What nutrient deficiencies are associated with intestinal parasites?

Intestinal parasite infections are becoming more common around the world, even in Western countries [1]. Good nutrition is important to help prevent and overcome intestinal parasites. Although there aren’t many studies in adults, certain nutrient deficiencies can either make it harder to fight off parasites or be caused by the parasites themselves. Below, we look at which nutrients might be affected and what you can do about it.

1. Low protein and nutrient intake

Your body needs enough protein, vitamins, and minerals to work properly—especially your immune system, which helps fight off parasites. While studies in humans are limited, research on infected mice has shown that when they eat too little protein and nutrients, they end up with more parasites [2]. This effect was worse when the mice were also eating more calories overall. So, it’s not just about eating more protein—it may help to cut down on carbs too.

What to do: Eat a diet that’s lower in carbohydrates and higher in protein, fruits, and vegetables. This can help your body fight off parasites more effectively.

2. Vitamin A deficiency

Vitamin A is important for a healthy immune system and may help fight parasite infections—this has been seen in animal studies. However, researchers aren’t yet sure whether being low in vitamin A might actually help fight off parasites instead, possibly because it makes less vitamin A available for the parasites to use [2, 3].

What to do: If you’re taking vitamin A, it’s probably best to avoid high doses until more research is done. You can also boost your vitamin A naturally by eating foods like sweet potatoes, carrots, meat, and fish [4].

3. Zinc deficiency

Zinc is essential for a strong immune system—it helps your body make the cells that fight infections. Animal studies show that low zinc levels can lead to more parasites living longer in the body [2]. Studies in children with parasite infections have also found they are more likely to be low in zinc [5].

What to do: Taking zinc supplements may help keep your immune system working properly and support your body in fighting off parasites.

4. Selenium deficiency

Selenium is another important mineral your immune system needs to work properly. In animal studies, low selenium levels led to a slower and weaker response to parasite infections [2]. Children with parasite infections have also been found to have lower selenium levels [5].

What to do: Taking selenium may help keep your immune system strong enough to fight off parasites.

5. Iron deficiency

Iron is essential for making red blood cells and keeping your body healthy. In children with parasite infections, low iron levels are common [5]. This can happen because parasites cause blood loss or steal iron from the food you eat [6].

What to do: If you think you might have parasites, check your iron levels and check for anaemia. Iron supplements or a maintenance dose may be needed to help restore healthy levels.

6. Vitamin E (and possibly Vitamin C)

Early animal studies suggest that vitamin E supplements—either alone or with vitamin C—may help reduce the number of parasites in the body [7, 8]. But this research is very new, and more research is needed.

What to do: More research is needed before making any firm conclusions. However, it may be worth testing your vitamin E levels to check for a deficiency.

Disclaimer and advice going forward

The information above is for education and awareness only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information above does not cover all possible interactions, adverse effects, precautions and uses. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before taking any supplement, herb or therapy or changing your medications.

For personalised naturopathic advice and assessment of your health situation, you can book a free video call with Dr. Ramiz Ahmed-Man to enquire further. 

References

1. Ahmed M. Intestinal Parasitic Infections in 2023. Gastroenterology Res. 2023 Jun;16(3):127-140. doi: 10.14740/gr1622. Epub 2023 Jun 11. PMID: 37351081; PMCID: PMC10284646. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10284646/

2. Shea-Donohue T, Qin B, Smith A. Parasites, nutrition, immune responses and biology of metabolic tissues. Parasite Immunol. 2017 May;39(5):10.1111/pim.12422. doi: 10.1111/pim.12422. Epub 2017 Mar 22. PMID: 28235148; PMCID: PMC5863236. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5863236/

3. Pedersen S, Saeed I, Jensen SK, Michaelsen KF, Friis H. Marginal vitamin A deficiency in pigs experimentally infected with Trichuris suis: a model for vitamin A inadequacy in children. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg. 2001 Sep-Oct;95(5):557-65. doi: 10.1016/s0035-9203(01)90040-9. PMID: 11706673. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11706673/

4. MyFoodData. Top ten foods high in vitamin A. MyFoodData.com. [cited 2025 Mar 19]. Available from: https://www.myfooddata.com/articles/food-sources-of-vitamin-A.php

5. Alkholy UM, El Gebaly SM, Morsi WEMA, Elawamy WE, Etewa SE, Yousef AM. The Impact of Parasitic Infestation on Nutritional Status and Micronutrients among Children. J Parasitol Res. 2024 Mar 28;2024:6996968. doi: 10.1155/2024/6996968. PMID: 38576864; PMCID: PMC10994709. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10994709/

6. Arroyo R, Ochoa T, Tai JH, de la Garza M. Iron and Parasites. Biomed Res Int. 2015;2015:291672. doi: 10.1155/2015/291672. Epub 2015 May 20. PMID: 26078944; PMCID: PMC4452827. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4452827/

7. MacGlaflin CE, Zajac AM, Rego KA, Petersson KH. Effect of vitamin E supplementation on naturally acquired parasitic infection in lambs. Vet Parasitol. 2011 Feb 10;175(3-4):300-5. doi: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2010.09.033. Epub 2010 Oct 7. PMID: 21093153. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21093153/

8. Tabatabaie F, et al. Evaluation of the effects of vitamins (C and E) and minerals (selenium and calcium) on proliferation of Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites. Int J Infect Dis. 2018;73(Suppl 1):325. Available from: https://www.ijidonline.com/article/S1201-9712(18)34236-X/fulltext