Helminthic therapy and osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a type of degenerative joint disease that results from breakdown of joint cartilage and underlying bone.
The scientific evidence[edit | edit source]
Helminths reduce the Th17 response that seems to be involved in osteoarthritis, according to the articles below.
In addition, it is suggested that they would have experienced chronic helminthiasis, driving their immune system into a non-inflammatory homeostatic state, and thus protecting from comorbidities encountered in modern industrialized regions
- 2025 Oct 8 Dampened inflammation and reduced risk of osteoarthritis among non-industrialized societies -- Full text
- 2023 may 17 Osteoarthritis "The histology and pathophysiology both demonstrate an inflammatory process"
- 2017 Jan 13 Inflammatory arthritis and systemic bone loss are attenuated by gastrointestinal helminth parasites
- 2016 Jun 7 Th2 and eosinophil responses suppress inflammatory arthritis -- Full text | PDF.
- Nippostrongylus brasiliensis infection leads to Th2 and eosinophil accumulation in the joints associated with robust inhibition of arthritis and protection from bone loss.
- 2013 Jan Osteoarthritis as an inflammatory disease (osteoarthritis is not osteoarthrosis!) -- Full text | PDF
- … initially considered cartilage driven, OA is a much more complex disease with inflammatory mediators released by cartilage, bone and synovium. Low-grade inflammation induced by the metabolic syndrome, innate immunity and inflammaging are some of the more recent arguments in favor of the inflammatory theory of OA…
See also
- Helminthic therapy and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) for more papers dedicated to arthritis.
The anecdotal evidence[edit | edit source]
These first two reports are more detailed than the quotes that follow them.
- “I was starting to get early onset osteo, seems to have stopped.” [1]
- “In my own case, (osteoarthritis) is well controlled by taking Glucosamine/Chondroitin and Hyaluronic acid, but, having recently forgotten to get a top-up dose of hookworm on time, I noticed a reappearance of discomfort from my affected joints and had to increase the supplements to compensate, so it looks like the worms were helping with this condition.” [2]
- ☹️ “I have solid osteo in the hips. I have also had NA for about 5 years. No apparent help at all for osteo but good help for hay fever.” [3]
- “I received my first dose of NA in June 2016 for widespread food and inhalant allergies and arthritis (osteoarthritis since childhood). 10 months later noticed that I was less stiff when getting out of the car. High sensitive C (a measure of inflammation) went down from 11 (very high) to 8 (still very high but progress). Just received new results at the 22 month mark, and my levels are down to 3.99. Although this is still high (it should be 2 or lower), it is the lowest I have seen in my adult life.” [5]
- “My osteoarthritis is most evident in my right hand knuckle and spine (back and neck). At 12 weeks post inoculation (with NA), my osteoarthritis improved noticeably, measured by pain in knuckle and 'cricking' noises in my neck during exercises.” (Via email.)
- “I have Osteoarthritis in my big toe/foot joint and Coeliac Disease. I was also diagnosed with Polyarthralgia. After getting my 10 NA about 14 months ago and then another 10 about 5 months later I really noticed a difference in the aching joints. My polyarthralgia in my hands and feet have improved immensely and the osteoarthritis is definitely better although I still get pain walking as constantly have to walk using that big toe joint. It was when I lost my colony of NA after having to take a series of courses of antibiotics in early 2018 when my symptoms came back and I really noticed how well I had been with the NA on board.” [6]
- Two reports from someone with Crohn's-related arthritis.
- “I had knee pain for 20 years after quitting running, accompanied by a 24/7 warm feeling on the surface around both knees. After my third inoculation of helminths, the warmth went away. I believe it was some form of immune response to the damage in my knees, or perhaps a type of arthritis. Anyway, it's gone...” [8]
- "I was diagnosed last summer with seronegative arthritis (just raging constant pain in my hands and feet) with big family history of ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis. Was miserable taking prednisone 10-20mg daily, methotrexate, and enbrel for the last 7 months. Started hookworms Feb 8 and now down to 6mg prednisone and off methotrexate. Feeling amazing and still tapering the steroids with no issues. This is miraculous stuff." [9]
- “I am about four months along treating UC with Human Whipworm TTO. I experienced an unexpected, but welcome benefit within two weeks of my first dose (50 ova). I had suffered a broken shoulder 12 years ago that was never set properly, so I had a lot of soreness and stiffness in that joint since that time. The second week after starting TT all my joints starting popping profusely for a couple days then settled down, it was then I noticed the pain in my shoulder was easing. Today my shoulder no longer hurts before bed, the pain, stiffness, inflammation is almost nonexistant. I could not fully extend that arm with the broken shoulder over my head before, now I can actually extend it over my shoulder and place my arm behind my head. I never expected this range of motion would ever be possible again after the shoulder injury. I can say TT worked a miracle on my joint pain. (I have dosed a total of 300 TTO to date).” [10]
Helminth dosing in arthritis[edit | edit source]
One practitioner has reported that people with arthritic conditions appeaar to have higher dosing needs than those with many other conditions. She has suggested that, if a self-treater does not experience side effects after a first dose of 5 NA, it may be a good idea to begin to escalate the dose size from the second dose, and that many people with arthritis may eventually need 25, or even more, every 3 months if tolerated, with a possible average of 10 NA every three months. [12]