Parasites find an opening in the ecosystem of life and exploit it for their survival. Billions are clamoring for the chance to enter you, and the best way to do that is to participate in your next meal.
Here are some items on your menu with a high probability that parasites are “in tow”. However, this does not mean that you are guaranteed to fill your belly with worms with each one! Proper food storage, the freshest ingredients, and sanitary food preparation conditions will greatly decrease the chances of food contamination.
Cooked snails or snails
If you think eating cooked snails is icky, then your parasites won’t worry you. However, if you can’t think of a better vehicle for tasty garlic butter, you might want to sit down before reading this. Did you know that snails feed on decaying leaves, fecal matter, and carrion? It is for this reason; one of the first steps in preparing a snail for the table is to cleanse its digestive system. Snail farmers often avoid a great deal of potential toxicity by raising their livestock on milled cereal.
Angiostrongylus cantonensis or (rat lungworm) frequently lodges in snails and other mollusks due to its food source. And since snails are bottom feeders and tasty delicacies, they are perfect for transmitting these parasites. Eating undercooked snails and Angiostrongylus cantonensis could end up in your brain, which could lead to illness, headache, and even meningitis. In addition, a poorly washed food snail can bring a number of other disease risks to your body.
Rat lungworm is common in various molluscs, including freshwater snails, shrimp, slugs, and crabs. Frogs are also a host. To be on the safe side, overcook any of these dinner treats if you just have to eat them.
Sushi and sashimi is another culprit
Many different animals in the world’s oceans also pose a parasite problem. The problem is that many of these life forms harbor parasites. You can eliminate the risk of infection simply by cooking shellfish thoroughly. Some also advise freezing the fish for a week or curing it in a saturated salt brine for five to seven days. Personally, I wouldn’t guarantee that approach to remove all parasites.
The two problematic worms to consider before eating raw shellfish are Anisakidae nematodes and the Diphyllobothrium tapeworm.
Of these two, the roundworm is the most common. If swallowed, you may not even notice it or suffer any symptoms. The worm can “tickle” your throat going down, and if it punctures the stomach lining, it can cause severe abdominal swelling and pain within an hour of ingestion. Fortunately, these pesky parasites do not survive more than 10 days in the human digestive tract.
The Diphyllobothrium tapeworm is common in salmon, as well as other saltwater fish that also frequent freshwater. These parasites can thrive in the human intestine for years, causing abdominal pain, weakness, weight loss, and anemia. Fortunately, they can be eradicated through parasite cleansing or medical treatment.
To avoid the risk of getting nematode rolls or tapeworm sashimi, stick to reputable restaurants that follow good food safety guidelines. If you’re still worried, ask if the fish was pre-frozen or stick with the many sushi options that use cooked or vegetarian ingredients.
steak tartare
Another source of parasites is raw meat. Do you see a pattern forming here? Naturally, steak or lamb tartare can offer an excellent risk of parasitic infection. Not only does the entire dish revolve around raw meat, but many recipes also call for the addition of a raw egg. While considered a delicious delicacy in Eastern Europe, Asia, and Ethiopia, this raw meat poses the risk of intestinal worms and parasitic intracellular bacteria salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria monocytogenes.
If you are going to eat it raw, you will need a very fresh and certified cut of meat and you will want it prepared in a hygienic environment. Some chefs emphasize the use of grass-fed cattle, as the bacteria in “grain-fed” animals get used to an acidic environment, preparing them to survive in the human intestine. Freezing a cut of beef for 14 days is believed to eliminate any risk of parasites. Be careful when choosing where to order it.
pink burger
All meat eaters love the summertime grill masters sizzling on some beef patties.
But if steak tartare is the fancy method of consuming raw beef, then a rare pink burger might be considered the cheap option to risk a bun filled with E. coli, Listeria monocytogenes, or salmonella. Undercooked hamburgers are a major risk factor for E. coli, and the number of outbreaks nearly doubles during the summer months.
Cleanliness and freshness are the most important factors for food safety. While you might enjoy the taste of a pink center in an expensive gourmet burger, you shouldn’t accept that fast-food pink burger. A study published in the Annals of Diagnostic Pathology examined the contents of eight fast food hamburgers and found Sarcocystis parasites in two of them. Unlike other parasites that might lurk in a pink burger, Sarcocystis is usually asymptomatic.
ham and pork
Some foods don’t even have to be raw. The USDA, FDA, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention rank luncheon meat at the top of their lists for Listeria monocytogenes infection. These meats often have long refrigerated storage times, during which L. monocytogenes has sufficient time to grow. The message here is to use fresh deli meats and only buy from sandwich shops that are going to do the same.
Pork poses the greatest health risk and also a host of other parasitic risks if undercooked or poorly stored. Pork tapeworms pose a serious threat and sometimes spread to the host’s eyes, spine or brain with adverse health conditions and potentially fatal outcomes. A Trichinella worm infection can cause severe symptoms, ranging from heart problems, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, fatigue, fever and muscle pain, chills, and even death. When traveling or on vacation, consider buying a ham sandwich at a roadside restaurant or vending machine.
Make sure your steak, seafood and other fast food offerings are well done. Remember, there is nothing better than cleanliness and fresh ingredients when choosing your meals at a restaurant. When in doubt, ask for it well done.
You can get rid of parasites in your body by doing a “parasite cleanse.” A high-quality parasite cleanse is best.
I recommend the parasite cleanse by Dr. Clark’s protocol for the most effective cleanse for killing over 100 different types of parasites.