Parasites, Yeasts, Moulds and Fungi - What Else is Under Your Nails?

Parasites, Yeasts, Moulds and Fungi - What Else is Under Your Nails?

1n 1997 I met one of the most sought-after and respected parasite specialists in the world - Dr Omar Amin.

We were meeting to further investigate the success of certain Ancient Herbal Remedies in expelling parasites, moulds, yeasts and fungi from the body. He gave me a copy of his recent paper 'Understanding Parasites '. One sentence in it has always remained firmly in my mind: "A recent inspection of an expensive restaurant in Los Angeles showed that 100% of all workers (not just servers) had fecal matter under their nails."

It almost goes without saying that fecal matter and poor health conditions often go together. With our cities and towns offering culinary dishes from increasingly exotic regions,this carries a higher likelihood of parasite borne sicknesses, especially if these regional foods are undercooked or even raw: steak tartare, ceviche, sashimi, sushi, Dutch herring for example. Tapeworm is high on the list of 'residents ' in these foods as is the Anisakid Worm.

A food-handler with poor personal hygiene will very likely increase the exposure and possibility of pathogenic organisms spreading. Years back kitchen staff wore hairnets and gloves when handling food. They don't appear to do that any longer though regular hand-washing habits might be mandatory these days.

At the University of Gondar, Ethiopia in 2003, 127 food-handlers working in the cafe and the Teachers Training College there were fingernail-tested. These cafe's were chosen because the mass-provision of foods is a likely source of transmitting diseases. Fingernail contents of both the hands and stool samples were collected from all 127 food-handlers. As well as fecal matter they found harmful bacteria under the nails of both hands. Fortunately no intestinal parasites were detected from fingernail contents, but intestinal parasites definitely showed up in their stool samples.

It's not only food handlers that carry the risk of passing on contamination. To give you a notion of how and where contamination occurs, here are 2 fascinating lists.





5 of the 'dirtiest ' jobs:

1. Teacher/day-care employee

2. Cashier (bank, post office, supermarket, junk food)

3. Policeman

4. Animal workers

5. PC maintenance (using grimy keyboard/mouse)





These are some of the dirtiest places you'll touch in your day:

1. Fuel pump or supermarket trolley handles

2. Office keyboard and mouse (not yours)

3. Public or office drinking fountains

4. Door handles - toilet, microwave or 'fridge at office and home

5. Vending machine, ATM's, lift, remote control, computer game controller buttons

6. Your toothbrush, if left near to a flushed toilet (always close the toilet lid)

7. Anywhere around domestic pets (including sandboxes)

Of course there's hope....bacteria and viruses are an in-built part of our lives. There are many billions of them in and around us. A vibrant, healthy immune system will generally look after the majority of the daily 'invasions' we pick up from that dirty superstore trolley or household pet but being conscious of this is additionally valuable.

Let's keep the exposure to the absolute minimum. 

About the Author:

Born and brought up in Asia, author Graeme Dinnen was intrigued by the way
in which different Asian cultures approach their health. He
studied aspects of Traditional Chinese Medicine and now runs Resources
For Life a natural health business in Chichester, West Sussex.Click here for more information on the recommended Ancient Herbal Remedies to eliminate parasites

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