Parasites and Autoimmune: What’s the Connection?

I’ve always had a sneaking suspicion that parasites were one of the factors involving autoimmune conditions.

Take rheumatoid disease, for example. Many years ago, while I was researching for my book “Guess What Came To Dinner – Parasites and Your Health”, I discovered that Endolimax nana was linked to rheumatoid arthritis and a whole host of collagen related diseases.

This amoeba lives in the lower bowel and can travel to other parts of the body. It is the smallest of the intestinal amoebas. The most convincing research of its underestimated virulence comes from Roger Wyburn-Mason, M.D., Ph.D., a British researcher who wrote The Causation of Rheumatoid Disease and Many Human Cancers: A New Concept in Medicine.

Besides the work of Dr. Wyburn-Mason, there have been relatively few reports of Endolimax nana’s pathogenicity. Some researchers now believe that Wyburn-Mason may have misidentified the amoeba-like organism; nevertheless, they agree that some kind of organism to which many individuals have become genetically susceptible causes rheumatoid arthritis.

These parasites are known to migrate and encyst in joint fluids, and worms can encyst in muscles. Once this happens, pain becomes evident and is often assumed to be caused by arthritis. Joint and muscle pain and inflammation are also the result of tissue damage caused by some parasites or the body’s ongoing immune response to their presence.

Endolimax nana is typically a non-pathogenic amoeba found in most people’s intestines. However, while it is harmless in many people, it can cause problems in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. A case study published in the early 1980s reports on a participant who had both intestinal symptoms and joint pain. The participant was also found to be positive for Endolimax nana and subsequent eradication of the infection cleared up both his intestinal symptoms and joint pain. As well, the study found that the participant went from testing positive for rheumatoid arthritis to negative after the study.

Why would microscopic “vampires” like Endolimax nana and other protozoans be so virulent?

• They have the ability to intensely reproduce, take over the intestinal tract of their host, and move on to other organs and tissues.
• They destroy cells in the body faster than cells can be regenerated, thereby creating an imbalance that results in ulceration, perforation, or anemia.
• They produce toxic substances that are harmful to the body. In cases of chronic infection, the body’s immune response can be pushed into overdrive, producing elevated levels of eosinophils, which can cause tissue damage that results in pain and inflammation.
• The presence of parasites irritates the tissues of the body, inducing an inflammatory reaction on the part of the host.
  They invade the intestinal tract and create malabsorption of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, and especially vitamins A and B-12.
• Some parasites invade the body by penetrating the skin, producing dermatitis. During their developmental stage, other parasites perforate and damage the intestinal lining.
• The size and/or weight of the parasitic cysts, particularly if they are located in the brain, spinal cord, eyes, heart, or bones, produces pressure effects on these organs. Obstruction, particularly of the intestine and pancreatic and bile ducts, can also occur.
• The presence of parasites depresses the immune system while activating the immune response. This can eventually lead to immune system exhaustion.

I estimate at least 20 million people across the U.S. have some form of protozoa living inside of them. Besides Endolimax nana, common protozoa include Giardia lamblia, Entamoeba histolytica, Cryptosporidium parvum, Blastocystis hominis, and Cyclospora cayetanensis which are all intricately linked to some form of autoimmune disease.

So I think this is an opportunity for anyone suffering from an autoimmune illness, whether it’s rheumatoid arthritis, Hashimoto’s, Graves’ disease, MS, Crohn’s disease, Celiac, lupus, chronic fatigue, or any of the other number of autoimmune issues that are so prevalent today, to embark on a parasite cleanse. In fact, I suggest parasite cleansing quarterly, at the start of each season.

My favorite parasite cleanse is the one that I created years ago and it still works wonders. UNI KEY Health’s My Colon Cleansing Kit combination of pH-balanced, gentle herbs and probiotics is soothing while being highly effective. This 30-day cleanse helps target everything from microscopic parasites to large worms, while supporting your intestinal microbiome with healthy bacteria that help boost your immune system.

It’s essential that when you start a cleanse, you see it all the way through and don’t stop before the 30 days is over. Parasites may not entirely be gone when you are feeling better; there could be eggs waiting to hatch or you may be between their life cycles. And it’s important that everyone in the household – including pets – cleanses at the same time. Parasites can be passed easily from person-to-person or pets through food prep, kissing, sleeping together, or even toilet seats.

You can get more information about parasites and cleansing from my YouTube channel. I have two videos that I think you’ll find helpful: Intestinal Parasites 101: Inside a Hidden Epidemic – Do You Need Parasite Cleansing? and Parasite Cleansing and Colon Cleansing — Flush Them Out Fast, Naturally. Go take a look!

Over the years, I have seen a multitude of clients dramatically improve their conditions when parasites were eradicated from their systems. I feel that many individuals with unexplained health problems can benefit from a whole body parasite cleanse.