A Tale of Two Theories

Today we’re going to talk about two theories. Almost everyone holds one of these theories to be true, and it determines their beliefs on sickness, health, and wellness. A theory,  by definition, is a supposition or a system of ideas intended to explain something, especially one based on general principles independent of the thing to be explained. Also, theories, by their very nature, are not facts, but well-substantiated explanations for a phenomenon or a collection of facts. While a theory is supported by a vast amount of evidence, it serves to explain facts and is always subject to revision or rejection if new evidence emerges, unlike a fact, which is a single, confirmed observation.

So, with the English lesson out of the way, let’s get on with it! The first theory is the Germ theory, and it states that specific microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites) cause specific diseases. It’s the foundation of modern medicine and was developed in the 19th century by scientists such as Louis Pasteur, Robert Koch, and Joseph Lister.

The core idea is that disease originates from an external invader. Microbes enter the body, multiply, and cause illness, especially when the immune defenses are compromised or overwhelmed. It’s based on the principles that microorganisms exist independently of the host, each disease is linked to a specific pathogen, infection spreads from person to person or via contaminated surfaces or fluids, and the prevention and treatment focus on destroying or blocking the pathogen through the use of vaccines, antibiotics, or sterilization.

Though this did lead to sanitation systems, vaccines, antibiotics, and antiseptic surgery, that’s where the benefits or advantages end. The disadvantages are that it ignores the host’s internal health, it cannot or does not fully address why some people exposed to the same germ get sick while others do not, and it can lead to over-medicalization by focusing on killing germs while neglecting nutrition, lifestyle, and environmental health. Also, the overuse of antimicrobials can harm beneficial microbes.

Enter Terrain Theory. Terrain theory emphasized that the internal condition of the body, or “terrain,” determines health or disease. It is often attributed to Antoine Bechamp, a contemporary of Pasteur.

The core idea behind Terrain theory is that disease arises when the body’s internal environment becomes unbalanced. Though microbes may be present, they only cause illness when the terrain (cells, tissues, immune system, and microbiome) is weak or toxic.

The key principles of the Terrain Theory are that the body’s internal balance ( pH, nutrients, immune strength etc.) dictates disease susceptibility. Microbes are opportunistic and, much like parasites, thrive in weakened tissues. In this theory, health is maintained by supporting detoxification, nutrition, and immune function.  The advantages of terrain theory are that it encourages lifestyle factors like diet, sleep, stress management, and detoxification, it focuses on prevention by strengthening the body’s resilience, it reduces vulnerability to infection, and it integrates with modern concepts because it aligns with microbiome research and chronic inflammation science.

The disadvantages are that it lacks experimental evidence, it can neglect contagion in instances like epidemics or contagious disease patterns, and it is broad and lacks specific measurable parameters.

I don’t need to tell you which theory I believe in and follow. But once again, this is a personal choice. The lines are very clearly defined. There are lots of examples of this. Two people are exposed to the flu virus, one is sleep-deprived, stressed, and malnourished – they get sick. The other is healthy and well-rested – they remain symptom-free for the most part, and should they get sick, it is often a shorter duration and a milder experience.

We saw this during COVID. Many people contracted it, but the results were significantly different, depending on the person and which approach they decided to take. As with everything, each person is unique, and there is no one-size-fits-all solution to health. How you choose to deal with your own health is up to you. So pick a theory, most of you already have, and Let’s Get Better!

CALL ME!