A parasitic infection may be only one component in the much larger problem of a depressed immune system. In order to successfully protect ourselves against parasites, we also have to boost the immune system. The immune system is the first line of protection against infection. You welcome opportunistic organisms (life-threatening when the host has a low level of immunity) into your body when your defense system is not strong and healthy. Regardless of the progress made in medicine, people are becoming more susceptible to infection. Human bodies are getting defenseless, while invading parasites, as well as bacteria, viruses and fungi grow stronger.

Parasites are frequently difficult to diagnose and even more difficult to treat. The best solution is always prevention. Parasites live because our debilitated immune defense system is taking a beating. The amount of chronic stressors makes us more defenseless. They include antibiotics, pollution, pesticides and other chemical pollutants, tobacco, drugs abuse, alcohol, emotional stress, fatigue, and poor diet.

Parasites, especially worms, trigger the immune response. As the parasite continues to infest the body, it can damage areas including the nervous and gastrointestinal system. This makes further stress on an already weakened immune system. When there is persistent assault and damage, sooner or later it leads to the exhaustion of the immune system. A weakened body cannot protect itself adequately. Each attack to the immune system stimulates it into action until it is so worn out that it fails to respond.

For those who are undergoing immune-suppressive drug therapies for cancer and organ transplants, the possibility for a parasitic infestation is very high. The consequences of parasites in healthy individuals may not produce any signs, while in immune-compromised patients it can be life-threatening.

Immune system dysfunction often results from the combination of inadequate nutrition, chronic stress and various environmental contaminants. Of these three factors, inadequate nutrition is probably the most significant.

Diet plays a fundamental role in reclaiming and maintaining health, and influences the immune system in many ways.