Full Description
With the latest research in immunology, Thomas Hardtmuth's exposition challenges the prevalent medical thinking on what is really needed for children's healthy development into adulthood.
From research on the gut-brain axis and the microbiome, to studies on the role our individuality and emotions play in their interaction with - and as part of - the immune system, the insights described in this book are bound to turn many concepts of health upside down. It is essential knowledge for all fields of health, education and parenting.
"Extremely informative, clear and easily understandable, Thomas Hardtmuth presents a must-read for all those who deal with children and adolescents and are interested in the development of a healthy, strong immune system... With the latest scientific findings, he takes us on an exciting journey and shows how complex but also how multi-layered and differentiated the human immune system works - and has to learn to work in the first place!... By the end of the reading one not only feels well informed: those who read the book also feel deeply touched, inwardly refreshed and enriched by new aha-experiences - and motivated to put this knowledge into practice." Michaela Gloeckler, MD
Contents
List of illustrations 6,
Foreword, by Michaela Gloeckler 9,
Introduction 11,
Immunological development 12,
Individual processing of external influences:
four interacting levels 19,
The brain as a higher immune organ 24,
The 'Gut-Brain Axis' 32,
Why is it healthy to have microbial diversity? 37,
The microbiome and modern diseases 43,
Emotions, trauma and immune system 57,
Resilience 62,
Touch, skin and psyche 65,
Epigenetics 70,
Autoimmune diseases 74,
Warmth and immune functions 77,
Ego presence and immune functions 81,
Summary 90,
About the author 91