Most people know that losing weight can make you look good, but did you know it can also help you get rid of parasites living in your body? Researchers at The University of Manchester recently discovered that weight loss can help eliminate these unwanted guests.
The study focused on a treatment called tribendimidine, which has been proven safe and effective in removing worms from the body. According to the researchers, weight loss is actually a sign that the immune system is hard at work. The immune system creates a natural defense mechanism that drives out the parasites.
It turns out that over 25% of people around the world are infected with parasites. When these parasites feed on the nutrients from your food, it can lead to weight loss.
In their study, researchers used mice as test subjects and infected them with roundworms. After two weeks, the mice began to lose weight. The researchers discovered that the immune system produces a hormone called cholecystokinin, which reduces the mice’s appetite.
To verify their findings, scientists tested the effect of restoring leptin, a hormone that influences the immune system’s response. They found that mice with restored leptin levels didn’t produce enough hormones to effectively fight the parasites. These mice eventually expelled the worms, but not as quickly as those that didn’t receive the extra treatment.
Dr. John Worthington, involved in the research, noted that their findings challenge the common belief that weight loss is a negative immune system response. Instead, the results show that weight loss helps the body to expel worms and cure the infection.