Are you at risk for parasites?
By Mercedes Kay Gold, CNP, CPT
Parasites are organisms that live on or inside another living organism. For this article, it’s the scads of scary options who live on the inside, and feed on our nutrients, causing bodily harm.
There are several ways to become a host to pesky parasites.
Read through the list carefully. Are you at risk?
Unwashed Fruits and Vegetables can carry microscopic ova or eggs. This is very common since piles of produce can be grown in contaminated soil. Contaminated water also increases the odds for parasites. Eating garden fresh produce especially from one’s own backyard patch is a proud moment but parasite eggs are sticky, and love leafy greens and berries. Washing produce is preventive but plain water isn’t overly effective. Soaking produce in baking soda or a veggie wash is more beneficial.
Tap water contains scads of scary ingredients from fluoride to chlorine to antidepressants to birth control residue but parasites can be present here, too. Invest in a first-rate filtration system. Fast fact; parasite cysts can survive chlorine treatment.
Earthing is energizing. Walking barefoot in the sand, soil and water connects us with the earth’s electromagnetic field, lowering inflammation in the body but can be a breeding ground for a bevy of organisms.
Are you a proud parent to a fur baby? Pets are common carriers of hookworms, roundworms and toxoplasmosis to name a few.
Kids should be off social media and playing in the great outdoors but keeping dirty hands away from eyes and the mouth is key. Ingesting soil or sand is a huge no. It’s a common carrier for parasites, thanks to pet fecal matter.
Super sushi fans beware! Sushi-grade fish doesn’t mean parasite-free.
Whether you choose to eat raw dishes like steak tartare, a blue steak or undercooked ground beef, lamb or pork, parasites are prevalent. Undercooking fish, especially salmon and tuna are parasite problematic as well.
The world is dirty. Think of all the contaminated surfaces you touch daily. Parasites can survive for hours on surfaces. How many door handles did you touch today? Did you go to the gym and workout? Did you pump gas? Use a public bathroom? Visit a friend’s house for dinner? Keep in mind, a clean house can have parasites present.
It’s summertime fun time. Mosquitoes, sandflies, ticks, fleas, and mites can also transmit parasites. Beware of insect bites. Wear natural bug repellent just in case.
After reading this piece, could you have parasites? Whether you answer yes or no, start snacking on raw pumpkin seeds for parasite cleansing.
Stay tuned next month for more on symptoms of parasites and natural cleanses.
Mercedes Kay Gold is a Certified Personal Trainer and Certified Holistic Nutritionist who loves helping others live their best life when not spending time with her children and grandson, Theodore. She can be reached at mercedeskaygoldfitness@gmail.com
Photo credit: © piola666 via Canva.com
