Parasites and Digestion

What are the symptoms of parasitic infection and what should be done to expel them from your body? 

With so many different types of parasites, symptoms can vary. Tapeworms, for example, cause very different symptoms than roundworms or hookworms. 

Digestive system issues are a good indication that you might have parasites. Unexplained bloating, constipation, diarrhea, or gas are common symptoms. Parasites can collect in the GI tract and/or clog the bile ducts. 

Parasites like liver flukes (and other species) can often be found in the liver. The body has multiple bile ducts that collect in two main channels through which bile flows: the right hepatic duct and the left hepatic duct. Bile is made in the liver and flows through the hepatic ducts and also through the cystic duct to the gallbladder, where it is partially stored and with the remainder used by other organs. 

Parasites can cluster around the bile ducts, clogging them, and preventing the natural flow of bile—interfering with the normal process of digestion. Keeping your bile ducts open with herbs, like the ones in LivAmend™, that increase bile flow is important.

Can Parasites Be Prevented?

Parasites are usually invisible to the eye and often come into our body as eggs and larvae, especially on raw foods, undercooked meats and raw fish. Our stomach is designed to produce hydrochloric acid to kill parasites at a pH of 1 to 2. Hydrochloric acid is simply chloride plus hydrogen that is secreted by the mucosal lining at the top of our stomach. However, it is often literally missing in many especially as we age. Even young children may be low in stomach acid. Taking a digestive enzyme, like Assist for Protein and Dairy™ not only digests protein but also kills parasites. Pancreatic enzymes found in Assist SI, continue to digest the eggs, larvae and parasites since they are proteins. So, having an abundant of digestive enzymes working in the stomach and small intestine is a must!

But Nature continues to protect us in another important way as well. Ideally our colon should have an abundant diversity of beneficial microbes that are always on the lookout for foreign intruders. Eating fermented vegetables ( Culture Starter )and drinking a few ounces of a Probiotic Liquid eg Kefir with your meal is further protection.