Parasites: Causes, Symptoms & Solutions

Parasites: Causes, Symptoms and Solutions - Paula Owens, MS Parasites are more common than many people think. They’re often overlooked as a potential root cause of autoimmunity, colon disorders, allergies, unexplained pain, and many chronic health challenges.

Intestinal parasites are abnormal inhabitants of the GI tract that live off and have the potential to cause damage to their host, negatively impacting many aspects of health.

Although most parasite infections are localized within the GI tract, they can spread to other parts of the body such as the liver and bile ducts, heart, brain, lungs, pancreas, spleen, skin, oral cavity, and the GI tract. Parasites can burrow into the walls of the intestines causing large, crater-like ulcers to form. This results in an infection that spreads into the bloodstream, enabling it to reach many parts of the body. Parasites also adhere to the gut wall creating biofilms, where they live and hide from the immune system. Bacteria, viruses, Lyme and heavy metals can live inside the parasite too.

The human body is a host to over 130 different types of parasites! The most common parasites are Blastocystis hominis, Giardia lamblia, Entamoeba histolytica, Crytosporidium, and Dientamoeba fragilis. Other types of parasites include roundworms, pinworms, tapeworms, hookworms, Trichina spiralis and Filaria.

Parasites move all over the body and the brain weakening the entire system. They absorb vital nutrients, drain your energy causing fatigue, cause digestive difficulties, diarrhea or constipation, teeth grinding, itchy eyes, ears and anus, unexplained gas, sudden blurred vision, unexplained menstrual problems, slower reflexes, heart palpitations, loss of appetite or overeating, chronic fatigue and weakness.

People with chronic, unexplained illnesses are most likely infected with a parasite. – Simon Yu, M.D.

A high toxic burden, heavy metals, poor diet, emotional toxins, mycotoxins, Candida overgrowth, glyphosate, hormone-disrupting chemicals, depleted adrenals, compromised digestion, microbiome imbalances and compromised immune function create an unhealthy terrain and an environment that allow parasites and other chronic infections to take hold in the first place.

Sources of parasite transmission

Contaminated food and water
Poor food hygiene handling practices (at home and in restaurants)
Daycare centers
Sushi, raw meat, smoked meats or meat that is not fully cooked
International travel
Animals, pets, new puppies, cats (cleaning litter boxes without gloves), sleeping with pets, kissing pets
Poor personal hygiene
Public toilet seats, shopping cart handles
Salad bars
Sexual transmission, intimacy with an infected partner
Carriers such as insects, mosquitoes, ticks and fleas
Swimming in fresh water lakes
Walking around barefoot
Transmitted from mother to child during pregnancy if Mom is unknowingly infected with parasites, Candida overgrowth, fungi, yeast and mycotoxins

Parasites are masqueraders to many health conditions and diseases.

“An asymmetric paradox is that the most dangerous parasites are not 30’ long tapeworms, ascaris, flukes or protozoa, but the parasitic human (Para-sapiens) relationships. They are engaging in social, political, financial, emotional and spiritual parasitism. Many incurables are due to inability to terminate parasitic human relationships.”

“Parasites bring their own parasites, bacterial microbes and fungus.”

“Many bacteria, fungus, mycobacteria and parasites are in the oral/dental areas, creating hidden, perpetual infections and we cannot break the chronic infections without addressing dental and jaw infection.”

– Asa Crawford Chandler, soldier, biologist and parasite specialist, and author of Animal Parasites and Human Disease (1918)

Symptoms and Conditions of a Parasite Infections

Listed below are common symptoms of parasites. They can include any combination of the following:

Acne, eczema, hives, rashes, psoriasis or other skin conditions
Allergic reactions and multiple food sensitivities
Anorexia
Anxiety, depression, psychiatric conditions and behavioral problems
Arthritis and other inflammatory conditions
Autism
Autoimmune diseases
B12 deficiency, unexplained iron anemia, and several other nutrient deficiencies
Bluish-color around the lips
Bloating, excess gas, abdominal discomfort, distended belly
Cancer
Candida overgrowth
Chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia
Constipation, loose stool or diarrhea
Coughing, especially at night
Dark circles under the eyes, puffy underneath the eyes
Dizziness
Estrogen dominance
Gallbladder problems (giardia lives in the bile ducts)
Heart palpitations
Histamine intolerance, multiple chemical sensitivity
History of food poisoning and you haven’t been the same since
Hypoglycemia, type 2 diabetes
Irritable bowel symptoms, ulcerative colitis, acid reflux, heartburn, indigestion, malabsorption, leaky gut
Imbalanced brain chemicals
Immune deficiencies, compromised immune function, low sIgA
Inability to relax, nervousness, agitation
Insomnia and difficulty sleeping
Itchy-twitchy mess: itchy anus, eyes and ears
Joint pain, muscle pain
Memory problems, forgetfulness
Neurological disorders
Never feeling satiated or nourished no matter how much you eat
Nose picking, chronic nail biting
Rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune challenges
Ringing in the ears
Stubborn sweet tooth (sugar and carb cravings)
Teeth grinding (especially at night)

Some people have no symptoms at all, yet they’re infected with parasites.

If left untreated, chronic parasitic infections consume the food we eat, rob our bodies of vital nutrients, produce toxic waste, and eventually destroy the GI lining, organs, tissues and cells, affect and compromise brain function, and cause chronic disease and illness.

Testing for Parasites

Stool testing: a purged stool test or a comprehensive stool test that specializes in parasitology (minimum of three days stool samples or a one-day PCR stool test) currently provides the most sensitive diagnostic method for evaluating the presence and levels of parasites.

However, parasites do NOT always show up, even on the best of stool tests and other testing methods unless one has an acute parasite infection. Therefore, it’s important to consider a person’s health history, their personal timeline, subjective indicators, symptoms, complaints, and underlying health conditions.

Blood tests can provide clues

Eosinophil percent >3% consider parasite infections, especially if monocyte percent and basophil percent are also increased (Eosinophil % can be triggered by allergy or parasite infections)
Monocyte percent >9%
Basophil percent >1.5%
White Blood Count (WBC): increased >8 or decreased <5 white blood count
Increased neutrophils >60 in conjunction with decreased lymphocytes <24
Decreased hemoglobin and decreased hematocrit
Increased AST, >30 (liver enzyme)

How to Get Rid of Parasites Naturally

Use Food as Medicine, Lifestyle Medicine, Environmental and Herbal Therapy

A strong, healthy immune system is the best defense against parasites, many of which have become drug-resistant. It’s also important to be aware of and mindful of the various sources of parasite transmission (see list above) and do your best to avoid them.

Before starting any type of parasite cleanse or detox, it’s imperative to have a strong foundation in place first by boosting the immune system, limiting immune suppressors, supporting the adrenals, ensuring that detox pathways are open, and optimizing elimination and digestion.

Use Food as Medicine

Organic, non-GMO veggies, leafy greens, grass-fed pasture-raised animal protein, wild salmon, healthy fats
Coconut oil
Drink only filtered or bottled steam-distilled water. Up to 50% of the U.S. water supply is contaminated with giardia lamblia, a protozoan not killed by chlorination.
Parasites love dairy products, especially milk. They also thrive, multiply and survive on sweets, grains, alcohol, sugar, fruit, juices, and processed carbs.
It’s important to cut out all sweets, sugar, milk, grains, fruit, gluten, pork, sushi, junk foods and processed carbohydrates as these feed parasites and encourage them to breed.
Avoid iceberg lettuce
Limit fruit consumption
Use more garlic, onions, thyme, turmeric, oregano, sage, clove
Pau ‘d Arco tea, mugwort tea
Raw pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, papaya seeds, figs
Vitamin A rich foods such as carrots, pumpkin, sweet potato, organic plants, bitter leafy greens and vegetables

Lifestyle Tips to Get Rid of Parasites

In addition to the following tips, it’s important to avoid sources of transmission (see list above)

When it comes to parasites and other chronic infections, addressing energetic and emotional imbalances is just as important as addressing the parasites. People can experience dramatic shifts in their psyche, their mental and emotional health as they heal. Failure to address the energetic and emotional imbalances will prevent a person from healing from chronic illness.
According to Louise Hay, author of Heal Your Life the probable emotional cause of parasites is giving power to others and letting them take over.
Practice basic hygiene. Hand-washing before eating and after touching raw meat or fish, soil, pets, animals, changing a baby’s diaper, or visiting the toilet. If you suspect you have a parasite infection and you don’t wash your hands after using the restroom or after handling food, you can easily pass microscopic parasite eggs onto anything you touch – the door handle, the salt shaker, your phone, or anyone you touch.
Wash all utensil and surfaces that come in contact with raw meat, pork or fish.
Avoid suspicious restaurants
Wash all clothing, bedding and towels in very hot water. Change towels daily.
WiFi exposure and nnEMFs have a tremendous inflammatory effect on health – disrupting mitochondrial health, destroying a healthy microbiome and feeding into parasites. Unplug the WiFi at night. Limit nnEMF and EMR exposure for healing and removing parasites. Chronic WiFi exposure allows parasites to multiply, thrive and survive.
Many bacteria, fungi, mycobacteria and parasites can be hidden in the oral cavity. Address dental and jaw infections, cavitations, and old root canaled teeth.
It is imperative to implement various detox support interventions beyond taking targeted nutrients, vitamins and anti-microbials. Infrared sauna therapy, Epsom salt detox baths, deep breathing exercises, daily sunlight exposure, a window of time eating schedule, dry skin brushing, and rebounding are all highly effective lifestyle interventions to help support your body during and after addressing chronic infections.

Nutrients, Antimicrobials and Herbs

Periodic rotation of various antimicrobials and anti-parasitic herbs such as black walnut hulls, gentian root, wormwood, fennel seed, mugwort, slippery elm, garlic, pumpkin seed, clove, cascara Sagrada, pau ‘d arco, thyme, grapefruit seed extract, goldenseal (berberine), Biocidin, Dysbiocide
Hydrochloric acid (stomach acid). Sufficient hydrochloric acid (HCl) aka stomach acid is required to inhibit an environment for infections like Candida overgrowth, yeast, fungi, dysbiotic bacteria, parasites and other pathogens to survive. Stomach acid is needed to breakdown and digest protein, and to trigger healthy bile production.
Bile support. Your bile also needs to be healthy, thin and flowing. Infections affect the liver and gallbladder. Parasites can hide in the bile ducts. Bile sterilizes the small intestine, it’s an antimicrobial, and helps to breakdown the fats that you eat.
Breakup biofilms with items such as apple cider vinegar, proteolytic enzymes, serrapeptase, NAC, butyric acid (butyrate)
Binders such as bentonite clay and activated charcoal help to bind and grab up these organisms and remove them out of the body effectively
Support your body with basic nutrients that include omega-3 fatty acids, a good quality multi-vitamin/mineral, zinc, vitamin A
Sporebiotic, Probiotics and postbiotics
Essential oils such as clove bud, balsam fir, tea tree, lemongrass, oregano

It’s crucial to eradicate parasite infections safely and under the guidance of an experienced practitioner. Just taking antibiotics or off-the-shelf products will not do the job as the bugs become resistant to the drugs, dosing is not sufficient, and dietary, nutritional, lifestyle, emotional and environmental factors are seldom factored in. Many people may even get worse because of the gut damage done by the antibiotics, microbial disruption, an exhausted immune system and depleted adrenals. Each person needs to be assessed and treated on an individual basis.