Parasites are tiny invaders that can be found in the deepest parts of your intestines. Despite their microscopic size, they can wreak havoc on your health in shocking ways. Fortunately, many foods contain anti-parasitic properties that help fight off these threats.

How do parasites harm the body?

Parasites are organisms that live and feed off another living being. In your case, these parasites aim to feed off the nutrients you consume. This leads to a competition between your and the parasite you’re hosting, which can potentially cause nutrient malabsorption. Some parasites even have a taste for blood which could lead to both iron and protein deficiencies.

Intestinal parasites can also travel to other parts of your body by hitching a ride through your bloodstream. They can then lodge themselves in your lungs or anywhere they please. Parastites that settle in the liver can be particularly nasty. They can cause liver cirrhosis and liver abscesses.

Infection with parasites can occur for a number of reasons, the most common of which is the consumption of contaminated food or water. Anyone is at risk of parasite infections, but a weak immunity, an unhealthy diet and poor hygiene can increase your risk of getting infected.

The parasites in the human body greatly vary in terms of species, but a large percentage of them are either protozoans or worms. Protozoans are single-celled organisms known to cause various symptoms, such as stomach pain, diarrhea, nausea, fatigue and joint pain, among others. In some cases, protozoa infections are fatal.

Worms, on the other hand, consist of flatworms, roundworms, hookworms, whipworms and tapeworms. The last three are among the most common parasitic worms found in the U.S. These animals cannot breed inside your body, but they can live in your lower intestine and cause serious health conditions.

Before you take measures against parasites, make sure you know what you’re up against. A microbiology test, among others, will help you identify which parasites are currently in your body.

Fighting intestinal parasites with food

Making lifestyle changes are important to improve your overall health. Something as simple as changing what you eat can make a big difference in the long run. Even common foods can have anti-parasite ingredients that your body can benefit from. Here are some of the most effective:

• Pumpkin seeds – These tasty and nutritious snacks paralyze worms and make it easy for them to be expelled by your body. Just combine raw pumpkin seeds, coconut milk and water into a paste that you then eat and flush down with a glass of water. This recipe is effective although its full effects may become apparent only after several treatments.
• Garlic – This pungent vegetable contains sulfur compounds such as allicin, which are effective against worms. Garlic needs to be chopped to release its allicin content – the finer it’s chopped, the better. To use garlic, just let it sit for a few minutes to fully release the allicin or chew on it for about one minute.
• Papaya – This tropical fruit contains amino acids and the digestive enzymes papain and bromelain – which are effective against both protozoans and worms. Its seeds have been proven in studies to result in a parasite clearance ranging from 71.4 to 100%.
• Oregano oil – Experts believe that the carvacrol in oregano oil is responsible for its anti-parasitical effect. A study found that administering this oil fully eradicates three types of parasites within six weeks.
• Neem – The neem tree is a celebrated medicinal plant in India and is known in the modern world for its antibacterial, anti-fungal, and antiviral properties. Aside from killing parasites, extracts from neem also remove the toxins left by the pests behind.
• Wormwood, black walnut and cloves – Wormwood, also known as annual mugwort, is by itself, effective against protozoans and parasitic larvae. It also stimulates the immune system, encouraging it to purge your body of the parasites. It is combined with black walnut and the oil from cloves to create a formula that kills both parasites and their eggs.

Apart from consuming the above foods and herbal formula, you can also get rid of parasites by eating foods rich in probiotics, such as yogurt, kefir, apple cider vinegar, sauerkraut and miso. These good gut bacteria help destroy parasites and ward off further infection.

Sources:

NaturalHealth365.com

Healthline.com