This was the lead article in ‘First’, a magazine for active women. Unfortunately, the problem of parasites has not decreased, but has become a problem for a greater number of people, both men and women.
It’s no wonder that every day someone comes out with another miracle diet. We seem to be under siege from new diet theories and new diet books, while at the same time people across the country and the world are getting bigger and bigger.
Almost everyone knows that “diets don’t work,” but we keep focusing on them. We count calories, we count carbohydrates, we count fats, we count steps we walk, we count minutes in the gym, we count pounds, we count inches, and between counts, the weight keeps increasing. After the count is done, we turn to lotions, potions, pills and juices and still the weight keeps increasing. It seems that the Battle of the Bulge has a mind of its own.
The good news is that you are in control and can get back to your ideal shape. I lost 86 pounds 37 years ago and have never gained an ounce since. After doing all the things mentioned above, the diet, the counting, I realized that I needed to address the causes instead of the symptoms. It is true that some people overeat, do not exercise, eat the wrong foods. Even if you were doing everything right, if the parasites get the better of you, all those things will make little difference. I once ate only crackers and drank tea for three weeks and gained 15 pounds. In my case it was not the parasites that made me gain weight but another cause that I will write about next time. The end result was the same that I was addressing the symptoms and not the cause.
As a registered dietitian and naturopathic doctor, I help people discover the cause behind their excess weight, and together we have developed a program that is based on common sense, simplicity and real food. There are many causes, some of which you may never have thought of – parasites are just the tip of the iceberg.
How to know if you have parasites?
Answer the following questions, if you answer
1. Unexplained muscle aches
2. Abnormal bowel movements (an average person should pass about 16 to 18 inches of well-formed stool each day)
3. Itchy rectum
4. Unexplained weight gain or loss
5. Bloated belly (often called a beer belly)
6. Thick white coating on the tongue
7. Halitosis (bed breath, that would be bedatosis, I think you mean bad breath)
8. Grinding your teeth while you sleep
9. Dark circles under the eyes
10. Insomnia or disturbed sleep
11. Travel outside of the US
12. Eat raw meat or undercooked meat products
13. Eat raw unpeeled fruits/vegetables
14. Having close physical contact with pets; for example they lick your face
If you answer yes to 5 or more parasitic questions, it may be one of the causes that you need to eliminate.
How to get rid of parasites?
Black walnuts and pumpkin seeds are among the best foods to consume to help eliminate parasites. You may also need to add black walnut tincture to your regimen. Increasing fiber in your diet increases the peristalsis of your intestines and improves bowel elimination time. Coconut oil is a very powerful antiparasitic food; It can be added to all cooked foods. Spices like cloves and cinnamon add flavor to food and help kill parasites. Eliminating refined sugar and artificial sweeteners will speed up the process and give you faster results. Many companies sell products that are very effective at removing harmful parasites. I recommend Renew Life Para Gone System which also includes fiber and a probiotic. You can purchase the system at your local health food store.
Stay tuned as I address another cause that may be contributing to your weight problem…
Until next time stay healthy and God bless you Dr. Ria