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In this video, we will be revealing the five most dangerous foodborne parasites that could be hiding in your meals. We're going to show you how they infect your body, where they come from, and most importantly, how you could protect yourself from becoming a victim. From brain eating worms to parasites that hijack your muscles. This is not your average food safety video. Okay, let's bite into it. Kicking off the list at number five, we have Toxoplasma Gondii, a protozoan parasite that has infected and estimated 30 to 50% of the world's population. But here's the twist.
Most people don't know they were ever infected at all, but for some, especially those with the weakened immune system or unborn babies, it can be deadly. Now, how do you actually get infected? Toxoplasma is most commonly transmitted through undercooked lamb, pork, and medicine. That's spear meat. For those who don't know, it can also be found in unwashed fruits and vegetables, or one of the most common ways in the United States, handling a kitty litter. Once inside the body, the parasite can form cysts in the brain, eyes and muscles, and get this, it stays there for life. For healthy adults, symptoms are flu-like,
but in pregnant women, the stakes are much higher. The parasite can infect the fetus causing miscarriage, still birds and severe developmental disabilities. It's also been linked to long-term neurological and behavioral challenges. Lucky for you. Here are the steps to avoid this silent killer cook meat to safe temperatures. That's 160 degrees Fahrenheit for ground meat and 145 degrees Fahrenheit for hole cuts. Make sure you wash your produce thoroughly under running water. Even pre-washed salad mixes can be dangerous. And if you are pregnant, avoid cleaning litter boxes, or least wear gloves and wash hands immediately after.
Now, that's serious stuff, but the next parasite on the list is known for infecting a food that is loved all over the world. Coming in at number four on the list is the terrifying nematode, known as Anisakis simplex, or more commonly called the sushi word. Now, if you love raw fish like sushi, sashimi, or ceviche, this is one you're gonna want to pay close attention to. Anisakis larva are found in saltwater fish like salmon, mackerel, herring, and even squid. When you eat a raw
or undercooked infected fish, the worm can attach to your stomach or intestine where it will burrow its way into your tissue. Your immune system freaks out and causes violent abdominal pain, vomiting and inflammation, a condition known as ansis. And in some rare cases, the body can have an allergic reaction, which can be life threatening because these parasites cannot complete their lifecycle within human beings. They often die within a few days, but not before the damage is already done.
Luckily for you, there are a few steps that you can take to prevent yourself from becoming infected. If you do eat raw fish, make sure it's been flash frozen to negative four degrees Fahrenheit for at least seven days. Trusted sushi often use parasite free or farm raised fish, but you should always ask. And of course, if you want to be extremely safe, always cook your fish to 145 degrees Fahrenheit because that is the temperature that will eliminate the anisakis. But here's where things get really crazy. The next parasite on the list enters through your gut, but then spreads to all the muscles in your body.
Coming in at number three is Trichinella spiralis, the dreaded roundworm that causes trichinosis. It's also one of the oldest foodborne parasites known to infect humans. This parasite was once common in domestic pork, but modern farming has nearly eliminated it in most developed countries. However, it still thrives in wild game meat like bear boar and even walrus. Who the heck is eating a walrus? But here's how it gets inside you.
The parasite works its way into the muscle of the infected wild animal. From there, it forms infectious cysts. And when you eat the meat containing these cysts, your stomach acid will actually set the larva free to roam within you. And from there, they will begin to invade your body and reproduce within a few days. New larva are born and travel through your bloodstream into your muscles where they will begin forming brand new cysts that cause fever and swelling around the eyes, extreme muscle pain and difficulty breathing and moving. And yes, in severe cases it can lead to heart and brain inflammation, which can be fatal.
Unfortunately, symptoms can mimic other illnesses, making diagnosis often delayed until blood work or biopsies confirm the presence of the parasite. But like we said before, there are steps you can take to prevent yourself from becoming the victim. Cook all pork and wild gain to at least 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Freezing can work in some strains, but not all, especially in wild gain. And you also need to be extremely cautious if you live a lifestyle where you need to process your own needs. But if you thought that was bad, the next parasite pushes things to another extreme. So guys, I've been training for my first marathon ever and lately one of the biggest game changers and my cross training has to be this thing right here,
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Coming in at number two on the list is Taenia Solium, better known as the pork tape worm. Now, when you think of a tape worm, you're probably imagining something gross living in your gut, stealing your body's nutrients while you least expect it. And while that's bad enough, the real threat of teny soum is the fact that it can infect your brain. This parasite is found in undercooked pork, especially in regions with poor meat inspection practices. When a pig is infected with the parasite, it works its way into the pig's muscle and forms infectious cyst, similar to the earlier parasite on the lists. And if a human eats meat infected with these cyst, that's where it gets serious.
An ingested cyst grows into an adult tape worm and could grow over 20 feet long in your intestines, but, but it gets even worse. These tapeworms lay eggs and these eggs can be found in the feces of an infected host. If you accidentally eat food contaminated with infected feces, the eggs and larva can enter your bloodstream and migrate through your whole body, not just your muscles. They lodge into your eyes. And worst of all, yes, your brain causing a condition known as neurosis Symptoms can include chronic headaches, seizures, and even comas. In many parts of Latin America, Asia, and Africa, this parasite is the leading cause
of adult epilepsy. Doctors sometimes misdiagnose this parasite as a brain tumor or even a stroke until they see those telltale cysts on the scan. Luckily, you can avoid all of these symptoms by simply adhering to the following steps. Always cook pork to at least 145 degrees with a three minute rest. Wash your hands thoroughly, especially in areas with questionable sanitation. Avoid street food in areas where pork is not inspected and or regulated.
Now, I know all this sounds terrifying, but none of this compares to our top microscopic invader on the list, and that is because this is the only parasite on the list that can actually cause cancer. You heard me right? And number one, and arguably the most sinister parasite around is Opisthorchis viverrini, also known as the Southeast Asia liver. Opisthorchis viverrini is officially classified as a group one carcinogen by the World Health Organization. That's the same category as tobacco, asbestos and radiation.
Here's how it works. Dishes like koi plot, a raw fish salad are especially risky. Once swallowed, the parasite migrates to the bile ducts in your liver where it feeds reproduces and chronically irritates your tissue. For years and even decades, that constant inflammation increases the risk of cholangiocarcinoma and aggressive and often fatal cancer of the bile ducts. In parts of Northeastern Thailand liver fluke infection is so common that the region has one of the highest rates of bile duct cancer in the world. Symptoms of infection include jaundice or yellowing of the skin, abdominal pain and enlarged liver, and in late stages, weight loss, fever, and even liver failure as the cancer progresses. But if you follow these simple steps,
you can minimize your risk of getting infected. Never eat raw or undercook freshwater fish and regions that have this parasite Be super cautious of street food when traveling to Southeast Asia. When preparing fish, cook it to at least 145 degrees or freeze it at negative four degrees for at least seven or more days. Even fish that looks and smells clean can be harboring the microscopic larvae of the liver fluke. And while locals in these areas often build up immunity and tolerance to the parasite, as a visitor, you're completely outta luck. So don't take the risk. And if you follow these simple steps that you just heard, you can pretty much completely eliminate your risk of this nasty parasite. And if you haven't noticed,
there has been a trend throughout this video, make sure you always wash your hands, your produce, and cook your meat because all of the parasites on this list are nothing you ever want to mess with.
