Parasites are organisms that live on or inside a host, deriving benefits at the host’s expense, and include protozoa, helminths, ectoparasites, and fungi, impacting host health through nutrient depletion, tissue damage, immune responses, and disease transmission.
Gut imbalances, known as dysbiosis, play a crucial role in facilitating parasite infections. A healthy gut typically maintains a balance of beneficial microbes that control the growth of opportunistic and pathogenic organisms, including parasites. When this balance is disrupted, the weakened beneficial flora cannot adequately suppress harmful microbes, allowing parasites to thrive and potentially lead to infection.
In the presence of dysbiosis, the immune system may also be compromised. A gut imbalance often results in nutritional deficiencies and an unbalanced internal environment, which weakens the body's natural defenses. This impaired immune response means the body is less capable of combating and clearing parasitic infections.
Moreover, gut dysbiosis allows parasites to disrupt the intestinal environment further, exacerbating the imbalance and creating a cycle that supports their persistence and proliferation. This highlights the importance of maintaining gut health to prevent and manage parasite infections effectively.