Most Americans are inclined to believe that parasitic infections are a rare occurrence, limited to those who have traveled outside of our country. But the reality is parasitic infections are way more common than you probably think. The CDC estimates that millions of American’s are currently affected by parasites. Yet, these infections often go overlooked for many years due to symptoms overlapping with many other chronic health conditions.
Symptoms of a parasite often manifest as gastrointestinal distress but can also cause other conditions such as fatigue, weight loss, micronutrient deficiencies, rashes, inflammation, immune impairment, and even autoimmune activation.
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How Do You Get a Parasite?
The Four Most Common Routes of Parasitic Infection
- Undercooked meats and contaminated produce
- Insect vectors
- Sexual contact
- Passage through the skin, nose, and mouth
Parasitic Infection Signs & Symptoms
Parasites can live in the intestines for years without causing symptoms. When they do, symptoms include the following:
- Digestive issues such as diarrhea, constipation, or gas
- Skin disorders like eczema, hives, or unexplained chronic itching
- Fatigue, even after a good night’s sleep
- Grinding your teeth while sleeping
- Nutrient deficiencies, especially anemia
- Anxiety (possibly due to nutrient deficiencies)
- Muscle or joint pain
- Itching around your rectum
Two Types of Common Intestinal Parasitic Infections
Helminths
Helminths Parasites are multi-cell parasitic worms such as pinworms, hookworms, tapeworms, and roundworms. These parasitic worms live inside the GI tract. These parasites can contribute to long-term, sometimes severe, chronic health problems because of the way they deplete the body’s resources.
Protozoan
Protozoan Parasites are microscopic, single-cell parasites and are much harder to detect. They can multiply in your body and contribute to acute health issues, such as extreme diarrhea and dehydration.
Functional Medicine Labs to Test for Parasitic Infection
Comprehensive Stool Test
Parasites have a life cycle and can be harder to detect depending on the day, so a 3-day comprehensive stool test is commonly used if there is a high suspicion of parasitic infection. However, some practitioners will use the 1-day stool sample.
The samples are examined under a microscope to check for parasites, their eggs, or evidence from the immune system that a parasite is present.
Top Most Commonly Ordered Stool Test on Rupa Health
- Doctor’s Data/Labrix Parasitology - 3 Day
- Genova Diagnostics GI Effects® Comprehensive Profile - 3 day
- Diagnostic Solutions GI-MAP + Zonulin
Functional Medicine Treatment for Parasitic Infection
Different parasites require different treatment methods, so obtaining an accurate diagnosis is critical.
In conventional medicine, antiparasitic drugs, such as praziquantel and mebendazole, are the first line of defense.
In integrative medicine, many practitioners will use a combination of antiparasitic herbs plus nutritional protocols to make the gut an inhabitable environment for the parasites.
Some of the herbs used to treat intestinal parasites can interfere with prescriptive medications. Use them only under the supervision of a qualified practitioner.
Commonly Used Herbs to Treat Parasites
- Garlic
- Papaya Seeds
- Barberry
- Goldenseal
- Oregon grape
- Anise
- Wormwood
- Black walnuts
Commonly Used Nutrition Supplement to Treat Parasites
- Avoid dairy, processed foods, refined sugars, and alcohol.
- Raw garlic, pumpkin seeds, pomegranates, papaya seeds, and beets have been used traditionally to kill parasites. In one study, researchers found that a mixture of honey and papaya seeds cleared stools of parasites in 23 out of 30 subjects.
- Drink a lot of water to help flush out your system.
- Eat more fiber, which may help get rid of worms.
- Probiotics and Digestive enzymes will help restore your intestinal tract to its normal state, which makes it inhospitable to parasites.
Somethings to Keep in Mind
Parasites feed off of what you eat, and they thrive on junk food and sugar. Healthy digestion and proper nutrition are vital steps in solving your parasitic infections. Parasites are also more likely to multiply in people with gut microbiome imbalances or a compromised immune system.
Parasites release toxins as they die off, and your body may respond to this elevated toxin load with uncomfortable detox symptoms. Therefore, It’s essential to work with a practitioner to help ease detox symptoms.
Summary
Parasites are more common than you think, and many parasitic infections can go undetected due to overlap in medical symptoms. If you have any of the above symptoms with no clear diagnosis, a simple three-day stool test can rule these types of infections out.
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