Let Them Eat Dirt. B. Brett Finlay
Let Them Eat Dirt
To our kids, Jessica, Liam, Marisol, and Emiliano for inspiring us to get the word out that kids need more dirt in their lives.
In the interest of protecting the privacy of individuals, some of the names have been changed in the anecdotes provided in the book. Furthermore, the concepts provided in the book are based on published scientific literature; however, we are not physicians, and licensed doctors should be consulted for medical advice when undertaking any particular diet, treatment, or therapy for parents and/or their children.
Contents
PART ONE: We Are More Microbe Than Human
1.Children Are Microbe Magnets
2.A Newly Discovered Organ: The Human Microbiome
Avoiding Contagion at Any Cost
Microbes: Partners in Evolution
Feeding Our Microbes So They Can Feed Us
PART TWO: Raising Babies and Their Microbes
3.Pregnancy: Eating for Two? Try Eating for Trillions
The Pregnant Microbiota: Another Reason to Eat Well
Stress, Your Baby, and Your Microbes
Infections and Antibiotics: Can We Avoid Them?
Getting Smart About Antibiotics
Can Bacteria Influence Us Before Birth?
4.Birth: Welcome to the World of Microbes
Premature Babies
Born Too Young
Feeding Trillions
Breastfeeding: Not as Easy as It Sounds
When Breast Milk Is Not an Option
Breastfeeding After a C-section
6.Solid Foods: A Growing Diet for Microbes
New Food Means New Microbes to Eat It
The Boon of Diversity
When, What, and How Much?
Dangerous Eats
7.Antibiotics: Carpet Bombing the Microbiota
The Antibiotic Paradox
Wonder Drugs of the Twentieth Century
Resistance Is Futile
“Mommy, My Ear Hurts!”
Wonder Drugs That Aren’t So Wonderful
Probiotics with Antibiotics—an Oxymoron?
8.Pets: A Microbe’s Best Friend
Love at First Lick
From the Wild to Our Couches
Bring on the Slobberfest
9.Lifestyle: Microbe Deficit Disorder
Starved for Nature
Such a Thing as Too Clean
Cleanliness Q&A
10.Obesity: The World Is Getting Heavier
Body Weight and the Microbiome
Fat Mice
Of Mice and Men
A Microbiota Diet
Antibiotics and Childhood Weight
Malnutrition
Anorexia Nervosa