Do you have parasites? Chances are, you do!
We are exposed to parasites on a daily basis. They are in our food--undercooked meat, raw fruits and vegetables, sushi. You encounter them by shaking hands, touching doorknobs or kissing your pet. A weakened immune system may create a pathway for parasites to enter, resulting in an infestation.
When your immune system is healthy and working properly, these parasites do not expose you to any threat. Your body will easily do away with them without you even feeling their impact. Gut microbiome imbalances, chronic stress, a diet high in processed foods, lack of sleep, overuse of antibiotics and other pharmaceuticals and digestive issues such as Leaky Gut Syndrome may all contribute to the development of a parasite infestation because these conditions leave you vulnerable.
If you have methylation issues or the MTHFR gene variant, you are also at risk of potential parasitic infestation and infection. Blocked detox pathways prohibit the body from easily removing invaders, which may lead to toxic overload.
Heavy metal toxicity and/or mold toxicity and other infections may also attract parasites. They create dysregulation of the immune system, and a weakened immune system makes you an easy target to parasites and other pathogenic invaders. Parasites are known to hold within their systems heavy metals and viruses that may further destroy multiple bodily systems with the potential to make you feel awful as you spiral downward.
It is estimated that about 80% of the population has a parasitic infestation, and as a result, these parasites are causing some major symptoms that affect overall health.
Although western medicine does not recognize parasitic infections as something that plagues first-world countries, parasites might actually be behind many modern day illnesses. It doesn’t help that there are more than a thousand different types of parasites that can infect humans, however, laboratory testing only checks for approximately 50 different kinds. What’s even scarier is that parasites are wonderful at hide and seek, evading even endoscopies and biopsies. They can hide from modern medical tests for one’s entire lifetime without ever showing themselves as the root case.
Parasites feed off our nutrients for their own survival. They burrow deep into our tissues and proliferate, releasing toxins as their waste products. These impact our health in multiple ways. Some health and wellness thought leaders believe that many illnesses have parasites behind them as their root cause, which include neurological diseases, autoimmune conditions and other inflammatory illnesses.
Unfortunately, modern testing for parasites is inadequate. Blood tests also do not identify parasites since they aren’t always present in the bloodstream. Stool tests are limited and don’t identify all types and species. There really is no full-proof parasite test!
So, how do you know that you have them? Aside from actually seeing a parasite or two passed in your stool, those with infestations may experience some telling symptoms, particularly around a full moon. Yes, the full moon appears to aggravate parasites and make them “come to life.” This might explain the bizarre behaviors that appear magically around a full moon--higher crime rates, domestic violence reports, car accidents and hospitalizations. The term “luna-tic” even comes from the latin word “lunar,” meaning “moon.”
Symptoms related to parasites are vast and cover every single bodily system. These include food allergies, digestive upset, muscle and joint pain, insomnia, weight loss or weight gain, increased or decreased appetite, headaches, stomach pain, teeth grinding, skin issues, such as acne, eczema, itching, psoriasis, nutrient deficiencies, chronic fatigue, mitochondrial disease, cardiovascular inflammation, respiratory illness, light sensitivity, dehydration, rapid aging, hair loss, nausea, blood sugar fluctuations, respiratory illness, irritable bowel, autoimmune disease, rectal itching, constipation/diarrhea, systemic inflammation, heart palpitations and much, much more.
If you are experiencing some of these symptoms, you might have parasites. Perhaps you have been diagnosed with a variety of illnesses to only be reading this now and wondering if parasites are the root cause. If this is the case, the good news is that once you manage this parasitic infestation, many symptoms may dissipate on their own.
Parasites and their accompanying symptoms affect us in waves that are linked with the full moon. Add a few days before and after a full moon event, as this is the time when parasites lay eggs, they hatch during the full moon, and then proliferate from there, causing a surge in unexplained “lunatic” symptoms. To put it into perspective, roundworms will lay, on average, 200,000 eggs per day. You might notice that subtle symptoms become more pronounced during a full moon, or simply once a month, you may be aware that you’re feeling under the weather, with many unexplained systemic symptoms.
Our bodies' circadian rhythm is connected to the cycles of the moon--and so are parasites. When the moon is full, we produce less melatonin, which is the neurotransmitter that helps promote deep sleep and regulate our immune function. Low melatonin levels also may leave us helpless to fighting parasites.
While melatonin dips during a full moon, another neurotransmitter is on the rise. Serotonin, which is also known as our “feel good” neurotransmitter, also makes parasites feel good, apparently. They love serotonin, as it helps them communicate, replicate and protect themselves by creating biofilms. Biofilms are slimy, sticky substances composed of bacteria, mucus, toxins and other inflammatory elements that create a barrier to protect parasites. Think of it as their nest! Biofilms make ridding parasites extremely difficult.
Because parasites contain serotonin receptor sites, just like humans, they soak up the high levels of serotonin in our bodies during a full moon, which means it’s parasite party time! It’s during a full moon that parasites come out to play, leaving their hibernation areas in tissues and organs to move around more freely.
This is why people might experience strange symptoms during a full moon--crawling sensations on the skin, restless legs, ringing ears, insomnia, itching in the ear, nose or throat, anal itching, rashes, stomach upset, humming or vibrating sensations throughout the body and more.
A parasite infestation may also result in a variety of nutrient deficiencies. These include iron, which transports oxygen and nutrients via red blood cells. Copper and zinc might decrease, which impacts mitochondrial function, the immune system and enzymes. Magnesium is responsible for over 300 biochemical reactions in the body, and parasites deplete magnesium stores, creating a domino effect of issues. Vitamins A, D and B12 may also become depleted due to parasites, affecting immune function, energy levels, cognitive health and proper DNA replication.
Keep in mind that a one day parasite cleanse or even a one week or one month parasite cleanse isn't going to eradicate an infestation. Their life cycle is complex and their ability to hide and proliferate so quickly makes it difficult to manage an infection without them returning to begin the cycle over again.
Cleansing during a full moon may be the most advantageous time to target a large majority of them and experience the positive health benefits that result from their elimination. It may take many moons to eradicate parasites, though, so be patient.
Don’t be surprise if during a full moon cleanse, you temporarily feel worse before getting better! This is known as a “healing crisis” and is due to the parasites’ dying off, which releases toxins rapidly in your system. Be sure to drink plenty of water to flush them from your system. Some people find relief from also taking binders, such as activated charcoal and clay as well as utilizing coffee enemas to evacuate parasites and toxins rapidly from the system. Supplementing with glutathione may also help the body rid toxins more quickly.
An important key is to work on creating a healthy terrain, meaning an environment that is not conducive to unwelcome guests. This means supporting and strengthening the immune system, getting plenty of sleep and exercise, reducing stress, choosing organic, non GMO foods and transforming your overall system to alkaline vs acidic. An alkaline body is oxygen-rich whereas an acidic body is oxygen deficient. Parasites cannot survive in an oxygen-rich environment.
Addressing gut issues, such as Leaky Gut Syndrome, is key along with maintaining a flourishing microbiome, so taking a probiotic daily is a huge advantage in winning the war against parasites. Reducing gut inflammation, optimizing the health of the gut mucosal lining and rebuilding a strong microbiome will also assist with nutrient absorption.
Our Leaky Gut Defense contains natural ingredients that help mend and support the gut mucosal lining, creating a barrier to keep parasites and other pathogenic invaders at bay. Licorice (DGL), is anti-parasitic and may help eradicate current infestation. Ingredients such as aloe help soothe the gut lining. Arabinogalactan, also known as larch tree bark, helps "feed" good bacteria to restore and further promote a healthy microbiome.
Sources:
https://www.sante-healthandwellness.com/blog/how-does-the-full-moon-affect-parasites
https://thefullest.com/2021/07/23/full-moons-and-parasites-the-scientifically-spooky-explanation/
https://www.kitchenstewardship.com/full-moon-intestinal-worms/
https://thenutritionalhealingcenter.com/parasites-in-you/
https://instituteforrestorativehealth.com/2019/08/16/the-full-moon-and-weird-symptoms/