Parasitic infections are a much more common health concern than many people might think. While it’s common to obtain a parasitic infection while traveling to other countries, parasites also affect millions of people in the US every year and can significantly impact health.
Parasites rob their host of nutrients, destroy healthy gut microbes, and increase inflammation, leading to symptoms such as digestive issues, nutrient deficiency, skin and joint health issues, and more.
Parasitic infection can be treated safely and naturally. At Naturally Sue Wellness in NYC, we take a naturopathic approach to eliminating parasitic infection and supporting the body’s natural ability to heal itself. We use a personalized and comprehensive approach to kill off parasites and restore nutritional needs, microbiome balance, and improve immune response for long-term, optimal well-being.
Parasites are organisms that thrive by living in or on another organism, known as the host. They thrive by obtaining nutrients from their host, often causing harm by depleting the host of nutrients, producing toxins, and causing inflammation.
According to the CDC, there are three main classes of parasites that can cause disease in humans:
Protozoans are one-celled organisms that can only be seen through a microscope. They multiply easily and can live in the intestines, blood and tissue. Protozoans spread through contaminated food or water, person-to-person contact or through the bite of a vector (like a mosquito). According to the CDC, the protozoa that tend to infect humans can be classified into four types based on how they move:
Helminths are parasitic worms that usually live in your digestive tract. They include Flukes (a flatworm), tapeworm, and roundworm. Worms can enter the body through contaminated food and water, insect bites, or even direct person-to-person contact.
Ectoparasites are organisms known as arthropods, such as ticks, fleas, lice, and mites. They are vectors, meaning, they can carry and transmit disease between humans and animals, carrying infections through blood. They attach or burrow into the skin of their host and can remain there for relatively long periods of time (e.g., weeks to months), causing infection through their bites, and multiply by laying eggs in or on their host.
Parasites can cause a wide range of symptoms depending on the type and severity of the infection. Common symptoms include:
At Naturally Sue Wellness in NYC, we take a holistic, patient-centered approach to the treatment of parasitic infection. We combine evidence-based medicine with holistic approaches to treat the specific type of parasitic infection you have, not just your symptoms.
From a naturopathic perspective, our comprehensive approach to treatment starts with eliminating the parasite altogether. But it doesn’t stop there. We facilitate healing by restoring balance to the infected area, which usually includes restoration of the gut microbiome, gut lining, and nutrient replenishment. We know that imbalances in one area of the body can impact all other body systems, especially when it comes to gut health.
A naturopathic approach will include a combination of dietary and lifestyle modifications along with supportive homeopathic treatments to assist in restoring gut health, reducing inflammation, increasing nutrient needs, and boosting immunity.
We also evaluate the source of parasites to make recommendations to eliminate re-infection.
This holistic approach aims to support the body’s natural ability to heal itself.
During your first visit to Naturally Sue Wellness, we always start with a comprehensive assessment of a patient’s health, clinical history, and discussion about specific symptoms and their severity.
When it comes to finding parasitic disease, appropriate testing will be performed to confirm and identify the specific type of parasitic species. Two comprehensive stool panel tests we give patients include:
These tests evaluate digestive health by analyzing stool samples for digestion, absorption, inflammation, and the gut microbiome, helping doctors detect various gastrointestinal issues. They also check for specific parasites, bacteria (good and bad bacteria), enzymatic function, immune function, inflammation markers, and much more.
We prefer these over standard stool tests because these tests use DNA in PCR testing instead of just looking for Ova (eggs) or worms under a microscope.
These more comprehensive tests will help us determine a specific course of action for each patient.
Naturopathic protocols to support the body against parasitic infection include supportive therapies in these 4 key areas:
Elimination of parasites is key to proper treatment of parasitic infection. This step will include a parasite cleanse to eliminate parasites while simultaneously supporting the body’s natural detoxification pathways. Herbal treatments shine in this area of treatment. We will also integrate nutritional therapies, including targeted supplementation to address underlying nutrient imbalances and gut health restoration. Lifestyle adjustments and mental health support are also important to address for overall health and well-being.
Certain herbs have been studied for their antiparasitic properties. The following herbs have demonstrated promising supportive effects on killing off parasites as well as offering benefits to managing microbial health, boosting immune function, and reducing inflammation:
Including a binder during the parasite kill-off phase can be an essential to eliminating them from the body. Binders cling to the parasites and to any toxins that may be released from the die-off of these organisms. It is important that you follow your doctor’s recommendation about when the appropriate time to add binders may be. Commonly used binders include:
Key nutrients and dietary adjustments for supporting the body’s immune system and managing parasitic infection include Vitamin A, which helps the body resist certain types of parasites, Vitamin C, and Vitamin B. Fiber and probiotics are also essential for removal of parasites and for restoring healthy microbes in the gut.
Foods to Include
If you have a parasitic infection, increase your intake of the following foods to help remove parasites from your body. These foods can also help prevent parasites from growing because they make the digestive environment inhospitable:
Cooking Herbs
Using herbs in your cooking can also support the body in parasite elimination. Herbs that may be the most potent include:
Water
Proper hydration is crucial to helping flush out parasites and toxins from your system.Be sure to include plenty of filtered water and herbal teas to help with detoxification.
Foods to Avoid
Foods to avoid include:
Supplements
Common supplements that may be recommended include:
Supplementation is highly individualized, so we recommend working with an expert who can help you determine which supplements would benefit you the most based on your specific needs.
Lifestyle modifications can support you while recovering from infection, and can prevent future re-infection from parasites.
Handwashing
Handwashing is one of the single best hygienic practices to prevent parasite infection, or any infection or illness for that matter. Regularly wash your hands
Washing Produce
Cleaning produce alone is an important preventative step to staving off parasites. Be sure to wash your fruits and vegetables well before consuming them. If you aren’t sure of the water quality in your home, there are products available to ensure you’re eating clean fruits and vegetables, such as veggies washes and ozone bubbler machines.
Insect Protection
Protect yourself from parasitic insects, like ticks, by wearing long sleeves and long pants when spending long periods outdoors, especially in wooded or grassy areas.
After spending time outdoors, be sure to check for insects, such as ticks. Thoroughly check your hair, behind ears, neckline, beltline and the backs of your legs, arms and back.
Pets
Regularly check your pets for ticks and fleas. If you find insects on your pet, use a fine-toothed comb to remove them. Talk to your vet about products and supplements that can prevent fleas, ticks, and other parasites.
Other basic hygiene practices to implement if you have pets include:
Practice Safe Sex
Parasites can be transmitted through intimate contact. To prevent sexually transmitted parasitic infections:
Rest and Stress Management
Having parasites can put a serious strain on the body, causing sleep disturbances, fatigue, and muscle and joint aches. Implementing rest breaks during the day can help the body recuperate when sleep is elusive.
Implementing stress management techniques like meditation, yoga, stretching, and deep breathing can significantly reduce stress and improve your overall health and well-being.
There is a direct link between the gut and the brain through what is referred to as the gut-brain axis. The health of the gut has an impact on hormone regulation and neurotransmitter production between the gut and brain. Inflammation and disruptions to the gut microbiome impacts mental health and cognition, contributing to anxiety, brain fog, and other cognitive issues.
Understanding this connection is important. Addressing mental health issues related to parasitic infections as a vital component to a holistic treatment plan.
Parasitic infections can have serious impacts to your overall health. Parasites steal its host’s nutrients, causing nutrient deficiencies and immune dysfunction. Parasites impact gut health, which causes digestive issues, inflammation, and damage to tissues. Their presence disrupts the gut-brain axis, which leads to problems with hormone regulation and neurotransmitter production, contributing to various health issues, including mental health problems.
The doctors at Naturally Sue Wellness offer a tailored and personalized approach to parasitic treatment based on individual needs. By doing targeted testing, we can identify the type of parasite you have to determine the best approach. We take into consideration other factors, such as inflammation, nutrient deficiencies, gut health restoration, and mental health concerns as part of our comprehensive plan.
Get in touch with Naturally Sue Wellness to discover your individualized parasitic infection treatment plan and start healing now.
“In my experience, we had a patient who was struggling with infertility and couldn’t get pregnant. It turns out she had a parasite infection. The parasites were stealing nutrients from her, causing disruptions in her hormones and making her body inhospitable for pregnancy. Once treated, she was able to successfully get pregnant.” -Dr Sparks
Dr. Sue and Dr. Sparks have expertise in treating parasitic infections. We understand that everyone may have different causes and different health impacts from parasites. At Naturally Sue Wellness, we take a specific and strategic approach based on your clinical history and labs to help eliminate parasites and restore your gut health. We use a “test, not guess” approach to get patients results and develop a tailored plan.
While there may be common herbal remedies or supplementation that can help with parasitic infections, if you are not treating the root causes of your infection you may not reach full healing. It is imperative that we find the source of exposure and help you detoxify safely in order to fully heal.
As part of our commitment to holistic and patient-centered care, we make sure we are looking at the full picture for each patient.
Yes. Natural treatments for parasitic infections are safe and effective. Natural remedies and dietary changes may help rid the body of parasites, restore gut health and lost nutrients, reduce inflammation, and support overall health. It’s important to work with a professional who can determine your specific treatment needs and oversee a tailored treatment plan.
Some patients feel relief from natural parasite treatments quickly, within days. If infection is severe, treatment may take longer. Removal of parasites is generally a 2-3 week process, and then gut health restoration can take a bit longer. Overall, treatment and restoration may take a few weeks to a few months.
In some cases, your body’s immune system can naturally fight off parasites, especially in individuals with a healthy immune system and regularly eat a healthy, antiinflammatory diet. However, t many parasitic infections require medical care. Talk to your naturopath if you suspect you have a parasitic infection. They can help you determine for sure if you have one, and can help prevent the spread of the parasite to others.
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