Intestinal parasites

Missaye A, Dagnew M, Alemu A, Alemu A. Prevalence of intestinal parasites and associated risk factors among HIV / AIDS patients with pre-ART and on-ART attending dessie hospital ART clinic, Northeast Ethiopia. AIDS Res Ther. 2013; 10(1):7.

What You Should Know About Doing a Parasite Cleanse

Some natural health practitioners say parasite infections can be treated with a cleanse comprised of herbs and supplements. Here’s what to know before you try it.

A parasite cleanse is a dietary or supplement regimen meant to detoxify the human body and rid it of parasitic infections. The goal of the cleanse is to do this without prescription medications. However, there’s little research suggesting that this is an effective way to treat a parasitic infection.

Parasites are organisms that infect the body of another living being and live off their hosts to survive. While some parasites create no symptoms in their hosts, others can cause severe illness. Parasitic infections occur when parasites grow, reproduce, or invade organ systems that make their hosts ill.

Some common human parasitic infections found in the United States may include the following:

• toxoplasmosis
• giardiasis
• cryptosporidiosis
• trichomoniasis

Symptoms

Most parasites come from consuming water or food that has been contaminated. Traveling abroad can also expose you to tropical parasites. Depending on what parasite you have and what body system it affects, symptoms of parasitic infections can include the following:

• stomach pain
• stomach cramps
• nausea
• vomiting
• dehydration
• weight loss
• fever
• gas
• diarrhea
• constipation
• upset stomach
• dehydration
• flu-like symptoms
• swollen lymph nodes
• aches and pains
• itching
• redness
• irritation

Diagnosis

A parasite infection is most often diagnosed by a stool sample. Your doctor may have to test your stool more than once before you test positive for parasites.

Treatment

Once you know what type of parasite infection you have, you can choose how to treat it. Some parasitic infections disappear on their own, especially if your immune system is healthy and you eat a balanced diet.

For parasites that don’t go away on their own, your doctor will generally prescribe oral medication. This treatment is generally effective and proven to work.

Some individuals choose natural remedies to cleanse their bodies of parasites instead of conventional treatments, although these remedies are unproven.

Some natural health practitioners claim that a large percentage of the U.S. population has parasites, and that everyone should do a regular parasite cleanse. Some even say it should be done once a year. There is no research to support this.

Nevertheless, many natural health practitioners recommend cleansing human parasite infections with herbal supplements, such as:

• anise
• barberry
• berberine
• black walnut
• clove oil
• curled mint
• goldthread
• goldenseal
• grapefruit seed extract
• propolis
• oregano oil
• Oregon grape
• wormwood

There are other naturally based, plant-derived medicines that claim to cleanse parasites from various body systems, including the intestines, liver, and other parts of the digestive tract. Your natural health practitioner may also recommend homeopathic treatments to eliminate specific parasites from your body.

Your practitioner should choose gentle herbs for your detox. Some herbal detox supplements can have harsh side effects or interact with medications you’re already taking. Because of this, be sure to ask your doctor or health practitioner before beginning any supplemental detox program.

Some herbal detox programs last two weeks on, two weeks off. Others can last for up to a month. It’s important to consult your practitioner regarding how long you should be taking your antiparasitic supplements.

Many herbs and remedies interact with medications. If you are taking any medications, talk to your doctor and pharmacist before beginning.

During a parasite cleanse, it’s important to follow a balanced diet high in nutrients and low in refined sugars and processed foods. Fiber is particularly important, as it keeps your bowel movements regular while you cleanse.

A nutrient-rich diet is also important for strengthening your immune system as the parasites are flushed out of your body. Natural practitioners claim that this, combined with a healthy dose of probiotics, will help protect your body against another infestation.

Garlic, honey, pumpkin seeds, and papaya seeds are all touted as antiparasitic foods to include in your diet. Some natural practitioners go a step further and recommend a grain-free, sugar-free diet. Others recommend limiting fruit intake in order to further reduce dietary sugars.

To prevent further parasitic infections after cleansing, natural practitioners recommend that you avoid eating raw or undercooked meat and seafood. When traveling internationally, avoid:

• water that isn’t purified and bottled
• ice
• fruits you can’t peel
• swimming or bathing in freshwater
• foods prepared by vendors on the street

When it comes to natural parasite cleanses, it appears more research is needed to support whether they’re effective.

One study suggests that probiotic therapy may help control a parasite infection in progress, though more thorough research is needed.

Another study indicates that little is known about the effects of natural compounds on parasite infections. Authors suggest that natural medicines may be effective. However, not enough is known regarding side effects or whether the remedies might encourage resistant strains of parasites.

Despite a lack of research, the dietary recommendations that make up a parasite cleanse are generally good rules to follow to complement any treatments your doctor prescribes.

Some possible side effects of natural parasite cleanse herbs and supplements include:

• flu-like symptoms
• nausea
• vomiting
• diarrhea
• stomach cramps
• headache

Not all supplements are safe for everyone to take. Some may interact with your current prescription medications, and others may cause problems for children and pregnant or breastfeeding moms. If you’re pregnant, talk to your doctor about any parasitic infection concerns right away and follow their instructions to keep you and your growing baby safe.

Parasite cleanses may also worsen autoimmune symptoms or other chronic health conditions. Cleanse supplements may also be harmful to individuals who are anemic. You should always talk to your doctor before starting a new supplement.

Avoid starting a parasite cleanse if you’re already constipated. Before you begin taking cleansing supplements, make sure you’re getting plenty of fiber in your diet and having regular bowel movements. In an intestinal parasite cleanse, this is especially important, as the parasites in your intestines need to be able to exit your body over the course of the cleanse.

Black walnut, in particular, can potentially cause mutations in the DNA. It shouldn’t be taken by pregnant women. It can also cause the intestines to empty abruptly, so breastfeeding moms should also avoid it.

Natural parasite cleanses may be effective, but more research is needed. If you think you may have a parasitic infection, consult your doctor for testing. Talk to your doctor about your options. You may find that conventional parasite therapy under your doctor’s care is right for you.

Finally, find out if you have parasites and what kind they are before you start a cleanse. Cleansing before you know for sure what’s going on may do more harm than good in the long run.

Intestinal parasites

These things raise your risk for getting intestinal parasites:

• Living in or visiting an area known to have parasites
• International travel
• Poor sanitation (for both food and water)
• Poor hygiene
• Age. Children and the elderly are more likely to get infected.
• Exposure to child and institutional care centers
• Having a weakened immune system
• HIV or AIDS

What to Expect at Your Doctor’s Office

Your doctor will ask if you have traveled out of the country recently and whether you have recently lost weight. If your doctor thinks you have an intestinal parasite, you will probably have one or more of the following tests:

• Fecal testing (examination of your stool) can identify both helminths and protozoa. Stool samples must be collected before you take any anti-diarrhea drugs or antibiotics, or before x-rays with barium are taken. Several stool samples may be needed to find the parasite.
• The “Scotch tape” test identifies pinworms by touching tape to the anus several times, then looking at the tape under a microscope for eggs.
• Your doctor may use x-rays with barium to diagnose more serious problems caused by parasites, although this test is usually not required.

Treatment Options

Drug Therapies

Your doctor will choose the drug that is most effective against your intestinal parasite. You may need one dose, or you may have to take the medication for several weeks. Be careful to take the medicine exactly as it is prescribed, or it may not work.

Complementary and Alternative Therapies

Conventional medical treatments can get rid parasites more quickly and with fewer side effects than most alternative treatments. Alternative treatments may be helpful along with conventional medications. However, your doctor must find out what kind of organism is causing your problems before you start treatment. The following nutritional guidelines may help keep parasites from growing.

Nutrition and Supplements

• Avoid simple carbohydrates, such as those found in refined foods, fruits, juices, dairy products, and all sugars, except honey.
• Eat more raw garlic, pumpkin seeds, pomegranates, beets, and carrots, all of which have been used traditionally to kill parasites. In one study, researchers found that a mixture of honey and papaya seeds cleared stools of parasites in 23 out of 30 subjects. Drink a lot of water to help flush out your system.
• Eat more fiber, which may help get rid of worms.
• Probiotics (Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacilus plantarum, Saccharomyces boulardii, and bifidobacteria). Help keep your digestive tract healthy. Probiotics may not be appropriate in some severely immune compromised patients. Talk to your doctor.
• Digestive enzymes will help restore your intestinal tract to its normal state, which makes it inhospitable to parasites. Papain is an enzyme from the papaya plant that may help kill worms when taken 30 minutes before or after meals. Papain may increase bleeding in people with clotting disorders, or in those taking blood-thinning medications, such as warfarin (Coumadin) among others.
• Vitamin C. Supports the immune system. Lower the dose if diarrhea develops.
• Zinc. Supports the immune system. Zinc may interact with certain medications, particularly some antibiotics, and it may not be appropriate for people with HIV/AIDS. Talk to your doctor.

Herbs

Herbs are a way to strengthen and tone the body’s systems. As with any therapy, you should work with your doctor to diagnose your problem before starting treatment. You may use herbs as dried extracts (capsules, powders, or teas), glycerites (glycerine extracts), or tinctures (alcohol extracts). People with a history of alcoholism should not take tinctures.

Many of the herbs used to treat intestinal parasites have toxic side effects or interfere with other medications. Use them only under the supervision of a qualified practitioner. Your health care provider should treat you with the most gentle herb that is effective for the type of parasite you have. A few of the herbs that your provider might consider include:

• Garlic (Allium sativum)
• Barberry (Berberis vulgaris)
• Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis)
• Oregon grape (Berberis aquifolium)
• Anise (Pimpinella anisum)
• Wormwood ((Artemisia annua))
• Curled mint (Mentha crispa)
• Black walnuts (Juglans nigra)

Homeopathy

As with other treatments, your health care provider must first diagnose the kind of parasite you have. Before prescribing a remedy, homeopaths take into account a person’s constitutional type, includes your physical, emotional, and intellectual makeup. An experienced homeopath assesses all of these factors, as well as any current symptoms, when determining the most appropriate remedy for a particular individual. The following remedies may be used:

Following Up

Your doctor will retest your stool to be sure your parasite is gone, and will give you advice to help you avoid getting infected again. Follow these instructions carefully. Getting a parasite a second time can cause more serious health problems.

Special Considerations

The seriousness and length of illness varies with the specific intestinal parasite. Complications happen more often in older people, and in people who already have serious illnesses, such as AIDS.

Intestinal parasites can be more serious if you are pregnant. Your doctor will tell you which drugs are safe to take during pregnancy. Your doctor should closely monitor any treatment for intestinal parasites during pregnancy.

Supporting Research

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Betti L, Trebbi G, Majewsky V, et al. Use of homeopathic preparations in phytopathological models and in field trials: a critical review. Homeopathy. 2009 Oct;98(4):244-66. Review.

Dinleyici EC, Eren M, Dogan N, Reyhanioglu S, Yargic ZA, Vandenplas Y. Clinical efficacy of Saccharomyces boulardii or metronidazole in symptomatic children with Blastocystis hominis infection. Parasitol Res. 2011;108(3):541-5.

El-On J. Current status and perspectives of the immunotherapy of leishmaniasis. Isr Med Assoc J. 2009 Oct;11(10):623-8. Review.

Farthing MJ. Treatment options for the eradication of intestinal protozoa. Nat Clin Pract Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2006;3(8):436-45.

Guarner F. Prebiotics, probiotics and helminths: the ‘natural’ solution? Dig Dis. 2009;27(3):412-7. Review.

Lima AA, Soares AM, Lima NL, et al. Effects of vitamin A supplementation on intestinal barrier function, growth, total parasitic, and specific Giardia spp infections in Brazilian children: a prospective randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2010;50(3):309-15.

Mishra PK, Palma M, Bleich D, Loke P, Gause WC. Systemic impact of intestinal helminth infections. Mucosal Immunol. 2014;7(4):753-62.

Missaye A, Dagnew M, Alemu A, Alemu A. Prevalence of intestinal parasites and associated risk factors among HIV / AIDS patients with pre-ART and on-ART attending dessie hospital ART clinic, Northeast Ethiopia. AIDS Res Ther. 2013; 10(1):7.

Okeniyi JA, Ogunlesi TA, Oyelami OA, Adeyemi LA. Effectiveness of dried Carica papaya seeds against human intestinal parasitosis: a pilot study. J Med Food. 2007;10(1):194-6.

Ottenhof M, Baidjoe A, Mbugi EV, et al. Protection against diarrhea associated with Giardia intestinalis Is lost with multi-nutrient supplementation: a study in Tanzanian children. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2011;5(6):e1158.

Ritchie BK, Brewster DR, Tran CD, Davidson GP, McNeil Y, Butler RN. Efficacy of Lactobacillus GG in aboriginal children with acute diarrhoeal disease: a randomised clinical trial. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2010;50(6):619-24.

Roka M, Goni P, Rubio E, Clavel A. Intestinal parasites in HIV-seropositive patients in the Continental region of Equatorial Guinea: its relation with socio-demographic, health and immune system factors. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg. 2013;107(8):502-10.

Rollemberg CV, Silva MM, Rollemberg KC, et al. Predicting frequency distribution and influence of sociodemographic and behavioral risk factors of Schistosoma mansoni infection and analysis of co-infection with intestinal parasites. Geospat Health. 2015;10(1):303.