The human body is its own ecosystem—millions of organisms call it home. Symbiosis is common practice among these organisms, supporting one another in a beneficial manner. However, other organisms, such as parasites, are harmful and provide no benefit.
A parasite is an organism that lives on or inside another organism—the host. They live in and attach to our intestines, where they absorb nutrients, lay eggs and excrete toxic waste (formalin, isopropyl alcohol and formaldehyde), all of which negatively affect our health.
More than 90% of Americans are infected with some type of harmful organism. Parasitic infection can come from eating at a restaurant, owning a pet or having a child in school. Parasites are spread through unclean practices, contaminated food and drinks, insect bites, dirty surfaces, fecal matter and more. These organisms are present everywhere and have affected humans since the beginning of time, with references appearing in some of our oldest written records. Nearly everyone is affected at some point in their life.
Approximately 80,000 to 100,000 parasite species have been identified across all groups, while the total number of parasite species could range from 300,000 to over 1 million, accounting for those undiscovered.
The most common forms of parasites are protozoa and helminths. Protozoa are microscopic, single-celled organisms, such as amoebae, flagellates, ciliates and sporozoa. Some protozoa form protective “shells” called cysts, which allow them to lay dormant for years. Cysts enable protozoa to survive externally, meaning they can infect new hosts.
Helminth worms are multicellular organisms, ranging in size from less than a millimeter to more than a meter. Examples of helminths are nematodes (roundworms, hookworms, pinworms, whipworms), cestodes (tapeworms) and trematodes (flukes). Platyhelminths, known as flatworms, fall into the cestode and trematode categories. Nearly 300 types can affect humans.
Protozoa are aggressive and multiply rapidly. Symptoms vary by species of protozoa but typically include diarrhea and stomach issues.
Conversely, worms grow slowly and live long. They attach to the intestinal lining or burrow deep into tissue. There, they steal the body’s nutrients and cause intestinal obstruction, often producing chronic, gradually worsening health conditions. In children, worms can affect normal development of the body and brain. Unlike protozoa, worms do not multiply within the human body.
Researchers have also discovered an entirely new type of helminth called ropeworms. Ropeworms can grow to a meter long and have a lumpy, rope-like shape. They are often mistaken for feces or mucus, going undetected.
Pinworms, which are very common in the United States, live in the colon and can remain there for months. Hookworms occur in soil or water and can be ingested by eating unwashed produce or drinking contaminated water. Infection may also take place via open wounds, especially if animal feces is present. These worms use their teeth to attach themselves to the intestinal walls and siphon blood, which can lead to iron deficiency.
Here is a list of common parasites by type, followed by what they cause:
Protozoa:
- Toxoplasma gondii (causes toxoplasmosis)
- Plasmodium (causes malaria)
- Giardia lamblia (causes giardiasis)
- Entamoeba histolytica (causes amoebiasis)
- Trichomonas vaginalis (causes trichomoniasis)
Helminths:
Nematodes (roundworms)
- Ascaris lumbricoides (causes ascariasis)
- Enterobius vermicularis (causes enterobiasis or pinworm infection)
- Necator americanus and Ancylostoma duodenale (hookworms)
- Trichuris trichiura (causes trichuriasis or whipworm infection)
- Wuchereria bancrofti and Brugia malayi (causes lymphatic filariasis)
Cestodes (tapeworms)
- Taenia saginata (beef tapeworm)
- Taenia solium (pork tapeworm)
- Diphyllobothrium latum (fish tapeworm)
- Echinococcus granulosus (causes hydatid disease)
- Hymenolepis nana (dwarf tapeworm)
Trematodes (flukes)
- Schistosoma spp. (causes schistosomiasis)
- Clonorchis sinensis (Chinese liver fluke)
- Paragonimus westermani (lung fluke)
- Fasciola hepatica (liver fluke)
Ectoparasites (lives on host’s exterior)
- Pediculus humanus capitis (head lice)
- Pthirus pubis (pubic lice)
- Sarcoptes scabiei (causes scabies)
- Ixodes spp. (ticks)
- Cimex lectularius (bed bugs)
The damage parasites can inflict is extensive, from mild discomfort to life-threatening conditions. The severity often depends on the type of parasite, the extent of the infestation and the host’s overall health.
Nutrient deprivation: As parasites feed on the host’s nutrients, it leads to deficiencies. While many believe they have mineral deficiencies, it may very well be a parasite infestation. For example, tapeworms absorb vital nutrients from the intestines, potentially causing malnutrition and weight loss.
Tissue and organ damage: Certain parasites invade specific organs, causing inflammation, scarring and other damage. Liver flukes, for example, can cause significant liver damage, leading to cirrhosis and other conditions.
Immune system suppression: Parasites can weaken the immune system, which makes the host more susceptible to other infections. Chronic parasitic infections can lead to a constant state of immune activation, which may result in autoimmune disorders.
Toxin release: Many parasites release toxins as part of their metabolic processes. These toxins can cause systemic inflammation, leading to symptoms such as fatigue, muscle pain and cognitive issues.
The list of symptoms parasites can cause is plentiful: abdominal pain and discomfort, chronic fatigue syndrome, diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, allergic reactions, an altered mental state, anemia, bloating, a chronically weakened immune system, colon cancer, confusion, constipation, cough, dermatitis, eosinophilia, fever, gas, headache, hematuria, itching, joint inflammation, loss of appetite, muscle and joint pain, muscle tightness and discomfort, nausea, nervousness, night sweats, painful urination, pelvic pain, rashes, redness, seizures, shortness of breath, skin lesions, sleeping issues, swelling, swollen lymph nodes, teeth grinding, vaginitis, vomiting, weight loss, wheezing and more.
“I have a whole new thought about all of the different types of parasites they’ve been infecting us with. I believe, and I’ve seen with my own eyes, just doing parasite cleansing on people, just getting rid of all the parasites, 20, 40, 50, even 100, percent of their symptoms go away.” —Dr. Edward Group
Stay tuned for part two of this three-part series, in which you will learn how to address the root cause of parasites via lifestyle habits and your external environment.
For the full experience, check out our “Why Everyone Needs a Parasite Cleanse” course at the Global Healing Institute.
If you believe you’re experiencing a parasite infestation, Global Healing’s Harmful Organism Cleanse Program may help.
