Did anyone else see the program last night called Body Snatchers?? It was about parasites and the majority of it was pretty horrifying, but there was an interesting part at the end about Allergies.
Doctors are researching using certain types of Gut Worms to combat various Allergies and conditions caused by allergic reactions, such as Asthma!! YUK I hear you cry, but wait until you hear the reasoning behind it…..
The research has shown that in an area of Africa where children have not been treated for worms (can’t remember which type) there are practically NO allergies…. But a year after treatment these children have developed allergies to various things.
The theory is simple: It is well documented that in order for some parasites to survive in our gut they have to suppress out immune systems. This stops our body producing an immune response and attacking the parasite. An efficient parasite wants to live in perfect harmony with your body and it seems these worms have developed a way to do it. The worst problems these particular worms cause is Anaemia , but this only happens in 3rd world country where diet is poor and malnutrition is common. If someone in Britain with a perfectly healthy normal diet had these worms they would suffer no ill effects.
Is it a case that we have developed an interdependency with these worms??? This would explain the HUGE increase in the occurance of Allergies over the last 20 yrs as worm infections dramatically decrease.
A British man has infected himself with worms (wish I could remember the species!!) to backup his research and his Hay Fever has completely disappeared! An American Professor is also researching the possibility of using these worms to combat Auto-immune diseases, where the bodies own immune systems turns on itself. The woman used as a case study suffered for a bowel disease that was incurable. She would be running to the toilet with severe diahorrea 7 – 10 times a DAY! Even though she was on 16 tablets her white cells still attacked the gut wall and made them bleed. OUCH!
Every week now she swallows these microscopic parasitic worm eggs and since then has been able to lead a practically normal life. She has also had her medication halfed.
Very interesting and pretty logical when you think about it!! I’m sure there must be a website on it. Anybody know?