What is a Parasite?
According to the CDC, "a parasite is an organism that lives on or in a host organism and gets its food from or at the expense of its host. There are three main classes of parasites that can cause disease in humans: protozoa, helminths, and ectoparasites."
For billions of years, parasites and their hosts have been competing with each other. A parasite's goal is to live a life undetected by the immune system and medical testing, and most of the time they succeed.
Are Parasites Common?
Parasites are not only found in underdeveloped countries, they are also extremely common in developed countries such as the United States. We just simply do not connect the dots that our symptoms may be linked to a parasitic infection.
For example, liver flukes are known for causing gallbladder/liver problems, elevated/reduced liver enzymes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and bile duct cancer. According to the CDC, an untreated liver fluke infection "may persist for up to 25-30 years, the lifespan of the parasite."
Another example is T. gondii. According to a 2012 study, "at least a third of the world's human population are infected with the parasite, making it one of the most successful parasitic infections."
Why Aren't Parasites Diagnosed Often?
Attempting to catch a parasitic infection via stool testing and colonoscopies is ineffective for some cases. Colonoscopies do not often catch parasites because they examine only the colon and the lowest part of the small intestine. Stool tests can produce false-negative results.
Ways to Check for Parasites:
- Examine Bloodwork: elevated eosinophils, low ferritin/iron, etc.
- Symptom Analysis
- Biofeedback / Muscle Testing
Causes of Parasitic Infections:
- Contaminated Water
- Animals
- Human-to-Human Contact
- Factory Farmed Meats / Undercooked or Raw Meat
- Fresh Foods
- Travel
Types of Parasites:
Protozoa: Microscopic, one-celled organisms able to multiply in humans. The most common protozoa are giardia and cryptosporidium. These produce cysts and biofilms that make them difficult to detect and treat.
Helminths: Worms that are visible to the naked eye. Examples include ascaris, strongyloides, hookworm, whipworm, pinworm, and liver flukes.
Ectoparasites: Organisms that attach to or burrow into the skin, including mites, lice, fleas, and ticks.
Common Symptoms of Parasitic Infections:
- Gut Issues (food sensitivities, IBS, abdominal pain, constipation/diarrhea)
- Insomnia / Grinding Teeth when Sleeping (bruxism)
- Anal Itching
- Acne / Psoriasis / Inflammation of the Skin
- Sugar Cravings / Increased Hunger
- Fatigue / Flu-like Symptoms
- Muscle and Joint Pain
- Heart Palpitations / Chest Pain
- Iron-deficiency Anemia
- Brain Fog
- Unexplained Weight Gain / Difficulty Losing Weight
- Worsening Symptoms During the Full Moon
- Anxiety / Depression