Intestinal parasite infections afflict one-third of the world's population, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Intestinal parasite symptoms can be so mild that you don't even notice them, though in some cases they can lead to serious complications. Not all cases of a bloated belly are caused by parasites. Many intestinal parasite treatments are available, but let your doctor test your to see what's causing your bloating before attempting an intestinal parasite cleanse.
Identification
Intestinal parasites are worms that can live inside of your intestines. Their presence can go undetected for years, but they can also cause symptoms ranging from nausea and vomiting to diarrhea and a bloated belly. Intestinal parasites come in two types: protozoa and helminths. Protozoa such as giardia and cryptosporidium are one-celled organisms that can multiply inside of you. Helminths include pinworms, roundworms and tapeworms. They can't multiply in your intestines. Most intestinal parasites are contracted by coming in contact with infected feces.
Misconceptions
You don't have to travel to a poor country to become infected with intestinal parasites. According to researchers at the University of Maryland Medical Center, you can contract intestinal parasites through inadequate hygiene, being exposed to bad sanitation and spending time in child care centers and other institutional care facilities. Children, the elderly and those with compromised immune systemsare more likely to become infected. A misconception that is reinforced in the alternative medicine world is that almost any digestive symptoms are caused by parasites. This is not true. Being bloated can have many other causes.
Expert Insight
The best way to treat intestinal parasites is through prescription medications tailored to your infestation, but certain foods might help kill and cleanse intestinal parasites. Both the University of Maryland Medical Center and the University of Michigan Health System state that garlic is known to kill intestinal parasites. Papaya is also effective. Other, less well-proven remedies include pumpkin seeds, probiotics and digestive enzymes that make your intestines an unfriendly environment for parasites.
Garlic Cleanse
Garlic contains allicin, which has killed parasites both in test tubes and in animal trials. It has not been tested enough on humans, so no specific dosage exists, but the medicinal properties in garlic are brought out by crushing it before cooking, and cooking it just long enough to heat it through. Adding garlic to your lunch and dinner is more likely to support your prescription medications than taking supplements.
Papaya Cleanse
Papaya contains a substance called papain, which is also used to treat gout. Papain is a digestive enzyme. Taking it 30 minutes before meals will help to make the environment inside of your intestines unfriendly to the parasites. Papaya can be eaten raw, added to salads, soups and stews. Put chunks of fresh papaya in the blender with vanilla-flavored yogurt that contains living cultures and a little soy milk and drink it with a healthy handful of pumpkin seeds. Soy milk has no known parasite-fighting properties, but the University of Maryland Medical Center advises those with parasites to avoid dairy products.
Warning
Consult your physician if you have nausea, diarrhea or stools with blood in them, bloating, vomiting, abdominal pain or itching around your rectum or vulva. Contact your doctor immediately if you pass a parasite, because there may be more. Never try to diagnose and treat yourself because many of the herbs touted on the Internet as being powerful enough to kill intestinal parasites can also kill you.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Intestinal Parasites
- PubMed: Treatment Options For the Eradication of Intestinal Protozoa
- HealthGuidance: How to Avoid Intestinal Parasites
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Domestic Intestinal Parasite Guidelines
- University of Michigan Health System: Parasites
