Can Parasites Live In Your System? Here’s How To Get Rid Of Them

You may be infected by parasites and not even know it. These uninvited guests range from visible worms such as tapeworms and pinworms to microscopic organism such as Giardia lamblia. Parasites can live within our intestinal system and other organs. They grow and feed off the supplies in our bodies, depriving us of beneficial nutrients. Three main classes of parasites are disease causing in humans. The first class is protozoan parasites, microscopic single celled organisms that have the ability to multiply in our bodies. Then Helminths, which are large multicellular organisms that are visible to the naked eyes in their adult age. They are free living and parasitic in nature (similarly to protozoan) but cannot multiply in a human body. The third class of parasites is ectoparasites. Ectoparasites include ticks, fleas, and mites that attach and burrow into the skin and remain there for weeks up to months.

No matter what kind it is, parasites can cause serious health conditions. In fact, they are the root cause of various health conditions.  They are also more common than we think. We’re constantly exposed to them from traveling, maybe tap water, eating uncooked meat or fish, our pets, and eating foods from restaurants with subpar hygiene standards such as if cooks do not wash their hands before preparing their food. If you have a compromised digestion coupled with skin issues and poor immunity, there’s a high chance that you may have parasites living in your system. A weakened immune system means that we are low in energy. The cells are moving slowly, and therefore there are more chances of parasites infesting and staying within the body. Parasites like environments with heavy metals, chemicals and radiation. So, what are some common symptoms of parasite infestation?

8 Symptoms You May Have Parasites

1. Gut issues: this can be various digestive issues such as excess wind. Amoebas or candida are often the cause. Bloating and diarrhea caused by amoebas parasites or constipation (indicating the potential hookworm parasites) including conditions such as leaky gut syndrome.
2. Loss of appetite, bad breath and sudden weight loss.
3. Skin rashes or other skin problems: the skin is our largest detoxification organ. Skin conditions such as rashes, itchy skin, eczema for example can be an indication of parasite toxicity.
4. Anxiety or insomnia
5. Iron deficiency and other nutrient deficiencies
6. Chronic fatigue including symptoms such as brain fog are common symptoms of parasites.
7. Tissue parasites can cause achy joints and rheumatoid arthritis
8. Grinding teeth at night

How To Get Tested For Parasites?

To know for sure whether there is parasite infestation, medical professionals recommend to get a stool test. Blood tests can also be done simultaneously to determine things like levels of eosinophils, white blood cells, which if elevated, can indicate a parasite infection. It is also advisable to test for total IgE antibodies, as immunoglobulins are responsible for hypersensitivity allergic reactions that can elevate with parasitic infection.  

Getting Rid Of Parasites

Getting rid of parasites living in your system can be a long journey, depending on the state of your current health. This includes immune system status, digestive function, and overall vitality. Getting rid of parasites also does not necessarily mean that they won’t return again. But, there are definitely some preventative measures to take. Various herbal medicines and foods can also help get rid of them.

8 Foods That Aid In Cleansing Parasites

1. Raw garlic & onion: garlic and onion especially in their raw state contains high amounts of sulphur and antioxidants. This helps to boost the immune system and destroy pathogenic organisms.
2. Papaya & pineapple: both of these fruits contain an enzyme called papain. This digestive enzyme helps to restore the intestinal lining to its normal state which makes it less hospitable to parasites. Some research says that papain may also aid in killing worms when taken 20 minutes before meals or after meals.
3. Carrots, sweet potatoes, squash are rich in beta carotene that can assist in increasing resistance to the penetration of larvae.
4. Herbs: oregano, ginger, turmeric, clove cinnamon; these spices have an antibacterial and antiparasitic properties which increases the production of the stomach acid thereby killing and preventing parasites
5. Probiotics rich foods: sauerkraut, kimchi are great examples of probiotic rich foods which help balance the gut microbiome and improve the health of your gut and making it less hospitable for the parasites to live within your digestive tract.
6. Pumpkin seeds: pumpkin seeds contain an amino-acid called cucurbitacin which effectively kills parasites especially tapeworms. Have one cup of pumpkin seeds per day.
7. Fiber: these will help to balance your gut microbiome. Fiber provides lubrication in the colon to function properly allowing for easier elimination. Some examples of high fiber foods include cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, brussels sprouts, oats, chia seeds and legumes.
8. Avoid these foods: caffeine, refined sugars, fried foods, alcohol, wheat, meat especially pork. These foods can further destroy the gut microbiome and have a negative impact on your immunity and gut health, they also promote an environment for the parasites to live in your system.

3 Supplements To Rid Parasites

1. High quality multi-strains probiotics especially the strains of lactobacillus acidophilus, lactobacillus plantarum, Saccharomyces boulardii and bifidobacteria. These will help balance your gut microbiome and improve your immune function.
2. Herbal infusions contain black walnut which contains an anti-parasitic phytochemical compound called juglone that can help aid in the elimination of parasites.
3. Oregano oil capsules: one to two capsules on empty stomach in the morning, oregano is a potent anti-bacterial and anti-parasitic herb.

5 Preventative Ways To Block Against Future Parasite Infection

1. If you are traveling to a new country, use a high quality broad spectrum probiotic to take with you including immune booster such as olive leaf extract, vitamin C and zinc to keep your immunity at its optimal level.
2. Always wash your hands before cooking and eating, after playing with your pets and the most obvious after using the washroom.
3. Avoid drinking tap water or unfiltered water especially if you’re traveling to a new place.
4. Keep your raw food consumption to minimal especially when it comes to meat products.
5. When eating out, check for inspection certification that should be displayed within the restaurant. 

Parasites can definitely be scary! Therefore, prevention is your best bet. It’s always a good reminder that when we’re traveling to a new country, take your probiotics and immune supplements and herbs with you. If you already have a compromised immunity and gut health, this is especially highly crucial. The most important thing to keep in mind is that parasites like to live in an environment that is low in vibrational energy – this means you have poor immunity, poor gut health, simultaneously this also often because you’re not implementing a diet and lifestyle that benefits your body besides getting parasites infestations in your body from the reasons mentioned above. Make sure you’ve had plenty of fruits, vegetables and fiber to keep your immune and gut health to its optimal levels.