Are there certain parasites that live inside the human body that does "good"?

Answer 1

Technically, parasites are defined as organisms that do harm to the host, so if it actually did good, it wouldn't be considered a parasite.

However, I am aware of what you mean, and there are plenty of organisms in our body that are actually important to our survival. First off is the bacteria in the lining of our stomach that helps break down food for easier digestion. Secondly is the mitochondria in every cell in our body, mitocondria are non-human cells that allow us to break down sugars using oxygen. Without them most complex animals couldn't really survive.

There are plenty of other organisms living on the human body, most of them are neither harmful or beneficial though.

Answer 2

There are an estimated five pounds of little foreign critters living in each human digestive trac alone! Then add the worms for the final evolution.

Some are parasites and some are not. Some help with digesting food others cause yeast infections and tooth decay, etc. etc.

Some help perhaps. I don't think science and medicine really knows; or if they do, find it an economic disadvantage to effect any controls.

Control for most parasites is a balance act between enough poison to kill the parasite without killing you.

Answer 3

Yes, definitely. One good example...

There are people of celtic origin that are prone to iron overload (hematochromatosis) who historically benefitted from parasite load such as ascaris and tapeworm. Their genes carry a mutation that makes them very efficient at conserving iron in their bodies
http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=529258

because there could be times when getting enough iron in their diet would be a problem (sources of greens, certain animal foods, minerals).

Nowadays, in western countries, foods are often fortified with iron and people do not typically carry these parasites in such countries. So people with this genetic code can suffer from a number of serious health problems due to this. The iron stores pile up in their bodies and can reach dangerous levels.

People with iron overload are typically treated by 'bloodletting'. Generally they need to go to a clinic and 'donate' a pint of blood on a regular basis. If they don't do something about it (and sometimes their ill informed health care providers won't help them!), they may appear yellowed/jaundiced and different sytemic reactions occur. The end stage is liver cancer and my experience is that the docs will write them up as a cancer stat rather than one based on genetic origin exacerbated with poor medical care.

Skin color changes, they have gum and bleeding disorders. If they have an internal trauma such as mycardial infarction, the iron rushes to the damaged muscle and causes a deadly reperfusion
http://ajpheart.physiology.org/cgi/content/abstract/259/6/H1901

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adding: the beneficial bacteria are called Normal Flora so they are not parasites at all. Typical great normal flora to have and to consume regularly are the Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB). These have traditionally been consumed daily with fermented products such as veggies/pickles/kraut and with fermented milk products such as yogurt, sour cream, kefir. Most cultures that still have traditional diet still pickle things by fermentation such as kimchee (Korean but many countries have their own version)

Answer 4

I agree with the other poster--it's not a parasitic relationship, but it is a symbiotic relationship (with the bacteria in your gastrointestinal system). Something truly parasitic that is beneficial? I think by definition a parasite is harmful to its host, isn't it?

Answer 5

By definition if the relationship benefits the host the organism living inside is not called a paracite.

Paracite: Good for the moocher, Bad for the host
Mutualism: Good for moocher, Good for the host

The bacteria in your intestine is an example of a mutualisic relationship. They benefit from nutrition of undigested cellulose fiber, We benefit from their waste product of broken down nutrients we would not be able to get from those food products ourselves.

Answer 6

I wouldn't call them 'parasites'.

There are bacteria and stuff that have a benificial effect within the body.

Answer 7

Of course...all the old diseases that killed the host decided to mutate so that they do not kill their home. No kidding, mutations are often the evolution of previously dangerous bacteria. The mutation is a result of the bacteria "wisen-up" and deciding to "let live to live."

Answer 8

well u have certain bacteria in ur digestive systems that break down complex proteins in food to simpler things that ur body can digest...

Answer 9

Yes. It's called 'symbiosis'. Now go read your textbook ☺


Doug