Originally posted by: spidey07
Originally posted by: BD2003
The real thing to worry about isn't antihistamines, it's overuse of antibiotics/antibacterials. Not because it makes our kids weaker, but because it makes the bugs stronger.
Well I think all people can agree on that point.
But doesn't it seem somewhat "wrong" to pop a chewable allergy pill to a kid? Do histamines not have their purpose? Why supress that?
It's the supression of the body's natural defenses that I have a problem with. Genetically if we continue to do this we will eventually lose that ability.
Histamine most definitely has a purpose. Its part of our immunological response, mostly dealing with inflammation, tissue damage etc. Also a neurotransmitter.
The thing is, our immune system, along with histamine, does a good deal of damage to our body while trying to save it. Inflammation is a necessary evil if we have an infection. But if we DONT have an infection, and some innocuous substance can set this stuff off, it's generally a bad thing.
The antihistamines don't remove the histamine, it just blocks the receptors. Newer ones stay entirely out of the brain.
You see, our natural body wasn't designed for this world. We never had so much food we were obese, or had antibiotics, or any medical treatment etc. Theyre often of a one size fits all, easy to make, easy to regulate, mindless type. Fever, inflammation etc. Things are different nowadays. Natural defenses are great in a natural world, since it's all you've got. But we didnt live so long in the natural world either.
We still need our immune system and all, but with antibiotics, its even better. We have brains, we need to use them.
Genetically speaking, if we lose an ability, it's because we don't need it anymore. Our niche has changed, or something better has come along. It's dead weight. As long as it remains useful, itll stick around. I can't say I wish I had a tail.