Parasites and Virgin Coconut Oil-Research References

[Guest guest]

Parasites and Virgin Coconut Oil - Research References

By Bruce Fife, N.D.

" ... parasites are a problem everywhere, ... " Coconut oil may offer

protection ...

There are two general groups of parasites. One consists of worms such as

tape worms and roundworms. The second category is the protozoa,

one-celled organisms. Parasites infect the intestines of both humans and

animals and can cause a great deal of intestinal distress. We often

associate parasites with Third World countries and poor sanitation, but

parasites are a problem everywhere, even in North America. In countries

where sanitation is a priority people mistakenly assume that no problem

exists and they don't need to worry. Parasites are everywhere, waiting

for the opportunity to latch onto an unsuspecting host. Backpackers have

long been aware of the danger of drinking water from streams and lakes.

Open water even in the backcountry is often contaminated with parasites

waiting for a host.

Bert , a 45-year-old geologist, was a wilderness enthusiast. He

loved hiking, rock climbing and mountain biking and was an excellent

athlete. In the spring of 1994 he took his three children and went

backpacking in the Wyoming wilderness. Always mindful about the dangers

of drinking surface water, even in a seemingly pristine wilderness, he

made sure to boil or filter every drop of water they drank.

On his return home he began to experience bouts with diarrhea and became

increasingly fatigued. He lost all energy and stopped participating in

the outdoor sports that had become a regular part of his life. He began

to lose weight, suffer from dizzy spells, and became short of breath.

Doctors were unable to find a cause for his problems. Because the

illness began soon after his return home from Wyoming, a stool sample

was tested for parasites. The tests came back negative. Over the next

six months in an attempt to find the cause of his illness he was treated

for ulcers, had blood tests, abdominal scans, and X rays. Symptoms

became worse. He began having blackouts and heart palpitations and was

hospitalized. Monitoring his heart revealed a serious abnormality called

arrhythmia. It was assumed this was the cause of his dizzy spells and

blackouts. He was given medication to control the arrhythmia but after a

while stopped taking it because of the side effects. Despite the

negative tests from the stool specimen, his doctor gave him medication

to treat giardia because there was little else they could do.

He felt dramatic relief of the diarrhoea and regained much of his former

energy. As Bert found out, a common problem with tests for parasites is

that they are often wrong. A negative reading doesn't necessarily mean

there are no parasites present.

His heart palpitations and dizziness continued and seemed to become

aggravated when he attempted to exercise. He went to another doctor, an

expert in intestinal disease, who recognized the symptoms immediately as

giardiasis. Another stool test was performed to make sure that the

giardia had been eradicated. It was.

While the parasites may have been removed, the damage done by them

wasn't. Intestinal permeability tests showed Bert was having trouble

absorbing nutrients and was suffering from a mineral deficiency. He was

given a multiple vitamin and mineral supplement. Within a month Bert

reported a 90 percent reduction in heart palpitations and dizziness and

was able to resume his favorite sports. It took nine months on high

doses of supplements for his body to recover completely from the damage

caused by the giardia infection.

It was assumed that Bert became infected with giardia while he was in

the wilderness, but that may not be so. Tap water can also be a source

of contamination. The water treatment process doesn't remove all

contaminants and parasites. Single-celled organisms such as

cryptosporidium and giardia are particularly troublesome because they

can often slip through water purification treatments unharmed. Since

these organisms are protected by a tough outer coat, the chlorine added

to municipal water supplies to kill germs has little effect on them.

Because of their small size, very fine filters are needed to trap them,

and complete elimination of these parasites from tap water isn't

possible. Drinking-water regulations are designed to reduce, but not

necessarily eliminate, parasite contamination; so even water systems

that meet government standards may not be free of parasites. Water

supplies must be constantly monitored to detect levels above acceptable

limits, even then there exists the potential for giardia infection. The

most susceptible are those who have a weak immune system incapable of

mounting an effective defense against the organism. This is seen mostly

in the very young and the elderly and those affected with other

immune-suppressing illnesses such as AIDS.

Giardia and cryptosporidium normally live in the digestive tracts of

many mammals. Public water supplies can become infected with these

organisms when they are contaminated by sewage or animal waste. Although

you may not hear about it, outbreaks occur all the time, usually in

smaller cities and occasionally in large metropolitan areas. In 1998 the

three million residents of Sydney, Australia were advised by the Health

Department to boil all their tap water because high concentrations of

giardia and cryptosporidium were detected in the city's water supply. In

this instance most people were spared from infection because they were

warned in time.

Unsafe water is an embarrassment to the water department of any city and

sometimes officials are unwilling to admit that a problem exists until

it's too late. This is apparently what happened in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

in 1993. A breakdown in water sanitation permitted cryptosporidium to

contaminate the city's drinking water for a week. As a result, a hundred

people died and 400,000 suffered stomach cramps, diarrhea, and fever

that are characterized by the parasite. Recent outbreaks have occurred

in several cities in California, Colorado, Montana, New York,

Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts to name just a few.

Cryptosporidium is believed to be in 65 to 97 percent of the nation's

surface waters (rivers, lakes, and streams), according to the Centers

for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). About half of our tap water

comes from treated surface water. Giardia is a much bigger problem. It

is commonly found in the pre-treated water system used by some 40

million Americans and has caused epidemics in several small cities.

Giardiasis ranks among the top 20 infectious diseases that cause the

greatest morbidity in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. It is the most

common parasite diagnosed in North America. The CDC estimates that two

million Americans contract giardiasis every year.1

Giardia can live in a variety of water sources: streams, ponds, puddles,

tap water, and swimming pools. Infection is spread by contact with an

infected source. You don't have to drink contaminated water to become

infected. Giardiasis can spread by sexual contact, poor personal

hygiene, hand-to-mouth contact, and from food handlers who don't wash

their hands thoroughly. If hands are exposed to contaminated water,

animals, people, or faeces (e.g., litter boxes, diapers) it could spread

to you. Shoes can come in contact with animal droppings and bring it

inside the home. Veterinary studies have shown that up to 13 percent of

dogs are infected. Any pet can become a source of infection for humans

although they may not show signs of infection.

Infection can come from the most unsuspected sources. One family

get-together proved this point. A few days after a party 25 people who

attended reported gastrointestinal distress. They were all found to be

infected with giardia. On investigation, suspicion fell on the fruit

salad. It was discovered that the salad became infected by the food

preparer who hadn't properly washed her hands. She had a diapered child

and a pet rabbit at home both of which tested positive to giardia.

A study at s Hopkins Medical School a few years ago showed

antibodies against giardia in 20 percent of randomly chosen blood

samples from patients in the hospital. This means that at least 20

percent of these patients had been infected with giardia at some time in

their lives and had mounted an immune response against the parasite.

Giardia is rampant in day-care centers. A study in 1983 showed 46

percent of those who were infected were associated with day-care centers

or had contact with diaper-age children. It is estimated that 20 to 30

percent of workers in day-care centers harbour giardia.2 In a study

done in Denver, Colorado with 236 children attending day-care centers,

it was found that 38 (16%) were infected.3

Symptoms of infection are similar to those of the flu and often

misdiagnosed. We don't usually think of parasites when be feel " under

the weather. " I wonder how many times when the " flu " goes around that

the real cause is parasites in the water supply? Symptoms vary. In acute

cases symptoms are usually most severe and can include any of the

following listed in order of prevalence:

§ Diarrohoea Headaches

§ Malaise (a sense of ill being) Anorexia

§ Weakness Abdominal Bloating

§ Abdominal Cramps Flatulence

§ Weight Loss Constipation

§ Greasy, foul-smelling stools Vomiting

§ Nausea Fever

Infection can persist for weeks or months if left untreated. Some people

undergo a more chronic phase that can last for many months. Chronic

cases are characterized by loose stools and increased abdominal gasiness

with cramping, depression, fatigue and weight loss. Some people may have

some symptoms and not others while some may not have any symptoms at all.

Giardiasis can be mistaken for a number of other conditions including

the flu, irritable bowel syndrome, allergies, and chronic fatigue

syndrome. Many people are diagnosed and treated for these other

conditions without finding relief.

Even if giardia is diagnosed and treated, it can damage the intestinal

lining causing chronic health problems that persist for years after the

parasite is gone. Food allergies, including lactose (milk) intolerance

can develop. Damaged intestinal tissues become leaky. This is often

referred to as leaky gut syndrome. Toxins, bacteria, and incompletely

digested foods are able to pass through the intestinal wall into the

bloodstream, initiating an immune response. Sinus congestion, aches and

pains, headaches, swelling, and inflammation--all typical symptoms of

allergies--are the result.

Loss of intestinal integrity can lead to gastrointestinal discomfort

known as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Dr. Leo Galland, an expert in

gastrointestinal disease, demonstrated that out of a group of 200

patients with chronic diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, and

bloating, half of them were infected with giardia. Most of these

patients had been told they had irritable bowel syndrome. He notes that

parasitic infection is a common event among patients with chronic

gastrointestinal symptoms and many people are given a diagnosis of

irritable bowel syndrome without a thorough evaluation.

Another consequence of poor intestinal integrity is fatigue resulting

from malabsorption of important nutrients. If the condition persists it

can lead to chronic fatigue syndrome. A giardia infection can be so

draining on the immune system that it causes fatigue. Again the cause is

often misdiagnosed. A giardia epidemic in Placerville, California, for

example, was mysteriously followed by an epidemic of chronic fatigue

syndrome. In 1991 Dr. Galland and colleagues published a study of 96

patients with chronic fatigue and demonstrated active giardia infection

in 46 percent. In another study of 218 patients whose chief complaint

was chronic fatigue, Dr. Galland found that 61 patients were infected

with giardia.4 His conclusion is that giardia may be an important cause

of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Coconut oil may provide an effective defense against many troublesome

parasites including giardia. Like bacteria and fungi, giardia can't

stand up against MCFA found in coconut oil. Research has confirmed the

effectiveness of MCFA in destroying giardia and possibly other

protozoa.5,6,7 By using coconut oil and other coconut products every

day, you may be able to destroy giardia before it can establish a

toehold. In so doing you also eliminate the possibility of developing

food allergies, chronic fatigue, and other related symptoms. If you're

currently troubled with these conditions, coconut oil used liberally

with meals may provide a source of relief. Because MCFA are quickly

absorbed by the tissues and converted into energy it seems logical that

those suffering from chronic fatigue would gain a great deal of benefit.

Foods prepared with coconut oil, or even fresh coconut make a great

energy booster.

Another possible use for coconut is for the removal of intestinal worms.

In India it has been used to get rid of tapeworms. In one study it was

reported that treatment with dried coconut, followed by magnesium

sulfate (a laxative), caused ninety percent parasite expulsion after

twelve hours.8 The authors of some pet books apparently have had

success with coconut and recommend feeding animals ground coconut as a

means to expel intestinal parasites. In India coconut oil is rubbed into

the scalp as a treatment to remove head lice.

Tapeworms, lice, giardia, candida, bacteria, viruses, and germs of all

sorts can be eliminated or at least held in check with coconut oil. For

infections and intestinal complaints it seems like coconut oil is one of

the best natural medicines you can use.

References

1. Crook, W., 1985. The Yeast Connection. Professional Books

2. Anonymous, 1998. Summertime blues: It's giardia season Journal of

Environmental Health, Jul/Aug, Vol 61, p 51

3. Galland, L. 1999. Colonies within: allergies from intestinal

parasites. Total Health Vol 21, Issue 2, p. 24

4. Novotny, T.E., et al. 1990. Prevalence of Giardia lamblia and risk

factors for infection among children attending day-care...Public Health

Reports 105:4

5. Galland, L. and Leem, M. 1990. Giardia lamblia infection as a cause

of chronic fatigue. Journal of Nutritional Medicine 1:27

6. Hemell, O., et al. 1986. Killing of Giardia lamblia by human milk

lipases: an effect mediated by lipolysis of milk lipids. Journal of

Infectious Diseases 153:715

7. Reiner, D.S., et al. 1986. Human milk kills Giardia lamblia by

generating toxic lipolytic products. Journal of Infectious Diseases 154:825

8. Crouch, A. A., et al. 1991. Effect of human milk and infant milk

formulae on adherence of Giardia intestinalis. Transactions of the Royal

Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 85:617

[Guest guest]

Great article.. I've heard tons of good things about

coconut oil. I'll be getting some this weekend.

Anyone else have good experiences with coconut oil to

share?

Luv,

Debby

San , CA

--- nieema <nieema0@...> wrote:

>

> Parasites and Virgin Coconut Oil - Research

> References

>

Website for my son Hunter Hudson, born 10/11/04:

http://debbypadilla.0catch.com/hunter/

Got Low Carb Inspiration? Find some here!

lowcarbinspiration/

[Guest guest]

Hi Debby

I credit the coconut and coconut oil (and getting off 'polyunsaturated'

fats) with the healing of my uterus, bowel and sinuses

I found the coconut oil works good taking 1 - 2 teaspoonfull with the

protein part of the meal. Better yet you can cook your eggs, etc. with it.

You can eat up to 8 tablespoons of it a day but excess will 'wash' out of

your system.

--nh

From: Debby Padilla-Hudson <debbypadilla@...>

Subject: Re: Parasites and Virgin Coconut Oil-Research References

Great article.. I've heard tons of good things about

coconut oil. I'll be getting some this weekend.

Anyone else have good experiences with coconut oil to

share?

Luv,

Debby

San , CA

--- nieema <nieema0@...> wrote:

>

> Parasites and Virgin Coconut Oil - Research

> References

>