Do you feel tired most of the time? Suffer from digestive problems, food sensitivities or allergic-like reactions? Do you have difficulty gaining or losing weight? Have you tried a yeast-control program, yet can’t stay away from sugar? Is something not quite right physically, but you can’t pinpoint the cause?

Welcome to the world of parasites! More than half of all Canadians will at some point in their lives play host to these invaders. In fact, what many of us attribute to stress, growing older or plain old poor health may actually be due to the toxic byproducts of these uninvited guests.

The word "parasite" comes from the Greek words "para" (besides) and "sitos" (food). Medical dictionaries typically define a parasite as "an animal or plant that lives on or in another organism where it can obtain nourishment." The organism serving as the home for the parasite is known as the host. Parasites cause trouble by competing with the host’s digestive system for nutrients; they also secrete waste products into the gut and bloodstream that are capable of causing various allergic and autoimmune reactions.

Humans often mistake parasitic infection for another abdominal or intestinal disease since the warning signs for parasites are also symptoms of other common illnesses. The most common signs of parasitic infections are stomach cramps and diarrhea. Constipation, gas, bloating, irritable bowel syndrome, joint and muscle aches and pains, anemia, allergies, skin conditions, granulomas (tissue growth), nervousness, sleep disturbances, teeth grinding, chronic fatigue and immune dysfunction may also occur.

For the most part, the increasing prevalence of parasitic infection can be attributed to our modern-day lifestyle. Here are the key factors involved:

Contaminated water - A highly infectious parasite called Cryptosporidium parvum has been the culprit of waterborne disease outbreaks in Canada and the United States. In 1993, for example, "crypto" was responsible for illness in nearly 400,000 people due to a malfunctioning water system in Milwaukee. Found in the feces of wild and domestic animals and humans, crypto is difficult to treat using common disinfection methods because it is resistant to chlorine.

Day-care centres - Giardia lamblia, also present in animal and human feces, is the main culprit and is transmitted through improper diaper-changing practices. For example, parasites from infected feces can lodge under the fingernails and spread from one infant to another.

Household pets - As carriers of more than 240 diseases, our beloved pets can transmit parasitic infection to humans. For example, parasite eggs from dogs or cats can be deposited through feces in grass and playgrounds, where they can eventually be ingested by children.

Processed and sugar-laden foods - High sugar and simple carbohydrate diets provide the ideal breeding ground for parasites.

Raw and undercooked meats and fish - Both undercooked beef and pork can harbour tapeworms, while fish can harbour tapeworms and anisakid worms, which cause a condition resembling Crohn’s disease.

Five Steps for Prevention

Here’s some practical advice for keeping the critters out of your body.

1. Practise Proper Hygiene
Always wash your hands for at least 30 seconds before eating, as well as before and after handling pets and changing diapers. Always wash your hands after going to the bathroom. Keep fingernails short and clean. Parasitic eggs can lodge under the nails.

Teach your children good hygiene. Keep toddlers away from puppies and kittens that are not dewormed regularly. Don’t allow children to eat dirt or play in yards, playgrounds or sandboxes in which animals roam. Breastfeed your child as long as possible. Breastmilk has antibodies that fight parasitic invaders such as Giardia lamblia.

2. Eat Antiparasitic Foods
Maintain a balanced diet with moderate amounts of protein and high amounts of fibre. Fibre cleanses the gastrointestinal tract, the first step in ridding the body of parasites. Cook with lots of garlic, onions, thyme and sage, all of which contain natural antiparasitic properties. Snack on pumpkin seeds, a high-zinc food that helps eliminate worms. Season your dishes with unrefined natural sea salt, which has an antiseptic effect on body tissues. Avoid sugar and other simple carbohydrates, as parasites thrive on them.

A certified nutrition specialist with a master’s degree in nutrition education, Ann Louise Gittleman has been proclaimed one of the "Ten Most Knowledgeable Nutritionists" by Self magazine. She is the award-winning author of nearly 20 books on health and healing that have sold over 3.5 million copies. Her latest New York Times and USA best-seller is The Fat Flush Plan (McGraw-Hill, 2001).

Source: alive #238, August 2002