Are Parasites Driving Your Autoimmune Or Gut Issues? | This episode is sponsored by Thrive Market and Rupa Health
You may be surprised to learn that having a parasite, in and of itself, is not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, our gut microbiome is made up of more than 500 different species of microbes, including various types of bacteria, fungi, parasites, and viruses. Some of them help us, but others are harmful. Parasitic infection can result in an individual experiencing a range of symptoms from digestive issues to muscle ache, joint pain, skin rashes, and more; it can also signal issues with a weakened immune system. In this episode, Dr. Hyman sits down with Dr. George Papanicolaou to discuss how parasites can influence our overall health, and why they sometimes trigger autoimmune disease, gut imbalance, and much more.
George Papanicolaou is a graduate of the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and is Board Certified in Family Medicine from Abington Memorial Hospital. He is also an Institute for Functional Medicine Practitioner. Upon graduation from his residency he joined the Indian Health Service. He worked on the Navajo reservation for 4 years at the Chinle Comprehensive Medical Facility where he served as the Outpatient Department Coordinator. In 2000, he founded Cornerstone Family Practice in Rowley, MA. He practiced with a philosophy centered on personal relationships and treating the whole person, not just not the disease. He called that philosophy “Whole Life Wellness”. Over time as the healthcare system made it harder for patients to receive this kind of personal care Dr. Papanicolaou decided a change was needed. He began training in Functional Medicine through the Institute of Functional Medicine. In 2015, he established Cornerstone Personal Health – a practice dedicated entirely to Functional Medicine. Dr. Papanicolaou joined The UltraWellness Center in 2017.
This episode is sponsored by Thrive Market and Rupa Health.
Thrive Market is offering all Doctor's Farmacy listeners an extra 25% off your first purchase and a free gift when you sign up for Thrive Market. Just head over to thrivemarket.com/Hyman.
Rupa Health is a place for Functional Medicine practitioners to access more than 2,000 specialty lab tests from over 20 labs like DUTCH, Vibrant America, Genova, Great Plains, and more. You can check out a free live demo with a Q&A or create an account at RupaHealth.com.
In this conversation, Dr. Hyman and Dr. Papanicolaou discuss:
• The connection between the immune system and parasitic infection
• The most common parasites and how you get them
• Patient cases they have treated
• When parasites can be helpful
• Common symptoms of having a parasite
• Testing and diagnosing for parasites
• Treating parasites with herbs and pharmaceuticals
• The possible role of over-sanitization and parasitic infection, autoimmune issues, and other chronic health issues
• Using parasitic worm therapy (i.e. helminth therapy) to treat autoimmune issues, asthma, allergies, and more
Additional Resources:
Missing Microbes: How the Overuse of Antibiotics Is Fueling Our Modern Plagues
An Epidemic of Absence: A New Way of Understanding Allergies and Autoimmune Diseases
Important topic
For a second, thought this was John Malkovich. Very interesting.
Thank you for this wide variety of info! So refreshing to hear you discussing alternative treatments and not primarily pharmaceutical use. What do you recommend for gut issues starting after antibiotic use?
‘…it’s mainstream…but we are not really using it’ – is that because the inertia of medicine is mostly maintained by big pharma?
The moment he said “god made parasites” I’m gone. That’s an ignorant statement for a plethora of reasons
Really? Such as?
You can replace God with nature/ universe etc
@Florida Libra It exposes a flaw in his logic & reasoning and I honestly don’t have the time to list all the ways claiming “god created parasites” is just plain wrong
Hi Doc, thanks for all the information. Could you please make a detailed video on Leaky Gut, Psoriasis & Candida
My self and my three daughters are all suffering form very low energy. We all have thyroid issues. All three daughters have acid reflux Change in diet help some. I’m turning 65 and am eligible for Medicare .What kind of care do they give? All I have are doctor bills. No help at all!!
Will there ever be any actual doctors who will want help and don’t cost your life savings.
Start to eat a wide variety of vegetables, as many types as you can also fermented foods like pickles, saurkraut etc
You will experience massively changes
@Amit Asthana No, eat meat.
@Carol Blair eat meat. AIP or keto/carnivore, minus the dairy. some can tolerate butter. There’s hope with diet changes.
Cruciferous veggies on daily basis, dark, leafy greens (except spinach and some other) and white meat (sometimes: twice a week) diet is your savior
Dr Natasha Campbell McBride
Are alcoholics more prone to autoimmune disorders?
Yes, especially if they have stress
Boy, it’s hard to stay tuned into a medical conversation that starts with “because God made them “
Can not having a gallbladder lead to autoimmune diseases?
Lost me at God made parasites. Prove it! And which God made them?
Had giardia. Awful. Treated with high doses of anti-biotics and was then sick for 12 years. Wiped out my micro-biome and then developed intestinal candida which no doctor could diagnose. Saved myself with a low carb diet (Atkins). Sick 12 years and better in 5 days when I removed all carbs.
Great talk. Thank-you. Lots of valuable information. As I listen I can’t seem to stop from thinking about the cost of all the specialized testing that you speak of. Who has this kind of money to spend, as I assume “health” insurance would never pay for natural supplements or “non-conventional” testing, or a functional medicine protocol or physican. I am not naive. I understand this is about each person’s unique health struggles and trying to obtain or return to the highest quality of wellness. Just discouraging to know that this approach is reserved for only those who can afford it. Sad to know that great healthcare, and support, is provided for the those who have the cash. There lies a reality that conventional healthcare is the same as functional healthcare, with a different approach. Both systems put vulnerable unwell people, based on their ability to pay, in the same place. A functional medicine approach, with a functional medicine physican, would always be my first choice…if I could afford it.