Canadian Scientists Develop "Antibody Spice"

worst_name_ever writes "Scientists in Canada have developed a substance that can be added to foods to kill germs. Apparently, though, this longevity-producing spice is derived from freeze-dried egg yolks and not from giant sandworms as I would have guessed."

Comments

Spice?

[Anonymous Coward]

the substance is nicknamed a spice because it can be sprinkled or sprayed onto meats, fruits and vegetables to complement existing sanitation protocols

Bull. The substance is called spice because it sounds better than preservative. Many preservatives are natural just like this one. Many spices are preservatives. This chemical has not taste. It's not a spice.

3 second rule

[moc.tfosorcimgllib]

Isn't it healthy to eat a few "bad" germs so your body can build a healthy resistance to them?

Re:3 second rule

[Maeryk]

Actually, your lymphocytes are always turning over. Any antigen you've been exposed to causes them to proliferate and also generate long lasting memory cells which help fight any secondary infection by an identical source. This is why we never get the same flu or cold twice. However, since the flu virus is always mutating, a slight change in form no longer allows your body to recognize it and you are susceptible again and need to go through the process repeatedly.

This is why my wife, who was "deathly allergic" to cats now lives happily with one. It took a few months, and lots of vitamin C to get past the initial swollen-eyes, etc etc, but now (4 years and change) later, the only time she has a problem is if she buries her face in the cat for extended periods of time. (Which has happened when the two nap on the couch.. wish I could have found the camera).

But yeah.. you can develop antibodies and immunity to things.. you can lose them too.. a lot of people who were "immune" to poison ivy find out later that that has changed.

Maeryk