Whether it’s a slobbery St Bernard or a pug-sized handbag filler coming at you, to swat away your canine is to do your body a disservice. A research team at the University of Arizona is currently investigating the link between bacteria found in dog’s saliva and your health. Spoiler: it looks like the cultures found in Rex might be the missing link in your immune system.
The connection surrounds something known as the ‘hygiene hypothesis’, which suggests our modern day obsession with cleanliness has left our bodies incapable of reacting appropriately. Not only does our pernickety approach to what we touch leave us open to attacks from bad bacteria, it also leaves our immune systems hyperactive to harmless substances like pollen, and results in allergies.
Dogs work like a probiotic, helping you to develop healthy bacteria colonies that in turn boost your immune system – stopping you getting ill and, potentially, keeping you from having to spend all summer guzzling hayfever tablets like a labrador does dog treats. So, whether you head to your local rescue centre and teach an old dog new tricks, or pick up a puppy, your new multi-vitamin comes with four legs.
A dog for life
We’ve sniffed out three more disease-fighting doggy treats, because he’s more than a one trick puppy.
- Prostate cancer. Pub fact: when trained, dogs can sniff out one of man’s scariest diseases with 90% certainty. You just need to choose between a wet nose and a latex-gloved finger, according to the Journal of Urology.
- High blood pressure. If work life has you close to boiling point, a furry friend can help you cool off. A quick game of fetch will reduce stress and help ease the pressure on your heart.
- Heart disease. Beating man’s biggest killer can be as simple as staying active. Letting Fido drag you around the local park is enough to double the distance you walk every week, so says the University of Victoria, Canada
Source: menshealth.co.uk/healthy/how-dogs-boost-your-immune-system
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