A review by raehink
An Epidemic of Absence: A New Way of Understanding Allergies and Autoimmune Diseases by Moises Velasquez-Manoff

4.0

A very readable, yet quite technical, explanation of the connection between allergens and parasites. The rate of allergy and autoimmune disorders has rapidly increased since the Industrial Revolution -- but not in still-developing countries. This author believes that at least some of that increase can be explained by the absence of what used to be endemic infections of hookworms, pinworms, and other parasites. Apparently, they provide protection from allergens and stimulate the immune system in a beneficial way.

His chapters on worm therapy and its effects on autism, multiple sclerosis, and Crohn's disease are extremely interesting.

I found the book fascinating and didn't want to put it down. Obviously, there is fodder for more research here.