The raw food diet, also known as the "live diet," is a lifestyle based on consuming at least 75 percent of foods that are uncooked or heated below 115 degrees F, unprocessed and, ideally, organic. The diet consists of fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts, soy, unpasteurized dairy products and certain meat and fish. Historically, human beings have lived on a healthy raw food diet for years. It is believed that cooked foods lose nutritional value, making them less healthy and even harmful to the body.
Raw Food Benefits and Concerns
Although a raw food diet has many health benefits, such as increased energy; reduced risk of heart attack, cancer and diabetes; clear skin; and weight loss, it also has a few health risks, one of them being food poisoning. Food poisoning is a very serious illness caused by bacteria found in foods or by parasites.
Parasite Identification
Parasites are organisms that survive off of other organisms known as hosts. They can be present in food or water and are transmitted by animal to human, human to human or human to animal. These organisms live and reproduce in the host's body and are excreted in feces. They vary in size from tiny microscopic organisms to multicellular worms that can easily be seen without a microscope.
Parasite Symptoms
In a raw food diet, where heat is limited, parasites are a major concern. Parasites are transmitted from host to host, meaning that a person can be infected by eating foods that have been contaminated by infected feces. Symptoms include abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, constipation, lack of energy, chills, fever and general discomfort. In worst-case scenarios, parasites can invade the lungs, brain, liver and skin, which can ultimately lead to death.
Prevention
There are few practices a raw foodist can adhere to in order to prevent and limit parasite contamination: Limit the amount of raw animal product consumed; thoroughly wash hands with soap and warm water before preparing and eating food; refrigerate food immediately (after grocery shopping and after preparing); properly wash all fruits and vegetables (some use food grade hydrogen peroxide to disinfect); invest in a water ozonater to disinfect; and consult a doctor at least twice a year for a parasite cleanse.
Treatment
Parasites feed off the nutrients from the host and lay eggs. The goal is to kill the living parasites and the eggs by flushing the bacteria out of the body. Coconuts and coconut products (oil, milk, meat) contain medium-chain fatty acids and fiber, which are both powerful agents for purging the parasites. Garlic also contains natural antiparasitic properties and can be taken whole or in capsule. Other natural remedies are clove oil, mashed pumpkin seeds and grapefruit extract. Probiotics are also recommended, and though they can be found in dairy products, the amount varies. For extreme cases, like a parasite infection, it is best to buy it in the form of a capsule, liquid or powder. Parasite infection can often lead to severe dehydration. It is important to remain hydrated during and after the treatment.
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