Parasites: How do we get them?

Common Sources of Parasites

1. Contaminated Water: Frequent travelers, take note! Water is a major source of parasites, especially in regions with poor sanitation. Ice made from unsanitary water and greens in salads washed with unsanitary water are both common ways to pick up a parasitic infection. When traveling, make sure to drink bottled water and eat at restaurants you can trust to practice proper food hygiene. It's also important to know waterborne illnesses are not exclusive while abroad. For one type of waterborne parasite alone "Cryptosporidiosis", the CDC estimates that over 800,000 Americans are infected annually via drinking water and swimming pools as it's extremely tolerant to chlorine. So even at home, take steps to ensure your drinking water is filtered, and avoid swallowing water from recreational pools.
2. Pets & Animals: We love our furry friends, but pets often pickup parasites. Snuggling with our pets, handling their feces, and consuming food contaminated by them can lead to human infection. Regular veterinary check-ups, regular pet deworming, and practicing good hygiene can help prevent transmission from pets to humans. Hot tip: Make sure to regularly clean your pet’s food bowl, as this is one of the main areas where parasites can be found. Stainless steel is a good choice as it's non-porous, meaning there’s no tiny crevices where parasites can hide and multiply, and it’s easy to clean!
3. Undercooked or Contaminated Food: Eating undercooked meat and improperly handled fruits and vegetables can lead to parasites. Are you a sushi lover just like us? Unfortunately, parasitic worms are commonly found in raw fish. It’s important to make sure that whenever you’re eating raw fish or cooked meat, it’s from a reputable establishment that practices proper food hygiene and thoroughly cooks their meat to avoid foodborne parasites.
4. Person-to-Person Transmission: Some parasites can spread through direct contact with an infected person, sexual intercourse, or by touching contaminated surfaces. Maintaining good personal hygiene and washing hands frequently is a must when to prevent potential parasite transmission, especially if you own a pet or are traveling abroad!
5. Contaminated Soil: If you walk barefoot on soil that's contaminated with parasitic eggs or larvae, they can enter your body through tiny cuts or abrasions on your feet. Some parasites, like hookworms, can penetrate the skin directly. To be safe, it's always a good idea to wear footwear while walking on the beach, or in other areas that could have contaminated soil.

Signs & Symptoms to look for

Parasites often go unnoticed due to their ability to mimic other health issues. Symptoms like digestive problems, fatigue, and skin issues can all be related to parasites. Recognizing these symptoms is a crucial step towards understanding that parasites may be the root cause, so you’re able to treat them head-on. Some symptoms can include:

• Chronic gas & bloating
• Acne, eczema, and rashes
• Traveler’s diarrhea
• Rectal itching
• Mood swings & anxiety
• Insomnia & fatigue
• Iron-deficiency anemia
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• Sugar cravings
• Teeth grinding
• Abdominal pain
• Food intolerances
• Weight fluctuations
• Joint & muscle pain

Making gut health a priority

While it's important to be aware of where parasites come from, it's equally important to understand that a healthy gut microbiome can be more resilient against these invaders. It’s not realistic to live a life without travel, pets, & sushi (at least not for us), but by maintaining a healthy gut environment through regular deworming, we can strengthen our immune system, and give our body the ability to combat parasitic infections naturally. 

Deworming is a healthy part of life

Just like our pets, and most of the world, it's important to perform regular deworming to eradicate parasites. The frequency of how often you deworm yourself depends on your lifestyle. Someone who doesn't have any pets but travels frequently may only need to perform deworming after any trips abroad, especially if they've had travellers diarrhea. Whereas someone who has a social dog that loves to snuggle with them in bed may want to perform deworming 2-3 times a year, in addition to their pet following their own, but more frequent deworming schedule.

Bringing it all together

The first step is coming to terms with the fact that parasites are common and we come into contact with them frequently. The second is what we can do to proactively protect ourselves. Taking steps like ensuring clean water, properly prepared food, maintaining good hygiene, and regularly deworming our pets and ourselves contributes to a healthier, parasite-free life. Stay informed, stay proactive, and remember that optimal health starts with a strong, healthy gut.

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