Helsinki alert of biodiversity and health

Leena von Hertzen, Bruce Beutler, John Bienenstock, Martin Blaser, Patrice D. Cani, Johan Eriksson, Martti Farkkila, Tari Haahtela, Ilkka Hanski, Maria C. Jenmalm, Juha Kere, Mikael Knip, Kimmo Kontula, Markku Koskenvuo, Charlotte Ling, Thomas Mandrup-Poulsen, Erika von Mutius, Mika J. Makela, Tiina Paunio, Goran PershagenHarald Renz, Graham Rook, Maria Saarela, Outi Vaarala, Marc Veldhoen, Willem M. de Vos

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

Abstract

Urban living in built environments, combined with the use of processed water and food, may not provide the microbial stimulation necessary for a balanced development of immune function. Many chronic inflammatory disorders, including allergic, autoimmune, metabolic, and even some behavioural disorders, are linked to alteration in the human commensal microbiota. Sedentary lifestyle is associated with reduced exposure to a broad spectrum of environmental micro-organisms and surplus energy balance, both risk factors of chronic inflammatory disorders. According to the Biodiversity Hypothesis, an environment with diverse macrobiota and microbiota modifies and enriches the human microbiota, which in turn is crucial in the development and maintenance of appropriate immune function. These issues were discussed in the symposium 'Chronic Inflammation, Lifestyle and Environment ', held in Helsinki, 20 - 22 August 2014, under the sponsorship of the Yrjo Jahnsson Foundation. This paper briefly outlines the recent findings in the context of the environment, lifestyle, and health; discusses the forces that undermine immune tolerance in urban environments; and highlights the possibilities to restore broken immune tolerance among urban dwellers, summarizing the main messages in four statements and calling for actions to combat major public health threats.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)218-225
JournalAnnals of Medicine
Volume47
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2015

Subject classification (UKÄ)

  • Microbiology in the medical area

Free keywords

  • Biodiversity
  • chronic inflammatory disease
  • microbiota
  • sedentary
  • lifestyle
  • Western diet

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