Intestinal Parasitic Helminths - Friend or Foe?

Five years ago today upon the morn of Litha (Summer Solstice) I discovered a substantial parasitic helminth infection in my intestines. My world ended. Time stopped. Everything fell apart. I fell apart. But… I had inner resources, cultivated when younger. I tapped into these intrinsic skills of grit, resilience and determination to help get me through the infection.

With two years of academic training in Nutritional Therapy (a mere novice by all accounts) I set sail on what turned out to be an epic voyage through the entire length of my intestines. Re-wiring my nervous system and mind en route; completely transforming the communication system between my gut and brain; improving my skin and energy levels; reducing depression and anxiety; leading to a clearer, happier, calmer version of me. The model I was running pre-infectious disease had less clarity and energy; more skin complaints and stress. The version I am operating post-infectious disease runs like a dream- no brain fog, high energy levels, great skin and zero anxiety.

I can help you

*You can become a healthier, happier version of you with my expert guidance in diet, nutrition and rebalancing the gut microbiome.*

On my journey to recovery I received expert advice from an Infectious Disease Consultant who specialises in hard to diagnose conditions- as helminths are. I was supported by a Nutritional Therapist to help me address nutritional deficiencies affecting my gut function and provide me with a personalised diet plan to begin rebuilding my gut ecosystem and optimise my immune function.

As I progressed through my academic Nutritional Therapy studies and continued on my pathway to full health I expanded my knowledge of the gut microbiome- the beneficial bacteria that inhabit the gut which provide 75-80% human immunity. I took part in lots of additional nutrition training to learn more about the finer workings of gut function and the various specimens that reside within, not only limited to bacteria. I completed training in SIBO, gut dysbiosis, IBD, IBS and an accredited NTEC course for nutrition and cancer which looked closely at the gut microbiome, cancer and nutrition.

I completed raw food masterclasses and dehydration. I developed an advanced understanding of the various fibres found in plant foods that support growth and maintenance of a healthy microbiome. I discovered the importance of consuming a variety of raw and cooked vegetables (fibre) for optimum gut function. Importantly I found that in the presence of ‘gut dysbiosis’ (an imbalance in the bacteria that inhabit the gut) that fibre is personalised to the individual and it must be introduced gradually in a staged and supervised process to monitor any adverse side effects.

*Work with me to optimise your gut function and recover from digestive imbalances.*

*I will personalise your diet to help you feel better.*

I became my own ‘gut detective’. I walked down the intestinal microvilli corridors with flashlight in hand, uncovering all of the answers with a full nutritional analysis of my food diary; comprehensive micronutrient testing of key vitamins and minerals involved in gut function. And… my most treasured weapon- a GI Stool Map, which is an assessment of gut function and all of the organisms that reside within; combined with personalised probiotics. Probiotics can support a healthy microbiome, but daily feeding with diversity of dietary fibre will support the ecosystem to thrive.

Why is this important to a helminth infection? Perhaps because helminths are meant to be residence in the human intestines too and play a role in the ecosystem of the gut. Indeed helminths are used therapeutically around the world to reverse the signs of autoimmune conditions, such as MS, in medically supervised ‘helminth therapy’. But like any organism residing in the gut they should be at a ‘manageable level’ i.e. a level at which one doesn’t notice any symptoms- such as inflamed skin, excessive ear wax, pimples on the appendages, gas like rotten eggs, cracks at the corner of the mouth, loose stools, constipation, itching, increased stress and anxiety, mood disturbances or brain fog.

You don’t have to suffer in your gut health

*I offer Personalised Nutrition to support your gut function, Health Coaching to help you remove barriers to changing your diet and empathy to guide you on your journey to recovery.*

Why do helminths become over-populated?

Low diversity and intake of fibre
Extreme stress / stressful event
Depression & anxiety
Antibiotics
Alcohol
Added sugar
Historical trauma
Nutritional deficiencies
A high toxic load from dietary/lifestyle/environmental triggers
Lack of sleep / sleep deprivation
Gut dysbiosis

Supervised medication cycles may be required in the presence of a heavy parasite burden of the intestines, such as Enterobiasis. Specialist medical guidance is vital (although hard to come by as helminths are poorly understood).

Parallel to conventional treatment Personalised Nutritional Therapy is required to optimise gut function and immunity; address nutritional deficiencies and guide lifestyle modifications to reduce stress- all in the effort of rebuilding the gut ecosystem and crowd out the helminths. When the gut immune system and liver are functioning optimally the body may remove helminths naturally with the passageway of food. It’s not advisable to go looking for them however, as even in the presence of an extremely heavy parasite burden they are rarely seen in stools- confirmed by an Infectious Disease Consultant at The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

Helminths may be hard to diagnose by an Infectious Disease professional. But with the correct medical and nutritional guidance it is possible to recover from these opportunists and move towards a brighter and happier, pest-free future. Which is where I am now; ready to help you recover from parasite infections or imbalances in your intestines that are causing you to suffer.