higher risk of parasite infestation with organic+raw?

[coolpancho]

Hi.

Sorry to sound negative but this is my experience. I have a compost on the basement (vermiculture) and sometimes when I put fruit peels scraps/vegetables, I get a cloud of very small flies. You look at the fruit peels and you see nothing but the eggs are there, even after washing. That's why people always freeze (or put under the sun for several days) vegetables to kill the living bugs before feeding the worms (compost).

Now, when you eat all these raw organic vegetables, I am sure that you are going to get some bugs in. It is a matter of time especially when all you eat is vegetables. Does raw and organic have a greater risk of infestation? How do you deal with this?

Thanks

[Revvell]

That's why people always freeze (or put under the sun for several days) vegetables to kill the living bugs before feeding the worms (compost).


They do? I don't. I don't. I mix it in with the compost. I've never even heard of that ~ which doesn't mean "SOME" people don't do it but to say always? Nahhh!

[coolpancho]

yeah, to be honest, I don't do it either during the winter. But I do always freeze on the spring/summer. When you get your first cloud of mini flies, you'll be looking on the internet for answers :) The point is that bugs are there invisible to the eye.

After I started freezing the vegetable/fruit scraps, I never got a cloud. This is from some info available here:

http://www.wormdigest.org/content/view/35/2/

Fruit flies
Fruit flies are small flying insects with large bulbous, often colorful eyes. They pose no health threat to us or to the worms, and do not harm healthy plants. Still, they are among the least favorite and most common visitors to the worm bin. They seem to enjoy darting out of the bin and toward our faces, startling us as we wonder "Did I just breathe that in?"

Fruit fly eggs are introduced to the worm bin on the peels of bananas and oranges tossed into the bin. The bin environment is an ideal breeding ground, with food and moisture in abundance, and so the flies flourish. Fruit flies are best prevented rather than controlled. Once a fruit fly infestation hits a bin it can take several days to bring under control.

Preventing fruit flies in the bin:
1. Bury food waste under several inches of bedding. Several sheets of damp newspaper or landscape fabric act as a barrier to odors, which will help to prevent attracting fruit flies. It will also reduce their access to the bedding below.

2. Make a fruit fly trap using an attractive liquid, such as: vinegar, wine, soda pop, fruit juice, etc. Put a few ounces of "bait" into a jar or cup and attach a plastic bag on top with a rubber band. Then, cut a few small holes in the plastic bag. The flies go in, but don't come out.

3. Destroy fruit fly eggs or larvae, by freezing, boiling or microwaving fruit and vegetable skins prior to feeding to the worm bin.

Note: Less citrus peels in the worm bin is better. If you've ever squirted yourself in the eye, you know well that their peels contain a substance that can irritate your eye's moist tissues - and your worms' skin. Peels take a couple of weeks for bacteria to decompose them to the point that worms are more interested. "

[Revvell]

When you get your first cloud of mini flies, you'll be looking on the internet for answers :)

No I wont. Already had them. Solution: Cover the stuff up. Simple. No freezing, no drying, etc. Cover it up! Even cats know this. Dig a hole, bury it. Dogs used to know this until they got humans to do their dirty work for them.




3. Destroy fruit fly eggs or larvae, by freezing, boiling or microwaving fruit and vegetable skins prior to feeding to the worm bin.

That sort of defeats the purpose of adding fresh, raw, organic ingredients. Microwaving? Not going to happen. Or boiling ~ or freezing. *shrugs* Bury the stuff!

[Traceyraw]

I don't think the fruit flys will not live in the human body. The eggs are probably destroyed by stomach acid. Yes you can get other parasites. Roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, etc.

I believe you are putting the peels in the compost that probably means the inside of the fruit is o.k.

I wash all veggies/lettuce in a veggie wash to cut down on the chance of a parasitic infection. spicy peppers, pumpkin seeds, and pineapple are known to fight off and kill these little critters. If you are worried I would them to your diet. Also there are many parasite cleanses on the market made from herbs.

[coolpancho]

OK. Lets move on. Of these systems, which one would you use to clean the vegies?

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=vegetable+washer

Thanks

[Traceyraw]

Right now I use fit. I thoroughly wash my greens in a tub with the fit let them soak a little it revives them if there wilty. If there real dirty like celery gets I use a brush. I do have a salad spinner to dry. I guess it would be up to you. When I was younger I refused to by organic because I didn't want to get parasites. Now I buy organic and wash very good. I know the bugs are scary little creatures but thankfully the worst ones come from meat and dirty water.

[SunshineMN]

Um, food grade hydrogen peroxide (diluted) and apple cider vinegar (diluted) is what I would use instead of some premade stuff with a bunch of potential bad chemicals.

[RawDad]

I rarely wash my fruits and vegetables at all anymore, I do like to wash spinach as I find if I don't the juice and smoothies I make with it can be gritty. I figure my tap water is worse then a little dirt or some bugs. I don't produce enough distilled water to use for washing things, but I do use it for sprouting and soaking. I don't think parasites have much of a chance in a healthy body. Its my understanding that people who eat a standard american diet are far more loaded with parasites.

Don't worry about a little dirt or some fly eggs, its not worth your time. As for compost, I imagine bugs helping with decomposition.

[coolpancho]

thanks for the answers

RawDad, don't get too confident with your opinion. Take a lookie here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parasitic_worm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ascariasis

~ one in four people are infected. I buy produce from poor tropical countries. You never know. The healthier the product the bigger and stronger the bug :)

[Revvell]

I rarely wash my fruits and vegetables at all anymore, I do like to wash spinach as I find if I don't the juice and smoothies I make with it can be gritty. I figure my tap water is worse then a little dirt or some bugs.

Don't worry about a little dirt or some fly eggs, its not worth your time. As for compost, I imagine bugs helping with decomposition.

I'm with RawDad here and am not reading all these links. People just keep looking for things to scare themselves. I'll be 63 in what? Just over a week? I rarely wash my hands and, like RawDad, I don't wash produce unless there's obvious dirt. I may rinse off berries... maybe...

IMO, a bit of dirt builds the immune system. I say get outside (and out of recirculating gym air), get moving and get dirty!

[coolpancho]

I am always on the look for ideas when I am halfway asleep before going to bed but haven't brushed my teeth yet :) This philosophy of dirt may work for me.

[RawDad]

I'm going to the doctor to get some evaluations done just so I can use my dang health insurance. Gonna get my stool tested, blood tested, the works. I want to be sure I don't have parasites. I'll definately let you guys know what the results are.

Edit/Update: Okay so I just got back from the doc.

The doc wouldn't even give me a parasite check seeing as I had no symptoms. Rats. So I can only assume I'm parasite free.

I am waiting for the results of my HIV screening, syphallis screen, CRP, CBC, Comp Metabolic Panel, Chlamydia, and Lipoprotein Panel, tests the doctor would give me without any symptoms.

The doctor said that since I hadn't been to Mexico in seven years that I wouldn't have worms and wouldn't be at risk of getting them even if I was eating unwashed produce. I said I wanted to get a test anyway to prove it, but she wouldn't sign me up for that or the Heavy Metals test I wanted, as I don't work with heavy metals.

[Juicing Juli]

Hey Raw Dad;
Why don't you just do an herbal parasite cleanse? Parasites don't only come from our food..in fact that's a small percentage.
Check this out...
http://www.healingcancernaturally.com/herbal-parasite-cleanse.html
also you can send your hair to get tested for metals...just google on line. Of course none of this is covered by insurance.
you are correct that parasites thrive in a digestive tract laden with unhealthy flora...
it's also good to clean your fruit with at least vinegar to wash off anything that a worker could transfer. Even if you buy organic, it's important!
This is my two cents!!!

[Rastadawta]

RawDad, if you are worried about fruit flies (or small gnats) causing any problems with your diet, it doesn't. I am a certified Health inspector and what we learned is that fruit flies do not cause any problems once digested. It becomes part of the stool. Since it is winter in the states, cover with a cheesecloth then cover with foil to reduce the amount of flies. Fruit flies multiples every day and one fruit fly can lay about 500 eggs on the circumference of a grape so be very careful. I use a bleach and water solution that I spray the walls and the counter area that minimizes the fruit flies.

[RawDad]

Just to clarify, I'm not concerned about bugs and bacteria, and apparently neither is my doctor after describing to her how I don't wash my fruits and vegetables before eating them. But I wanted to get a test just to prove I was clean.

[coolpancho]

Wish you luck. A few years back I had minor stomach problems that had bothered me for years. I finally went to the doc and they sent me for a blood test. They discover a bacteria http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helicobacter I took some especial antibiotic bombs (expensive) and I then felt like brand new.

[k8sl8]

about a year after I went RAW, I was at my chiropractor's office (she also does applied kinesiology and didn't know I was RAW) and as we were chatting about my water intake, or lack of desire to drink enought water... she decided to test me for parasites because she was 'sure' that was my problem. NO parasites - at all. I know ymmv, but that was my experience.

[Revvell]

Got 'em back yet?


Just to clarify, I'm not concerned about bugs and bacteria, and apparently neither is my doctor after describing to her how I don't wash my fruits and vegetables before eating them. But I wanted to get a test just to prove I was clean.

[RawDad]

Just got my test results, but no, my doc wouldn't give me a parasite check as I had no symptoms, I'm going to post the results I did get in a new thread. I will try to get a parasite check next time in addition to the heavy metals test my doc wouldn't give me this time.

[Juicing Juli]

I know you said you weren't really concerned about this...but one way naturopaths check for parasites is by looking at your fingernails. If you have any parasite, you may see dents of various shapes...
was thinking of this after I posted my last response on this thread!

Just got my test results, but no, my doc wouldn't give me a parasite check as I had no symptoms, I'm going to post the results I did get in a new thread. I will try to get a parasite check next time in addition to the heavy metals test my doc wouldn't give me this time.

[Mary Kay]

RawDad, I think you need to find a new doc. Many people DO have parasites without symptoms. Supposedly something like 80% of the population has/had parasites.

I had no symptoms and was tested numerous times over a dozen years and had a microscopic parasite. I believe it was due to sugar...not the white refined stuff...just too many sugars in my diet. And not enough stomach acid...... Also, it is prudent to do a heavy metals test on anyone...not necessarily those who work with heavy metals....IMO. Your doc does not sound too holistic or progressive to me.....


Good for you though for trying to take charge of your health.

Mary Kay

[RawDad]

RawDad, I think you need to find a new doc. Many people DO have parasites without symptoms. Supposedly something like 80% of the population has/had parasites...
...Also, it is prudent to do a heavy metals test on anyone...not necessarily those who work with heavy metals....IMO. Your doc does not sound too holistic or progressive to me

Agreed, my doc that I went to rubbed me the wrong way, but I took who I could get on short notice with my insurance. I appreciate your info on this. If anyone is familiar with Group Health that is who I've been going to.

[aviatrix79]

Just to clarify, I'm not concerned about bugs and bacteria, and apparently neither is my doctor after describing to her how I don't wash my fruits and vegetables before eating them. But I wanted to get a test just to prove I was clean.

Hi RawDad, I highly recommend your wash your fruits and veggies properly. Not so much because of bugs but more because of snails. They're carries for rat lungworm. It's serious stuff and can be fatal.

[climbing]

It's smart to think about this subject... But it has nothing to do with being raw. Pretty much everyone gets them. I never thought I had them but heard about it when I was younger and freaked out. I did a parasite cleanse "just to be safe" and guess what....? WORMS. Yep. I had liver flukes and pinworms. It's nasty. Not trying to scare anyone but really... do a cleanse. You'll feel better.

OH! And before I was high raw, I did cleanse after cleanse and was still having parasite problems. It wasn't until I went high raw and juiced a lot and got my body really alkaline that they seemed to go away.