Parasites are organisms that live inside another organism called a host. A human body can become a host to many parasites. They can cause parasitic infections that can lead to serious symptoms and health issues, including digestive issues, internal bleeding, fatigue, brain fog, headaches, nutrient deficiency, weakness, chronic pain, depression, anxiety, liver problems, and many more.
The good news is that you can kill and remove parasites from your body with the help of some powerful herbs and other natural support strategies.
Types of Parasites
Parasites feed by using their host’s resources to fuel their life cycle and maintain their life. While most parasites are not visible to our human eyes, including microscopic amoeba and malarial parasites, others can grow very big, like 10-foot-long tapeworms.
While parasites are not a disease, the problem is that they can cause and spread disease some of them even chronic. They can enter your circulation and get into your organs.
They can cause issues, including liver, lung, brain, joint, muscle, skin, and other problems and related diseases. For example, a 1994 study published in Nihon Rinsho explored how certain parasites may lead to cirrhosis in the liver and a 2006 study published in Parasite Immunology has found that parasitic worms may lead to inflammatory diseases.
Parasites may be:
- Endoparasites – live inside their host. They may include tapeworms, flatworms, and heartworms. Endoparasites may need a carrier or vector to transmit them to their host. In the case of malaria, the mosquito is this third organism carrier.
- Epiparasites – feed on other parasites This is called hyper parasitism. For example, your dog’s fleas may have a protozoan or hyperparasite in their digestive tract.
There are three main types of parasites that you need to be aware of:
Protozoa
Protozoa are single-celled organisms. They have two stages: the trophozoite stage when they are metabolically active and invasive, and the cyst stage where they are inactive. Some of the most common intestinal protozoans include Giardia intestinalis (giardiasis), Entamoeba histolytica (amoebiasis), Cyclospora Cayetanensis (cyclosporiasis), Cryptosporidium spp (cryptosporidiosis), and Blastocystis hominis (blastocysts).
They are hard to remove because they move back into a cyst stage when they feel threatened and they have adapted survival techniques. Some of the main symptoms associated with these parasite infections include diarrhoea, constipation, nausea, abdominal pain, bloating, dehydration, weakness, low energy, and joint pain.
Helminths
Helminths are large, multicellular worms. They are generally large enough to see with the human eye in their adult stage. Some of the main types of helminths include nematodes (roundworms), cestodes (tapeworms), and trematodes (flatworms and schistosomes).
They are typically unable to reproduce in the human gastrointestinal tract. However, they have long life spans and they consume a lot of the nutrients we need to support our bodies. These parasite infections can impact us quickly and severely.
Ectoparasites
Ectoparasites, instead of living inside their host, they live on them and include fleas and lice. While it’s certainly possible to experience lice as a human and it’s actually common in younger children, but it is easy to notice and treat.
Parasites and parasitic infections that target your intestines and other organs are more problematic and despite chronic symptoms, they are often missed and misdiagnosed.
How Do You Get Parasite Infections?
Parasite infections are more common than you think and you can get them simply by shaking hands with someone. Generally speaking, parasites are transferred from faecal matter.
You may be careful to wash your hands after using the bathroom, but how many other people are not?
Who Gets Parasite Infections?
To prevent and identify parasite infections, it is important that you understand how you get them in the first place.
Parasites may enter your body through exposure to contaminated food, contaminated water, pets, mosquitos, fleas, daycare centres, and sexual transmission. If you travel a lot internationally to regions with contaminated water and food, your risk of parasitic infections is higher.
Pork, fish, scavenger fish are particularly high in heat-tolerant parasites. Poor sleep, poor diet, antibiotic use, chronic stress, and poor lifestyle habits can compromise your immune health and body’s resistance and may increase your risk of parasite infections and make your symptoms worse.
Symptoms of Parasite Infections
The top symptoms of parasite infections may include:
- Chronic digestive issues ( vomiting, diarrhea, etc)
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Changes in appetite
- Anxiety
- Teeth grinding
- Iron deficiency anaemia
- Depression
- Headaches
- Skin problems
- Abdominal pain
- Aches and pains
- Chronic pain
- Poor memory
- Brain fog
- Unintentional weight loss
- Rashes or skin problems
- Allergies
- Nutrient deficiencies
- Fever
- Adrenal fatigue
- Cravings
- Leaky gut syndrome
Parasite Testing
If you are dealing with symptoms of parasite infections, it is very important that you test for parasites and identify potential underlying parasites issues. These are the tests that I recommend to my patients and help me to recommend the correct personalized treatment protocol for them in case of a parasite infection.
Blood Work
If you suspect parasites and parasite infection, I recommend the following blood tests:
High Eosinophils
Eosinophils are a disease-fighting white blood cell type that often occurs in your body if you have a parasitic infection, allergic reaction, or cancer. 3 or higher may indicate a parasitic infection. If you have high eosinophils, it is important to check for parasites as a potential underlying reason.
High CRP
Parasite infections may lead to liver issues and inflammation. C-reactive protein is a protein created by your liver. Increased CRP levels over 1.0 indicate inflammation that may be caused by parasite infections.
There are many reasons why CRP levels may be high but gut infections are a common cause. If you have high CRP, it is important to check for parasites as a potential underlying reason.
High Liver Enzymes
To check your liver function and if it’s compromised by parasites, it is important to check your liver enzyme levels. Enzymes AST, ALT, GGT over 26, and Alkaline Phos over 100 may indicate liver inflammation, parasite issues, or alcoholic hepatitis, autoimmune hepatitis.
Parasites can get into the liver and cause inflammation and tissue damage which leads to high liver enzymes. If you have high liver enzymes, it is important to check for parasites as a potential underlying reason.
Low Iron/Ferritin and Anemic issues
It is important that you get your iron and ferritin levels looked at and checked for anaemia. Ferritin is a protein that stores iron while serum iron is the free iron in the bloodstream. Certain parasitic infections, including hookworm, whipworm, and schistosomiasis infections, can result in blood loss and consequent iron-deficiency – anaemia. Many parasites also use iron and look to steal it from their host which can result in low iron, low ferritin and low red blood cell counts.
Additionally, the body will often respond to parasite infections by reducing the conversion of stored iron (ferritin) to serum iron in order to reduce the available iron for the parasites. This can result in high serum ferritin but normal or low serum iron levels and anaemic red blood cell characteristics. A trained functional health practitioner should be able to read these patterns on your blood work.
Complete Blood Analysis
To look at some important markers of health, I recommend CBA on an annual or semi-annual basis is one of the best ways to pick up any underlying health issues and help your functional health doctor to recommend personalized natural strategies that support your health.
This comprehensive test measures markers of your immune system function, liver and kidney health, blood sugar and insulin levels, inflammatory markers, red blood cells, iron status, thyroid hormone levels, mineral and electrolyte balance, levels of vitamin A, D, B12, and folate, zinc and copper levels, cardiovascular risk factors, lipid panel, urinary tract health, and parathyroid status. It helps us understand your overall health and see what issues parasite infections might have contributed to health issues.
Melatonin and parasites
Melatonin helps you sleep and supports your immune system. According to a 2012 study published in Molecular and Biochemical Parasitology, low levels of melatonin helps the immune system to fight parasites. Serotonin is a feel-good neurotransmitter. According to a 2014 research published in PLoS Pathology, parasites also have serotonin receptors that help them to move. More serotonin leads to more movement. Combining less melatonin and more serotonin makes a perfect combination to move out parasites from your body.
Optimize Hydration
Hydration is essential for your health. It also helps to remove toxins from your body. Start your day with 30 mls/kg body mass of clean purified water and drink throughout the day in between meals.
Additionally, I recommend that you eat hydrating vegetables and fermented vegetables and drink bone broth, herbal tea, green juice, kombucha, and coconut water to support your body with minerals, enzymes, and probiotics.
Move Your Body
Moving your body is essential for your health.
Stay active throughout the day by taking a stroll in the park, going for a walk during lunch, taking a bike ride, walking or biking for short distances instead of driving, playing with your kids and pets, playing backyard games, gardening, dancing to your favorite song, using a standing or treadmill desk, getting up from your chair and stretching regularly, and opting for the stairs instead of the elevator.
Support Daily Bowel Movements – paramount
Daily bowel movements are critical in your everyday life but are particularly important during your parasite cleanse to eliminate waste and toxins. Good bowel movements eliminate endotoxins, toxic bile and bad bacteria and parasitic debris.
Constipation will cause an increase in toxic compounds and promote further growth of parasites and bad bacteria and yeast.
Consider Doing Enemas
Enemas can help to remove putrefied waste that is encased on your colon walls. You may try a variety of enemas, including water enemas, wheatgrass enemas, probiotic enemas, and organic coffee enemas.
Coffee enemas are a great choice during a parasite cleanse as they stimulate your liver as well.
Make sure to get at least 15 minutes of sunshine in as long as the weather allows it.
Parasites in your body can become a serious problem. Parasitic infections can cause serious symptoms and health issues, including digestive issues, fatigue, brain fog, headaches, iron deficiency anemia, nutrient deficiency, weakness, chronic pain, depression, anxiety, adrenal fatigue, liver problems, leaky gut syndrome, and more.
Cleansing your body from parasite infections is critical.
The power of the Herbs
Nature has an answer for every single health complain we have and in this case, it can help too. There is a beautiful collection of herbs which can treat successfully the parasites. Usually, I prescribe a personalized blend for each patient as we all are unique and the health complains too.
- Myrrh
- Greater celandine
- Gentian
- Wormwood
- Black Walnut
- Cleaver
- and also herbs to assist the liver function are just a few advised for eradicating the parasites.
- spices such: clove buds, cinnamon, garlic, ginger, cayenne pepper, black, pepper.