An interesting review of studies in the British Medical Journal may shed some light on why pet ownership is beneficial to human health.

Decades of Research

Many years of research has shown that pet ownership can result in benefits such as:

• Higher survival rates after heart attacks
• Reduced risk of asthma in children exposed to pet allergens during the first year of life
• Reduced risk of cardiovascular disease
• Better physical and psychological wellcbeing in community-dwelling older people

An Emotional Bond

The reasons are apparently not as simple as to whether a pet has a measurably beneficial effect on the owner's physical health; the emotional bond between owner and pet may confer psychological benefits similar to human relationships.

Stress Reduction

Pet ownership may exert a direct effect on human health and well-being through the nature of the relationship; it may reduce perceptions of stressful events, and therefore protect against anxiety-related illness. This can also aid in recovery from serious illness such as stroke, myocardial infarction, and cancer.

A Broader Definition of Health

The review concludes by noting that a broader definition of health may be needed to truly allow for understanding of the effect of pets. People do not own pets specifically to enhance their health; instead, they value the relationship and the contribution their pet makes to their quality of life.

British Medical Journal November 26, 2005; 331(7527): 1252-1254

Dr. Mercola's Comment:Recently, I told you how visits from a dog measurably improved the mental health of heart disease patients in a hospital setting. There is endless documentation of exactly how pets can be beneficial to your health.

It's interesting that this review concluded that the reasons why may lie in "a broader definition" of good health that encompasses improved physical and mental well-being and socialization. In other words, better and more natural solutions that have nothing at all to do with taking potentially toxic drugs.

This is yet more evidence that there is more to the world of health than drugs and surgery, which is why I am so dedicated to spreading my vision of a health care system based on natural cures that address the true roots of diseases -- roots like psychological stresses and lack of social interaction, which, according to this review of studies, are:

"A major risk factor for health, rivaling the effects of cigarette smoking, blood pressure, blood lipid concentrations, obesity, and lack of physical activity."

In fact, the intrinsic non-humanity of pets actually confers certain advantages to their owners; namely, their relationships are much more even-keeled and don't provide the kinds of strains ones between humans do.

If you want to maintain that relationship for many years to come, you'll want to review articles I've posted by contributing editors Beth Taylor and Steve Brown, experts in the fields of holistic pet health and nutrition.



About the author:

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