OCTOBER 7, 2011 DYSBIOSIS

Parasitic infections are a form of dysbiosis of the gut. Where do individuals get a parasite? Uncooked foods like raw meat or fish (especially sushi), travel history out of the United States (and sometimes within the United States), increasing immigration, daycare centers, the occasional camping trip, and unsafe sexual practices are all ways that someone can get a parasite.

The most common symptoms of a parasitic infection are diarrhea, abdominal pain and cramping, foul smelling stools, and flatulence. Other symptoms include weight loss, anorexia, chills and mucus and blood in the stools. Most people recognize gastrointestinal problems as a possible symptom of parasites. Also of note, there are an increasing number of systemic symptoms that can be associated with parasites. These are rash, urticaria (hives), chronic fatigue, anemia, constipation, reactive arthritis and even asthma.

The most common parasite which has now been classified as a protozoan is Blastocysis hominis.

This organism is transmitted via fecal oral route or by contaminated food or water. I find that most individuals have this organism present without it ever causing a problem, but when the individual gets 'run down' he/she can have blastocysis overcome the bowel flora. This term is called colonization. It is still controversial whether B. hominis is considered normal for the colon. Prevention can be enhanced by improving personal hygiene and sanitary conditions. Symptoms for B. hominis include cramps , nausea, fever, vomiting and abdominal pain. I have seen B. hominis in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), infective endocarditis (infection of the heart valves) and even intestinal obstruction.

I educate my patients about hygiene. I educate my gay male patients about safe sexual practices. Although it has been documented that oral sex without a condom has little risk for HIV as does anilingus, there is always the possibility of transmission of parasites, HSV II, syphilis, and Hepatitis B. The other parasites are Cryprosporidium spp., Giardia lamblia, and Entamoeba histolytica.

There are very effective conventional anti-parasitic medications such as flagyl, ciprofloxacin , alinia, and humitin. These medications cannot be taken with alcohol, and some are hard for the patient to tolerate due to gut sensitivity issues.

I am proud and honored to be part of the American Herbal Guild (AHG) as a registered herbalist (RH). I utilize many herbs to treat the bowels for parasites. Either I make my own tincture with wormwood, black walnut and cloves or use Micro-Gone by http://www.longevitynutritionals.com/ Micro-Gone has many different herbs. The common ones are Paul d' Arco, Echinacea, Olive Leaf Extract, Usnea. Lomatium, and Cat's Claw. Some individuals do not do well with tinctures due to the alcohol content. I have been using herbs for many years. I put together a formula of Sweet Wormwood, Black walnut and Olive Leaf extract. Then I added one ingredient which I think is superb. It is the plant alkalkoid berberine. Berberine is found in many plants. I called this formula Parasite 12. I always take PAR 12 when traveling abroad.

The above photograph of the flower Hydrastis canadensis contains berberine

The other plant is the Wormwood Bush.

Until tomorrow...