The Role of Parasite Infections in Chronic Disease

While it is common knowledge that parasites canLike all living organisms, parasites secrete waste
give us gastrointestinal problems such as diarrheaproducts. These parasite wastes add on to their
and vomiting, few people appreciate thehosts' toxic load and become stressors to our
connection between these microbes and chronicimmune system.
disease outside the digestive tract such asMigration
arthritis, chronic fatigue syndrome, asthma, skinParasites are capable of migrating from the
disorders and depression.intestines to organs, joints and muscles.
Parasites are able to produce downstreamCryptostrongylus pulmoni, a type of lung worm
symptoms outside the GI tract by way ofdiscovered by Dr Larry Klapow, had shown up in
1) direct injury to the gut lining,the sputum of 40% of his CFS (chronic fatigue
2) releasing toxic by-products into the body, andsyndrome) patients. Another type of parasite
3) migration from the intestinal tract into theknown as E.histolytica had been found to migrate
general circulation to other parts of the body.to the liver and is capable of causing weight loss
Gut lining injuryand insomnia. In some cases of ulcerative colitis,
Some parasites directly invade the lining of theelimination of this parasite resolves the condition.
intestines. For instance tapeworms andResearch Findings
roundworms attach themselves to the lining ofA study reported in the Journal of Nutritional
the small intestine, resulting in intestinal bleedingMedicine revealed that out of over 400 chronic
which leads to loss of nutrients. Other types offatigue immune deficiency syndrome (CFIDS)
parasites provoke allergic reactions that lead topatients in New York, an incredible 93 per cent
inflammation of the gut lining. Both contribute tohad some form of parasitic infestation. Dr Leo
leaky gut syndrome, a condition whereby theGalland reported that 80% of CFIS patients
pores of the intestinal lining are opened too wide,showed significant improvement of fatigue after
allowing undigested food particles, environmentalreceiving treatment for infection by a type of
toxins and pathogens to enter the bloodstream.parasite known as Blastocystis hominis.
These foreign invaders overload our liver and alsoMany doctors and other health professionals now
accumulate in our organs, muscles, lymphaticbelieve that we may be seriously underestimating
system and nervous system, creating a wideparasites as contributors to chronic disease.
variety of disease conditions like arthritis, asthma,Fortunately, with the right herbal and nutritional
eczema, and chronic fatigue and memory loss.supplements, we can enjoy good health once
Toxic By-productsagain.