Helminthic therapy for well people

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We refer to the intentional hosting of helminths as a therapy, but it is more than this. Evolution has determined that having a helminth-rich biota is the default state for humans, and it is already clear that there are many benefits to be gained from hosting helminths throughout life, even for people in apparently good health.

... humankind eventually needs to move beyond the idea that helminths are best used as a drug or a therapy. Rather, we need to embrace the view that helminths are a necessary component of the ecosystem of a healthy body, and that helminths should be cultivated for population-wide biota restoration. (Villeneuve et al)

This approach views helminths as being more like vitamins, and their absence as a helminth deficiency. Almost all who are living in industrialised countries today are helminth-deficient.

I think eventually, we’ll understand that helminths are just a normal part of the ecosystem of our body. And eventually, I think it’s going to go beyond just a therapy. I think it’ll be a kind of probiotic that people will be using just to maintain health. (William Parker) (Web archive copy)

Since helminths are very effective in reducing inflammation, maintaining a small colony of helminths could potentially help to prevent a whole slew of degenerative diseases and other conditions related to the silent, chronic, low-grade, systemic inflammation that exacts a relentless toll on our tissues. [1] [2]

All immunocompetent humans need regular exposure to helminths in order to maintain optimal immune function and avoid risk for inflammation-associated disease. This conclusion is based on “biota alteration theory”, the view that loss of biodiversity from the ecosystem of the human body as a result of industrialization has contributed to increased immune dysregulation and non-adaptive inflammation. In this view, exposure to helminths is a necessary component of our biology, and the essentially complete absence of those organisms is an underlying cause of inflammatory disease. Based on this view, we have argued that access to helminths is a basic human need. (Smyth et al)

There is mounting evidence to support this view, as can be seen from the following papers and articles.

Potentially reducible health risks

Ageing / aging

Hosting helminths could be key to living longer with greater freedom from chronic disease.

See Helminthic therapy and aging

Allergy

• Reconstitution of the human biome as the most reasonable solution for epidemics of allergic and autoimmune diseases

Alopecia areata

We have seen a link between AA and a dysfunctional gastrointestinal system which raised the hypothesis that an underlying intestinal inflammation drives the priming and dysregulation of immune cells that lead to hair follicle destruction. [3]

• Mechanisms of tolerance and potential therapeutic interventions in Alopecia Areata -- Full text | PDF (See section 4: Gut microbiota and helminths, autoimmunity and tolerance.)

Alzheimer’s disease

See Helminthic therapy and neurodegenerative diseases: Alzheimer’s disease

Arthritis

See Personal stories: Arthritis

Atherosclerosis

See Helminthic therapy and metabolism & cardiovascular diseases

Autoimmune disease

• Reconstitution of the human biome as the most reasonable solution for epidemics of allergic and autoimmune diseases

The following paper reveals that exposure to stress might lead to the development of autoimmune disease, and it could be argued that the powerful anti-inflammatory effects of helminths might help to interrupt this progression and reduce the risk of someone with a stress-related disorder going on to develop autoimmunity.

• Association of Stress-Related Disorders With Subsequent Autoimmune Disease

Autism

When a mother's immune system is modulated by helminths during pregnancy, her children will likely have a reduced risk of developing autism.

Given the vast body of scientific literature connecting impaired cognitive development and function with inflammation, it seems almost certain that normalization of immune function and reduction of inflammatory disease in the human population will result in dramatically decreased levels of a wide range of cognitive disorders, including autism. [4]

• Is Autism a Member of a Family of Diseases Resulting from Genetic/Cultural Mismatches? Implications for Treatment and Prevention
• A model for the induction of autism in the ecosystem of the human body: the anatomy of a modern pandemic?
• Microbiome Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders (Video - Helminths mentioned from 34 minutes.)

Bone healing ability, loss of in the elderly

Age-associated inflammation is responsible for the decline in the number and function of the skeletal stem cells that enable bones to heal.

• 'Inflamm-aging' causes loss of bone healing ability in the elderly

Cancer

Also see Helminthic therapy and cancer.

• Many helminths produce excretory-secretory products with antitumor properties. [5] [6]
• Parasites as negative regulators of cancer -- Full text | PDF
• The bifacial role of helminths in cancer: involvement of immune and non-immune mechanisms

… specific pathogens may be able to elicit anti-tumor immune responses that can lead to protection from tumorigenesis or cancer regression.

• Extraintestinal helminth infection reduces the development of colitis-associated tumorigenesis -- Full text | PDF
• Helminth-derived molecules inhibit colitis-associated colon cancer development through NF-kB and STAT3 regulation
• Hookworm exposure decreases human papillomavirus uptake and cervical cancer cell migration through systemic regulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition marker expression -- Full text | PDF
• Chronic Inflammation Linked to High-Grade Prostate Cancer
• Inflammation and cancer: how hot is the link?
• Review series on helminths, immune modulation and the hygiene hypothesis: The broader implications of the hygiene hypothesis -- Full text | PDF

Cardiovascular disease

See Helminthic therapy and metabolism & cardiovascular diseases

Cognitive dysfunction

• Got worms? Perinatal exposure to helminths prevents persistent immune sensitization and cognitive dysfunction induced by early-life infection

COVID-19

Also see Helminthic therapy and COVID-19.

• COVID-19 as an Acute Inflammatory Disease -- Full text

Helminth infection is protective against COVID-19 and its complications.

Dementia

See Helminthic therapy and neurodegenerative diseases: Dementia

Depression

• The Depression-Inflammation Connection

Diabetes

See Helminthic therapy and diabetes.

Encephalitis

Encephalitis, or brain inflammation, causes fever, confusion, memory loss, psychosis and seizures. It can progress quickly over weeks or even days and may become life-threatening.

• When the body attacks the brain: Immune system often to blame for encephalitis, study finds

Whether this condition is caused by infection or autoimmunity, a helminth deficiency will arguably increase the risks, whereas helminth exposure may reduce them.

Fibromyalgia

See also Helminthic therapy and fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia has been linked to increased systemic inflammation and neuro-inflammation.

• Research teams find widespread inflammation in the brains of fibromyalgia patients

• Evidence of both systemic inflammation and neuroinflammation in fibromyalgia patients, as assessed by a multiplex protein panel applied to the cerebrospinal fluid and to plasma — Full text | PDF

Glaucoma

• Glaucoma may be an autoimmune disease

Graves' disease

Graves’ hyperthyroidism may be prevented by helminth infection or with the application of helminth-derived products.

• TSH receptor-adenovirus-induced Graves' hyperthyroidism is attenuated in both interferon-gamma and interleukin-4 knockout mice; implications for the Th1/Th2 paradigm -- Full text | PDF

Helicobacter pylori infection

Hosting helminths may provide a buffering mechanism against the harmful effects of H. pylori infection, alleviating the Th1-dependent response and protecting against inflammation within the gastrointestinal tract.

• Frequency and immunological consequences of Helicobacter pylori and intestinal parasite co-infections: a brief review
• Concurrent enteric helminth infection modulates inflammation and gastric immune responses and reduces helicobacter-induced gastric atrophy
• Intestinal helminthiasis in Colombian children promotes a Th2 response to Helicobacter pylori: possible implications for gastric carcinogenesis

Heavy metal accumulation

Some helminth species may be able to remediate heavy metal accumulation in their hosts’ tissues.

• Role of Parasitic Helminths in Bioremediating Some Heavy Metal Accumulation in the Tissues of Lethrinus mahsena

HIV

Helminth infections can reduce the susceptibility of T-cells to HIV-1 infection, so may be beneficial against HIV-1.

• Schistosoma mansoni soluble egg antigen (SEA) and recombinant Omega-1 modulate induced CD4+ T-lymphocyte responses and HIV-1 infection in vitro -- Full text

Hyperemesis gravidarum

Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) is a pregnancy complication characterised by severe nausea, vomiting, weight loss, and possibly dehydration, [7] which is considered more severe than morning sickness. [8] In view of the fact that allergy is the most significant condition associated with HG prior to pregnancy [9] - which suggests a possible allergic or autoimmune component - it is possible that women who are hosting helminths might be less likely to develop HG.

Hypertension

See Helminthic therapy and metabolism & cardiovascular diseases

Immune disorders

• Reconstituting the depleted biome to prevent immune disorders

• Evolutionary biology and anthropology suggest biome reconstitution as a necessary approach toward dealing with immune disorders

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

Helminth exposure may prevent IBD.

• Failure to acquire helminths in early life negatively affects immune development, leading to immunological diseases such as IBD later in life

• Young mice expel the tapeworm Hymenolepis diminuta and are protected from colitis by triggering a memory response with worm antigen -- PDF

Joint replacement, failure of

Helminths could extend the life of joint replacements by reducing inflammation-related bone loss.

• Cause of bone loss in joint implant patients uncovered in new study

Kidney pathology

A worm-derived immunomodulator protects against kidney damage in SLE.

• The parasitic worm product ES-62 targets myeloid differentiation factor 88-dependent effector mechanisms to suppress antinuclear antibody production and proteinuria in MRL/lpr mice -- Full text | PDF

Leg ulcers, recalcitrant

Research has identified a connection between wounds that don't heal and autoimmunity, suggesting that preventing autoimmune disease by hosting helminths might also help to reduce the risk of recalcitrant leg ulcers.

• Vasculitic and autoimmune wounds -- Full text | PDF

Lifespan reduction

Helminth colonisation may promote longevity.

• Inflammation, not telomere length, predicts healthy longevity of centenarians
• Scientists May Have Isolated The Secret To Staying Healthy Past Age 100
• Does the trained immune system play an important role in the extreme longevity that is seen in the Sardinian blue zone? -- Full text | PDF

Macular degeneration / age-related macular degeneration (AMD)

• 2021 Feb 2 Gross ways to live long: Parasitic worms as an anti-inflammaging therapy? -- Full text | PDF (Also reported by Press Release. [10])

See also

• 2025 Oct 1 Current and emerging therapies for dry and neovascular age-related macular degeneration -- Full text
• 2012 Nov 27 NIH study suggests immune system could play a central role in AMD
• 2009 Nov-Dec Autoimmunity in retinal degeneration: autoimmune retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration

See also (VEGF)

• 2023 Jan 23 Nematode-Induced Growth Factors Related to Angiogenesis in Autoimmune Disease Attenuation -- Full text | PDF
• 2021 Nov 16 Diminished Circulating Levels of Angiogenic Factors and Rage Ligands in Helminth-Diabetes Comorbidity and Reversal Following Anthelmintic Treatment -- Full text | PDF

Malaria

Children with helminths may be less likely to contract malaria.

• Epidemiological study of the association between malaria and helminth infections in Nigeria

• Early helminth infections are inversely related to anemia, malnutrition, and malaria and are not associated with inflammation in 6- to 23-month-old Zanzibari children | PDF

Infection by Trichuris trichiura has been associated with direct reductions in cerebral malaria risk.

• Disentangling complex parasite interactions: Protection against cerebral malaria by one helminth species is jeopardized by co-infection with another -- Full text | PDF

Removal of helminths can increase the risk from infectious agents such as malaria and influenza.

• 2009 Jan Review series on helminths, immune modulation and the hygiene hypothesis: immunity against helminths and immunological phenomena in modern human populations: coevolutionary legacies? -- Full text | PDF

Hosting hookworms concurrently with one species of malaria can reduce the malaria burden by almost 50 percent.

• Competing for blood: the ecology of parasite resource competition in human malaria-helminth co-infections

Metabolic syndrome

Helminth infection may provide protection against metabolic syndrome.

See Helminthic therapy and metabolism & cardiovascular diseases

Miscarriage

Also see Helminthic therapy and pregnancy.

Many women who suffer recurrent miscarriages exhibit autoimmune phenomena similar to what is seen in patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), and these women may be treated with prednisone to reduce inflammation.

• Miscarriages can be Prevented
• Insights into causes of miscarriages for some women revealed by mice study

Mold (mould) health issues

Helminthic therapy might prevent symptoms arising from mold exposure.

Thanks to helminthic therapy, she can cope much better now with mold. [11]

• Helminthic Therapy and CIRS: Could this be the Missing Link?

Preliminary research identifies helminthic therapy as a possible treatment strategy to arrest the chronic inflammatory response, induced by mold and other biotoxins.

Muscle mass loss in the elderly

Age-related decline in muscle function may be driven by chronic inflammation.

• Mechanistic Links Underlying the Impact of C-Reactive Protein on Muscle Mass in Elderly -- Full text | PDF

Narcolepsy

Also see Helminthic therapy and narcolepsy.

• New proof that narcolepsy is an autoimmune disease

Neuropsychiatric disorders

Exposure to helminths may have a profoundly positive affect on neuropsychiatric disorders. [12] [13] HDCs are already being used effectively as a therapeutic agent to relieve a wide range of these disorders, [14] (PDF) [15] [16] and Bilbo and colleagues have used a laboratory model to show that colonization with H. diminuta protects rats from inflammation-induced cognitive dysfunction. [17]

See Helminthic therapy and neuropsychiatric disorders

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)

See Helminthic therapy and metabolism & cardiovascular diseases

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

• Is obsessive–compulsive disorder an autoimmune disease? -- Full text | PDF

• Searching for the immune basis of obsessive-compulsive disorder -- Full text | PDF

Obstructive sleep apnea

• Obstructive sleep apnea linked to inflammation, organ dysfunction

Osteoarthritis

Also see Helminthic therapy and osteoarthritis.

• 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…

Osteoporosis

• 2025 Nov Clonorchis sinensis Crude Antigen Suppresses Osteoclast Differentiation via Modulation of the NF-κB and MAPK Signaling Pathway -- Full text | PDF

• 2017 Oct 16 Is osteoporosis an autoimmune mediated disorder? -- Full text | PDF
• 2017 Jan 13 Inflammatory arthritis and systemic bone loss are attenuated by gastrointestinal helminth parasites

Here, we show that infection with the natural mouse helminth parasite, Heligmosomoides polygyrus bakeri (Hp) not only attenuates the development of arthritis in two different inflammatory arthritis mouse models (...) but also impacts positively on systemic bone metabolism.

Age-associated inflammation is responsible for the decline in the number and function of the skeletal stem cells that enable bones to heal.

• 2019 Mar 18 'Inflamm-aging' causes loss of bone healing ability in the elderly

Pain, chronic

• An Autoimmune Basis for Chronic Pain?

Parkinson's disease

See Helminthic therapy and neurodegenerative diseases: Parkinson's disease

Preeclampsia

Also see Helminthic therapy and pregnancy.

• Better regulation of the immune system may minimize preeclampsia symptoms
• Is preeclampsia an autoimmune disease? (Full text)
• Autoimmune Genes Linked To Preeclampsia

Premature birth

• Calm the immune system, halt premature birth

Premenstrual Syndrome

• The Association of Inflammation with Premenstrual Symptoms -- Full text | PDF

(Science Alert have published a very readable article about this research.)

Psychosis

There are several lines of evidence to suggest that a proportion of psychotic illnesses have a plausible autoimmune component.

• Some psychosis cases an 'immune disorder'
• Psychosis: an autoimmune disease?
• A clinical approach to new-onset psychosis associated with immune dysregulation: the concept of autoimmune psychosis

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection

• Enteric helminth-induced type I interferon signaling protects against pulmonary virus infection through interaction with the microbiota -- Full text | PDF

These data demonstrate that a strictly enteric helminth infection can have remote protective antiviral effects in the lung through induction of a microbiota-dependent type I interferon response.

Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)

RLS has been associated with inflammation.

• Circulating levels of cytokines are increased in restless legs syndrome
• Severe recurrent restless legs syndrome associated with systemic inflammation
• Association between the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, a new marker of systemic inflammation, and restless legs syndrome -- Full text | PDF
• Restless legs syndrome - Theoretical roles of inflammatory and immune mechanisms -- PDF

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)

Also see Helminthic therapy and rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

• Protection Against Arthritis by the Parasitic Worm Product ES-62, and Its Drug-Like Small Molecule Analogues, Is Associated With Inhibition of Osteoclastogenesis -- Full text | PDF

Rosacea

The risk for rosacea, as well as other skin disorders such as atopic eczema and onychomycosis (toenail fungus), increase with the presence of systemic low-grade inflammation.

• Study Finds Association Between Low-Grade Inflammation and Rosacea

Schizophrenia

Inflammation, particularly of a low-grade nature, is a consistent pathological finding in schizophrenia… [18] [19]

• What's The Connection Between Schizophrenia and Autoimmune Diseases?
• Inflammation and Schizophrenia, YouTube
• Immune clue to preventing schizophrenia
• Microglial Activity in People at Ultra High Risk of Psychosis and in Schizophrenia: An (11C)PBR28 PET Brain Imaging Study (PDF)
• Reducing Inflammation May Improve Cognition in Schizophrenia

Sepsis

See Helminthic therapy and sepsis.

Helminths may protect against sepsis and septic shock.

Suicide

• Young people with chronic illness more likely to attempt suicide
• Allergy: A Risk Factor for Suicide?

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

Infection with the murine helminth, Hymenolepis microstoma (HM), protected mice against the development of lupus, improved all signs and symptoms of the disease, and prevented death.

• Suppression of systemic lupus erythematosus in NZBWF1 mice infected with Hymenolepis microstoma

Tourette Syndrome

The findings of several studies collectively indicate that inflammation plays a significant and crucial role in the development and progression of Tourette's syndrome. [20] [21] [22] Researchers have also discussed the potential contribution of immunological dysfunction as well as inflammatory processes in TS [23] and the following study found that autoimmune disease in the mother was associated with a 29% increased incidence rate of Tourette’s syndrome in male offspring, suggesting that neuroimmunological disorders may act as a component in the etiology of a subset of TS.

• Maternal History of Autoimmune Disease and Later Development of Tourette Syndrome in Offspring

Tuberculosis

• Is tuberculosis an autoimmune disease?

Venous thromboembolism (VTE)

(Also pulmonary embolism (PE) and deep vein thrombosis (DVT)).

Inflammation appears to change the hemostatic balance towards thrombogenesis, and autoimmune disorders have been linked to an increased risk of VTE.

• Autoimmune diseases and venous thromboembolism: a review of the literature -- Full text | PDF

Testimonies to health enhancement

Well people who host helminths as prophylaxis against autoimmune and inflammation-related conditions may never know exactly how much their worms have helped to keep them well but, occasionally, a case is reported that hints at the extent of the potential benefits.

I was healthy when I started (helminthic therapy) so I wasn't expecting a lot of improvements. My first inoculation was in Dec 2018. Now (April 2020) I have a total of about 25 NA's. Usually this time of year I suffer from bad allergies but not this year! I have had no issues with it for the first time since my 20's. The most important improvement for me (don't laugh) is that I can now eat movie popcorn without suffering stomach cramps. [24]

When a clinical pathologist specialising in medical microbiology heard about helminthic therapy, he decided he had to experience what was involved, but he had no expectation of benefit beyond hoping that it might possibly improve his seasonal hay fever. In the event, he experienced several additional benefits.

Unexpected was the disappearance of the arthritis in my knees, being able to go for a jog without having to stop out of breathlessness (I think I must have had undiagnosed exertional asthma all my life), and finding myself unattracted by starchy, greasy foods. Result of the latter being that I have lost 12 Kg, and kept it off, and that is after 65 years of unsuccessfully battling overweight! Going with that, my total to HDL cholesterol ratio has fallen from 4.3 to 2.8. [25] I've had no recurrence of the painful heels of plantar fasciitis, and… best of all, my mood has improved hugely. I am a really happy person. [26]

See also

• Helminthic therapy personal stories

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

Microorganisms that are believed to provide health benefits when consumed.

The specific population of microorganisms living in a certain part of the body, such as the gut. "Microbiome" refers to all the microorganisms living in and on the body, or the genome of these microorganisms. These two terms are often used interchangeably.

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

Inflammatory bowel disease is a group of conditions affecting the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, particularly the colon and small intestine. The major types of IBD are Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis (UC).

The human whipworm used in helminthic therapy and taken periodically as microscopic eggs (TTO) in a drink.

A helminth that lives in the small intestine. Necator americanus (NA) is the only hookworm species used in helminthic therapy. Its microscopic larvae are applied periodically to the skin.

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.

Hymenolepis diminuta cysticercoids (Hi-men-o-lep'is dim-a-nu-ta sis-ti-sur-koid) - the larval cysts of the rat tapeworm, Hymenolepis diminuta

A murine (rat) tapeworm used in helminthic therapy that generally does not mature in humans and is taken as cysticerci (HDC) in a drink every 2 or 3 weeks.

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.)

the porcine (pig) whipworm, Trichuris suis

The introduction of an infectious agent into an organism. Helminth inoculation

the human hookworm, Necator americanus