Parasites: How We Get Them & How To Prevent Them
Parasites: How We Get Them & How To Prevent Them
There’s a saying in natural medicine that goes “if you’re breathing, you have parasites”.
Now I get that might seem gross, but the fact is that we encounter different bugs, including parasites, in our everyday lives, even through food and water in North America. The key to not getting sick from them is that trusty thing called our immune system. We need to keep this system running optimally so it can fight off anything we may encounter.
Let’s cover some ways we can get parasites and how we can prevent them.
Your Missing Your First Line of Defence: Acid
One of our first lines of defence against parasites, or any bug, is our stomach acid. If you’ve been on PPIs/acid blockers, have frequent bloating, reflux/heartburn or indigestion, these are signs this critical defence mechanism is compromised.
We need healthy hydrochloric acid levels in the stomach, or else we become susceptible to infections of all kinds. Low HCl also leads to nutrient deficiencies such as low B12, iron, magnesium, calcium and other key minerals. It can also result in low thyroid function, as HCl is needed for the production of thyroid hormone.
Keep in mind, that it’s ok to have certain bugs in our system, as long as things stay harmonious down there and the bad guys don’t overpower the good guys. Having a healthy gut is not just about eradicating the bug, it’s about restoring balance.
The Travel Bug
It’s very common for people to travel to a different country, especially a third-world country, and pick up a parasite or bacteria. If you’ve ever travelled and got sick, perhaps you came down with a case of traveller’s diarrhea or vomiting - even if you didn’t get sick - and are struggling with gut issues years later, you might be dealing with a long-standing hitch-hiker you never asked for.
Pork and Raw Seafood
There are certain foods that are more likely to carry parasites, including pork and raw fish. Pigs don’t have a great detoxification system, so they can contain parasites for this reason and they may also be resistant to cooking methods. Raw fish is perhaps a less surprising source, but avoiding these foods can help reduce your chances of getting parasites.
Your Immune System is Struggling
If your immune system is struggling for any reason, you may be more likely to get parasites and might not be able to get rid of them as easily. There are many reasons this could occur, such as an autoimmune disease, poor digestion, poor sleep habits, chronic infection, poor diet, chronic mold exposure and so on. Supporting your immune system is an essential part of preventing and eradicating parasite infections.
Your Gut Health is Compromised
If you’re dealing with other types of hidden gut infections, such as candida or bad bacteria, have low stomach acid levels, or think you may have leaky gut, these are important areas to address in conjunction with parasites. Surprisingly, parasites house bacteria, viruses, fungus, heavy metals and toxins, making this a key area to address if you’ve been trying to clear other infections or heal your gut without success.
In our next article, I’ll be revealing some common symptoms of parasite infections and what you can do if you suspect you have one!
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