Pork Tapeworms in the Brain

A pair of new studies underscore the U.S. public health threat of neurocysticercosis—quite literally having pork tapeworm larvae curled up inside one’s brain—now the most common cause of adult-onset epilepsy in the world. The first study, The Impact of Neurocysticercosis in California, concluded that “Neurocysticercosis causes appreciable disease and exacts a considerable economic burden in California,” with estimated annual hospital charges exceeding $17 million. The second study, published two weeks ago, is the first to follow the cognitive function and quality of life of those living with these brain parasites.

As you’ll see in today’s NutritionFacts.org video pick below, even after one’s brain is infested with pork tapeworms, some people can go for years before the headaches and seizures start as the larvae begin to multiply. What the second study suggests, though, is that long before the more obvious symptoms present, those who are infected may suffer from mental, social, and cognitive dysfunction.

The follow-up video, Avoiding Epilepsy Through Diet, details diagnosis and treatment and reports on a synagogue survey. If pork tapeworms can get inside the brains of orthodox Jews in Brooklyn, then I guess no one’s immune! Turns out it’s not only what we eat that may put us at risk, but also the diets of those who handle our food.

In health,
Michael Greger, M.D.

Image credit: gliageek / Flickr

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Diane L.

10:32PM PDT on Apr 22, 2012

Teresa, I should probably not give such hostile and rude comments the time of day, but really, you've outdone yourself with childish nonsense here. It's sad that you feel your behavior is warranted, or that you have a "fan" who supports the abuse of alcohol, but whatever floats her boat. Just how am I aggressive.............because you don't agree with or probably even undersand facts? You come in here two MONTHS after my post and make some sarcastic, ridiculous remark like that? Just how is explaining how tapeworms live and are passed, venom, anyway? You really do need to get a dictionary and look up the definitions of "venom, slander and aggressive". Then, please, go look in a mirror. I've never said a single negative word towards you, personally, so why this anger and hostility?

send a green star

Jane B.

12:00PM PDT on Apr 22, 2012

Teresa!!!! I'm unable to give you a star but YOU ROCK!!! Thanks for that long overdue post!!!

Teresa W.

11:50AM PDT on Apr 22, 2012

Or perhaps Diane already has them. It's worms that make her so aggressive.

11:49AM PDT on Apr 22, 2012

Diane, I really wish you to get these tapeworms! That would serve you right for all the venom you spurt on Care2.

Tim C.

1:14AM PST on Mar 8, 2012

1:08AM PST on Mar 8, 2012

BTW, I know sometimes when I post, those who think I'm just "runnin' my mouth" because I'm "anti-vegan", couldn't be further from the truth. What I post is obviously sometimes just my opinion, same as others post theirs, but when I do come across as saying what I am saying as "fact", it's usually because I've either experienced it or researched it. In this case, a few years back I had a cat that had tapeworms and when I found live segments on her fur near her rectum, I literally FREAKED. I did as much "research" as I could on them, because yeah, I was afraid of them being "passed" on to me or my other pets. Treatment was pretty easy and no recurrences.

1:01AM PST on Mar 8, 2012

Jordan, my advice to you would be to relax. This entire article is ridiculous as to RISK to anyone from getting "worms in the brain" from either eating pork or having a pig as a pet. If a pet has tapeworms, the segments might be expelled in the "poop" or you might find them around the rectum where they will soon die. The risk is to the "host" from becoming anemic and suffer from digestive problems as tapeworms usually live in the digestive tract. I suppose if one has a cat or dog that has fleas and one happens to ingest a flea that has tapeworm eggs on it, then one can then get tapeworms but they don't go to the brain.

Jordan W.

7:22AM PST on Mar 7, 2012

That's not good. It would have been nice to know the number of cases reported each year. I'm hoping it's very low. I treat my pets for tapeworms, but even 1 flea can cause them, so I'm sure they've had them now and again. What's the risk for pet owners?

Amy B.

3:18AM PST on Mar 7, 2012

Worms in the brain really sounds disgustingly terrible. I've seen many species of worms under a microscope, and that can really make you paranoid.

5:33AM PST on Feb 25, 2012

Not sure why my comment about camel milk didn't show up, but yes, I knew about that by having Arabian horses. Beduoins don't exactly have access to alfalfa hay, so frequently their horses live off camels' milk and dates. I've known about that for decades.

Now as for "Tapeworms not only are carried by fleas but also by freshwater snails which are accidentally consumed by herbivores near streams and ponds", again, the logical solution would be to keep livestock that is going to be consumed for it's meat to be kept out of such streams. Most places now legislate against allowing livestock to graze in rivers, streams or any other natural watr source, and setbacks are required by law. It's also still logical to cook the meat properly. As for not ever drinking from streams, where do you think they claim all the bottled water comes from? If it's boiled first, it loses all the benefits of being "bottled" water and we could do the same thing by boiling tapwater, which most of bottled water is anyway.