Paleo Diet: Raw Paleo Diet and Lifestyle Forum
Raw Paleo Diet Forums => General Discussion => Topic started by: Case on February 09, 2011, 08:30:24 pm
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Hi all,
I know it's a bit of a dead horse, but I'd like to ask for a general consensus on a few parasite questions (I apologize if all of the answers are in the archives, I searched for a while but didn't manage to find all of the specific information).
Well, I've been doing the Paleo-esque thing for four years now (starting with AV's Primal back when I was living in Los Angeles), quite strictly raw, although I've experimented with a variety of formats. Consequently, I'm not generally parasite paranoid (only knowingly experienced one tapeworm, which my body quickly shed, back from when I was living in Washington state and fishing steelhead.. which came with quite a few of them, and always proved a bit of an odd experience if my marinated had lemon, and you could see them all come alive). However, I have always found the idea of Trichinosis to be quite distressing (and consequently haven't eaten pork since my last cooked lamb-chop, at least 7 years ago). The idea of being an intermediate host, and having the little worms bury into my muscle tissue and/or eyes/face/brain is a tad more intense than giving a worm a free ride in your intestines.
This being said, I have a strong belief in my body's immune system, and have had no problem with bacteria or just about anything else (like I mentioned, even the tapeworm was short lived.. it was a runty little thing, and I passed it soon after first starting to eat the fish.. haven't had a problem since).
However, I can't get over the fact that the parasites obviously are efficient enough to have evolved (although I do note that in fish, the majority of the encysted larva are found around the belly flap, so perhaps it is that they only really cause problems -brain penetration/whatever- in the infirm), and I don't yet understand the process by which the body could actually get rid of them once they've locked down in the muscles (to sit around and cause doctor-confounding aches), where as it is much easier to imagine the body getting rid of an intestinal worm (with their obvious exit).
Eh, I know I have a decent amount of emotional reaction to the idea of permanent physical aberration (muscle/brain burrowing worms being the last frontier of what was once a tightly packed paranoia, born not only of mainstream media, but of having grown up under the rule of a mother obsessed with bacteria and cleanliness), but any discussion, or particularly logic, as to why such concerns about Trichinosis are/aren't unfounded would be much appreciated.
Anyways, I'm thinking about going on a survival expedition/ordeal thing, and will likely end up facing the need to eat Trich possible carnivores, and want to be a bit more prepared.
Thank you in advance for any responses, I've helped moderate forums on other subjects, and know how dull the more common complaints can become.
:),
Brandon
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I and many other RVAFers have been eating raw wild game for years without getting any serious problems with parasites. More to the point, there are sufficient anti-parasite drugs and herbs to get rid of any possible infestations.
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Well, on principle alone I don't mess about with any drugs (herbs just being natural drugs, I don't tend to use them either).. instead I attempt to provide the circumstances where the advanced machine that is my body can let it's filters and defenses perform their natural functions without rending the delicate balances in our bodies.
Besides, the medical profession's take on Trichinosis treatment is that:
"Mebendazole or albendazole can be used to treat infections in the intestines. There is no specific treatment for trichinosis once the larvae have invaded the muscles. The cysts remain viable for years. Pain killers can help relieve muscle soreness."
So, anything that penetrates the intestines and moves into other bodily tissues is untreatable, and they just recommend pain meds. I haven't taken a painkiller in about a decade, and have no intention of changing that fact... therefore it is incredibly uncomfortable to think that my life would be resigned to intractable pain were I to eat the wrong carnivorous game raw :(.
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For me, parasites are real, ever present and may cause disease more than we care to admit or identify.
It helps to be armed to the teeth against them if they misbehave.
Knowing the various herbs, foods, electro medicine, drugs are available combating these pests makes me sleep better.
The pork parasites are real and I stay away from raw pork myself.
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This is sending a chill down my spine :( goodsamaritan or anyone, can you list parasite fighting drugs, herbs, natural remedies:
I know black walnut oil, garlic, onion, lemon, vinegar, etc
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I believe that any drug or her treatment of parasites would only be necessary in cases of extreme immune deficiency or by a large parasitic load that overwhelms the defences. Most worms are more or less harmless and flushing them out with liver toxic drugs or harsh herbal cleanses may cause more harm than good.
I am a believer that trichinosis is a prevalent issue , but it usually only causes sever issues in the elderly who after carring the worms for years will eventually suffer from age related weak immunity which would allow for an infestation to occur. Just a low number of worms bound within the muscle tissue shouldn't cause any sever harm, and most people who carry trichinosis are asymptomatic. Just try to avoid questionable quality meats and there should be nothing to worry about.
The body must be the main line of defence. If you are well nourished and non toxic then parasites wont be able infest you, even if you have a mild infection of parasites , your body should be able to contain it so that the worms cant migrate to you brain or cause damage in other organs.