Skip to main content

I Might Have a Para-what???

I was just talking to a friend (whose background happens to be in nutrition) about my dog's recent tummy issues, and she asked how I was feeling as I looked especially tired.  I mentioned that I hadn't been sleeping well since before my mom passed almost two years ago, and as well I had been suffering from tummy issues myself that I thought was just my IBS flaring up. We went on to discuss my other "old lady" ailments - headaches, gas and bloating (again something I attributed to my IBS), and of course my aches and pains then asked me if I was also suffering from other "ailments" like strong cravings for processed foods and sugary foods, teeth grinding and drooling during sleep or memory problems.

What she told me next, maybe shocked me, just a little.  She asked if I had ever done a parasite cleanse myself - I joked that was I human not one of the dogs.  She was serious and went on to tell me that everyone has parasites, including humans.

We all have parasites. It’s practically impossible to not come in contact with them; they are in just about everything, from food to carpet. However, having parasites does not necessarily mean they are negatively affecting you. Parasites will always exist; they are part of the cycle of life. Even healthy individuals have them, the difference is that they are not doing harm; instead, they are doing their job. Parasites are everywhere: doorknobs, keyboards, restrooms, shopping carts, fingernails, water, air, food, pets, the floor, etc. No one is totally immune, not even the healthiest people alive. We can, however, keep our bodies in very good condition, which is a non-ideal environment for them.

She went on to explain that parasites can be the actual cause of most mysterious illnesses. Some people may not have any symptoms from infection. The tricky thing with parasite infections is that they can cause just about any known symptom. That’s because ultimately, parasites are often the culprit behind almost every medical condition known.

Parasites can create major nutrient deficiencies and digestive problems, as they rob us of our vital vitamin and mineral nutrients and amino acids needed for digestion. This can cause anemia or cause people to become drowsy after eating. Overall, they depress the immune system by making us toxic. A weakened immune system and toxic body leads to further degeneration, fatigue and illness. They can age us rapidly, as well, considering that they destroy cells faster than cells can be regenerated. There really isn’t anything a parasite can’t do in terms of destroying our health.

I think my eyes must have gotten as large as saucers, as she went on to further explain that having a parasite can be a scary thought, but parasites are far more common than I thought.

What is a parasite?
A parasite is any organism that lives and feeds off of another organism. When I refer to intestinal parasites, I’m referring to tiny organisms, usually worms, that feed off of your nutrition.

Because parasites come in so many different shapes and sizes, they can cause a very wide range of problems. Some consume your food, leaving you hungry after every meal and unable to gain weight. Others feed off of your red blood cells, causing anemia. Some lay eggs that can cause itching, irritability, and even insomnia. If you have tried countless approaches to heal your gut and relieve your symptoms without any success, a parasite could be the underlying cause for many of your unexplained and unresolved symptoms.

How do you get parasites?
As a dog owner, I know how dogs get worms and parasites, and we do often deworm our crew.

As a human, there are a number of ways to contract a parasite. First, parasites can enter your body through contaminated food and water. Undercooked meat is a common place for parasites to hide, as well as contaminated water from underdeveloped countries, lakes, ponds, or creeks. However, meat is the not the only culprit. Unclean or contaminated fruits and vegetables can also harbor parasites. Some parasites can even enter the body by traveling through the bottom of your foot.

Once a person is infected with a parasite, it's very easy to pass it along. If you have a parasite and don't wash your hands after using the restroom, you can easily pass microscopic parasite eggs onto anything you touch — the door handle, the salt shaker, your phone, or anyone you touch. It's also very easy to contract a parasite when handling animals. Hand washing is a major opportunity to prevent parasite contamination and transmission. Traveling overseas is another way that foreign parasites can be introduced to your system. If you consumed any contaminated water during your travels, you may have acquired a parasite of some kind.

Signs You May Have a Parasite
You have unexplained constipation, diarrhea, gas, or other symptoms of IBS
You traveled internationally and remember getting traveler’s diarrhea while abroad
You have a history of food poisoning and your digestion has not been the same since.
You have trouble falling asleep, or you wake up multiple times during the night.
You get skin irritations or unexplained rashes, hives, rosacea or eczema.
You grind your teeth in your sleep.
You have pain or aching in your muscles or joints.
You experience fatigue, exhaustion, depression, or frequent feelings of apathy.
You never feel satisfied or full after your meals.
You've been diagnosed with iron-deficiency anemia.

The signs of a parasite can often appear unrelated and unexplained. There are MANY different types of parasites that we are exposed to in our environments.

Of course, my next question was, if I did have nasty little parasites, how would I get rid of them?

Good news - apparently there are some really good parasite cleansing supplements available to purchase over the counter,  They are usually a blend of herbs that provide a broad spectrum of activity against the most common pathogens present in the human GI tract, while sparing the beneficial gut bacteria.

The supplement she suggested was the ParaGONE from Renew Life. She recommended I do two weeks of this parasite cleanse, taking these supplements, then take a week off and jump back on for two more weeks if necessary.

ParaGONE was actually very easy to find locally and I will start on it tonight before bedtime.

Wish me luck!  I'll keep you posted.




*The opinions expressed in this blog are for educational, informational and entertainment purposes.  They are not intended as a diagnosis, treatment or as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.  Please consult a local physician or other health care professional for your specific healthcare and/or medical needs and concerns*

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

First Impression - Ancestry DNA vs MyHeritage DNA Kits

As an only child, I've always been curious about my genetic genealogy and ethnicity, especially on my mother's side of the family.  I am very lucky as my father had meticulously researched the genealogy for his side of the family (before the internet no less) and because of his efforts, I can trace our roots back to Alsace, Germany. Unfortunately family on my mother's side never really discussed their ethnicity or genealogy and I just assumed that they were either Ukrainian or Romanian.  Sadly there are no longer any living relatives on my mother's side that I can ask, so I decided to do the next best thing and do one of those fancy DNA tests they advertise.  But which one? As with any industry that has become popular, especially quickly, there are the front runner companies you always hear about - Ancestry, 23andMe and another I recently came across MyHeritage. Pricewise, MyHeritage is the cheapest at $99, Ancestry is next at $129 and then 23andMe at $249 (prices q

Subscription Box Unboxing - Sudsy Bar Soap

In my search for wonderful products to help me look and feel my best, I came across another Canadian company - Sudsy Bar Soap Co. based out of Mission, BC. What is it: A monthly subscription box, carefully curated with four artisan soaps from Canada's finest soap makers to bring you a lovingly curated selection of handcrafted soaps What is included: Four fabulous soap bars shipped to your door - you can choose to receive your box every one, two, or three months. How much is it: $24/month + shipping ( shipping ranges anywhere from $3.95 - $9.95 depending on where you are in Canada) This subscription box is available to those in the US with shipping being $9.95. You also have the option of purchasing single bars or boxes specific to a certain brand (including those from previous months if still available). You can even purchase or a gift certificate for a one or three-month subscription Dana (the Chief Sudsy Officer) was kind enough to send me one of their boxes fo

A Further Update on Ancestry DNA vs MyHeritage DNA Kits

I posted an update on my Ancestry DNA vs MyHeritage DNA kits on May 28th, however, feel I need to post another update as an issue has come up with the MyHeritage kit. My test was sent back to MyHeritage on May 8th, and since I had not heard from them that they received my test, I sent a message to MyHeritage on May 23rd to get an update as to the status of my test.  This was the test that was sent from Canada to Texas so it should have been received within a week (give or take a day) - the test sent from Canada to Ireland arrived within a week. Sadly I never received any reply, however, noticed when I logged into the MyHeritage website on May 26th, my test had been marked as received on May 25th.  I found this very interesting. Fast forward to a few days ago to when I received an email from Paypal indicating that a refund had been completed by MyHeritage on June 5th.  What the heck??? Sure enough, I logged into the MyHeritage website and all signs of my DNA test were gone. I w