The word parasites 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."

Climate and sanitary conditions breed parasites, of course, and then they are spread throughout the world. International travel spreads them, as well as the return of armed services personnel from overseas. Within a country, parasites find a home in contaminated municipal and rural water supplies and in household pets, not to mention in farm animals. Finally, the increase of daycare centers has proven to be a transmission place.

How Do I Know If I Have Parasites?

According to Ann Louise Gittleman, a certified nutritionist who has worked with parasite patients, a parasite infection can 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 that not only do parasites result in symptoms such as those listed above, but that they also may be responsible for a number of other health problems. Gittleman says "I have observed that many unexplained health conditions often disappeared when parasites were eliminated from the body. These conditions included environmental illness, skin problems, digestive problems, excessive fatigue, hypoglycemia, arthritic-like aches and pains, long-standing obesity, and even depression."

How Can Parasites Hurt You?

Parasites can damage the host's body in a number of ways. They can:

• Destroy cells faster than cells can be regenerated.
• Produce toxic substances.
• Irritate body tissue.
• Invade body tissue, including the skin and intestinal lining.
• Put pressure on body organs.
• Depress immune system function while activating immune system response.
• Cause nutrient malabsorption.