Different types of parasites can invade the gastrointestinal tract and cause problems. Here, we take a quick look at these parasites, and then introduce you to a few different supplements that can help combat them.
Types of Gastrointestinal Parasites
Parasites are invading organisms that live in and feed on materials within their host. There are three main types of human parasites. One type is that of ectoparasites, which are external parasites that settle on human skin or hair (e.g., ticks, lice). This article does not concern those. This article speaks in regard to internal parasites.
Helminths are worms that invade and live inside the human body, usually in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The most common helminths are tapeworms and roundworms. These tend to spread from the consumption of infected water or food, or contact with infected soil, and they feed off of the nutrients a person consumes.
Protozoans, on the other hand, are microscopic organisms. There are many, many types of protozoans, including various types of amoeba, ciliates, and sporozoans. There are other types of helminths and protozoans as well.
Parasitic infections can cause multiple types of symptoms and illnesses. These include diarrhea, fatigue, fever, insomnia, and more. A doctor’s visit for blood tests and other tests will confirm if you have an internal parasite. Standard treatments include antibiotics or antiparasitic drugs. Dietary measures to bolster the immune system and cleanse the digestive tract are also commonly recommended.
Supplements for GI Parasites
Various herbal supplements and nutrients have properties that can help the body eradicate parasites. Here is a look at five supplements that combat parasites, and how they can be of help.
Olive leaf extract is derived, of course, from olive leaves (which are much less renowned than olives themselves). In addition to its antibacterial properties, olive leaf extract has prominent antiparasitic properties. Olive leaf offers an effective help to get rid of various parasites including tapeworm, roundworm, giardia, and more. Olive leaf extract is known for containing a potent natural substance called oleuropein.
Berberine is a natural compound extracted from different plants for its medicinal uses. It has been shown to effectively treat infections of giardia, which is a type of germ parasite. Test tube studies show that berberine can also effectively kill amoeba, which could include the amoeba parasites that invade the gut.
Wormwood is an herb with a long history of use as a treatment for internal parasites. This includes treatment for pinworms, roundworms, tapeworms, and other parasites that cause GI disease. Modern studies show that wormwood could be useful for this purpose. Wormwood could be especially helpful when taken alongside prescribed antiparasitic drugs.
Black walnut is a tree that is harvested and used to treat parasites. It has a history of use for this purpose. Studies have confirmed that black walnut can be useful in treating some parasitic infections. Black walnut can be found in some complex supplements alongside wormwood.
Papain is an enzyme which can help combat intestinal parasites. Papain is derived from the papaya plant. It can be effective in killing off parasitic worms, and it is best to take a papain supplement shortly before or after a meal. Papain is often found in enzyme supplements combined with other beneficial enzymes that provide a substantial combined benefit on the gut.
Keeping one or more of these supplements on hand can prove useful if you or your child experience a parasitic infection. It’s recommended that you talk to your healthcare provider before taking one of these supplements to treat a parasite infection, since some of these can have mild side effects or interact with certain medications.