Helminthic Therapy Basics

Helminthic Therapy

Helminthic therapy is an experimental approach to the treatment of asthma, allergies, inflammation and autoimmune diseases that involves the administration of controlled numbers of benign intestinal worms such as hookworm and whipworm.

The treatment developed out of understanding gained from scientific studies showing that, while these illnesses have escalated in developed countries during the past 50-100 years, they remain much less common in parts of the world where intestinal worms are still prevalent.

The aim of the treatment is to rebalance the host’s immune system by replacing one or more species of the harmless organisms that have been lost in recent decades due to improved hygiene, sanitation and lifestyle changes.

The organisms that are used have become masters of the human immune system during millions of years of coexistence with man. In fact, the co-dependent relationship between worm and man is so close that the human genome is now arguably incomplete without the genes contributed by these organisms.

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

Helminthic Therapy  A brief introduction from Wikipedia.

Helminthic Therapy Success Stories  A list of over 200 accounts of success using helminthic therapy with more than 60 different medical conditions.

Helminthic Therapy FAQ  Answers to frequently asked questions.

Don’t Let Worms Give You The Squirms  For those who are interested in helminthic therapy but have an aversion to worms.

Hookworm Timeline  A timeline showing what to expect after inoculating with hookworm.

HELMINTHIC THERAPY SCIENCE

Distribution graphic for autoimmune disorders and helminths

Reconstituting the depleted biome to prevent immune disorders  An article explaining why replacing our “old friends” may be the only reasonable therapy for a wide range of immune-associated disorders, including allergy, autoimmunity and autism.

Helminth–host immunological interactions: prevention and control of immune-mediated diseases  An excellent summary of the science underpinning helminthic therapy.

The above two articles would be ideal to give to a doctor who is interested in helminthic therapy but lacking information.

Helminthic Therapy Science Readings  A collection of links to 60 articles reflecting some of the medical science pertaining to helminthic therapy.

FORUMS

Yahoo Helminthic Therapy forum  This has more than 1,100 members and a searchable archive of over 9,000 posts.

Facebook Helminthic Therapy Support group  This is the most active HT forum. Click on the “Join Group” button to request membership.

INTEREST

Pinterest Helminthic Therapy pinboard  This features hundreds of research and news articles about helminth therapy, gut health and their relationship with autoimmune diseases.

Disclaimer: This post is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

Note: this page was originally written and posted, and is used here by permission, by the Blogger Gut Buddies. His blog is very good, and contains more practical information on the application of helminthic therapy than mine, and he is well read and very rational and intelligent. I recommend it highly. The base URL for his blog is http://blog.autoimmunetherapies.com/gut_buddies/

The original post can be found here:http://blog.autoimmunetherapies.com/gut_buddies/helminthic-therapy-2/