paradox of parasites - health-promoting parasites

March 1, 2002

Hello,

I've been lurking on this list for a few months and have enjoyed all the

wonderful information. I'm a bit oversubscribed to various lists, which is

why I haven't been posting here - but I do read and enjoy the posts.

As a brief intro, I have been studying canine nutrition informally for about

a year and a half, and own a small private email list dedicated to advanced

topics in canine and feline nutrition. Recently, I've become interested in

human nutrition. I have Dr. Price's book, NT, and " Know Your Fats " among

other nutrition-related books. I also attended a meeting of my local chapter

of the Price Foundation recently here in Maine and will continue as I'm

interested in the NT/Price approach to health/nutrition.

Now back to the subject line. I recently read an article re treating IBD

with worms: http://www.ccfa.org/medcentral/research/clinical/wkly0827.htm

I got one of the researcher's email address (Dr. Weinstock) and asked

where I could read further about his research. He emailed me tWo research

studies, the first a Word doc titled " Trichuris suis APPEARS TO BE SAFE AND

POSSIBLY EFFECTIVE IN THE TREATMENT OF INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE " and the

second a PDF titled, " Does the failure to acquire helminthic parasites

predispose to Crohn's Disease? "

Is anyone familiar with the 'Worm Hypothesis'? The basic hypothesis is that

peoples in industrialized nations who live in very hygienic environments

have A much higher incidence of IBD than those living in developing nations

and tropical climates (where helminths are common). The researchers showed

experimentally how helminths in the gut prevent inflammation and lead to

resistance to diseases - viral, bacterial, etc. The authors state that both

helminths and their eggs stimulate a Th2 response which regulates immune

reactions to " unrelated parasitic, bacterial and viral infections. " And so,

we, who live in overly clean environments, have lower helminth populations

in our gut, and are thus more prone to gut problems such as IBD, Crohn's,

etc.

I'm sure there's much more to be learned about the benefits of parasites,

but this research suggests, to me at least, that the notion of parasites as

simply 'bad' or harmful is not true. Perhaps *certain* parasites in the

*right* quantity are beneficial, and even, possibly, necessary for optimal

health..? It would be interesting to know more about the gut ecology of our

pre-industrial ancestors. As with primitive nutrition, *perhaps* it could

serve as a model of better health for us moderns.

MORE INFO

Interview with Dr. Weinstock

http://ibd.patientcommunity.com/features/weinstock.cfm?link_id=1786

Does the failure to acquire helminthic parasites predispose to Crohn’s

disease?

http://www.fasebj.org/cgi/content/full/14/12/1848

Will Helminths Become the Future Treatment for Inflammatory Bowel Disease?

http://www.uihealthcare.com/news/currents/vol2issue1/1helminths.html

Iowa Researchers Unearth Potential Treatment for IBD: Intestinal Worms

http://www.ccfa.org/weekly/previous/wkly0827.htm

Diet of worms solves gut problems

http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/health/newsid_412000/412142.stm

Suze Fisher

Web Design & Development

http://www.suscom-maine.net/~cfisher/

mailto:cfisher@...

March 2, 2002

Earth Dragon extract is a very good treatment for Cohn's and BID. It's one

common example of how parasites alter the immune system of the host. In this

case a shift toward cell-mediated immunity, (which is deal if you have HIV or

CFIDS) and away from humeral immunity - because humeral immunity kills parasites

and extracellular bacteria. If you were injured suddenly and developed a septic

wound, being Th-1 dominant would accelerate your demise. There must be a

balance.

Are you beginning to see now how these critters work? They survive by altering

the immune system. Eons of evolution have taught them exactly which chemicals to

secrete to do the job. They know you better than anyone! But there are far more

dangerous manipulations than the Earth Dragon example. I'm *not* being critical

of anyone who wants to eat raw foods. It is more nutritious! But parasites can

pose health risks and I cannot understand why I'd be criticized for saying that.

Its pretty much common sense whether you have a microbiology degree or not.

Rose

----- Original Message -----

From: Suze Fisher

Sent: Friday, March 01, 2002 3:56 PM

Subject: paradox of parasites - health-promoting parasites