Nutrition: Need a Parasite Cleanse?

*Article Originally Written For YogaLife Middle East January 2018 Edition*

Listening to Dr. Simone Laubscher phD speak, I was in a state of horror. She was discussing her personal experience with creepy, crawly body invaders. No, she wasn’t telling us a ghost story or speaking about aliens from outer space, but rather ones that are found in most common places.

I was spending my summer at a health retreat in Switzerland, where I was asked to lead Strala Yoga for our guests. The final week was a partnership with Dr. Simone (who is also Elle Macpherson’s personal nutritionist), and a few times throughout the week she would conduct a wellness chat. On this particular night, she spoke about Gut Health and described a story where her family had a severe case of parasites. I was both in fear and intrigued as I listened to what had happed to her, and I knew I had to learn more for myself.

Since leaving the retreat, I have spent countless hours researching all the details of parasites: what to do to prevent and get rid of them. Hearing Dr. Simone’s story had set forth a need for more information on what to do to protect myself from these silent invaders, but first I had to know what they were…

What Are Parasites?

The human body is a host for hundreds of strains of bacteria; much of it being found within the digestive tract, or gut. When the bacteria levels are in the right balance, it assists in proper digestion and nutrient absorption. When the beneficial bacteria get out of balance, that’s when serious health problems can begin. A large number of factors can cause the disruption of this delicate balance including diet, medications, stress and parasites.

Technically speaking, a parasite is any organism that lives on or in the body of another organism. Parasites that invade us range in size from microscopic to up to a few feet long, and can survive by feeding on our cells and the foods that we eat and cause serious damage to the human body.

Overall, parasites weaken the human immune system; they consume and create waste throughout the body that leads to toxicity, deteriorating our health, causing fatigue and serious illness as they move along to the blood stream and lymphatic system to organs throughout the body. One of the weirdest things about parasites? They tend to reproduce the most on the full moon (cue the horror music); no this isn’t witchcraft, but rather a cycle that reminds us that we are all connected by nature.

How do you contract a parasite?

Unfortunately, contracting one is easier than we think; they can be contracted through a variety of ways. Most ways parasites can be contracted include:

Consuming raw fish or meat (especially pork and sushi)
Touching unclean objects that have been handled by children or animals
International Travel
Contact with unclean water
Insects

The most common way to contract them is because of an unclean environment, both internally and externally. When our digestive system and colon are clogged, our bowels can't eliminate waste; this buildup provides an environment for parasites to thrive and reproduce.

How Can You Tell If You Have a Parasite?

When we have a parasite, it doesn’t only consume the nutrients that we intake, but they also release harmful toxins which are responsible for the many symptoms we may be experiencing. These symptoms could include acne, rashes, irritable bowel syndrome, leaky gut or candida. Other symptoms include:

Vomiting
Heartburn
Chills or Fever
Stomach pain
Loss of appetite or feeling hungry all the time and having strong cravings for processed and sugary foods
Bad breath / Body Odor
Dark areas under eyes
Confusion
Gas and bloating
Headaches
Teeth grinding

Sometimes people may not experience any symptoms or symptoms could be a sign of another illness, so it’s important to get checked by your doctor and have a test that could include taking a blood or stool sample.

If parasites are left untreated, they could create chronic issues such as:

Allergies
Anemia / iron deficiency
Arthritis / Inflammation
Cancer
Digestive issues
Fatigue / insomnia
Mental issues including forgetfulness, anxiety, depression and cognitive disorders
Infertility
Kidney Stones
Sexual dysfunction and menstruation problems
Vitamin Deficiencies

How to Get Rid of Parasites

Now that we know what they are and what they can do to us, how do we get rid of them? Cleansing the body of parasites can be done via a variety of methods depending on which parasite is contracted. This could include taking prescription medication, supplements and strict adherence to diet. When it comes to what prescription medications to take, it’s best to seek medical advice from your health professional since no two parasites are the same and may require different medications, depending on the person taking them.

We can help ourselves by taking care of our internal environment. In order to kill parasites it’s important to remove the foods that parasites live off of, and consume foods that kill them off. This can be done through a diet that emphasizes organic vegetables, minimal fruits and excludes refined carbohydrates and sugar in all forms. Remember, while it may be strict, it doesn’t have to be forever.

Foods to stay away from when cleansing

Sugar (even from fruit)
Dairy
Processed foods
Alcohol
Wheat and gluten
Pork
Red meat
Beans, nuts and legumes
Raw fish and shellfish
Starches
Nightshade vegetables

Foods to eat

Green leafy vegetables
Broccoli and cauliflower
Vegetables rich in anti-oxidants
Pumpkin seeds
Garlic and onions
Papaya and Papaya seeds
Pineapples
Fennel
Coconut oil
Fermented foods like sauerkraut, kimchi, kefir and kombucha

Other powerful herbs and supplements to consider (as always, speak to your doctor before taking any supplements)

Vitamin C
Oregano oil
Thyme
Apple Cider Vinegar
Diatomaceous Earth
Spices like cayenne, chilies, horseradish, turmeric, cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom and cloves
Peppermint
Rosemary
Grapefruit Seed Extract
Probiotics
Black Walnut Hulls
Wormwood

Depending on what your doctor says, you are expected to eat this strict diet for approximately one moon cycle, or perhaps two to make sure all the adults and eggs are removed. This time frame depends on the severity of the parasites and when you start, so your cleanse could be only for two weeks or up to approximately 90 days.

How Do You Know if They’re Gone?

Parasites usually come out impacted, hidden by the bulk of our stool. We may see certain parts of worms sticking out, but sometimes we may not notice anything pass, which is why it’s important to return to the doctor for a follow up blood and stool test. Sometimes when they come out, they also release toxicity in the body that gives flu-like symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, fatigue etc. One round of cleanse may not be enough, and once we complete one, perhaps wait a week or two and then complete another to ensure all parasites are removed.

How Do You Prevent Parasites?

The most important thing to remember is that it’s better to prevent and maintain than to detox. Some ways to do this are:

Exercise: When the body kills off parasites their by-products must also be removed from the body, which can be done through the sweat glands, so have the body sweat by moving through exercising. Exercise also helps the digestive tract with bowel movements, cleaning the places where parasites like to hang out. Yoga is a great way to get the body moving, sweating and allowing for a healthier digestive tract
De-stress: Create a calmer and more restorative environment in the body conducive to healing through meditation, taking a walk, reading a book and having adequate sleep
Create an Alkaline setting: The human body works best when it is more alkaline. Since the body drifts between acidic to alkaline all day, it is difficult to be 100% alkaline, but there are ways to maintain a more alkaline environment by drinking more water, reducing coffee, cutting dairy and sugar, going gluten free and eating cultured foods
Maintain a Clean Environment: Parasites can enter the body through contaminated food and water such as eating under cooked meat and fish, contaminated fruits and vegetables, having unclean washroom habits and handling animals. Be conscious of cooking and cleaning habits; consider eating out less and making meals at home

Final Thoughts

I am not a doctor, so if you suspect that you have a problem with parasites it’s important to consult a specialist. Some of the supplements and foods listed should not be taken during pregnancy or if you are trying to get pregnant, and a detox regimen should not be started during pregnancy. Also, men and women react differently to foods and supplements, so make sure to consult your own doctor to see what may work best. It’s also good to remember to listen to our own body; if we feel as though something is not right, then it may be best to visit the doctor to get tested. Listening to our own intuition will help us to decide which therapies resonate with us.

Side Bars to go along with article (photos attached):

Brittany’s Parasite Detox Smoothie

Ingredients:
Frozen Fruits and Veggies
Two handfuls of Spinach
1 cup Papaya
1 cup Pineapple
½ tsp Turmeric
4 Cups Water

Blend all ingredients into blender until smooth, pour into glass and garnish with Pumpkin Seeds, sip and enjoy!

How to Prepare Papaya Seeds for Parasite Cleanse

Slice ripe papaya in half vertically
Using large spoon, scoop out seeds
Wash seeds, removing remnants of fruit
Remove gelatinous “shell” to expose the small black seed
Consume seeds in a variety of ways:
Chew on a few seeds raw
Take with 1 tsp Raw Organic Honey (chew seeds completely)
Crush into powder using mortar and pestle, or put in pepper grinder and put on other foods to consume more easily , goes best with savory foods due to its peppery taste