Jini, Thanks for the reference to the article on MAP and possible test for DNA marker. This makes me wonder if someone with CD should be taking Natren Probiotic Healthy Start powders with nonfat milk and whey.
Might they not contain the MAP organism?

Good point. And when you first read that article it tends to make you say: "I'm never touching dairy again!" But then you have to also realize that MAP is found even in the soil and in our drinking water.

So again, it becomes like every other pathogen in our world. The question is not so much about avoiding exposure (although you should certainly follow your gut on this one), but about susceptibility. How can you improve your immune system and general whole-body health so you are not susceptible to the billions of bacteria, viruses, fungi, etc. that are in our natural world?

MAP is transmissable via your hands after you've wiped your bum (and soap or antibacterials will not kill it) and via breastmilk. I've breasfed every one of my children and I poo every day. So how can I prevent my kids from getting IBD? They eat according to the Maintenance Diet (in LTYG), I don't vaccinate them (see Ch.4), I give them intermittent probiotics, they live in a pretty low toxic load house, and they gets lots of daily joy and physical activity. Not one of them has any trace of digestive illness.

all the best,
Jini