I’ve got some disgusting, yet scientific, news
\nto share with you. Fascinatingly gross, in fact!<\/p>\n

Just in time to spoil beach season, I read some
\nhealth information that stated something rather grotesque. Just as I thought I was
\nbeing healthy catching my rays, taking in some vitamin D, and decreasing my
\nstress hormones with relaxing, I scanned several articles that came as an
\nunwelcome “TMI” (Too Much Information). Beach sand may be a reservoir for
\npeople’s poo! Ewwwe! <\/p>\n

You read that right. <\/p>\n

The Daily Mail states, “It’s the time of year
\nwhen we flock to the coast to soak up the sun and have a splash in the
\nsea. But there’s a hidden danger at seaside resorts that might come as a
\ngrotesque surprise – beach sand actually contains more faecal matter than
\nseawater contaminated with sewage. Exposure to seawater contaminated with
\nsewage can cause a range of gastrointestinal infections, as well as respiratory
\nproblems and skin rashes.”<\/p>\n

Why is this? Some fecal-curious researchers
\nutilized laboratory microcosm experiments to figure out why this
\npleasure-trumping fact exists. They studied how quickly wastewater bacteria
\ndeclined and the change of microbial communities in beach sand and seawater. It
\nseems bacteria liked to stick around in the sand longer than in the water. <\/p>\n

What’s the bottom line? (No pun intended).<\/p>\n

Well, there are a few measures you can take to
\nprotect your self. For example, lay a towel down when you’re sitting in the
\nsand, wear sandals and minimize going barefoot, and bring some natural
\nsanitizer for your footsies if you play some beach volleyball. (Don’t use
\nchemical laden sanitizers, which are linked to various health complications!
\nVisit the Skin Deep Database by the Environmental Working Group to find a safe
\nalternative).You can also keep up with the amazing lifestyle things you are
\nalready doing:<\/p>\n

1. Eating healthy organic foods to nourish your
\nbody, make your gut bugs happy, and modulate the immune response.<\/p>\n

2. Enjoying regular movement.<\/p>\n

3. Not stressing too much and enjoying your
\nfriends. <\/p>\n

I recently read an article that loneliness can
\nimpact mental decline! This is not to mention the other physical impacts such
\nas mortality and cardiovascular risks that are increased in those who feel
\nalone. <\/p>\n

More
\non Poo<\/b><\/p>\n

I’m going to redeem poo a little now. It seems
\nit may actually serve a higher purpose to help evaluate the ever popular
\nmicrobiome! It’s true.<\/p>\n

Researchers stated in mBio<\/i> how different fecal samples from sewage water could help
\ndetermine different microbial communities in individuals and assist in evaluating
\nthe link between various microbes and health.<\/p>\n

They reported on these varying populations of
\nbugs using oligotyping, a type of gene sequencing, as follows, “Comparisons among municipal sewage
\ncommunities revealed the ubiquitous and abundant occurrence of 27 human fecal
\noligotypes, representing an apparent core set of organisms in U.S. populations.
\nThe fecal community variability among U.S. populations was significantly lower
\nthan among individuals. It clustered into three primary community structures
\ndistinguished by oligotypes from either: Bacteroidaceae,
\nPrevotellaceae, or Lachnospiraceae\/Ruminococcaceae.”<\/i><\/p>\n

Dr. Mercola stated, “The researchers identified
\na set of “core” bacteria (about 60 types in all) that they noted are “both
\ncommon to and abundant in the US populations.” Still, there were noted
\ndifferences from city to city.”<\/p>\n

What was even cooler is that by analyzing their
\nresults, the researchers could tell which locations had an obesity problem.
\nAccordingly, this was within a eighty-nine percent accuracy. Wow!<\/p>\n

Now, besides using fecal transplants, a whole other subject, we may have
\nanother very important scientific use for our waste.<\/p>\n

It’s a disgusting and exciting contemplation.
\nOne to be aware of, prepare for, but not
\ndwell on if you’re looking forward to your beach adventures.<\/p>\n

\nSources:<\/p>\n

Millner,
\nJ. Beachgoers beware! The sand you’re sitting on might be covered in POO:
\nFaecal matter is more common on the shore than in the sea, study reveals. The
\nDaily Mail. July 16, 2015. http:\/\/www.dailymail.co.uk\/sciencetech\/article-3163494\/Beach-goers-beware-sand-sitting-covered-POO-Faecal-matter-common-shore-sea-study-reveals.html#ixzz3gZwT5fqT<\/p>\n

American
\nChemical Society. Attention beachgoers: Fecal contamination affects sand more
\nthan water. July 15, 2015. Eurekalert.com. http:\/\/www.eurekalert.org\/pub_releases\/2015-07\/acs-abf071515.php<\/p>\n

Pressman
\nSD, Cohen S, Miller GE, Barkin A, Rabin BS, Treanor JJ. Loneliness, social
\nnetwork size, and immune response to influenza vaccination in college freshmen.
\nHealth Psychol.<\/i> 2005
\nMay;24(3):297-306.<\/p>\n

Hawkley
\nLC, Cacioppo JT. Loneliness Matters: A Theoretical and Empirical Review of
\nConsequences and Mechanisms. Annals of behavioral medicine<\/i>\u202f<\/i>: a publication of the
\nSociety of Behavioral Medicine<\/i>.
\n2010;40(2):10.1007\/s12160-010-9210-8. doi:10.1007\/s12160-010-9210-8.<\/p>\n

Health
\nDay. Loneliness May Fuel Mental Decline in Old Age. July 20, 2015. http:\/\/consumer.healthday.com\/senior-citizen-information-31\/misc-aging-news-10\/loneliness-may-fuel-mental-decline-in-old-age-701371.html<\/p>\n

Newton
\nRJ, McLellan SL, Dila DK, Vineis JH, Morrison HG, Murat E, Sogin ML. Sewage
\nReflects the Microbiomes of Human Populations. mBio. <\/i>24 February 2015; 6(2); e02574-14. doi: 10.1128\/mBio.02574-14<\/p>\n

Mercola,
\nJ. What Secrets Are Revealed in City Sewage About Health. Mercola.com. July 4,
\n2015. http:\/\/articles.mercola.com\/sites\/articles\/archive\/2015\/07\/04\/sewage-microbes.aspx<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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