Take Precautions to Avoid Water Born Parasites

Many of us love camping and hiking in the great outdoors, especially areas with lakes and streams. However, traveling can suppress the immune system and expose you to harmful pathogens like parasites. Parasites deprive your body of necessary nutrition and cause chronic illnesses that range from mild to life-threatening.

Many people may have a parasitic infection and not be aware of it. Some blood or stool tests can detect certain types of parasites, but they can be inaccurate. In general, parasites live everywhere we eat, sleep, and play. They are on or in:

• Animals whether cattle, wild, or a pets
• Bodies of water like lakes, streams, puddles, and rivers
• Soil whether in the mountains or a lawn in the city

The parasites you need to be concerned the most about are aquatic parasites. They can find their way into a host through a variety of ways, but the most common ways are through contaminated food or water. The top three waterborne parasites that can cause serious damage to the intestinal tract are:

1. Cyclospora cayetanensis: Can result in explosive bowel movements and diarrhea
2. Giardia lamblia: Causes diarrhea, greasy stools that float, and upset stomach
3. Cryptosporidium parvum: Causes watery diarrhea and other digestive upset

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms and have been in or consumed contaminated water, you may have one or more of these parasites. Still, many people harbor some form of parasite that doesn’t result in symptoms.

A parasite cleansing is generally beneficial for most everyone. You can begin a detox protocol easily.