Good Bug? Bad Bug? Find Your Healthy Balance.
This tick species, not native to the US, has begun to show up and spread. It can carry a deadly disease. But… experts say, it’s not what should be your concern when talking ticks. The diseases and other issues presented by the very common and abundant ‘deer’ tick are where your efforts should be focused. Click here to find out why and what you should be doing to protect yourself.
When the CDC puts out a warning – it’s usually best to pay attention… Let’s just say this agency doesn’t ‘shoot from the hip’. The fact that the CDC is putting out warning about washing your vegetables (the reason is going to gross you out!) – means they have some pretty solid evidence and numerous cases to warrant a nation-wide message! Yikes… slugs with your salad??? Get the full story – click here.
Cyclospora cayetanensis is a microscopic (cannot see it without a microscope) parasite, that when ingested causes an intestinal illness – aptly named – Cyclosporiasis. People can develop this illness by consuming food or water that is contaminated with the parasite. It is most common in tropical and subtropical regions.
In the US this parasite is spread primarily through foodborne outbreaks linked to various imported fresh produce, such as lettuce, basil, raspberries and cilantro. Infection also occurs when those from the US travel to Cyclospora-endemic areas. Beware… the treatment of water or food by routine chemical disinfection or sanitizing methods is unlikely to kill this nasty bug!
Cyclospora is a particularly tricky parasite. It produces some common intestinal parasitic symptoms that include: diarrhea and explosive bowel movements, stomach cramps or pain, gas, nausea and fatigue. Vomiting, headache, fever and body aches (flu-like symptoms) can also occur. The not so common symptom is that the ‘illness’ phase may last a few days to a few months… then the person may start to feel much better, only to have their symptoms return! To further complicate this bugger – It’s incubation period can be anywhere from 2 to 14 days! Add to this, that diagnosis (done by examining stool samples) can be difficult at best. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns that even patients with severe symptoms might not shed enough ‘evidence’ in their stool to detect this parasite. Therefore, it often requires several stool specimens collected on different days. Let’s make this even tougher…. Identification of this particular parasite requires special lab tests that are not routinely done when stool is tested for parasites. Healthcare professionals must specifically request testing for Cyclospora!
If a diagnosis is made, antibiotics usually do the trick… but the ones that work are sulfa based. For those who have a sulfa allergy or who do not respond to this antibiotic treatment, there is no known alternative antibiotic treatment that works. Many seek alternative over-the-counter remedies.
Your best prevention is to follow safe fruit and vegetable handling recommendations and pay attention to all food recalls. The following are prevention tips recommended by the CDC.
Wash: Wash hands with soap and warm water before and after handling or preparing fruits and vegetables. Wash cutting boards, dishes, utensils, and counter tops with soap and hot water between the preparation of raw meat, poultry, and seafood products and the preparation of fruits and vegetables that will not be cooked.
Prepare: Wash all fruits and vegetables thoroughly under running water before eating, cutting, or cooking. Fruits and vegetables that are labeled “prewashed” do not need to be washed again at home. Scrub firm fruits and vegetables, such as melons and cucumbers, with a clean produce brush. Cut away any damaged or bruised areas on fruits and vegetables before preparing and eating.
Store: Refrigerate cut, peeled, or cooked fruits and vegetables as soon as possible, or within 2 hours. Store fruits and vegetables away from raw meat, poultry, and seafood.
Not again! Looks like Romaine lettuce might be the root of the latest recall that involes Kroger, Trader Joe’s and Walgreens. This recall is all about the cyclospora parasite – a nasty bug that causes intestinal illness after consuming contaminated food or water. Click here for details and then check your fridge!
Hookworms are a ‘bad’ bug… parasitic worm that infects humans and animals. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC ) website says that these nasty’s affect 500+ to 700+ million people worldwide. If not treated promptly, serious complications can develop.
Hookworms are typically transmitted through infected soil. The soil gets infected from a person’s feces (that has hookworm) with hookworm eggs. This happens when an infected person defecates outdoors. The eggs then hatch and develop into a larval stage that can penetrate the skin of humans. Walking barefoot or having your skin come into contact with soil containing this larval stage of hookworm, transmits the hookworm. Warm humid climates – especially where sanitation and hygiene are not the best are most at risk for hookworm infestation.
How to know if you’ve been infected with hookworm? In the early stages of infection, a localized rash can form.. and it typically itches. Sometimes the shape of a worm can be seen on the surface of the skin. If not treated, the larvae can travel to other internal organs (commonly the lungs). Then when the infected person coughs up the worms and swallows – the parasite can enter the small intestine. There they can cause gastrointestinal issues, ranging from mild (abdominal pain, diarrhea, loss of appetite) to serious (ascites- serious loss of protein with fluid build up in the abdomen).
How to get rid of them? There are a couple of drugs that are commonly used to treat hookworm infestation. They generally do the job. However, as noted in a recent story, written by Lindsey Bever for the Washington Post, about a boy who was infected from sand on a Florida beach…
“Dumas said the doctor gave Michael an antibiotic and an anti-parasitic, but the medication “wasn’t working fast enough,” so she made an emergency appointment with a dermatologist earlier this month.
Dumas said the dermatologist used cryotherapy, a treatment in which liquid nitrogen is commonly used to “freeze” lesions off the skin. But during treatment, the teen’s mother said that her son urged the doctor to stop, saying he felt as though he could “feel it running from the liquid nitrogen.”
“It’s disgusting,” she said. “It’s beyond disgusting.”
There are herbal ingredients that have been used for centuries to combat a variety of ‘bad’ bugs. The three most common are: cloves, wormwood and black walnut. Whether or not that would do the trick on Michael’s severe case, is up for discussion. Naturopathic doctors (N.D.’s) often suggest hitting a bad case from all sides.. conventional meds to botanicals. Seeking advice from health care professionals is always recommended.
Note: Conventional antibiotic treatment will also kill the ‘good’ bugs in your gut. Supplementing with a probiotic (dietary supplement of ‘good’ bacteria) is usually recommended… talk to your health care provider. Probiotic formulas are available over-the-counter and from vitamin companies online. Go for a Non-GMO formula.
There are some possible hazards associated with going to the beach… normally we think – sunburn, sharks, riptide.. How about a bad case of hookworm? Yikes!! We suggest that eating and reading this story might not be a good idea. There are some graphic details that involve visible worms crawling inside of a boys. Want to read the details? Click here.
Prebiotics….
Prebiotics are actually a type of fiber and are often referred to as prebiotic fiber. They are necessary for all your ‘good’ bugs (probiotics) to survive and thrive.
The term prebiotic is a relatively new, although the type of fiber they refer to has been around for ages. Prebiotic fiber is an indigestible form of fiber that acts as a good source of food for the ‘good’ bug flora in your gut. For a fiber to be classified as ‘prebiotic’ is must resist digestion and absorption in the upper gut, be fermented by intestinal microflora and stimulate the growth of ‘good’ bug flora.
Prebiotics exist both in particular foods and dietary supplements. Foods that contain prebiotics include: Bananas (the greener the better), garlic, onions, broccoli, and whole grain oats. Common prebiotics found in supplements include: Inulin and fructo-oligosaccharides or FOS, psyllium, and wheat dextrin.
Bottom line… Probiotics and prebiotics have a symbiotic relationship… they need each other. Together they are the cornerstone of good and balanced gut health. Because of the important link between healthy gut flora and our overall health, it’s clear that providing your body with both pre and pro ‘biotics’ is essential.
Prebiotics – The What, Where and Why
Although technically not a ‘good’ bug.. because prebiotics are not bugs of any sort, however, they are good and they are necessary for all your ‘good’ bugs (probiotics) to survive and thrive. Prebiotics are actually a type of fiber and are often referred to as prebiotic fiber.
The term prebiotic is a relatively new, although the type of fiber they refer to has been around for ages. Prebiotic fiber is an indigestible form of fiber that acts as a good source of food for the ‘good’ bug flora in your gut. For a fiber to be classified as ‘prebiotic’ is must resist digestion and absorption in the upper gut, be fermented by intestinal microflora and stimulate the growth of ‘good’ bug flora.
Prebiotics exist both in particular foods and dietary supplements. Foods that contain prebiotics include: Bananas (the greener the better), garlic, onions, broccoli, and whole grain oats. Common prebiotics found in supplements include: Inulin and fructo-oligosaccharides or FOS, psyllium, and wheat dextrin.
Bottom line… Probiotics and prebiotics have a symbiotic relationship… they need each other. Together they are the cornerstone of good and balanced gut health. Because of the important link between healthy gut flora and our overall health, it’s clear that providing your body with both pre and pro ‘biotics’ is essential.
We know … you’re getting tired of reading about food recalls and these foods potential to give you food poisoning… But better to be in the know than in the hospital. Seems Pepperidge Farm’s popular Goldfish are the latest. Reason – possible salmonella. [Click for details and then check your pantry].
Puttin’ on the Ritz? Let’s hope it’s not Ritz crackers! If there are some of these in your pantry…better check out the details. There’s a recall… linked to possible salmonella (bad bacteria = food poisoning) contamination. Seems tainted food is the topic lately… crab, oysters, turkey… now this. [Click for full story]