Parasites are far more common than most people realize, and their effects are far-reaching.
Parasitic infection is what Dr. Jaban calls the world's most undiagnosed infection. The assumption that parasites are only a concern in developing countries is simply inaccurate. Parasites are endemic in the US population and can be contracted through contaminated food and water, soil contact, pet exposure, and insect bites, without any international travel required.
Parasitic infections can drive a remarkably wide range of symptoms: bloating and digestive dysfunction, unexplained weight changes, fatigue, cognitive difficulties, immune suppression, skin conditions, mood disturbances, and sleep disruption, often for years without ever being identified. Standard stool testing misses the majority of parasitic infections, making specialized testing and clinical awareness essential tools in any root cause investigation.
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. Parasites are not only found in underdeveloped countries. They are 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.
Parasites are not obvious. Their intention is to be hidden. They do not quickly kill their prey; they subtly and slowly change their host's behavior and biological patterns, causing enormous implications over time. Every aspect of the human body holds a defense mechanism to fight off parasitic invaders, yet parasites are extremely complex beings with highly intelligent skill sets that are exponentially more advanced than previously thought.
If you have a pulse, you could have parasites.
Dr. Jaban Moore
Attempting to catch a parasitic infection via stool testing and colonoscopies is ineffective for many cases. Colonoscopies do not often catch parasites because they examine only the colon and the lowest part of the small intestine. The camera does not see most of the 20 feet of intestines. While parasites are commonly found in the colon, they are also found in the lungs, skin, eyes, joints, brain, liver, and gallbladder. Stool tests for parasites can produce false-negative results, as a parasite's goal is to stay hidden.
Parasites are oftentimes the reason for gallbladder removals and appendicitis. Slowly but surely, parasites are becoming recognized as a root cause for chronic illnesses, and are being considered to be much more entangled in chronic illness than previously thought.
Ways to check for parasites include examining bloodwork for elevated eosinophils, low ferritin and iron, along with symptom analysis and biofeedback or muscle testing. Sources of parasitic infection include contaminated water, animals, human-to-human contact, factory-farmed or undercooked meat, fresh foods, and travel.
Because standard testing is so unreliable, clinical expertise in recognizing parasitic infection patterns is essential. At The Redefining Wellness Center, Dr. Jaban and his team have extensive experience identifying and addressing parasitic infections as root causes of chronic illness, even in cases where standard testing has returned negative results.