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Dizziness and parasites
I’ve been suffering from what I can only describe as “dizziness” for nearly a year now. I have always been healthy and have never taken time off work but ever since I returned from a holiday in Thailand last March, I’ve not been able to shake what I first thought was jet-lag. I’ve had lots of tests all of which say there’s nothing wrong with me but I have a constant feelings of dizziness, unsteadiness and disorientation, together with a persistent low grade headache. What do you suggest?
The London-based nutritionist, Alison Loftus, has specialised in the treatment of parasites ever since she discovered this was the cause of her own weight and digestive problems following a trip to Africa during which she now believes she drank contaminated water. Loftus, who successfully treated herself with nutrition and herbs, says the problem is more common than people realise with one UK laboratory reporting that 40% of all stool samples were contaminated with parasites which infect the gut and cause damage to the intestinal lining.
Loftus says she has now treated many patients complaining of symptoms similar to yours, following visits to East Asia and, if conventional tests have failed to reveal a concrete cause, she recommends you take a parasitology test, which can be organised by a qualified nutritionist.
The most common parasite in East Asia is Opisthorchis sinenis, which causes Chinese Liver Fluke disease and affects some 19 million people worldwide. The test you have will also show any complications linked with such an infection, especially a severe yeast infection or a leaky gut.
A parasite infection can be eliminated using natural antifungals and herbs. Loftus suggests daily doses of 75mg of grapefruit seed extract, 300mg of artemisia and 100mg of berberis. To eradicate a yeast infection, she relies on natural acids and recommends taking 400mg of caprylic acid. To repair the gut wall, she suggests 750mg of butyric acid.
Although parasites are most prevalent in temperate climates such as East Asia, India and Africa, Loftus - who discovered parasites were the cause of one patient ballooning from a size 12 to a size 22 in just six weeks - says many of her patients with parasite infections have never even been abroad. The reason you can stay at home and still become infected is because parasites can be caught from another infected person and through contaminated food and water.
*Alison Loftus practises at The Hale Clinic in London. She charges £60 for an initial 1hr consultation and £30 for follow-up appointments and can be contacted on 0171-631 0156.