PARASITES
Parasites are organisms that derive nourishment and protection from other living organisms known as hosts. They may be transmitted from animals to humans, from humans to humans, or from humans to animals. Several parasites have emerged as significant causes of food borne and waterborne illness. These organisms live and reproduce within the intestinal tract, tissues and organs of infected human and animal hosts, and are often excreted in feces.
Parasites are transmitted from host to host through consumption of contaminated food and water, skin contact, insect bites, air, pets, and soil contact.
Parasites are of different types and range in size from tiny, single-celled, microscopic organisms (protozoa) to larger, multi-cellular worms (helminths) that may be seen without a microscope. The size ranges from 1 to 2 μm (micrometers) to 10 meters long.
Some common parasites are Ancylostoma duodenale/Necator americanus (hookworms), Blastocystis hominis, Giardia lamblia, Cryptosporidium parvum, Cyclospora cayetanensis, Entamoeba bhistolytica, Enterobius vermicularis (pinworm), Helminths (macroscopic multi-cellular worms), Toxoplasma gondii, Trichinella spiralis, Taenia saginata (beef tapeworm), and Taenia solium (pork tapeworm), Trichuris trichiura (whipworm).
Parasites are under-diagnosed in America, especially in cases of IBS, Crohn’s and other abdominal/bowel disturbances, as well as some skin conditions. A number of years ago I experienced this very situation first hand. After returning from a trip to the south of France I had a bout of diarrhea and cramps, then began losing weight. I saw a doctor who suggested it was possibly food poisoning and/or stress. Antibiotics were prescribed. After more than a month of continued symptoms, I did some research and called a friend, Dr. Omar Amin. Dr. Amin had been a Professor of Parasitology at Arizona State University. He sent a stool collection kit and when I received my results it included a picture of the creepy Cryptosporidium that was found in my stool.
Dr. Amin explained that if this condition had gone unchecked it would have led to a number of chronic illnesses. The other valuable information I learned from Dr. Amin is that it is vitally important to collect specimens the first and third day of the full moon for best results. He further explained, “Because of the lack of uniform in structure and/or composition and the cyclic nature of some of the most common human parasites, infections may not be detected in a fecal sample if collected when parasites are not running in the main fecal flow. For instance, intervals of many days may intervene between amebic “runs” which may make the microscopic examination of multiple stool specimens necessary to confirm a positive Entamoeba histolytica infection. The same kind of periodicity and/or adherence to the intestinal lining is also known to occur in Giardia lamblia and Cyclospora cayetanensis. This explains the intermittent shedding and cyclic recovery of these parasites in fecal samples collected for testing. It is important to test for cyclic parasites when they are “running.” (In other words, to detect certain specimens, collection is imperative during runs.)
The stool collection kit at PCI Lab, which was developed by Dr. Amin, collects 2 separate fecal samples on 2 different days to maximize parasite recovery rate. On some occasions, however, testing may need to be repeated.
PARASITES AND DAMAGE TO THE BODY
Amin states, “Parasites will compromise the host immune system as well as the person’s state of physical, mental, and emotional well-being to various degrees. The tapeworm Diphyllobothrium latum will deplete the body of half its vitamin B12 resources, which are essential for proper central nervous system function, propagation of nerve impulse, muscle coordination, and recall. When this 30-foot long worm is expelled after proper treatment, above functions will be restored to normalcy. Host-parasite relationships causing physical or psychological trauma, may go undetected from early childhood years. Progressive or sudden overt disease outcome may then occur later in life. This reactivation of infection is usually related to depressed immune status, age, hormonal changes, and physical or psychological pressures.”
Parasitic infection can also be very damaging by direct injury to the tissue of the digestive tract or liver, among other organ systems. In addition, the most destructive effects may not be caused by the parasite itself, but by its toxic by-products, which are produced unintentionally as part of its living process. Parasites can disrupt digestive activity, can cause malabsorption and can interfere with the action of digestive enzymes and nutrients. In addition, parasites can compromise the human immune system in order to promote and ensure their own survival.
Amin has documented numerous cases of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Crohn’s, and many other ‘diseases’ that cleared after the patient was treated for parasitic infection and its subsequent damage.
HOW WE GET INFECTED:
⦁ Drinking water or juice: Giardia, Cryptosporidium.
⦁ Skin contact with contaminated water: Schistosomiasis, swimmers itch.
⦁ Food (fecal or oral infections): most protozoans, Blastocystis, Entamoeba spp and worms: Ascaris.
⦁ Arthropods: Lyme disease, plague, typhus, etc.
⦁ Air: Upper respiratory tract infections (viruses, bacteria), flu, Valley fever, Hanta virus.
⦁ Pets: Hydatid cyst disease, heartworm; larva migrans (dogs).
⦁ Toxoplasma (cats); Taenia spp. (beef, swine tapeworms).
⦁ People (contagious diseases): AIDS, herpes.
⦁ Soil: hookworms, thread worms.
GET TESTED IF YOU HAVE ONE OR MORE OF THESE
SYMPTOMS:
GI SYMPTOMS
⦁ Diarrhea/constipation
⦁ Irritable bowel
⦁ Cramps
⦁ Gas & Bloating
⦁ Bleeding
⦁ Appetite changes
⦁ Malabsorption
⦁ Mucus
⦁ Rectal itching
⦁ Gut leakage
⦁ Poor digestion
SYSTEMIC/ OTHER SYMPTOMS
⦁ Fatigue
⦁ Skin rash
⦁ Dry cough
⦁ Brain fog/ memory loss
⦁ Lymph blockage
⦁ Allergies
⦁ Nausea
⦁ Muscle or joint pain
⦁ Dermatitis
⦁ Headaches
⦁ Insomnia
CONVENTIONAL TREATMENT
Pharmaceutical drugs- many are irritating to the gut and may cause toxic shock syndrome and not clear the condition completely. It is important to retest after treatment has been completed. If improper dose is given for improper duration, drug resistant parasite strains will develop creating pockets of residual infections that are harder to treat.
NATURAL TREATMENT
Accurate testing is first and foremost. Most labs do parasite analysis along with many other types of microbiology and blood work. They lack specialized training and are not as accurate as a lab that concentrates on parasite analysis only.
While RX anti-parasitics can be useful, Amin, developer of PCI Labs, formulated a 3-part product called Freedom, Cleanse, and Restore to help rid the body of parasites and other organisms based on his many years of research and experience. All-natural products represent one of the best options for the treatment of parasites. The formulas are based on Amin’s research and experience that covers known remedies from the Ancient Egyptians and Ancient Chinese.
A good botanical remedy for the restoration of optimal digestive health is one that accomplishes 3 things:
⦁ Defends the body from parasitic infections causing intestinal imbalance
⦁ Cleanses the colon from toxins and promotes regularity
⦁ Supports the integrity of damaged tissues