Parasite Detoxification
- Introduction
- The Link Between Parasites and Allergies
- How Can You Tell If You Have Parasites?
- Parasitic Elimination Techniques
- Important Reminders During Any Parasite Treatment
- Hygiene Precautions
Introduction
Parasites are microscopic organisms that invade the body either by contact on the skin or by oral ingestion. A parasite derives its food, nutrition and shelter by living in or on another organism. They rob us of our nutrients, vitamins and amino acids (the building blocks of proteins). Parasites tend to reside in the intestines, but they can also migrate to the blood, lymph, heart, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, spleen, eyes and brain, as well as inside the joints.
It is estimated that more than 300 kinds of parasites can live in the human body, where they often reside as what microbiologists call the 'great masqueraders.' They generate numerous symptoms that are mistakenly associated with other illnesses by conventional medicine while a parasite infestation is overlooked.
In the U.S., the most common parasites, apart from head lice, are microscopic protozoans which include Giardia, Entamoeba, Blastocystis, Dientamoeba, and Cryptosporidia. Mites, ticks and fleas can carry smaller parasites that are infectious to humans. Larger parasites include pinworms, tapeworms, roundworms, hookworms, filaria (thread-like worms that inhabit the blood and tissue), and flukes (which invade the liver).
The Link Between Parasites and Allergies
Parasites appear to play two roles in allergies. First, they are highly allergic, that is, they frequently trigger allergic reactions. In fact, parasitic reactions can be mistaken for food allergy, as is often the case with the parasite Anisakis simplex found in raw or undercooked fish which triggers a delayed IgE allergic reaction. Parasites also increase intestinal permeability. Giardia is especially implicated in the development of allergy due to leaky gut.
Parasite Infestation of the Body:- Mature parasite cysts enter the body through ingestion
- Cysts divide and reproduce and block the ileocecal valve (the junction between the small intestine and large intestine). Multiplying cysts create constipation
- Cysts develop into protozoan stage and further multiply, producing more cysts and protozoa. Protozoa aggravate the appendix
- Parasites colonize in the colon, the colon lining is breached, and parasite infestation spreads
How Can You Tell If You Have Parasites?
Take the following self-test. With easy air travel, the entire globe is within our reach. But visiting abroad is not the only way to get parasites. They are common even in our own homes. Do you own a pet? If you do, you are at risk.
Once infected, a person may feel bloated, tired or hungry, have allergies, gas, unclear thinking and generally feel toxic. Assess your own RISK factor for parasites below:
Do you / have you / have you been:
- Crave sweets, bread or sugar?
- Bloated after meals?
- Feel tired after eating?
- Grumpy or irritable when you get hungry?
- Feel drugged or foggy-headed at times?
- Frequent colds or sore throat?
- Restless legs while sleeping?
- Experience cramping or poor digestion?
- Sinus problems?
- Had parasites before?
- Licked in the face by a cat or dog?
- Irritable after eating?
- Always hungry?
- Irritable in the morning?
- Eaten at a salad or sushi bar before?
Risk factor evaluator
- 1-2 Low risk (unless answers 10, 11 or 15 were answered yes)
- 3-4 High probability
- 5+ Extreme risk
Parasitic Elimination Techniques
Getting rid of parasites is not easy. Consider this fact: a hook worm may lay up to 30,000 eggs a day. That is an astronomical amount. Making a token effort to eradicate parasites is akin to doing nothing at all.
An anti-parasitic program should be undertaken with the knowledge of the typical life cycle of parasites. The eggs of many of the worms hatch every 2-3 weeks. The length of treatment is critical for successful elimination - if the program is too short, it may fail to destroy parasites at an advanced stage in their life cycle.
- Colon cleansing
This is commonly recommended by natural health practitioners as an effective method for eliminating parasites. There are a number of colon cleansing programs available to help you scrub microorganisms and other toxic materials from the intestines. I recommend starting with the Attogram Program which includes a colon cleanse with psyllium and bentonite, a fungicide to kill yeast overgrowth (often accompanying parasites), and a probiotic to replenish 'friendly' digestive bacteria (for more details on this cleanse and the products, see the treatment section under Candida Detoxification.
Product recommendations: To order or view product details, see the products page
- Q150 Psyllium Cleanser
- Q100L Bentonite Magna
- Q120 Caprol
- M890CD UltraFlora Dairy-Free Probiotic
- Wormwood
This extremely bitter herb has traditionally been used to support the health of the body relative to microbial balance, hence its common name, 'wormwood.' Research has focused on the compound, artemisinin (sequiterpene lactone), which appears to be responsible for the herb’s dramatic effects. Ultra Parex features extremely high levels of wormwood in standardized rather than crude form to provide potent levels of artemisinin.
Product recommendations: To order or view product details, see the products page.
- M888U UltraParex
- M888I Parex Intensive Care
- Ginger
This pungent herb has a long history of use in calming the gastrointestinal tract. Ginger has great benefit in maintaining healthy gut ecology, which provides an important rationale for its accompaniment in Asian dishes containing raw fish (i.e. sushi).
Product recommendations: To order or view product details, see the products page.
- M888U UltraParex
- Sour Plum
This Asian fruit stimulates contractions in the intestinal tract and gallbladder, thereby contributing to its purgative qualities and support of proper bowel transit time. Pectin, malic and succinic acids have been identified as some of sour plum’s key active components. Prepared according to Chinese tradition, the fruit is soaked in vinegar prior to decoction to enhance its sour properties, which is thought to guide the formula’s action to the liver, thus supporting healthy detoxification.
Product recommendations: To order or view product details, see the products page.
- M888U UltraParex
Follow-up protocols for purging parasites include the following:
- The alkaloid berberine (see Candibactor-BR on the product page) inhibits the growth of several common parasites. Coptis, a Chinese herb, is high in berberine. It is found in many other plants but is particularly high in concentrations of goldenseal
- Garlic has antibiotic and anti-parasitic properties. Allicin, the active antifungal component, attacks the surface of the Candida cells, alters its fat content, and oxidizes a group of its essential enzymes. Garlic has the added benefit of stimulating the immune system (see Super Garlic 6000 on the products page)
- Thyme oil and oregano oil both contain phenol, thymol, and carvacrol (see Candibactin-AR on the product page). Thymol is one of the most potent anti-microbial substances known. It is 18 times more powerful than phenol, the major antiseptic used in commercial germicidal cleansers like Lysol, and can destroy parasites, worms, fungi, bacteria, and many viruses
- Grapefruit Seed Extract (see Candicin on the product page) - Very little is known about the active components of GSE but it contains bioflavonoids (vitamin C enhancers) and hesperidin, a natural immune booster. GSE is effective for allergy patients with intestinal and systemic infections of candidiasis or parasites that cause joint and muscle aches or irritable bowels
- Wormwood, as described above, is effective for continued intestinal health. Pumpkin seeds act as mild intestinal cleansers. Both are found in Parex Intensive Care (see products page)
Important Reminders During Any Parasite Treatment
- If you have children or pets, they must be treated at the same time as the adults to prevent re-infection (Children usually can tolerate a probiotic (UltraFlora) with Parex or UltraParex tablet). See products page
- Drink more pure water than usual to help flush out the dead parasites (64 oz. per day for 150 lb. person). There are many good quality water filtration systems on the market. Shaklee has a selection of quality water filtration options (see BestWater at www.shaklee.net/dochollander for details)
- Sanitize your environment. When you have almost finished treatment, wash all pajamas, bed clothes and sheets before using them again. Use biodegradable hypoallergenic products (See Basic G, Basic L, Basic H at www.shaklee.net/dochollander for details)
- Recolonize your intestines. You need to reintroduce beneficial friendly bacteria (probiotics) into your intestinal system once you have flushed out the parasites, especially lactobacillus plantarum (see UltraFlora on the products page)
Hygiene Precautions
- Always wash your hands after using the toilet (see Purifying Cleansing Gel at www.shaklee.net/dochollander for details)
- Wash your hands after working in the garden. The soil can be contaminated with spores and parasites (see Purifying Cleansing Gel at www.shaklee.net/dochollander for details)
- Do not eat raw beef - it can be loaded with tapeworms and other parasites
- Do not eat raw fish or sushi
- Wash your hands after handling raw meat or fish (see Basic G and Basic H at www.shaklee.net/dochollander for details)
- Use separate cutting board for meat and vegetables. Spores from meat can seep into the board and contaminate vegetables or anything else you put on the board
- Wash utensils thoroughly after cutting meat (see Basic G and Basic H at www.shaklee.net/dochollander for details).
- Wash vegetables and fruit thoroughly, particularly salad items, as they often harbor parasites (see Basic H at www.shaklee.net/dochollander for details)
- De-worm your pets regularly and keep their sleeping areas clean
- Do not drink from streams and rivers while camping/traveling