The defining characteristic of a parasite is an organism that benefits at the expense of another.
While this seems straightforward enough, sometimes a parasitic infection goes completely undiagnosed.
- Parasitic infections are more common than you may think.
- Many times, a parasite can thrive in the human body and show no signs of its presence.
- Other times, a person will feel constantly ill, be on several medications (including antipsychotic drugs), and have no idea that a chronic parasitic infection is at the root of their problems.
One of the most common parasites to infect human beings is the yeast-like Blastocystis hominis, a single-celled parasitic organism that causes abdominal cramping, bloating, gas, and sometimes anal itching.
Other common parasites are:
- Tapeworms, which can grow as long as 60 feet while living in the human intestines. There are currently more than 5,000 different species of tapeworm.
- Hookworms. If given the chance, they will suck blood from our intestinal walls.
- Giardia, a single-celled parasite that is usually the result of drinking infected waters. It typically survives in chlorinated water and commonly lives in mountain streams, earning it the name, “backpacker’s diarrhea.” About 2.5 million cases are reported annually. (1)
- Blood flukes. They mature first in snails and then complete their life cycle by burrowing through human skin and swimming through veins. Blood flukes infect more than 200 million people. There are also other species of flukes found living in the liver, lungs, and pancreas.
- In the case of malaria, a new generation of parasitic microbugs will burst from a single red blood cell.
- Pinworms, the most common roundworm in the United States. Worldwide, roughly 209 million people are infected. (2) The most common sign of pinworm infestation is anal itching at night, which is when the female pinworm migrates to the perineum to lay her eggs. Children are the most common carriers.
A hookworm is a common parasite that will suck blood from intestinal walls. In many cases, you could be carrying a parasite without even knowing it!While it is true that many times one person can harbor a parasite without ever knowing it, another person could be infected with the same parasite and feel completely devastated and fatigued, without ever knowing that a parasitic infection is at the root of a lingering illness.
Why is this?
- When the immune system is weakened by fatigue, there is always the danger of initiating an inflammatory cascade throughout the body.
- This is especially true of the gut, which has a direct line of communication to the brain via the vagus nerve.
3 Red Flags That May Indicate You Are Carrying a Parasite
1. Chronic digestive issues. If you harbor a parasite, any work you may do to heal your gut will be constantly undermined. This is because parasites often create intestinal inflammation and destroy the intestinal lining of the gut.
If you are eating a highly alkaline diet, ingesting good bacteria and cultured foods on a daily basis, and still experience severe digestive pain, gas, bloating, and fatigue, you may want to consider a parasite cleanse.
- Remember, even without a parasite, it may take as long as six months to begin to see improvements in digestion while following the Body Ecology principles.
- This is because it can sometimes take as long as six months to completely cool down an inflammatory response in the gut.
2. Various forms of mental distress. This includes depression, anxiety, body aches, headaches, eye aches, visual hallucinations, behavioral changes, and a strange sensation that something is stuck in the head.
- Very often, these symptoms are treated with anti-depressant pharmaceuticals and go unresolved. Diagnosis can even go so far as schizophrenia. (3)
- Additionally, these symptoms are usually paired with digestive issues.
The gut is full of both neurons and neurotransmitters, specifically serotonin. It makes up what is known as the enteric nervous system. As we mentioned above, the gut and the brain have a direct relationship, commonly called the gut-brain axis.
- This relationship means that distress in the gastrointestinal tract can show up in the nervous system.
- When there is inflammation in the gut, this can lead to inflammation in the brain.
- Likewise, inflammation in the brain has also been linked to directly cause inflammation in the gut.
- Inflammation of the brain will cause mental distress, like depression, anxiety, and cognitive disorders.
3. Autoimmune disorders. Many times, autoimmune conditions have a relationship to one another. The autoimmune flare-ups that have been documented to be specifically related to parasitic infection are gut and joint related, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and reactive arthritis. (4)(5)
- Parasites infecting the gut can ignite an inflammatory cascade within the body.
Finding the Root Cause of a Disorder
Keep in mind that the strength of a person’s immune system and endocrine system largely determines how severely a parasitic infection will affect that individual.
This depends on:
- How the parasite lives off its host.
- The toxins or waste products it eliminates.
- How a parasite activates the immune system.
- If an individual’s immune system is weak or fatigued.
Chronic disease can be troublesome to treat, mainly because it is necessary to find the initial cause of the dysfunction. Consider parasites if you eat a perfect diet, practice stress management, and still struggle with:
- Digestive disorders
- Mental distress
- Autoimmune disease
What to Remember Most About This Article:
In many cases, a parasite infection will go completely undiagnosed. Yet parasite infections are more common than many people realize. The strength of your immune system will determine whether or not you are vulnerable to a parasite infection.
Here are three red flags that indicate you may be carrying a parasite unknowingly:
- Chronic digestive issues, even when eating a highly alkaline diet rich in good bacteria.
- Mental distress like anxiety, depression, hallucinations, and behavioral changes.
- Autoimmune disorders like reactive arthritis and irritable bowel syndrome.
If you eat a perfect diet, practice stress management, and still struggle with the issues above, a parasite could be to blame.
REFERENCES:
- Furness BW, Beach MJ, Roberts JM. Giardiasis surveillance—United States, 1992–1997. MMWR CDC Surveill Summ. 2000;49(7):1–13.
- Goldmann DA, Wilson CM. Pinworm infestations. In: Hoekelman RA. Primary pediatric care. 3d ed. St. Louis: Mosby, 1997:1519.6
- M. Novotna, J. Hanusova, J. Klose, M. Preiss, J. Havlicek, K. Roubalova, and J. Flegr. “Probable neuroimmunological link between Toxoplasma and cytomegalovirus infections and personality changes in the human host.” BMC Infect Dis. 2005 Jul 6;5:54.
- K. Hanevik, V. Dizdar, N. Langeland, and T. Hausken. “Development of functional gastrointestinal disorders after Giardia lamblia infection.” BMC Gastroenterol. 2009 Apr 21;9:27.
- Chelsea E. Matisz, Jason J. McDougall, Keith A. Sharkey, and Derek M. McKay, “Helminth Parasites and the Modulation of Joint Inflammation,” Journal of Parasitology Research, vol. 2011, Article ID 942616, 8 pages, 2011. doi:10.1155/2011/942616
Donanne,
You should check out the Optimum Health Institute and try to go for three weeks if you can afford it. They are located in San Diego and Austin.
Posted on Jan 20 at 11:55 am
I have purchased the Body Ecology Diet parasite cleanse kit. I have been on a Body Ecology diet for years. I still have major gluten intolerence, IBS and migraines. I was breast fed and grew up on healthy and even macrobiotic diet. I did have heavy antibiotics when I was 2.
I have started the cleanse following all directions and I get a migraine. What do I do now? I cannot continue on the cleanse. The migraines are horrible with vomiting! Drinking Chaga tea causes a migraine too. I guess I will just fast. I don't know what to do. I am so frustrated!
Donanne
Posted on Jan 13 at 11:33 am
Thank you, it's always good to aware of parasites and to do cleansing of the body.
Posted on Sep 23 at 2:28 pm
I have a book called "Coconut Cures" by Bruce Fife, N.D. and on page 199 has a section called "Parasite Purge". It seems to involve using dried coconut. It might be worth checking out.
Posted on Aug 30 at 2:00 pm
I have used the Humaworm Parasite Cleanse along with Common Sense Herbs Colon cleanse with very good results. (My 4 year old did only Humaworm Parasite Cleanse). The minimum age limit is 2 years of age and 30 pounds. We did a family parasite cleanse, even the pets. We used Worm Dr. by Native Remedies for our youngest because he did not meet the minimum weight limit . The herbs from Humaworm are freshly ground and are very potent. I know that they work because the waste smells awful and I did expel some parasites myself. You can find the Humaworm Parasite cleanse at www.humaworm.com
Body Ecology has Ecoclear too for a parasite cleanse.
Best of luck! Some tips to prevent parasites are to wear shoes outside where animals go to the restroom, rinse fruits and vegetables well and the basic, make sure kids wash hands before each meal. Since parasites live in about 80-90% of Americans, its better to just do an annual parasite cleanse for prevention.
Good luck!
Ester Perez
http://supermilkmama.com
Posted on Aug 27 at 9:03 am
I have been recently diagnosed with Lymphangeictasia....my life has turned absolutely miserable (with all of the symtoms)...could this desease have something to do with parasites?????? I need help badly! My own GI has NO advice for me!
Posted on Aug 26 at 11:32 am
Diet is huge, a must-do, in terms of these critters. But I also only made a huge dent in my candida/parasite issue (as well as others with their cancer issues and whatnot) only when I added the GB4000......as it's just so damn impossible to be "perfect". This is it (http://www.thegb4000.com/) but I would get it from www.futuretechtoday.com -- just tell them Erica from School Of RAWk sent you. It is a life-saver!
Posted on Aug 25 at 2:58 pm
Adults typically have measurable levels of adrenal fatigue that often precedes the infection. As mentioned the immune system function greatly determines the bodies ability to ward off an infection. To greatly increase chances of getting rid of any buggers...test and correct your adrenal response prior (1-2 months min) to treating an infection, then continue the adrenal support thru the cleanse and re-inoculation phases.
J Troth
CHEK HLC2 CP2
Kalish method practitioner
Posted on Aug 25 at 2:29 pm
Our three year old was diagnosed with Dientameoba Fragilis at age two. We've been trying to successfully eradicate this nasty parasite with natural cleanses (for 8 months), to no avail. His symptoms wax and wane with the moon phases (which wasn't mentioned here, but is very common with parasitic infection) and are as much neurological as they are physical. We have gone the prescription route (which we HATE to do), since nothing else was helping. We have begun to seen a different side of our child: happy, more flexible, more cooperative, less frustration...although now that we are rounding the corner to a New Moon (which is the trigger for this particular parasite's lifecycle) we are seeing increased die-off again. We hope to beat this bugger this time!!
Posted on Aug 25 at 1:34 pm
Thank you for this straight forward article. I've recently been informed by a trusted professional of the possibility that I am dealing with parasites and it sure makes sense based upon what you describe here. It's been interesting to slim down and get in great shape but still not have the elusive flat belly with all the digestive silliness going on. It's super helpful to know how long the journey to healing is.
Posted on Aug 25 at 11:25 am
Thanks for reminding us of parasites. I believe that it's always good to do a parasite cleanse and clean out your body. Great information will pass it on to my clients.
Posted on Aug 25 at 7:27 am
Suzanne, I have personally used Dr. Natura's Paranil Jr. with positive results. Here's the link: http://www.drnatura.com/products/paranil-jr
Posted on Aug 25 at 7:03 am
I treat children on the autism spectrum and many of them suffer from parasites. I find that the children respond extremely well to being on a parasite cleanse but the results seem to diminish when the cleanse is completed. Do you have any suggestions regarding specific cleanses you suggest or additional information regarding treating the parasites? Thank you.
Dr. Suzanne DaSilva
Posted on Aug 25 at 4:46 am