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How Parasites Cause Chronic Disease

There is a general misconception that parasites and their associated illnesses only occur in third world countries where the standard of living is low and people live in filthy unhygienic surroundings; this is not so true.

Recent technological advancement in medical diagnostics now shows that parasitic infestations are more common place than previously thought. Even before now in 1995, The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimated that over 60% of the world population carry at least one parasite.


Technically a parasite is any organism that lives off another organism, so this could include bacteria, fungi and viruses. However in biology, the term parasite strictly refers to protozoa (single celled organisms), arthropods (insects) and worms that invade and feed off the host organism, often causing them harm. Parasites can range from microscopic single cell protozoa to worms that are 15 feet long. The most widely spread protozoan parasites in humans are Giardia lamblia, Entamoeba histolytica, Blastocystis hominis and Crytosporidium. These are mostly picked up from contaminated food and water supplies and poor personal hygiene. Insect parasites include head lice, mites, ticks and fleas. These can carry other smaller bacteria like Borrelia burgdorferi, responsible for Lyme`s disease. The most common worms are pinworms, roundworms, tapeworms, hook worms, Guinea worms and filarial. These can be contracted from traveling in undeveloped regions, contaminated water, pets and meat and fish.


While it is common knowledge that parasites cause intestinal problems such as diarrhoea and vomiting, few people realise their connection with chronic diseases such as asthma, arthritis, chronic fatigue syndrome, skin disorders and depression. A study reported in the Journal of Nutritional Medicine revealed that out of over 400 chronic fatigue immune deficiency syndrome (CFIDS) patients in New York, an incredible 93 per cent had some form of parasitic infestation. It further reported that 80% of the patients showed significant improvement of fatigue after receiving treatment for the parasitic infection. When parasites invade the intestines, they may provoke allergic reactions causing inflammation which leads to a ‘leaky gut syndrome’: a condition whereby the pores of the intestinal lining are opened too wide, allowing undigested food particles, environmental toxins and pathogens to enter the bloodstream.


These foreign invaders overload the liver and accumulate in the organs, muscles, lymphatic system and nervous system, thereby creating a wide variety of disease conditions like arthritis, asthma, eczema, chronic fatigue and memory loss. Parasites are also capable of migrating from the intestines to organs, joints and muscles. A type of parasite known as Entamoeba Histolytica has been found to migrate to the liver and is capable of causing weight loss and insomnia. In some cases of ulcerative colitis, elimination of this parasite resolved the condition. Parasites also depress the immune system by excreting toxic waste products into the body.

Taking simple precautions and good personal hygiene will go a long way in preventing parasites. Hand washing before eating and after going to the toilet, thorough washing of fresh fruits and vegetables especially while on a tropical holiday, regular deworming of pets, are all good practises. Foods such as Papaya, pomegranate and pineapple have anti-parasitic properties. Other anti-parasitic foods include raw garlic, fresh figs, onions, raw cabbage, kelp, blackberries, finely ground pumpkin seeds and ground almonds.
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