Terrain Theory vs. Germ Theory–A Fresh Look at an Old Principle

Health Viewpoint Guiding much of modern medicine is the “germ theory” of disease—a framework that led to the development of the first antibiotics in the 1940s. Though credited with saving millions from deadly infections, the current explosion in chronic conditions highlights its shortfalls. Proposed around the same time, the nearly forgotten model of “terrain theory” is finally getting the attention it deserves, and may come to dominate the next evolution in medicine. As an individual, you can embrace the principles of terrain theory to reverse disease and keep you healthy. What Is Terrain Theory? While germ theory proposes that illness is the result of a specific germ and that only destroying the germs will make us well, terrain theory postulates that a weakened body attracts disease while a healthy body resists it. The two theories are often compared using the analogy of a fish tank. If your fish is sick, germ theory would indicate you should isolate the fish and perhaps add some antibiotics or a vaccine. Terrain theory says, “Clean the tank!”...