What Is Cyclospora, and Why Is It a Problem? 

Cyclospora is a single-celled protozoan parasite, more like Cryptosporidium than Giardia. Unlike Giardia, it invades cells lining the small intestine and reproduces there. Therein lies the problem; it damages the intestinal lining.

The time between becoming infected and becoming sick is usually about one week but can range from 2 days – 2 weeks or more. In the US, outbreaks of cyclosporiasis have been linked to various types of fresh produce. People can get infected with Cyclospora more than once.

Laboratory tests can have a hard time detecting Cyclospora even when patients have symptoms. Patients may have to submit several stool samples on different days to detect Cyclospora. Identification of Cyclospora requires special laboratory tests that are not part of routine stool testing. If your doctor thinks you may have cyclosporiasis, they should specifically request testing for Cyclospora.

Protecting Your Intestinal Lining Against Cyclospora  

According to the CDC, not everyone infected with Cyclospora has symptom. Pasteur ostensibly said on his deathbed, “The microbe is nothing. The terrain is everything.” Ok, it might have been Claude Bernard who said it—but the deathbed thing makes a good story. The point is that in this situation, it may be a good idea to have a healthy intestinal lining. Could the condition of the intestinal lining be part of the reason some people get sick and others don’t? It is certainly worth considering.

Can Glycine Protect Your Intestinal Lining?

There are plenty of things that increase the health of the intestinal lining. They also help treat “leaky gut”. Bone broth comes to mind, but we want to keep this simple. Glycine accounts for about one-third of the amino acids in collagen.

Glycine is a vital, non-essential amino acid that acts as a powerful cytoprotectant and building block for the intestinal lining, making it a major focus in leaky gut (intestinal permeability) research [1-4]. Research indicates that dietary glycine supplementation helps strengthen the gut barrier, reduce localized inflammation, and improve microbial composition.

This raises an interesting clinical possibility. While Cyclospora is a problem, could taking glycine offer some protection as a preventative? Would taking glycine be worth considering before travelling to areas where intestinal parasites are common, during known outbreaks, or in patients with repeated exposure risks?

More Help for the Gut Lining After Infection  

Even if you kill the parasite [see below], that may only be part of the job. Organisms such as Cyclospora can damage the intestinal epithelium. Once the organism is gone, the patient may still be left with an irritated intestinal lining and a disrupted intestinal environment.

This is where citrus pectin becomes interesting. Pectin is a fermentable soluble fiber that interacts with the intestinal microbiota. Experimental research suggests that certain pectins may support mucus production, tight-junction proteins and intestinal barrier integrity.

In other words, citrus pectin does not kill Cyclospora. That isn’t its job. Its role may be to help create a healthier intestinal environment while the gut recovers.

Taking Anti-Parasitic Botanicals  

Just like in the section on protecting the intestinal lining, there are plenty of natural substances that kill parasites. Space dictates that we only mention a few here. Parasites can be stubborn. One reason combination protocols are so common in natural medicine is that different products may affect the intestinal environment—and the organism itself—in different ways.

Emulsified Oregano Oil and Parasites  

Oregano oil is one of the more interesting natural antimicrobials. Much of its activity is attributed to carvacrol and thymol, two naturally occurring phenolic compounds.

Researchers have looked at oregano against several protozoal parasites. In laboratory studies, oregano preparations have demonstrated activity against Giardia. Oregano essential oil and carvacrol have also been studied against Cryptosporidium parvum. In one study, both reduced the ability of Cryptosporidium to infect intestinal cells in a dose-dependent manner [5,6].

There is even some human data. In a small clinical study, emulsified oregano oil was given to patients whose stools tested positive for intestinal parasites. The organisms included Blastocystis hominis, Entamoeba hartmanni and Endolimax nana. Several patients cleared the organisms following supplementation [7].

This is one reason emulsification may be important. Essential oils are notoriously difficult to disperse in water. An emulsified oregano product is easier to deliver throughout the intestinal contents.

Olive Leaf Extract and Parasites 

Olive leaf has a long history of use against infectious organisms. Oleuropein and other olive polyphenols are usually given much of the credit for its antimicrobial effects.

There is also some interesting parasite research. In one laboratory study, olive leaf extract was tested directly against Giardia lamblia cysts. Of the botanicals tested, olive leaf produced the greatest effect, with the highest mortality of Giardia cysts after four hours of exposure [9].

Other experimental work has looked at olive preparations against Cryptosporidium and parasitic worms. The research is still developing, but olive leaf clearly deserves more attention as a broad-spectrum botanical when dealing with intestinal infections [10].

Berberine and Parasites

Berberine has been studied against Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia lamblia and Trichomonas vaginalis. In laboratory research, berberine inhibited the growth of all three organisms and produced visible structural changes within the parasites [11].

Berberine is especially interesting because much of an oral dose remains in the intestinal tract. We usually complain about berberine’s poor systemic absorption. When the target is in the gut, however, that may not necessarily be a disadvantage. Its interaction with the intestinal microbiome is now an active area of research [12].

Saccharomyces boulardii to “Crowd Out” Undesirable Microbes  

S boulardii is usually thought of as a probiotic for diarrhea or for use during antibiotic therapy. It may deserve a place in parasite protocols as well.

In an experimental Giardia infection, S. boulardii reduced parasite load by approximately 90%. It also reduced intestinal mucosal damage and improved antioxidant defenses.

S. boulardii is a beneficial yeast that can interfere with pathogens and their toxins, support secretory IgA, and help maintain intestinal barrier function. Because it is a yeast rather than a bacterium, it can also be used alongside many antimicrobial agents without being killed by them. Research reviews describe effects of S. boulardii on barrier integrity and gastrointestinal infections more broadly. In an experimental Giardia infection, S. boulardii reduced parasite load by approximately 90%. It also reduced intestinal mucosal damage and improved antioxidant defenses. [13,14].

Final Thoughts

This is a way to fight Cyclospora. It is not “THE” way to fight Cyclospora. The concepts are solid, but you may find other ways to kill the parasite and strengthen the intestinal lining. This is just some information to get you started.

Selected References:

  1. Front Vet Sci. 2019 Jun 11;6:169. Physiological Effects of Dietary Amino Acids on Gut Health and Functions of Swine
  2. Biol Pharm Bull. 2011;34(6):784-8. The glycine transporter GLYT1 in human intestine: expression and function
  3. 2023 Jan 7;28(2):619. Leaky Gut and the Ingredients That Help Treat It: A Review
  4. Int J Mol Sci. 2018 Jul 6;19(7):1980. Glycine Relieves Intestinal Injury by Maintaining mTOR Signaling and Suppressing AMPK, TLR4, and NOD Signaling in Weaned Piglets after Lipopolysaccharide Challenge
  5. Parasitol Res. 2006 May;98(6):557-60. Oregano (Lippia spp.) kills Giardia intestinalis trophozoites in vitro: antigiardiasic activity and ultrastructural damage
  6. Exp Parasitol. 2018 Jan;184:11–17. Effect of oregano essential oil and carvacrol on Cryptosporidium parvum infectivity in HCT-8 cells.
  7. 2019 Dec 3;24(23):4421. Antiprotozoal Activity of Turkish Origanum onitesEssential Oil and Its Components
  8. Phytother Res. 2000 May;14(3):213-214. Force M, Sparks WS, Ronzio RA. Inhibition of enteric parasites by emulsified oil of oregano in vivo.
  9. J Parasit Dis. 2015 Feb 14;40(4):1204–1209. Effect of olive leaf, Satureja khuzestanica, and Allium sativumextracts on Giardia lamblia cysts compared with metronidazole in vitro
  10. Cells2021, 10(9), 2419; Anti-cryptosporidium Efficacy of Olea europaea and Ficus carica Leaves Extract in Immunocompromised Mice Associated with Biochemical Characters and Antioxidative System
  11. Ann Trop Med Parasitol. 1991 Aug; 85(4):417-25. In vitro effects of berberine sulphate on the growth and structure of Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia lamblia and Trichomonas vaginalis
  12. Front Nutr. 2023 Aug 3;10:1187718 Berberine influences multiple diseases by modifying gut microbiota
  13. Ther Adv Gastroenterol. 2012 Mar;5(2):111–125. Efficacy and safety of the probiotic Saccharomyces boulardii for the prevention and therapy of gastrointestinal disorders
  14. J Appl Microbiol. 2021 Jul;131(1):460–469. Saccharomyces boulardii as therapeutic alternative in experimental giardiasis.