Protozoa: The majority of parasites are one cell protozoa, they can invade any single cell in our body. Protozoa reproduce and multiply by duplicating similar to bacteria and viruses. Example: toxoplasma and giardia.
Helminths: These guys live in our gastrointestinal tract, blood, lymphatic system, and other tissues. They are multi-celled organisms that can live on or inside our bodies. Including roundworms, pinworms, whipworms, and hookworms. Another parasite that falls into this category are flukes and are the hardest to eliminate as they can stay in the human body for 10 to 20 years with each adult fluke living for one year.
Ectoparasites: Are known to be transmitted from ticks, fleas, lice, and mites. They live on the surface of a human host or feed off the skin. Examples: malaria, filaria and babesia.
Symptoms can include:
* -Insomnia or waking up multiple times in the middle of the night
* -Restless sleep
* -Anemia
* -Poor nutrient assimilation
* -Digestive issues like constipation, diarrhea or alternating of both, gas, smelly stools, bloating, abdominal cramping, indigestion
* -Weight gain
* -Anal itching, especially at night
* -Bed wetting in kids
* -Mood issues like hyperactivity and other mental disorders, anxiety, depression
* -Grinding teeth at night, jaw pain or clenching
* -Skin issues like acne, eczema, psoriasis, rashes, hives
* -Muscle and joint pain
* -Twitches
* -Eye floaters
* -Headaches, migraines
* -Seizures
* -Low iron, B12
* -Wheezing and coughing
* -Food allergies
* -Unexplained dizziness, weakness
* -Fatigue, brain fog
* -Constant hunger
Are you nodding your head at some or many of the symptoms listed? Do any of them sound like something you’ve brought up at the doctors before or have been struggling with for years? Well I have one word for you PARASITES.
We don’t want to eradicate parasites completely. In fact we have to live in some form of coexistence with them. That being said a toxic load of them (which if you’ve never cleansed in the past you more than likely have) can lead to many health related issues that can and need to be addressed.
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Ways to help limit parasitic exposure (this is ESPECIALLY necessary while detoxing)
* -Be sure to purchase high-quality meats (especially beef, pork and fish) as much as possible and that it is rinsed and cooked throughly.
* -Avoid or reduce sushi consumption, specifically raw and undercooked sushi. Even the vegan variety as they often use the same cutting board and knives.
* -Give your fresh fruits and veggies a good wash (Young Living has a great one!) before consuming or cooking.
* -When traveling out of the country purchase and drink high quality water, brush your teeth with bottled water (when showering try not to get it in your mouth). At home use a high quality water filter, Berkey is my favorite!
* -Wash your hands thoroughly after using the restroom, especially in public bathrooms, and before eating. Consider avoiding sitting on a public bathroom seat altogether, and choose to squat or put toilet paper down.
* -Some parasites can be passed down In utero, through sexual contact and even sharing utensils. This is why it’s not uncommon for families to test for the same parasites. Regularly testing and cleansing can be beneficial for the entire family.
* -Don’t let pets lick your face, and make sure they are regularly de-wormed. Also keep pets off of your bed as much as possible. If you do have a pet, doing parasite cleanses more frequently is often recommended.
* -Use a non-toxic bug spray and check for bites/ticks as certain bugs can carry and transfer parasites.
* -Disinfect all cooking utensils, or surfaces that come into contact with food, especially cutting boards. Thieves is great for this!
* -Keep fingernails short and clean.
Let’s not take away the benefit to parasites. They actually munch on toxins and heavy metals. However, they do have a lifespan, when they die off they release those heavy metals and toxins back into our system. Toxic exposure environmentally, overly processed foods, diets that are high in sugar and low in nutrition. Heavy metals from dental work, vaccines, and toxic cleaners, etc. Add on top of that an heavy parasitic burden and the release of even more toxins and metals into our blood stream. It’s a playground for all kinds of acute, chronic, and autoimmune issues just waiting to happen.
On the flip side if you are able to get you body to a place where you’re not in toxin overload, you have worked through the majority of your parasitic infestation, your diet is squeaky clean, and your drainage pathways are open. Well, then that’s where the coexistence part plays beautifully. Your little buddies are able to hold toxins and metals and you cleanse them right out every 4 months or so. To get to this point takes time and often many many rounds of parasite cleansing to get to. This is a journey friends, opening this can of worms can feel overwhelming; which is why I am going to break down three “levels” from easiest to hardest. Just remember that you know your body best. You know what you can undertake and the effort you can apply. Read through all of this information and apply it to fit your needs.