The common misconception that parasites are a problem only in third world countries is, to be frank, outdated, archaic, and downright damaging. Ask any veterinarian and he/she will tell you that the soil, surface water, as well as both wild and domesticated animals here in America are just as infested with parasites as any place else in the world. Scientists agree. So doesn’t it make sense that we humans are affected as well?
How Do We Ingest Parasites?
The most common way we become infected with parasites is by eating or drinking them. Failing to properly wash the produce we consume is one way (fortunately, there are simple ways to mitigate that damage such as Dr. Parcells’ Food Cleansing Bath). Eating undercooked meats and fish may mean you get an unwelcome serving of tapeworms or their eggs, often present in these foods. Certain parasites like Cryptosporidium and Giardia can resist chemical and filtration processes in our municipal water supplies. A good water filtration system is a great place to start and should be first on your list of healthy things you can do for you and your family.Walking barefoot outdoors, digging in the dirt with your hands while gardening, etc., while beneficial to the body, can also be an unintentional welcome mat for roundworms to penetrate the skin. Be sure to wash thoroughly after these activities. Insects such as mosquitoes and ticks are well known to carry a slew of parasitic organisms, including Lyme. Allowing your beloved dog or cat to lick you is not the best practice, as they can transmit the parasites they host… to you.
