largely by differences in hygiene and sanitation.
Researchers believe differences in microbiota were driven largely by differences in hygiene and sanitation.
Researchers believe differences in microbiota were driven largely by differences in hygiene and sanitation.
Researchers believe differences in microbiota were driven largely by differences in hygiene and sanitation.
Researchers believe differences in microbiota were driven largely by differences in hygiene and sanitation.
Researchers believe differences in microbiota were driven largely by differences in hygiene and sanitation.

It's a line we've all heard before: rigorous sanitation and hygiene in the western world might contribute to making us sick. Reducing our exposure to bacteria means the immune system doesn't learn how to fight it, the argument goes.

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