Parasitic worms for breakfast - yum!

[Guest guest]

Parasitic worms - s cure for some autoimmune diseases and allergies: http://www.technologyreview.com/biomedicine/25017/?a=f...Because parasitic worms coevolved with us for the vast majority of human history (even mummies have them), they likely evolved ways to turn down the immune system just enough to permit their survival without severely harming their hosts. "I think the consensus, if there is one, is that chronic worm infections induce an immunoregulatory response in the body," says Mitre. "Exactly how that immunoregulatory milieu is set up remains unknown."In fact, the IgE system may have evolved as a way to keep parasites in check. As our environment became cleaner and infection more rare, at least in rich countries, pollen and food allergies may have developed as collateral damage. By studying these organisms, "we may be getting at the basic pathophysiology of these diseases," says Weinstock. "In terms of drug discovery, this is a major unexplored area. But it's hard to know if a single component of worms will ever work as well as worms themselves." ...

[Guest guest]

Hi Mara,

My b-i-l just told me about a physician named Jasper Lawrence who had to flee

the country because the FDA was after him for using this treatment for people

with IBD with quite good success. I believe he is still not able to practice in

the states.

Goggle him for more info.

Sherry

P.S.-update: my son is still not doing the diet, but I read the posts daily and

continue to learn so when he's ready, I'll be ready. :=)

>

> Parasitic worms - s cure for some autoimmune diseases and allergies:

>

> http://www.technologyreview.com/biomedicine/25017/?a=f

>

> ...Because parasitic worms coevolved with us for the vast majority of human

history (even mummies have them), they likely evolved ways to turn down the

immune system just enough to permit their survival without severely harming

their hosts. " I think the consensus, if there is one, is that chronic worm

infections induce an immunoregulatory response in the body, " says Mitre.

" Exactly how that immunoregulatory milieu is set up remains unknown. "

>

> In fact, the IgE system may have evolved as a way to keep parasites in check.

As our environment became cleaner and infection more rare, at least in rich

countries, pollen and food allergies may have developed as collateral damage. By

studying these organisms, " we may be getting at the basic pathophysiology of

these diseases, " says Weinstock. " In terms of drug discovery, this is a major

unexplored area. But it's hard to know if a single component of worms will ever

work as well as worms themselves. " ...

>