Most of the parasites in your body seek the nutrients you consume. They, therefore, compete with your own nutritional needs and can cause nutrient malabsorption. Some parasites hunger for your blood – their presence can give a deficiency in both iron and protein.
Intestinal parasites can travel to other parts of your body via your bloodstream. They lodge themselves into the tissues of various bodily organs, including your lungs and stomach. In the liver, they can be one of the causes of cirrhosis and the presence of abscesses.
Infection with parasites can occur for a number of reasons, the most common of which is the consumption of contaminated food or water. Anyone is at risk of parasite infections, but a weak immunity, an unhealthy diet, and poor hygiene can increase your risk of getting infected.
The parasites in the human body greatly vary in terms of species, but a large percentage of them are either protozoans or worms. Protozoans are single-celled organisms known for various symptoms, including stomach pain, diarrhea, nausea, fatigue, and joint pain, among others. Some cases of protozoa infections are fatal.
Worms consist of flatworms, roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, and tapeworms. The last three are among the most common parasitic worms found in the U.S. These animals cannot breed inside your body, but they can live in your lower intestine and cause serious health conditions.
Before you take measures against parasites, make sure you know what you're up against. A microbiology test, among others, will help you identify which parasites are currently in your body.
Fighting intestinal parasites with food
Even common foods can have anti-parasite ingredients that your body can benefit from. Here are some of the most effective:
- Pumpkin seeds – These tasty and nutritious snacks paralyze worms and make it easy for them to be expelled by your body. Just combine raw pumpkin seeds, coconut milk, and water into a paste that you then eat and flush down with a glass of water. This recipe is effective although its full effects may become apparent only after several treatments.
- Garlic – This pungent vegetable contains sulfur compounds, such as allicin, that are effective against worms. Garlic needs to be chopped to release its allicin content – the finer it's chopped, the better. To use garlic, just let it sit for a few minutes to fully release the allicin or chew on it for about one minute.
- Papaya – This tropical fruit contains amino acids and the digestive enzymes papain and bromelain that are effective against both protozoans and worms. Its seeds have been proven in studies to result in a parasite clearance ranging from 71.4 to 100 percent.
- Oregano oil – Experts believe that the carvacrol in oregano oil is responsible for its anti-parasite effect. A study found that administering this oil fully eradicates three types of parasites within six weeks.
- Neem – The neem tree is a celebrated medicinal plant in India and is known in the modern world for its antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties. Aside from killing parasites, extracts from neem also remove the toxins left by the pests behind.
- Wormwood, black walnut, and cloves – Wormwood, also known as annual mugwort, is by itself, effective against protozoans and parasitic larvae. It also stimulates the immune system, encouraging it to purge your body of the parasites. It is combined with black walnut and the oil from cloves to create a formula that kills both parasites and their eggs.
Apart from consuming the above foods and herbal formula, you can also get rid of parasites by eating foods rich in probiotics, such as yogurt, kefir, apple cider vinegar, sauerkraut, and miso. These good gut bacteria help destroy parasites and ward off further infection. Cutting your sugar and alcohol from your diet will also help. (Related: Common parasite linked to increased risk of suicide and self-harm.)
Learn more tips for optimal well-being at Health.news.
Sources include:
Please contact us for more information.
