Parasite and Worm Infections

Today, we’re venturing into a topic that many of us might not think about — parasite and worm infections. These unseen invaders can wreak havoc on your health, yet often go unnoticed for a long time. And, despite all the supplements and peptide therapies we might be using to optimize our health, we may still be missing something very important: a potential parasite or worm infection.

In this episode, we’ll explore the signs and symptoms of these infections, how you can acquire them, and why we should consider them even if we’re doing everything "right" in terms of diet and wellness.

Let’s get into it!

First things first—what are parasites and worms, and how are they different?.

A parasite is any organism that lives on or inside another organism, known as a host, and benefits at the host’s expense. Parasites can be microscopic or visible to the naked eye.

Parasites can take many forms, including:

• Protozoa (single-celled organisms like Plasmodium that causes malaria)
  
  

• Helminths (worms like roundworms, tapeworms, and flatworms)
  
  

• Ectoparasites (organisms like fleas, lice, or ticks that live on the host's skin or surface). They usually don’t infect other parts of your body.

When people refer to worm infections, they are typically talking about helminth infections. Helminths are a specific type of parasite, and they are multicellular organisms that can be categorized into three main types:

1. Roundworms (e.g., hookworms, pinworms, and threadworms)
   
   

2. Tapeworms
   
   

3. Flukes (flatworms)

So, all worm infections are parasitic, but not all parasites are worms.

 

What are the symptoms of parasitic infections?

 

So, how can you tell if you have a parasite/protozoa or a worm infection? Let’s talk about signs and symptoms.

Signs of a parasite infection can be a bit tricky because they often mimic other illnesses or conditions. You might experience:

• Diarrhea (sometimes with blood or mucus)

• Stomach cramps or bloating

• Fatigue

• Unexplained weight loss

• Skin rashes or itching

• Nausea or vomiting

• Fever

• Visible worms in stools or around the anus

• Itchy anus (especially with pinworm infections)

• Coughing or chest pain (in the case of certain lung-dwelling worms)
  
  

Parasites can also affect your mood and mental health, causing things like anxiety or brain fog due to the toxins they release in your body.

While some worm infections can be obvious, others may linger for years without being detected, causing slow, gradual damage to the body.

How do you get parasitic infections?

So, how do we acquire these infections? There are several ways you can pick up a parasite or worm, and it often depends on where you live, what you eat, and what activities you engage in. Let’s break it down:

• Traveling: Traveling to areas with poor sanitation increases the risk of contracting Giardia and Cryptosporidium, two protozoan parasites commonly found in contaminated water or food. These parasites can lead to traveler’s diarrhea, causing symptoms like severe stomach cramps, bloating, nausea, and frequent watery diarrhea. In some cases, infections can lead to dehydration and fatigue, making it important to take precautions like drinking bottled water and avoiding undercooked food while traveling.