(NaturalHealth365) What is a parasite? Intestinal parasites are uninvited guests to the party that wreak havoc on your home, take what they want and invite their friends.

As we’ve discussed previously, in many articles on NaturalHealth365: ‘intestinal parasites are abnormal and unwanted inhabitants of the gastrointestinal system that seriously increase the risk for disease.’

What makes parasites so dangerous is their ability to set up shop and penetrate into vital human tissues such as liver, lung and digestive organs.

What are the health risks associated with intestinal parasites?

The widespread health risks imposed by tissue permeability (leaky gut) in the human body are exacerbated by the presence of intestinal parasites such as amoeba or tapeworms. Symptoms of parasites in humans include irritable bowel disease, neurological signs and symptoms that resemble mania and depression, skin itching, chronic fatigue, intermittent increase and decrease of appetite, severe nutritional deficiencies and autoimmune-like health concerns.

Symptoms of parasites in humans can be subtle and may be related to other immunological health concerns, but should be ruled out if any suspicion exists.

Get comprehensively tested if you suspect parasites

While you could assume parasites exist based on symptoms, adding objectivity to your case is worth the time and money. Patients often ask why with such strong symptoms we can’t simply move forward with treatment.

The answer is simple: Treatment should be personalized and specifically tailored to the exact pathogenic factors that may be present.

If I treat only based on suspicion I could be prescribing a potentially digestive-damaging course of nutricueticals. Keep in mind, objective data is paramount.

I suggest comprehensive tests that include complete microbiology. Because many underlying pathogens resemble one another or cohabitate you can personalize treatment by ruling out likely influences.

You may also want to consider including secretory IgA – this is the mucosal lining often damaged by pathogenic invaders. Get tested to discover what therapeutic agents will be best suited for repair.

If you’re suffering with parasites – follow these simple steps

Along with parasite and tissue permeability testing, include a panel covering potential key nutrients that are often lost when parasites exist such as:

• Magnesium
• B12
• Folate
• 25 hydroxy vitamin D
• Ferritin
• Hemoglobin

Arm yourself against parasites with wormwood.

Wormwood has been observed to kill the larval stage of parasites – making it effective to eradicate pathogens from the body. Using wormwood will safely raise stomach acidity and the production of bile in a weakened digestive system as well as exert anti-inflammatory properties.

Black walnut safely removes parasites. Black walnut hulls contain juglone, an active constituent that can help move parasites from the digestive system. And, yes, juglone has specifically been studied for its ability to remove worms from the body.

Probiotic protection is vital to ward off and prevent further parasitic infections. Want to increase immune defenses against parasites?

A multi-strain probiotic that will populate both lower and upper GI regions is ideal to prevent and control parasitic infections. Of course, eating a variety of probiotic-rich foods like, miso, kombucha, tempeh, natto or sauerkraut can’t hurt.

As always, ask your integrative healthcare provider to assist with testing and a personalized treatment program.

About the author: Christine M. Dionese L.Ac, MSTOM is an integrative health expert, medical journalist and food writer. She’s dedicated her career to helping others understand the science of happiness and its powerful effects on everyday human health. Christine practices, writes and speaks on environmental functional medicine, personalized medicine and epigenetics, food science and sustainable living.

Sources for this article include:

NIH.gov
DrJockers.com