Parasites are organisms that can live in human gastrointestinal tract, blood, or tissues depending on their host for survival. They often cause disease with various unpleasant symptoms.
Some sources suggest that in the UK, America and other developed countries about 60% to 80% of people may be infected with some type of parasite! For instance, hookworms are very common in the UK. Unlike most other parasites, hookworms don’t need to be ingested to infect a host – they can tunnel through the skin until they end up inside intestines.
Of all parasitic diseases, malaria causes the most deaths globally. It kills almost 500,000 people each year. Most of them are children living in sub-Saharan Africa. Malaria is a serious disease caused by a parasite that is transmitted by the bite of infected mosquitoes and invades human red blood cells.
The Marvel of Hookworm Transition
The way hookworm travels from the skin to the lungs and from lungs to intestines is regarded by scientists as a “marvel”. During the normal life cycle of hookworms, eggs are passed by adult females in dog or cat faeces and hatch as larvae on the ground. The larvae infect the host either by being ingested or by penetrating the skin. Larvae that enter through minute breaks in the skin migrate to the lungs via the bloodstream. Once in the lungs, they break out of the blood vessels and enter the alveoli, then crawl up the respiratory tree to the trachea, where they cause irritation and cough. Coughing brings the larvae to the mouth, where they are swallowed and travel to the small intestine, attach to the intestinal wall and feed on the host's blood.
Sources of Parasites
It is possible to get parasites by eating raw or undercooked meat (especially pork), drinking tap water, walking barefoot, sexual contact, mosquito bites, or contact with pets.
Symptoms
People who are infected with parasites usually don’t know about it as parasites can live in the intestines for years without causing clear symptoms. When they do, symptoms may include the following:
Chronic diarrhoea (which may alternate with constipation), bloating, intestinal discomfort or pain, nausea or vomiting, anaemia and tiredness, muscle pain, changes in appetite, weight loss, sleep problems, irritability, anxiety, brain fog, anal itching, itching on the soles of the feet, itchy rash, fever, and dizziness.
The first sign of hookworm infection is a small and itchy skin rash caused by the parasite entering the skin. When worms settle in the intestines, they trigger intestinal pain and diarrhoea.
Hookworm infection that lasts a long time leads to nutritional deficiencies, especially iron deficiency and low red blood cell count. The anaemia gets even worse in individuals who consume mostly refined foods and avoid nutritional supplements. Children with hookworm infections experience slower growth and mental development problems caused by nutritional deficiencies.
Prevention
- Avoid eating raw or undercooked meat (especially pork)
- Wash your hands often
- Boil tap water before drinking it
- Do not walk barefoot in high-risk areas
- Thoroughly wash fruit and vegetables
- Deworm pets regularly using Black seed oil or Wormwood.
Conventional Treatment
In case of hookworm disease, usually Mebendazole or Albendazole are prescribed to treat the infection orally for up to seven days. In addition, an iron supplement may be recommended to treat anemia caused by hookworm disease.
People who travel to malaria high risk countries are usually prescribed Chloroquine as the preferred treatment. However, for the parts of the world where parasites are resistant to chloroquine, Artemisinin-based combination therapies are recommended. Artemisinin is an extract isolated from the sweet Wormwood (Artemisia annua). Artemisinin is regarded as the most effective antimalarial herbal remedy.
Natural Parasite Cleanse
- Black walnut (Juglans nigra) and Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) extracts, tinctures, or concoctions have been traditionally used for centuries against parasites. Wormwood for parasites was found so effective that it has been used by pharmaceutical companies to make antimalarial medications.
- According to some studies Black Seed (Nigella sativa) oil has shown strong antiparasitic effects. Black Seed oil is also safe and effective for children with hookworms.
- Take good quality multivitamin-mineral supplements (A-Z Multivit for adults, Junior-Vit for children), to address nutritional deficiencies caused by intestinal parasites.
- Natural treatment against parasites should include taking garlic supplements (such as Garlic Max) that are standardised for allicin. Keep in mind that not all garlic supplements will work. Garlic oil based formulas, odourless garlics, dry garlic in a powder form wouldn’t work as they are deprived of allicin.
- People with imbalanced gut flora and weak immune system are more susceptible to parasite infections. For this reason it is important to take a good probiotic formula (UltraProbio or DailyProbio) and an immune system-supporting supplement such as Beta Glucan Complex.
- Other foods and nutritional supplements that are used to deal with parasites include the following: Turmeric, Pau d’Arco, Grape seed extract, Bromelain, Propolis, Neem oil, and Ginger.
- Remember to avoid anything with sugar and high glucose / high fructose syrup as they feed parasites.
- If you think you might be infected with a parasite, eat more raw vegetable salads, raw vegetable smoothies.
Detox and Heal Intestines
- After the parasites are gone it’s time to detoxify the body and help the intestinal tract to heal. In order to achieve this goal drink fresh raw vegetable juices (carrot, beets, leafy greens) with one tablespoon of Super Greens powder (HealthAid)
- Take a good probiotic formula (UltraProbio, ColiProbio, or DailyProbio) to restore healthy intestinal flora.
- Take Psyllium Husk powder (HealthAid) to flush wastes and toxins.
- Drink plenty of clean boiled water or herbal teas between meals.
RELATED ARTICLES
- Microcytic Anaemia (Iron Deficiency)
- Black Seed Oil (Nigella Sativa) for Gastrointestinal Health
- Diet & Nutritional Supplements to Improve Gut (Colon) Health
- Garlic: Health benefits and Actions
- Lifestyle, Diet, & Nutritional Supplements to Support Weak Immune System
SOURCES
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16021310/
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/pharmacology-toxicology-and-pharmaceutical-science/hookworm
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27630048/
- https://greenmedinfo.com/article/whole-plant-extract-artemisia-annua-was-more-effective-pure-artemisinin-slow-0
- https://greenmedinfo.com/article/artemisia-annua-infusion-has-therapeutic-value-treatment-malaria-plasmodium-ch
- https://www.rxlist.com/black_walnut/supplements.htm
Any information or product suggested on this website is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any medical condition. Never disregard medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. Consult your primary healthcare physician before using any supplements or making any changes to your regime.
