Immunity and Individuality

Immunity and Individuality: What Children Need for Their Healthy Development — for Life

From the latest research and insights in immunology

Citing 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.

C O N T E N T S:

Foreword by Michaela Glöckler
Introduction

Immunological development
Individual processing of external influences: four interacting levels
The brain as a higher immune organ
The ‘Gut–Brain Axis’
Why is it healthy to have microbial diversity?
The microbiome and modern diseases
Emotions, trauma and immune system
Resilience
Touch, skin and psyche
Epigenetics
Autoimmune diseases
Warmth and immune functions
Ego presence and immune functions
Summary

About the Author
Index

About the Author

Dr. Thomas Hardtmuth, MD, born in 1956, is a physician and freelance writer. He studied medicine in Munich and works as a senior physician specializing in thoracic surgery at the Heidenheim Clinic. Dr. Hardtmuth lectures and leads seminars in the field of medical and anthropological issues. His publications include Das verborgene Ich: Aspekte zum Verständnis der Krebskrankheit (The hidden “I”: Aspects of understanding cancer), 2003 and Denkfehler. Das Dilemma der Hirnforschung (Errors in thinking: The dilemma of brain research), 2006.