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Digestive problems comprise the number one health problem in North America. These concerns, encompassing everything from hemorrhoids to colon cancer, result in more time lost—at work, school, and play—than any other health problem. They also appear to be occurring with much more frequency—while many of them were almost unheard of in our grandparents’ times, they are cropping up more and more and at an earlier and earlier age.
A digestive concern we should all be aware of is the increasing prevalence of parasites. We need to understand the effect parasites may have on the digestive system and what we can do to maintain a parasite-free system.
Features
Although North Americans often consider parasites something to only worry about when traveling, this is not true. As long ago as 1976, a nationwide survey in the United States by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealed that one in every six people selected at random had one or more parasites. It is quite possible that we are hosting a dinner party for many types of parasites.
An Internet homepage, Parasites of Vertebrates, by the Department of Nematology, University of California at Davis, states that 900 million people worldwide and some 4 to 15 percent of the population in the southeastern United States are infected with hookworm. Some one billion people (º of the world’s population) are infected with roundworm, and 500 million people worldwide are infected with pinworm. In the United States, estimates of those infected with pinworm range from 10 to 35 percent of the population.
How did this happen? Climate and sanitary conditions breed parasites worldwide, and they find a home in contaminated municipal and rural water supplies, household pets, and daycare centers. They are also spread throughout the world via international travel.
What are parasites?
The word parasite comes from the Greek para, meaning "beside," and sitos, meaning "food." This means "an animal or plant that lives on or in another organism from which it obtains nutrients." Some parasites are larger than bacteria and viruses but they are usually so small that you cannot see them without a microscope. Others, such as worms, can grow quite large and can be seen with the eye. Four major groups of parasites include Protozoa (amoebas, Giardia), Nematoda (round, pin, and hookworms), Cestoda (tapeworms), and Trematoda (flukes).
Parasites enter your body in one of four ways: through food and water intake; through a transmitting agent, such as a mosquito; through sexual contact; and through the nose and skin. The parasites are often harmful. Any number of them can infect your gastrointestinal tract. Most parasites produce similar symptoms.
How do I know if I have parasites?
According to Skye Weintraub, a naturopathic physician and author of The Parasite Menace, a parasitic infection could be manifested by any number of signs. These include constipation, diarrhea, gas and bloating, irritable bowel syndrome, joint and muscle aches and pains, anemia, allergies, skin conditions, nervousness, sleep disturbances, teeth grinding, and chronic fatigue.
Many health practitioners believe not only that parasites result in symptoms such as those listed above but also that they may be responsible for a number of other health problems. Weintraub says, "Many parasites go undetected because they are not producing serious symptoms. It is easy to attribute feeling ill to other causes because parasitic infections look like lots of other conditions. I have seen other health problems disappear once the body has become parasite-free."
How can parasites hurt you?
Parasites can damage the host’s body in a number of ways. They can
Treatment
If you suspect you have parasites, a health practitioner can arrange a number of tests. These include stool tests, blood tests, tissue swabs, and more. These tests are often inconclusive. Many parasites that reside in tissue or in the blood will not be found in fecal samples. Pinworms cannot usually be seen in stools. Parasites that adhere to the gastrointestinal tract lining are very hard to find. Often, only their eggs will be passed in the stool.
If you have parasites, there are a number of things you can do. Prescription drugs are available, and they do work, but, like so many prescription drugs, they also can have many side effects. There are also natural methods of ridding the body of parasites. These generally include cleansing the intestinal tract, modifying the diet, using a substance that kills the parasites, recolonizing the intestinal bacteria, and taking preventive measures.
Prevention
There are a number of things you can do to avoid picking up parasites:
AIM Para 90 is an herbal cleansing dietary supplement. It combines a number of herbs with cleansing properties plus bromelain, a digestive enzyme.
How to use AIM Para 90
It is recommended that you use AIM Para 90 1 to 2 times per year for cleansing.Take 1 capsule 3 times per day for 10 days. Take ‡ hour before meals on an empty stomach.
Take no capsules for 3 days.
Repeat this 10 days on, 3 days off cycle. The entire program should take about 90 days (7 complete cycles).
You may increase your serving up to 8 capsules per day if you or a health practitioner believes it is necessary.
Do not use AIM Para 90 if you are pregnant or nursing.
If you have ulcers, colitis, or have had a colostomy, consult a health practitioner.
Children over 3 can use AIM Para 90 under the supervision of a health practitioner. To find the serving, divide the child’s weight by the average adult weight. In North America, this is generally figured to be 150 lb (68 kg). The resulting fraction is the fraction of the adult serving size you give to the child.
For example, for a 50 lb (22.7 kg) child, divide 50 by 150 (68 kg) to get 0.3 lb (0.3 kg), or 1/3. Use this fraction of an adult serving.
Shelf life is 3 years, unopened. Close tightly after opening and store in a cool, dry, dark place (70-75 ƒ F; 20.1-23.8 ƒ C). Do not refrigerate.
Q & A
Most people look for parasites in their stools, and many do see them. Not everyone does, however. Positive signs are a "pokey" feeling in the abdomen or an "itchy" or "crawly" sensation on the skin.
You should remember that in the process of cleansing, there may be some discomfort; parasites are not easily dislodged. Some users’ skin has broken out, and others feel nausea or somewhat tired. You may also notice increased bowel movements, looser stools, and more frequent urination.
If I have been taking AIM Herbal Fiberblend™, do I need AIM Para 90?
AIM Herbal Fiberblend does have a cleansing effect, but it will not work against as wide a range of parasites as effectively as AIM Para 90. If you have been taking AIM Herbal Fiberblend, you probably have fewer problems with parasites.
What else can I do to help the cleaning?
Many people recommend taking colonics and using a probiotic to recolonize the intestinal tract after using AIM Para 90. Others take AIM Para 90™ in conjunction with AIM Herbal Fiberblend. Digestive enzymes are also beneficial.
Is there anyone who should not use AIM Para 90?
Pregnant or nursing women should not use AIM Para 90. Very frail elderly people, children under three or frail children, and people with colon problems should consult a health practitioner.
Bromelain is in AIM Para 90. What is it?
Bromelain is a digestive enzyme that will aid the digestive process.
Herb classifications
Herbs can be classified a number of ways. The classifications are generally based on how the herbs affect the body. Following are a number of herb classifications.
Alterative: Alters (purifies) the blood.
Anthelmintic: Destroys or causes the expulsion of parasites. There are two types: vermicides and vermifuges.
Antibiotic: Inhibits the growth of or destroys bacteria or other organisms.
Antiparasitic: Destroys or inhibits parasites.
Antiseptic: Prevents or inhibits the growth of bacteria.
Antispasmodic: Used for muscular spasms, convulsions, and cramps.
Astringent: Increases tone and firmness of tissue; lessens mucus discharge.
Carminative: Stimulates expulsion of gas from gastrointestinal tract.
Laxative: Promotes bowel action.
Taeniafuge: Expels tapeworms.
Vermicide: Destroys worms without necessarily expelling them from the bowel.
Vermifuge: Expels worms from bowels.
Herbs in AIM Para 90
Following are some of the classifications of the herbs in AIM Para 90:
American Wormseed Chenopodium ambrosioides
vermifuge, anthelmintic
Black Walnut Hulls Juglans
nigra
vermicide, antiseptic, antiparasitic
Boldo Leaves Peumus boldus
alterative, antiseptic, vermifuge
Butternut Bark Juglans cineraria
alterative, laxative, anthelmintic
Clove Caryophyllus aromaticus
carminative, antiseptic
Cramp Bark Viburnum opulus
antispasmodic, astringent
Garlic Allium sativum
antibiotic, alterative, antiseptic, vermifuge,
anthelmintic
Grapefruit Seed Citrus paradisi
antibiotic, antiparasitic
Kamala Mallotus philipinensis
taeniafuge
Male Fern Root Dryopteris filix mas
vermifuge, anthelmintic, alterative
Neem Azadirachta indica
alterative, anthelmintic
Peppermint Mentha piperita
carminative, antiseptic, antispasmodic
Pumpkin Seed Cucurbita pepo
vermifuge, anthelmintic, taeniafuge
Sweet Annie Artemisia annua
vermifuge, alterative, anthelmintic
Thyme Thymus vulgaris
carminative, antiseptic
White Oak Bark Quercus alba
antiseptic, anthelmintic
Suggested Reading
Castleman, Michael. The Healing Herbs. Emmaus, PA: Rodale Press, 1991.
Gittleman, Ann Louise. Guess What Came to Dinner? Garden City Park, NY: Avery Publishing Group, Inc., 1993.
Grieve, M., and C.F. Leyel, ed. A Modern Herbal. New York, NY: Barnes & Noble, 1931, 1973, 1996.
Santillo, Humbart, N.D. Natural Healing with Herbs. 10th ed. Prescott, AZ: The Hohm Press, 1993.
http://vm.cfsan.fda.gov/~mow/intro.html (FDA: The Bad Bug Book)
www.mic.ki.se/Diseases/c3.html (Karolinska Institute: Parasitic Diseases)
Bueno, Hermann. Uninvited Guests. New Canaan, CT: Keats Publishing, Inc., 1996.
Weintraub, Skye, N.D. The Parasite Menance. Pleasant Grove, UT: Woodland Publishing, Inc., 1999.
Ask About
The Parasite Menace audio
AIM Para 90: Herbs and Parasites video
AIM Para 90 is a Digestive Health product. The complete Digestive Health line consists of AIM Herbal Fiberblend™, AIM PrepZymes™, AIM FloraFood™, and AIM Para 90™. Use these products to help yourself maintain your digestive health.
This bulletin is for information in the United States only. It has not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Copyright 2000 AIM International.
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All articles and information on this website are for educational purposes only. They are not to be regarded or relied upon as medical advice. The articles and information have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. AIM products are not intended to cure, treat, heal, mitigate, or prevent a disease or illness. Results may vary per person. Consult your health practitioner if you have health problems.
