The health benefits of parasites?

[Guest guest]

I thought this was interesting

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7618568.stm

Nematode worms secrete a substance which is extremely

anti-inflammatory and prevents people in the tropics from getting

diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.

If the worms didn't produce this substance...people would develop

inflammation diseases like elephantiasis from the worms.

There is obviously downsides to having worms as well...

-

[Guest guest]

I found a story a long time ago about a man who had such bad asthma

he had a poor quality of life. He did a lot of research on it and

got the idea that if he had parasites, it would help modulate his

immune system and relieve his asthma. He even picked the type of

parasite he wanted to have, and went to Africa or somewhere to get

them (from an open latrine!). It really worked well for him and at

least back then he was selling cultures of them for other asthmatics

who wanted to give it a try. It has a lifecycle such that they will

all die out over several months if not regularly reintroduced. I

think it was a kind of hookworm or pinworm or something.

I just found it: http://www.kuro5hin.org/story/2006/4/30/91945/8971

--- In , " gdawson6 " <gdawson6@...>

wrote:

>

> I thought this was interesting

>

> http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7618568.stm

>

> Nematode worms secrete a substance which is extremely

> anti-inflammatory and prevents people in the tropics from getting

> diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.

>

> If the worms didn't produce this substance...people would develop

> inflammation diseases like elephantiasis from the worms.

>

> There is obviously downsides to having worms as well...

>

> -

>