Parasites:
The general usage of the term “parasite” refers to any organism that invades and lives at the expense of another organism, known as the host. People often harbor many species of pathogenic organisms (parasite, yeast, virus, bacteria), which contribute to a wide spectrum of health problems. Such organisms disrupt normal functioning of the organs and continually excrete toxic waste products, which stress the body and wear down immunity. It is a misconception that organisms such as yeast and parasites only infect the intestines. They usually begin there, but if left untreated and allowed to propagate, usually through an unhealthy biological terrain, parasites will also begin to infect the rest of the body and depending on the species, target areas like the liver, lungs and blood.
Symptoms of Parasite Infection:
Abdominal pain and diarrhea is the most frequently observed symptom of acute parasitic infection: however, if left untreated, the condition becomes chronic causing more complicated problems that mimic other disease diagnosis. Following is a list of symptoms of chronic parasite infection:
Digestive: gas, bloating, belching, diarrhea, constipation, intestinal tract burning and cramping, changeable bowel movements, IBS, mucus in the stools, nutrient malabsorption, inability to digest fats, lactose or gluten intolerance, low blood sugar, high blood sugar, insatiable appetite, weak appetite, anorexia, over-weight, under-weight, cravings for sweet, burnt and/or crunchy foods.
Immune System Dysfunction: chronic fatigue, weakness, frequent colds and flu.
Nervous/Muscular System Dysfunction: mental fog, memory problems, sleep disturbances, insomnia, teeth grinding, hearing loss, eyesight impairment, joint and muscle aches and pains.
Excess Mucus: This may manifest as mucus in the stools, chronic post-nasal drip or frequent sinus infections.
Exterior Signs: allergies, skin rashes, hives, swellings, eczema, acne, white spots around the mouth, vitiligo, swelling of the lips, blue colouring in the whites of the eyes and itching in the anus and the ears.
Emotional signs: apathy, depression, nervousness, anxiety, restlessness, irritability, and hyper-activity in children.
Most chronic degenerative conditions are associated with parasite and yeast overgrowth as a main causative factor: cancer, arthritis, AIDS, diabetes, CFS, IBS, Chrons, colitis, etc.
Testing for Parasites:
In most cases, your naturopath is able to determine if your health problems are related to parasite and yeast infection. The overall pattern created by the sum of your signs and symptoms, combined with you past medical history are enough to give a clear diagnosis of parasites as a causative factor in your health problems. Laboratory testing is an option. Unfortunately, accurate testing for parasites is difficult. Most labs only test for intestinal parasites, through stool analysis. Because most people are dealing with health problems related to systemic parasite infections, these tests may show false negative results. The most reliable and thorough tests are available in dedicated parasitology laboratories, which are frequently located in academic or research settings.
How Parasites Spread:
Transmission can occur through fecally contaminated swimming-pool water, municipal water supplies, rivers, lakes, wells and tap water, food (especially, undercooked foods such as: meat, fish and nuts), sexual activity, dogs, cats and other animals, close physical contact especially in children during play and improper hand washing. Over use of antibiotics interfere with the balance of the intestinal flora; allowing the proliferation of harmful parasites, yeast and other organisms like viruses and “bad” bacteria. Those at greatest risk are immuno-compromised persons and children in day-care centers.
Parasite Elimination Strategy:
The Anti-parasite Program is designed for those with pronounced signs of parasite infection, whether determined from observed symptoms or laboratory analysis. It is also the ideal program for anyone with illnesses such as: cancer, arthritis, AIDS, CFS and other degenerative conditions because parasites and yeast always play a role in the cause.
Parasites affect the whole body chemistry. Therefore, a holistic approach is necessary. Three key factors are collectively responsible for the effectiveness of this program:
- Change the external environment to remove both the source of parasites and the factors that contribute to their spread.
- Change the internal environment (biological terrain) that supports parasites. Conditions that promote parasites are: poor immunity, imbalance in intestinal flora (use of antibiotics, BCP, stress, poor diet), excess mucus in the body (e.g. sinus, post-nasal drip) and chronic constipation.
- Eliminate the unwanted organisms. Your naturopath will prescribe medicines, which aim to eradicate the parasites, as well as co-existing yeast organisms.
This Program takes commitment and adherence to as many of the guidelines as possible for proper effectiveness. It is not easy, nor is it hard once you get used to it and start noticing the beneficial effects on your health. Stick with it and have patience.
The Anti-Parasite Program:
1. Prevention:
- Water: Filter your drinking water.
- Food: Thoroughly cook all meat, chicken and fish. Microwave cooking is not effective for killing parasites. Wash all fruit and vegetables very well.
- Pets: Have your pets checked for worms. Putting a little garlic in their food helps eliminate their parasites. Do not sleep with your pets or allow them to lick your face.
- Hygiene: Wash your hands thoroughly after touching pets, using the bathroom, working in the garden soil and before eating or preparing food.
- Travel: Drink only bottled, purified or boiled water. Eat only thoroughly cooked food. Avoid raw foods, dairy products, and iced drinks. Take citrus seed extract or anti-parasitic herbal remedies between meals when traveling.
2 . Intestinal Cleansing:
- For breakfast eat ¼ to 1/3 cup of rinsed, raw brown rice. Chew until liquid. Eat nothing else for 3 hours. A daily raw-rice breakfast deeply cleanses the intestines, removing impacted residues that shelter parasites.
- Take one teaspoon of Apple Cider Vinegar at the beginning of each meal. This helps to stimulate digestion, relieves indigestion and balances the acid/alkaline level in the intestines. Use a high quality ACV (organic, naturally brewed, unfiltered and unpasturized).
- Take digestive enzymes with your meal as this helps to break down your food and kill any remaining parasites on your food as well as those existing in your digestive tract.
3. Re-establish healthy micro-flora in your digestive tract:
- Raw, saltless sauerkraut: best eaten on a daily basis. Add 1 tablespoon per meal for the first week and gradually increase to ¼ cup per meal. (See recipe).
- Probiotic: take the probiotic your N.D. has prescribed for you.
4. “Food as your Medicine”– Diet Therapy:
- Chew all food thoroughly. This is very important.
- Do not drink with your meals. Wait 30minutes after you have eaten to drink any liquid. Stop any fluids 10 minutes before eating. The exception is any medicine you have been prescribed to take with your meals. Take a few sips of water with the tablet or capsule prescribed.
- Follow the Anti-parasite/Anti-candida Diet.
5. Anti-parasite/Anti-Candid Diet:
Water: Avoid tap water – use filtered water instead. Drink 8-10oz/day or 2L.
Sweeteners: Avoid white and brown sugar, artificial sweeteners and any food product or beverage containing sugar, molasses, maple syrup or honey.
Fruit: avoid all fruit except in small amounts of: berries (half of a cup/day), pomegranate, lemons, limes, sour apples and pears.
Meat and Animal Products: Most of these foods have properties, which promote yeast and parasite ecology in the digestive system. You can include small amounts (8oz, 1x/wk) of: fish and fowl raised with out chemicals as well as raw, organic, goat’s milk (4oz, 4x/wk).
Fermented Foods: You can use small amounts of: soy or tamari sauce, tofu, temphe and miso. Although fermented, these foods are well tolerated by most people with parasite and yeast infection. Cooking with these foods reduces their fermentation effect. Good quality miso and soy or tamari sauce seem to promote good intestinal flora. Use only ½ tsp daily of soy, tamari sauce or miso. If you feel weak or tired soon after consuming these foods, then stop using them. You are likely sensitive.
Bread and other yeasted products: Avoid yeasted breads, brewer’s yeast, and ferments including common vinegar and alcoholic beverages. However, you can have naturally leavened, whole-grain sour dough rye bread.
Oils Nuts and Seeds: Avoid nuts and seeds without a shell, avocado, oils and other fatty foods. Exceptions to this rule: 1/2cup of any shelled nut or seed, lightly roasted and de-shelled just before eating is fine. You can consume: no more than 1tbsp of unrefined, cold-pressed flaxseed oil/day and 1tsp of extra virgin olive oil in cooking.
Salt: Avoid it. However, a pinch of sea salt can be cooked into grains or legume dishes.
Helpful Foods:
Garlic: Has exceptional anti-microbial properties and does not damage the healthy intestinal flora. Suggested dose: ½ clove, before meals, 2x/day. You can slice the garlic thin and place it b/w apple slices to reduce the acrid taste. It you have been prescribed wheat or barley grass powder, take your garlic right after consuming this. Other wise, take the garlic as prescribed.
Green Plants: Chlorophyll stops the spread of bacteria, fungi and other microorganisms and promotes the growth of beneficial intestinal flora. Consume: parsley, kale, collard greens, swiss chard, watercress, romaine lettuce and cabbage.
Supplements containing chlorophyll: Barely Grass, Wheat Grass and Phytogreens containing micro-algae: spirulina, chlorella, wild blue-green algae (aphanizomenon).
Dose:
- 1tbsp powder in 8oz of water, before each meal of wheat or barley grass.
- 1 scoop phyto-greens powder in 8oz of water per day.
Liver Cleansing Foods: The green plants mentioned above in addition to: onion, beets, broccoli and cauliflower.
Anti-parasitic Food (best eaten raw): Beet, cabbage, carrot, garlic, leek, onion, and radish.
Guidelines:
- Consume at least 7 servings of veggies per day – Always incorporating green plants, liver cleansing foods and anti-parasitic foods. E.g. “a serving” = 1cup chopped veggie. The best advice is to have 60 – 70% of your plate covered in veggies. Steaming your veggies is the healthiest way to consume them on this diet (unless otherwise specified).
- Herbs and Spices: Garlic, ginger, fennel, clove, cayenne, garden sage, horseradish, thyme, parsley, oregano and basil. Make sure your herbs and spices are well washed if they are fresh. If they are dry, they should be no older than 6weeks, have a fresh aromatic odor and good colour. Old herbs and spices can contain mold.
- Seaweed and Kelp: Contain selenium and iodine – both contributing high anti-oxidants and immune system function. Eat these foods daily – add them to soups, grains, stir-fry, steamed veggie or plain as a snack. See recipe handout for dishes including seaweeds.
- Grains: Consume brown rice everyday, as it is very detoxifying. Also, consume the ancient cereal grains (millet, quinoa, kamut, teff, amaranth), as they are high in protein and B-vitamins.
- For Detoxification: Eat ¼ cup of raw, uncooked brown rice for breakfast. Make sure the rice is rinsed well. Chew and moisten the rice in your mouth, until it is liquid. In fact, it is important to thoroughly chew all your food very well, especially all of the grains cooked or raw.
- Beans and Legumes: It is best to prepare these from their dried form. Soak for 8hrs in water at room temperature. Rinse. Simmer on stovetop in a pot filled with water until the beans are soft. Stir occasionally. Takes 1-2 hr. The water will normally appear sudsy (like soap), when simmering. Rinse and store the beans in a plastic container in the fridge. They will keep for 3 to 4 days. Alternatively, you can freeze ½ the batch you made. Use beans in soups, salads, with all grains.
- Grains + Beans: 1 cup of cooked grains to 1 cup of cooked beans is a complete protein. Any combination of beans and grains is fine. Eat this combination at least once everyday.
Use the Hypo-Allergenic Book for recipeson how to cook easy, tasty meals using the ancient grains, rice and beans, in addition to other dishes. The dietary guidelines in this book are slightly different from the Anti-Parasite Protocol you will be following. However, there is enough similarity for you to take advantage of the information and 100 recipes in this book. Furthermore, once you have completed the Anti-parasite Program, the Hypo-Allergenic Diet will be the recommended next step with some variations depending on your needs.
Diet Guideline that is Best for You:
- Cooked Foods (75 to 90% of total diet), animal products 3x/wk. Less of the barley and wheat grasses and bitter herbs. Use of pau’darco, summa and ginsengs.
- Raw vegetables and sprouts comprising 50% of the diet. You will benefit from the barley and wheat grasses, seaweed, kelp and bitter herbs.
Prescribed Medicines:
HMF Products: __________________________________________________________
Digestive Enzyme:________________________________________________________
Black Walnut Capsules: __________________________________________________
Citrus Seed Extract:______________________________________________________
Phytogreens Powder:_____________________________________________________
Ultra Protein Plus Powder:________________________________________________
Oil of Orgenao:__________________________________________________________
Aloe Vera Juice:_________________________________________________________
Colloidal Silver:__________________________________________________________
Herbal Remedy (anti-microbial):___________________________________________
Dose:______________________________________________________________
Duration:_____________________Frequency:_____________________________
Homeopathic Remedies:_______________________________________________________________
Dose:___________________________________________________________________
Wheat or Barley Grass Powder:_________________________________________________________________
Adjunctive Treatments:
- Castor Oil Packs: Strengthen the liver, increases white blood cells, move lymph from digestive area, decreases inflammation. For instructions see the additional handout.
- Acupuncture Treatments: strengthens the immune and digestive system to help your body eradicate yeast and parasites. From an Eastern perspective, yeast and parasites result in unbalanced yin and yang, giving rise to poor health and symptoms of “cold”, “heat” and “dampness”. Symptoms of “cold” are: weakness, fatigue, gas, bloating, loose stools or constipation, cold extremities, clear watery discharges. Symptoms of “heat” are: rosy cheeks, bad taste in mouth, restlessness, anger, irritability, insomnia, night sweating or heat, indigestion, constipation or odorous stools with urgency and cramping pain. Symptoms of “damp” are: thick coat on tongue, sinus congestion, achy joint and muscles, arthritis, foggy brain, poor memory, thick discharges. By placing acupuncture needles in specific areas along your body, your naturopath can help to re-establish the proper balance between these yin and yang aspects, resolving problematic signs and symptoms associated with “cold, hot and damp syndromes”.
Best Effect: One, half-hour acupuncture session every 2 weeks, for a series of 10 treatments – during the anti-parasite protocol.
“Excess Mucus in the System”:
Take 1 cup of this brewed tea per day for _________wks.
1 part fennel seed
1part fenugreek seed
1 part flax seed (whole)
1 part nettle leaf
¼ part licorice root
In 1L of water, add 1 heaping tablespoon of each ingredient and 1/4tbsp of licorice root. Bring to a boil and turn heat down to simmer on stovetop with the lid on for 20minutes. Strain and drink.
You can purchase these ingredients at The Fountain Head Health Food Store in Fergus Ontario, located on the main street = St. Andrews St., across from the Post Office.
Approximate Duration of the Anti-parasite Program for you is: ________________.
Studies suggest that for every year you have been ill with parasites and or yeast, one month of treatment is indicated. However, depending on your progress, determined by you and your naturopath at your follow-up visits, the course of your treatment may be shorter or longer than expected. With this type of comprehensive treatment plan, the higher the compliance level the faster you will heal, resulting in less time you will need to adhere to these guidelines.
Ok, so now what? You have eliminated the parasites infecting your body terrain and you have successfully regained much of your health. Congratulations! I realize it was not easy, but you did it! Good for you.
Follow the Parasite Prevention Program:
- For breakfast, chew one handful of raw brown rice thoroughly – eat nothing else. Other meals during the day can be normal – follow the Hypoallergenic Diet.
- At a later time in between meals, eat one clove of garlic and one small handful of lightly roasted, de-shelled pumpkin seeds. You can mix the garlic with a small spoon full of diluted miso or thin slices of garlic between apples.
- Two or more hours after the last meal of the day drink mugwort tea (Artemisia vulgaris). Alternatively, take 10 drops of Wormwood herbal extract provided by your N.D.
Follow this program for ten days, stop for seven days, and resume for a final ten days.
Also, adhere to the preventative measures listed at the beginning of the Anti-parasite Program.
Recommended:
- Follow- the Hypoallergenic Diet. Maintain some of the new habits you have learned on the Anti-parasite Program, but you do not have to adhere to every rule.
- Enjoy your life. Have faith and trust in your body. Your internal biological terrain is very different now, from where you started. You will always come into contact with some amount of parasites. Know that your body and immune system are now in a very good position to defend itself from harboring any harmful amount of parasite you may come into contact with.
- Continue to provide your body with a good wholesome, clean diet.
- Be sure to experience the things, which bring you joy and gratitude.
- By all means, on the occasion, indulge yourself with some of your good old favorite foods if that is what you desire. Soul food counts for experiencing joy too!