Description
Gastrointestinal health is directly affected by factors, such as exposure to microbes, poor diet and a stressful lifestyle, that can negatively impact immune function. The prevalence of refined sugars and carbohydrates and the low presence of fiber in the modern diet has been directly linked to the alteration of the colonic environment.1 Since the body’s immune system is a complex and dynamic defense system, healthy microbial balance and antioxidant support help ensure more optimal immune function. Maintaining healthy microbial balance is not only integral to optimal GI health, but also supports overall health and well-being. This product provides a blend of plant compounds which work together to defend against microbial stressors.
Why We Love Paracid Pro
Gut Microbes Need Balancing!
This formula contains multiple ingredients that can help reduce unhealthy microbes in the gut. This product is potent with its combination of wormwood, black walnut, and olive leaf. Together these ingredients can help push out unwanted invaders and make room for those healthier microbes we want in the gut.
The Babesia and Lyme Link
Oh boy let the controversies begin! Wormwood has to be one of the herbs I get the most questions about in my chronic Lyme and Babesia population. Multiple “Lyme Experts” will point you towards wormwood especially if they suspect Babesia. Babesia is a blood porn parasite and wormwood has been used traditionally in China with parasites so it makes sense at first glance. Fortunately, some more modern research also supports some of the key ingredients in this formula for Lyme and Babesia.
Wormwood can be extremely useful for patients with both Lyme and Babesia. In 2020 John Hopkins published a study in 2020 that both wormwood and black walnut were effective at killing Lyme in the lab . This was fairly new information as it has traditionally been used much more for Babesia, but hey if it works for both Lyme and Babesia that’s terrific! In 2021 a similar research team published that wormwood was also effective against Babesia duncani .
Wormwood works through oxidation and is dependent on a lot of other factors for success. It will go better if you have enough iron and vitamin A. Because wormwoods kills microbes through oxidation, it is important to have sufficient anti-oxidants or you can get a pretty harsh die off/detox reaction. It may be necessary to take vitamin C, E, CoQ10, Selenium, Mn, Lipoic Acid, NAC, Glutathione etc for patients to be able to use.
Wormwood without unpleasant side effects. If you have other things that drain you of anti-oxidants (heavy metals and mold come to mind) patients often experience side effects from Artemesia, so you may need to pause it and handle the metal or mold before continuing.
1 Feng J, Leone J, Schweig S, Zhang Y. Evaluation of Natural and Botanical Medicines for Activity Against Growing and Non-growing Forms of B. burgdorferi. Front. Med., 21 February 2020.
2 Zhang Y, Alvarez-Manzo H, Leone J, Schweig S, Zhang Y. Botanical Medicines Cryptolepis sanguinolenta, Artemisia annua, Scutellaria baicalensis, Polygonum cuspidatum, and Alchornea cordifolia Demonstrate Inhibitory Activity Against Babesia duncani. Froniers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology., 08 March 2021.
Ingredients
Wormwood/Artemisinin†
Wormwood is a fern-like plant commonly found throughout Asia, and artemisinin is its active constituent. Artemisinin is a sesquiterpene lactone, a special compound shown to have strong microbial-balancing properties. It is known to interfere with microbial metabolism by causing structural changes to unfriendly organisms that prevent them from maturing in the body. This effect is facilitated by the production of free radicals and reactive aldehydes within the microbes that disrupt their growth.4,5
Olive Leaf Extract†
Widely consumed in the Mediterranean, olives contain numerous phenolic compounds, including oleuropein, which have demonstrated broad spectrum microbial-balancing and antioxidant properties.2-5 Oleuropein is a unique polyphenol molecule in olive leaf extract and special processing techniques now allow for the extraction of a stable, standardized form of oleuropein. Oleuropein is a potent antioxidant, supports microbial balance, and helps maintain a normal inflammatory balance in the body. Studies have indicated that oleuropein boosts host immune defense and it is especially helpful in supporting those with microbial challenges related to microbial imbalances in the intestines.3 In one in vitro study, phenolic compounds from olive leaf, including oleuropein, were able to interfere the cellular metabolism of a wide range of microbes creating a hostile environment to their survival.8 Another study found olive leaf extract prevents cell-to-cell attachment in a dose-dependent manner, a key mechanism in supporting healthy microbial balance.5
Black Walnut†
The hulls of the black walnut have been used since Greek and Roman times to support those with intestinal complaints. Black walnut has compounds known as tannins, which affect the structural stability of various microbes. The activity (minimum inhibitory concentration) of four different tannin-containing plants was determined by broth dilution method, and black walnut was found to be the most active against various microbes.6
Berberine Sulfate†
Berberine is an alkaloid extracted from plant roots that is commonly found in barberry, turmeric and Oregon grape. Berberine extracts have shown significant ability to influence the activity of a variety of organisms that affect human health.7-9 In vitro, berberine has been found to promote GI health10 and, among 25 patients, 5 mg/kg per day of berberine for six days promoted positive changes in the microbial samples of 17 patients. Mechanisms of action for berberine include effects on organism adhesion and intracellular interference, metabolic activity, maturation and free radical formation.9 By addressing the intestinal secretion of water and electrolytes induced by certain organism toxins, berberine also supports the healthy formation of stool.6 In this way, it promotes healthy intestinal motility and normal intestinal transit time. Both in vitro and animal research suggest berberine can also affect COX-2 protein, maintaining normal inflammatory balance.6
References
† These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
- Frizelle F. Constipation in adults. Clin Evod (online). 2007;0413 (August 1).
- Waterman, E. and Lockwood, B. Active components
and clinical applications of olive oil. Altern Med Rev. 2007; 12(4):331-342. - Bisignano, G., Tomaino, A. et al. On the in-vitro antimicrobial activity of oleuropein and hydroxytyrosol. J Pharm Pharmacol. 1999; 51(8):971-974.
- Sudjana, A. N., D’Orazio, C. et al. Antimicrobial activity of commercial Olea europaea (olive) leaf extract. Int J Antimicrob Agents. 2009; 33(5):461-463.
- Micol V, Caturla N, Pérez-Fons L, Más V, Pérez L, Estepa A. The olive leaf extract exhibits antiviral activity against viral haemorrhagic septicaemia rhabdovirus ( VHSV ). Antiviral Res. 2005 Jun;66(2-3):129-36. Epub 2005 Apr 18.
- Amarowicz, R., Dykes, G. A. et al. Antibacterial activity of tannin constituents from Phaseolus vulgaris, Fagoypyrum esculentum, Corylus avellana and Juglans nigra. Fitoterapia. 2008; 79(3):217-219.
- Vuddanda PR, Chakraborty S, Singh S. Berberine: a potential phytochemical with multispectrum therapeutic activities. Expert Opin Investig Drugs. 2010 Oct;19(10):1297- 307. [PMID: 20836620].
- Dhingra, V., Vishweshwar, Rao K. et al. Current status of artemisinin and its derivatives as antimalarial drugs. Life Sci. 2000; 66(4):279-300.
- Pereira, A. P., Ferreira, I. C. et al. Phenolic compounds
and antimicrobial activity of olive (Olea europaea L. Cv. Cobrancosa) leaves. Molecules. 2007; 12(5):1153-1162. - Krishna,S.,Bustamante,L.etal.Artemisinins:their growing importance in medicine. Trends Pharmacol Sci. 2008; 29(10):520-527.
Warnings
Always be sure to speak with your healthcare provider before starting any new nutritional supplement when pregnant or nursing. For children, we recommend speaking with your child's pediatrician regarding proper dosing. Store away from children.
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