Helminthic therapy and leaky gut syndrome

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Increased intestinal permeability, also known as leaky gut syndrome (LGS), is a digestive condition where the intestinal lining allows bacteria and toxins to enter the bloodstream resulting in symptoms that include diarrhea, bloating and fatigue.

Some mainstream doctors and healthcare professionals do not recognize leaky gut syndrome as a diagnosable condition, and there is no standard treatment, but patients report that dietary and lifestyle changes can help, as well as helminthic therapy.

The helminth connection

Helminths evoke a TH2 response, which up-regulates the intestinal repair rate and thereby helps improve mucosal barrier integrity.

We propose a model whereby the immune response that is triggered to expel gastrointestinal parasites ... may have a beneficial effect in restoring mucosal barrier function... [1]

What is unique about parasites is that they probably have evolved (and we evolved with them) to have a response that promotes re-establishment of barrier integrity while not damaging or causing problems with the host at uninvolved sites. Without parasites, for whatever reason, this barrier maintenance machinery that is always in the background runs in overdrive, and there is no brake on the system. It is reacting to barrier damage and leading to an overexuberant response to that damage signal. [2]

Host protective immunity has adapted to enteric parasitic nematode infection by elaboration of mucins, increasing intraluminal fluid to control access to the surface epithelium, increasing cell turnover to maintain an effective barrier to their invasion, initiating immune responses through activation of resident immune cells, and recruitment of additional immune cells to release immune mediators that help orchestrate these responses. [3]

The scientific evidence

• 2023 Jul 14 Helminths' therapeutic potential to treat intestinal barrier dysfunction -- Full text | PDF

• 2018 Apr A sticky end for gastrointestinal helminths; the role of the mucus barrier -- Full text | PDF

• 2017 Jan 2 Helminths and intestinal barrier function -- Full text | PDF

• 2015 Sep Enteric nematodes and the path to up-regulation of type 2 cytokines IL-4 and IL-13
  (Includes mention of increased cell turnover to maintain an effective gut barrier in the presence of helminths.)

• 2012 May Helminthic therapy: improving mucosal barrier function -- Full text | PDF

• 2011 Nov 21 Schistosoma japonicum ova maintains epithelial barrier function during experimental colitis -- Full text | PDF

The anecdotal evidence

At least three helminth self-treaters have seen an improvement in their leaky gut syndrome after commencing the therapy.

My husband seemed to have severe lactose intolerance. In the past, nothing helped and it was instantaneous, as in explosive diarrhea and severe within 20 minutes of ingestion. Since his leaky gut has gotten better since getting worms (NA), he's doing a lot better, so that he can actually digest ice cream. [4]

At six and half months in (25-25-40 HW) I am just short of claiming success for multiple food intolerances, likely leaky gut and a host of other related symptoms. I couldn't eat gluten or dairy without debilitating symptoms and had been GF DF for 7 plus years. For the past three weeks I have eaten anything I wanted for one meal a day without the terrible symptoms I have experienced all my life. [5]

NA helped my leaky gut. [6]

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.

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

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

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 category of worms with slender, unsegmented, cylindrical bodies that include roundworms and threadworms.

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

the human hookworm, Necator americanus

hookworm, usually referring to the human hookworm, Necator americanus