The topic of intestinal parasites and their prevalence is hotly debated in functional medicine. Furthermore, the increasing trend of people performing a ‘parasite cleanse’ of the GI tract can be dangerous. Parasites are diagnosed in the stool using microscopy, direct exam, and PCR – but even then, not all parasites should be treated. Some can cause significant illness, yet others are not invasive, self-limiting, and considered nonpathogenic.
In today's episode, we give a refresher course on gut parasites, discuss different ways to assess them, and introduce the topic of nonpathogenic parasites that don’t need to be treated.  
Today on The Lab Report:

3:50 Prevalence and transmission of parasites
6:45 What is a parasite? Are there nonpathogenic parasites?
8:10 3 main classes of parasites
10:20 Detecting parasites in the stool
13:10 Nonpathogenic parasites

Chilomastix mesnili, Endolimax nana, Entamoeba coli, Entamoeba dispar, Entamoeba hartmanni, Entamoeba polecki, Iodamoeba buetschlii




16:50 Potentially pathogenic parasites
19:25 Question of the Day

Why doesn’t Genova offer sensitivities for parasites on the GI Effects?



Additional Resources:
GI Effects Stool Profile
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