A Toronto naturopath’s view on parasites and our health
A predominant fraction of people affected by parasites goes undiagnosed; these people are surprisingly unaware that they have been exposed to parasites. Parasites can be contracted from eating uncooked meat or fish, walking barefoot or sleeping in a bed with a pet carrying something. A naturopathic doctor would generally tell their patients that parasite infections could present symptoms.
If you are experiencing the persistent symptoms as described above, especially after trying conventional diagnostic tests, and other possible causes have been ruled out, you may have parasites in your body. Actually, naturopathic medicine may be able to help alleviate parasite-related illnesses. Here are a variety of health concerns that parasite infections can cause:
Grand theft nutrient
Keep in mind that a parasite is a specific organism that takes from its host without giving back. So one consequence of a chronic parasite infection may be nutrient depletion. Research on women in Nepal has demonstrated that hookworm infection can cause anaemia, with more severe infection related to greater iron depletion.
Hookworms are transmitted through feces (mainly humans), and the larvae can burrow under the skin if you step on them. This is why it’s recommended to wear boots around farms. Tapeworms take a broader range of nutrients from their hosts, making them a cause of unwanted weight loss as well as anemia.
Gastrointestinal infection
Many harmful parasites are associated with gastrointestinal infection. Cryptosporidum infection, cyclosporiasis, cystoisosporiasis and microsporidiosis generally cause self-limiting watery diarrhea, which can become chronic in cases of poor immune function.
The Giardia parasites’ symptoms are similar, though a small percentage develops issues such as chronic fatigue, allergies, or arthritis. Amebiasis, caused by Entamoeba histolytica, is mostly symptomatic, but can lead to colitis or a liver abscess.
Tick-borne illness
Ticks transmit infectious diseases including Lyme, Rickettsia, Babesia and Colorado Tick Fever (CTF). Symptoms include fatigue, fever and headache, so even though you may think you have the flu, seek a clear diagnosis if you’ve recently been exposed to ticks.
For example, Babesia infections can resemble a self-limiting flu, but may worsen to hemolytic anemia if your immune system is low. Ticks can also cause alpha-gal syndrome (a food allergy in which you react to red meat and other consumable products from mammals) and paralysis, which are not infectious and are generally diagnosed by exclusion of microbial illness.