Helminthic therapy for well people

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    We refer to the intentional hosting of helminths as a therapy, but it is more than this. Evolution has determined that having a helminth-rich biota is the default state for humans, and it is already clear that there are many benefits to be gained from hosting helminths throughout life, even for people in apparently good health.

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    ... humankind eventually needs to move beyond the idea that helminths are best used as a drug or a therapy. Rather, we need to embrace the view that helminths are a necessary component of the ecosystem of a healthy body, and that helminths should be cultivated for population-wide biota restoration. (Villeneuve et al)

    This approach views helminths as being more like vitamins, and their absence as a helminth deficiency. Almost all who are living in industrialised countries today are helminth-deficient.

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    I think eventually, we’ll understand that helminths are just a normal part of the ecosystem of our body. And eventually, I think it’s going to go beyond just a therapy. I think it’ll be a kind of probiotic that people will be using just to maintain health. (William Parker) (Web archive copy)

    Since helminths are very effective in reducing inflammation, maintaining a small colony of helminths could potentially help to prevent a whole slew of degenerative diseases and other conditions related to the silent, chronic, low-grade, systemic inflammation that exacts a relentless toll on our tissues. [1] [2]

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    All immunocompetent humans need regular exposure to helminths in order to maintain optimal immune function and avoid risk for inflammation-associated disease. This conclusion is based on “biota alteration theory”, the view that loss of biodiversity from the ecosystem of the human body as a result of industrialization has contributed to increased immune dysregulation and non-adaptive inflammation. In this view, exposure to helminths is a necessary component of our biology, and the essentially complete absence of those organisms is an underlying cause of inflammatory disease. Based on this view, we have argued that access to helminths is a basic human need. (Smyth et al)

    There is mounting evidence to support this view, as can be seen from the following papers and articles.


    Potentially reducible health risks[edit | edit source]

    Ageing / aging[edit | edit source]

    Hosting helminths could be key to living longer with greater freedom from chronic disease.

    See Helminthic therapy and aging

    Allergy[edit | edit source]

    Alopecia areata[edit | edit source]

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    We have seen a link between AA and a dysfunctional gastrointestinal system which raised the hypothesis that an underlying intestinal inflammation drives the priming and dysregulation of immune cells that lead to hair follicle destruction. [3]

    Alzheimer’s disease[edit | edit source]

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    We present evidence that the E4 allele, often associated with cognitive decline, AD, and CVD in industrialized populations with minimal parasite burden, was associated with higher cognitive function among Tsimane Amerindians, but only among individuals with evidence of high parasite burden.

    Arthritis[edit | edit source]

    See Helminthic therapy and arthritis.

    Atherosclerosis[edit | edit source]

    See also (may be not related) :

    Autoimmune disease[edit | edit source]

    The following paper reveals that exposure to stress might lead to the development of autoimmune disease, and it could be argued that the powerful anti-inflammatory effects of helminths might help to interrupt this progression and reduce the risk of someone with a stress-related disorder going on to develop autoimmunity.

    Autism[edit | edit source]

    When a mother's immune system is modulated by helminths during pregnancy, her children will likely have a reduced risk of developing autism.

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    Given the vast body of scientific literature connecting impaired cognitive development and function with inflammation, it seems almost certain that normalization of immune function and reduction of inflammatory disease in the human population will result in dramatically decreased levels of a wide range of cognitive disorders, including autism. [4]

    Bone healing ability, loss of in the elderly[edit | edit source]

    Age-associated inflammation is responsible for the decline in the number and function of the skeletal stem cells that enable bones to heal.

    Cancer[edit | edit source]

    Also see Helminthic therapy and cancer.

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    … specific pathogens may be able to elicit anti-tumor immune responses that can lead to protection from tumorigenesis or cancer regression.

    Cardiovascular disease[edit | edit source]

    Also see Atherosclerosis, above.

    Nearly half of all adult Americans have cardiovascular disease. [7]

    Immunotherapies that treat inflammatory conditions might have a role in the reduction of cardiovascular disease risks, [8] and anti-inflammatory medication allows patients with a history of heart attacks to enjoy a significantly lower incidence of recurrent cardiovascular events, [9] but these drugs may only be necessary because of the helminth deficiency that is widespread throughout the developed world in the twenty first century.

    This rigorous, comprehensive systematic review has revealed that individuals who are hosting helminths enjoy less dyslipidemia (unhealthy levels of fats in the blood), less metabolic syndrome, less diabetes, and less atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
    Its authors warn that, if individuals who are at moderate or high risk for cardiometabolic disease are deprived of their helminths as a result of de-worming campaigns, they may require an increase in preventive medical care to compensate for the loss of beneficial helminth-derived immune modulation.
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    … it is possible that the parasites in the bodies of the Tsimane help regulate their immune systems and protect their hearts.
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    Chronic infections, especially helminths, may offer protection against heart disease and diabetes through direct and indirect pathways.
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    … multiple lines of evidence support the notion that there is also an inverse relationship between helminthic infections and atherosclerosis and its related diseases. It is hereby hypothesized that worms are ‘protective’ against heart disease.

    See also (may be not related) :

    Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)[edit | edit source]

    COPD is a group of diseases that cause airflow blockage and breathing-related problems, including emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

    Infection with a human hookworm-like helminth, Nippostrongylus brasiliensis, briefly initiates the onset of emphysematous pathology, but this is quickly reversed by helminth-induced regulatory mechanisms that promote tissue repair and mitigate the emphysema.

    Clostridium difficile (C. diff) infection[edit | edit source]

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    Recent work has begun to show that a type-2 immune response, most often associated with helminth infections, allergy, and asthma, may be protective during C. difficile infection.

    Cognitive dysfunction[edit | edit source]

    COVID-19[edit | edit source]

    Also see Helminthic therapy and COVID-19.

    Helminth infection is protective against COVID-19 and its complications.

    Dementia[edit | edit source]

    Depression[edit | edit source]

    Diabetes[edit | edit source]

    Also see Helminthic therapy and diabetes.

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    Our findings indicate that carefully controlled therapeutic hookworm infection in humans could be a novel approach for treating metabolic syndrome and thereby preventing T2D.
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    Abundant evidence indicates that helminths and their by-products can exert immunomodulatory effects that prevent or delay the onset of T1D.… In the future, helminth-derived supplements may be included as part of a modern balanced diet.
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    Helminth infections… may be protective against the development of diabetes, and this finding opens up new territory for discovery of novel therapeutics for the prevention and treatment of diabetes.
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    … methods designed to suppress excess production of pro-inflammatory cytokines may form a new approach to prevent both type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus.

    Encephalitis[edit | edit source]

    Encephalitis, or brain inflammation, causes fever, confusion, memory loss, psychosis and seizures. It can progress quickly over weeks or even days and may become life-threatening.

    Whether this condition is caused by infection or autoimmunity, a helminth deficiency will arguably increase the risks, whereas helminth exposure may reduce them.

    Fibromyalgia[edit | edit source]

    Fibromyalgia has been linked to increased systemic inflammation and neuro-inflammation.

    Glaucoma[edit | edit source]

    Graves' disease[edit | edit source]

    Graves’ hyperthyroidism may be prevented by helminth infection or with the application of helminth-derived products.

    Helicobacter pylori infection[edit | edit source]

    Hosting helminths may provide a buffering mechanism against the harmful effects of H. pylori infection, alleviating the Th1-dependent response and protecting against inflammation within the gastrointestinal tract.

    Heavy metal accumulation[edit | edit source]

    Some helminth species may be able to remediate heavy metal accumulation in their hosts’ tissues.

    HIV[edit | edit source]

    Helminth infections can reduce the susceptibility of T-cells to HIV-1 infection, so may be beneficial against HIV-1.

    Hyperemesis gravidarum[edit | edit source]

    Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) is a pregnancy complication characterised by severe nausea, vomiting, weight loss, and possibly dehydration, [10] which is considered more severe than morning sickness. [11] In view of the fact that allergy is the most significant condition associated with HG prior to pregnancy [12] - which suggests a possible allergic or autoimmune component - it is possible that women who are hosting helminths might be less likely to develop HG.

    Hypertension[edit | edit source]

    Several studies show a link between dysbiosis and hypertension. Helminths reshape microbiota and could therefore have an impact on these cases, which would be interesting to investigate.

    And reviews :

    Immune disorders[edit | edit source]

    Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)[edit | edit source]

    Helminth exposure may prevent IBD.

    Insulin resistance[edit | edit source]

    Helminth infections are associated with lower insulin resistance.

    Joint replacement, failure of[edit | edit source]

    Helminths could extend the life of joint replacements by reducing inflammation-related bone loss.

    Kidney pathology[edit | edit source]

    A worm-derived immunomodulator protects against kidney damage in SLE.

    Leg ulcers, recalcitrant[edit | edit source]

    Research has identified a connection between wounds that don't heal and autoimmunity, suggesting that preventing autoimmune disease by hosting helminths might also help to reduce the risk of recalcitrant leg ulcers.

    Lifespan reduction[edit | edit source]

    Helminth colonisation may promote longevity.

    Macular degeneration / age-related macular degeneration (AMD)[edit | edit source]

    See also (VEGF)

    Malaria[edit | edit source]

    Children with helminths may be less likely to contract malaria.

    Infection by Trichuris trichiura has been associated with direct reductions in cerebral malaria risk.

    Removal of helminths can increase the risk from infectious agents such as malaria and influenza.

    Hosting hookworms concurrently with one species of malaria can reduce the malaria burden by almost 50 percent.

    Metabolic syndrome[edit | edit source]

    Helminth infection may provide protection against metabolic syndrome.


    Miscarriage[edit | edit source]

    Also see Helminthic therapy and pregnancy.

    Many women who suffer recurrent miscarriages exhibit autoimmune phenomena similar to what is seen in patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), and these women may be treated with prednisone to reduce inflammation.

    Mold (mould) health issues[edit | edit source]

    Helminthic therapy might prevent symptoms arising from mold exposure.

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    Thanks to helminthic therapy, she can cope much better now with mold.” [13]
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    Preliminary research identifies helminthic therapy as a possible treatment strategy to arrest the chronic inflammatory response, induced by mold and other biotoxins.

    Muscle mass loss in the elderly[edit | edit source]

    Age-related decline in muscle function may be driven by chronic inflammation.

    Narcolepsy[edit | edit source]

    Also see Helminthic therapy and narcolepsy.

    Neuropsychiatric disorders[edit | edit source]

    Exposure to helminths may have a profoundly positive affect on neuropsychiatric disorders. [14] [15] HDCs are already being used effectively as a therapeutic agent to relieve a wide range of these disorders, [16] (PDF) [17] [18] and Bilbo and colleagues have used a laboratory model to show that colonization with H. diminuta protects rats from inflammation-induced cognitive dysfunction. [19]

    Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)[edit | edit source]

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    … helminths and their products can treat or relieve non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)-related diseases, including obesity, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome, by promoting glycolipid metabolism homeostasis, regulating inflammation and restoring the balance of gut microbiota.

    Obesity[edit | edit source]

    Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)[edit | edit source]

    Obstructive sleep apnea[edit | edit source]

    Osteoarthritis[edit | edit source]

    Also see Helminthic therapy and osteoarthritis.

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    … initially considered cartilage driven, OA is a much more complex disease with inflammatory mediators released by cartilage, bone and synovium. Low-grade inflammation induced by the metabolic syndrome, innate immunity and inflammaging are some of the more recent arguments in favor of the inflammatory theory of OA…”

    Osteoporosis[edit | edit source]

    Age-associated inflammation is responsible for the decline in the number and function of the skeletal stem cells that enable bones to heal.

    Pain, chronic[edit | edit source]

    Parkinson's disease[edit | edit source]

    Also see Helminthic therapy and Parkinson's disease.

    Chronic inflammation may cause neurodegeneration in Parkinson's disease.

    Parkinson's disease may originate in the intestines.

    The use of immunosuppressant drugs may keep Parkinson's disease at bay, and may also slow progression of the disease if it develops.

    Helminths can achieve similar beneficial effects to immunosuppressants without the long term adverse side effects.

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    They (pig whipworms - TSO) have a brilliant effect on dyskinesia and the need for drugs. It reduces the need for levadopa considerably. [21] (Video)

    Preeclampsia[edit | edit source]

    Also see Helminthic therapy and pregnancy.

    Premature birth[edit | edit source]

    Premenstrual Syndrome[edit | edit source]

    (Science Alert have published a very readable article about this research.)

    Psychosis[edit | edit source]

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    There are several lines of evidence to suggest that a proportion of psychotic illnesses have a plausible autoimmune component.

    Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection[edit | edit source]

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    These data demonstrate that a strictly enteric helminth infection can have remote protective antiviral effects in the lung through induction of a microbiota-dependent type I interferon response.

    Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)[edit | edit source]

    RLS has been associated with inflammation.

    Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)[edit | edit source]

    Also see Helminthic therapy and rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

    Rosacea[edit | edit source]

    The risk for rosacea, as well as other skin disorders such as atopic eczema and onychomycosis (toenail fungus), increase with the presence of systemic low-grade inflammation.

    Schizophrenia[edit | edit source]

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    Inflammation, particularly of a low-grade nature, is a consistent pathological finding in schizophrenia… [22] [23]

    Sepsis[edit | edit source]

    Also see Helminthic therapy and sepsis.

    Helminths may protect against sepsis and septic shock.

    Suicide[edit | edit source]

    Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)[edit | edit source]

    Infection with the murine helminth, Hymenolepis microstoma (HM), protected mice against the development of lupus, improved all signs and symptoms of the disease, and prevented death.

    Tourette Syndrome[edit | edit source]

    The findings of several studies collectively indicate that inflammation plays a significant and crucial role in the development and progression of Tourette's syndrome. [24] [25] [26] Researchers have also discussed the potential contribution of immunological dysfunction as well as inflammatory processes in TS [27] and the following study found that autoimmune disease in the mother was associated with a 29% increased incidence rate of Tourette’s syndrome in male offspring, suggesting that neuroimmunological disorders may act as a component in the etiology of a subset of TS.

    Tuberculosis[edit | edit source]

    Venous thromboembolism (VTE)[edit | edit source]

    (Also pulmonary embolism (PE) and deep vein thrombosis (DVT)).

    Inflammation appears to change the hemostatic balance towards thrombogenesis, and autoimmune disorders have been linked to an increased risk of VTE.

    Testimonies to health enhancement[edit | edit source]

    Well people who host helminths as prophylaxis against autoimmune and inflammation-related conditions may never know exactly how much their worms have helped to keep them well but, occasionally, a case is reported that hints at the extent of the potential benefits.

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    I was healthy when I started (helminthic therapy) so I wasn't expecting a lot of improvements. My first inoculation was in Dec 2018. Now (April 2020) I have a total of about 25 NA's. Usually this time of year I suffer from bad allergies but not this year! I have had no issues with it for the first time since my 20's. The most important improvement for me (don't laugh) is that I can now eat movie popcorn without suffering stomach cramps. [28]

    When a clinical pathologist specialising in medical microbiology heard about helminthic therapy, he decided he had to experience what was involved, but he had no expectation of benefit beyond hoping that it might possibly improve his seasonal hay fever. In the event, he experienced several additional benefits.

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    Unexpected was the disappearance of the arthritis in my knees, being able to go for a jog without having to stop out of breathlessness (I think I must have had undiagnosed exertional asthma all my life), and finding myself unattracted by starchy, greasy foods. Result of the latter being that I have lost 12 Kg, and kept it off, and that is after 65 years of unsuccessfully battling overweight! Going with that, my total to HDL cholesterol ratio has fallen from 4.3 to 2.8. [29] I've had no recurrence of the painful heels of plantar fasciitis, and… best of all, my mood has improved hugely. I am a really happy person. [30]

    See also[edit | edit source]

    The reintroduction to the digestive tract of a controlled number of specially domesticated, mutualistic helminths (intestinal worms) in the form of microscopic eggs or larvae to reconstitute a depleted biome to treat or prevent chronic inflammation, autoimmune disease and other immune-related disorders, including allergy.

    An intestinal worm which grows large enough to be seen with the naked eye when mature but which is microscopic when administered in helminthic therapy. Wikipedia:Helminths

    An intestinal worm which grows large enough to be seen with the naked eye when mature but which is microscopic when administered in helminthic therapy. Wikipedia:Helminths

    Microorganisms that are believed to provide health benefits when consumed.

    The specific population of microorganisms living in a certain part of the body, such as the gut. "Microbiome" refers to all the microorganisms living in and on the body, or the genome of these microorganisms. These two terms are often used interchangeably.

    Ancylostoma duodenale. A species of roundworm, aka the Old World Hookworm, that is not ideal for general therapeutic use. See Ancylostoma duodenale.

    An organism that lives in or on another organism (its host) and benefits at the host’s expense. (The organisms used in helminthic therapy are, strictly speaking, not parasites, but mutualists, because they have a mutually beneficial symbiotic relationship with their hosts.)

    An intestinal worm which grows large enough to be seen with the naked eye when mature but which is microscopic when administered in helminthic therapy. Wikipedia:Helminths

    An organism that lives in or on another organism (its host) and benefits at the host’s expense. (The organisms used in helminthic therapy are, strictly speaking, not parasites, but mutualists, because they have a mutually beneficial symbiotic relationship with their hosts.)

    A helminth that lives in the small intestine. Necator americanus (NA) is the only hookworm species used in helminthic therapy. Its microscopic larvae are applied periodically to the skin.

    An intestinal worm which grows large enough to be seen with the naked eye when mature but which is microscopic when administered in helminthic therapy. Wikipedia:Helminths

    Inflammatory bowel disease is a group of conditions affecting the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, particularly the colon and small intestine. The major types of IBD are Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis (UC).

    The human whipworm used in helminthic therapy and taken periodically as microscopic eggs (TTO) in a drink.

    A helminth that lives in the small intestine. Necator americanus (NA) is the only hookworm species used in helminthic therapy. Its microscopic larvae are applied periodically to the skin.

    The reintroduction to the digestive tract of a controlled number of specially domesticated, mutualistic helminths (intestinal worms) in the form of microscopic eggs or larvae to reconstitute a depleted biome to treat or prevent chronic inflammation, autoimmune disease and other immune-related disorders, including allergy.

    Hymenolepis diminuta cysticercoids (Hi-men-o-lep'is dim-a-nu-ta sis-ti-sur-koid) - the larval cysts of the rat tapeworm, Hymenolepis diminuta

    A murine (rat) tapeworm used in helminthic therapy that generally does not mature in humans and is taken as cysticerci (HDC) in a drink every 2 or 3 weeks.

    A helminth with a tapering whiplike body that lives in the colon. In helminthic therapy, the microscopic eggs of either the human Trichuris trichiura (TTO) or pig Trichuris suis (TSO) are taken in a drink.

    the ova (eggs) of the porcine (pig) whipworm, Trichuris suis

    a change which is a result or consequence of an action or other cause.

    the porcine (pig) whipworm, Trichuris suis

    The introduction of an infectious agent into an organism. Helminth inoculation

    the human hookworm, Necator americanus

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