Amish seem to get benefit from drinking unpasteurized milk and living close to large animals. Getty Images
The Amish who live and work with animals on farms in northern Indiana, have some of the lowest rates of allergies and asthma in the westernized world, perhaps because of the so-called "farm effect," according to an international study.
Their allergy rates are about half that of their Swiss relatives, who have some of the lowest in the world.
Lead author and Indiana allergist Dr. Mark Holbreich said scientists believe the reasons are environmental and not genetic, even though the Amish are descendants of Swiss immigrants to the United States.
"They live on farms like the 1850s with no electricity and no TV and the children run around in the barns," said Holbreich. "A lot of their work and early life exposure is to things on the farm."
"This [study] would suggest that if you have early life exposure [to allergens], then somehow it drives the immune system away from developing allergies," he said.
"Large animals are part of it, and the straw bedding animals sleep on," said Holbreich. "And what [the Amish children] eat and the fact that their mothers are in the barn when they are pregnant."
The study, which was published in the April 16 issue of the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, was a collaborative effort with German researchers, who had previously looked at low allergy rates among Swiss farmers who lived in barns connected to their houses.
They studied 157 Amish families, 3,000 Swiss farming families and another 11,000 Swiss who did not live on farms. All had children aged 6 to 12.
Only about 10 percent of all Amish children show sensitization for allergies - mostly dust mites and grass; about 25 percent of all Swiss farm children tested positive to allergies - mostly cats.
Overall, the Swiss have the same allergy sensitization rates as Americans - about 44 to 50 percent. Only about 20 percent of those who show sensitization develop allergy symptoms.
Researchers also found that only 5 percent of Amish kids had been diagnosed with asthma, compared with 6.8 percent of Swiss farm kids and 11.2 percent of the other Swiss children.
Allergy rates are increasing in the United States and scientists have a variety of theories, including childhood obesity, diet and even immunizations.
One of the most important observations in the study was the benefit derived from drinking raw, unpasteurized milk.
Surprisingly, the dairy cows themselves are not raised any differently from the mainstream dairy industry, according to Holbreich.
"The Amish are not organic farmers," he said. "These are the same cows and the milk they sell goes to bottling - but something in the processing of milk changes."
hom*ogenization of milk breaks about its fat globules, Holbreich noted. "Maybe something about the fat globules is protective."
"The take-away point is not that we should become Amish," he said. "We aren't going to become Amish to prevent allergies."
But now, scientists can push their research forward to the next phase.
"Instead of just testing skin, we can look at a sophisticated measure of genetics and environment - the microbiome - the bacteria in the environment, the parasites - all the things you come into contact with."
FAQs
In a study published Wednesday in the New England Journal of Medicine, Carole Ober, a geneticist at the University of Chicago, and her colleagues conclude that dust from the farm fields might protect Amish children from asthma and allergies, while shelter from this exposure might leave Hutterite children vulnerable.
Why do Amish not have allergies? ›
Basic Cause-and-Effect
Scientists have found that the Amish have far fewer allergies, but they have not determined why. More research is needed, but one of the factors that most likely contributes to the low allergy rates is exposure to large animals and their germs from a young age.
Why Amish children didn t suffer from allergies or asthma? ›
Holbreich said the researchers don't know for sure, but two factors appeared to be protective against allergy and asthma in the Amish children. One was that they drink raw [unpasteurized] milk directly from the cow, and the other was their exposure to large farm animals from a young age.
Are farm kids less likely to have allergies? ›
Kids who grow up on farms are far less likely to develop asthma or allergies compared with the average child — and now scientists think they know why. A study published in Science today shows that bacteria found in farm dust trigger an immune system response in the lungs of mice.
Why are the Amish so healthy? ›
The gene, known as PAI-1, is linked not only to slower aging but also to better insulin levels and better blood pressure and arterial flexibility. Not all Amish have the PAI-1 mutation; it has been found so far in just one community in Indiana.
Why do Amish not bathe? ›
Personal hygiene routines may vary from family to family. However, most Old Order Amish men only bathe on Saturdays during winter, but many use sponge baths during the week. This is because there are no bathtubs in their homes, and bathing can take up a lot of time that could be spent on other essential tasks.
Which genetic diseases are more common in the Amish? ›
Health among the Amish is characterized by higher incidences of particular genetic disorders, especially among the Old Order Amish. These disorders include dwarfism, Angelman syndrome, and various metabolic disorders, such as Tay-Sachs disease, as well as an unusual distribution of blood types.
What is the syndrome that the Amish have? ›
One form of dwarfism, Ellis-van Creveld syndrome, involves not only short stature but polydactyly (extra fingers or toes), abnormalities of the nails and teeth, and, in about half of individuals, a hole between the two upper chambers of the heart. The syndrome is common in the Amish because of the "founder effect."
What happens if an Amish woman is infertile? ›
“Amish women consider infertility as God's will” Johnson-Weiner said. However, members of the community respond by encouraging these women to “Submit to God's will and do your best to follow God's plan” even allowing these women in some communities to adopt children.
Do the Amish use antibiotics? ›
The Amish are an insular religious community that originated in Europe and migrated to North America in the 17th century. They live in closed communities and avoid modern medical treatments such as immunizations and antibiotics. Despite that, they've often survived diseases that ravage the common populations.
Microbes may keep a young immune system in line
Microbes down on the farm may help prevent asthma and allergies. Smog, traffic, crime, and drugs--the hazards of city life make the grass seem greener in the country.
Is it healthier to live on a farm? ›
Living on a farm means that you are surrounded by fresh air and nature. You can breathe in the clean air and enjoy the beauty of your surroundings. You can also have a more active lifestyle by taking walks in nature, hiking, or working on the farm. It is a great way to stay healthy and connected with nature.
Is Growing Up on a farm good for kids? ›
They learn patience - seeds take time to sprout - and it takes time to learn a new skill. On a family farm, children learn grit (and we aren't just talking about the dirt between their toes). They must learn to work hard, everyday. They must put the needs of farm animals and others ahead of their own needs.
How do Amish deal with periods? ›
I think the level of integration with the modern world varies community to community (some Amish communities are more insular than others) but the most conservative of them will probably use the same methods women used for hundreds of years — wrapping themselves with strips of material, or wrapping their shift/ ...
Do Amish couples sleep in the same bed? ›
It also allows couples to sleep together without being married, which is important in a community where marriages are often arranged. Couples who are bundling typically sleep in separate beds that are pushed together. They may also sleep in the same bed, but with a board between them to prevent any physical contact.
Can Amish kiss before marriage? ›
History Of Bundling
Even kissing isn't allowed during this practice, but while this courtship bedroom ritual may seem counterintuitive, bundling encourages bonding and teaches restraint. Bundling helps young couples to get to know each other by lying close to each other and talking all night.
What do Amish do when they get sick? ›
Many Amish use modern medical services, but others turn to alternative forms of treatment. They do not cite biblical injunctions against modern health care or the latest medicines, but they do believe that God is the ultimate healer.
What is forbidden to Amish? ›
According to the Young Center, "Most Amish groups forbid owning automobiles, tapping electricity from public utility lines, using self-propelled farm machinery, owning a television, radio, and computer, attending high school and college, joining the military, and initiating divorce." Photos are banned because they ...
What foods are forbidden for Amish? ›
While there are many rules and restrictions in the Amish community, food restrictions aren't actually prevalent. There are no foods that the broader Amish community is forbidden from eating. People sometimes struggle to believe this, and ask questions like do Amish people drink coffee? And yes, they do, quite a lot.
