The topic of intestinal parasites and their prevalence is hotly debated in functional medicine. Furthermore, the increasing trend of people performing a ‘parasite cleanse’ of the GI tract can be dangerous. Parasites are diagnosed in the stool using microscopy, direct exam, and PCR – but even then, not all parasites should be treated. Some can cause significant illness, yet others are not invasive, self-limiting, and considered nonpathogenic.

In today's episode, we give a refresher course on gut parasites, discuss different ways to assess them, and introduce the topic of nonpathogenic parasites that don’t need to be treated.  

Today on The Lab Report:

• 3:50 Prevalence and transmission of parasites
• 6:45 What is a parasite? Are there nonpathogenic parasites?
• 8:10 3 main classes of parasites
• 10:20 Detecting parasites in the stool
• 13:10 Nonpathogenic parasites
  • Chilomastix mesnili, Endolimax nana, Entamoeba coli, Entamoeba dispar, Entamoeba hartmanni, Entamoeba polecki, Iodamoeba buetschlii

• 16:50 Potentially pathogenic parasites
• 19:25 Question of the Day
  • Why doesn’t Genova offer sensitivities for parasites on the GI Effects?

Additional Resources:

GI Effects Stool Profile

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