If social media has you worried that you may be carrying parasites in your digestive system that are harming your health, you aren't alone. The good news: unless you've participated in high-risk activities or recently traveled to areas known for high rates of parasitic infection, you're likely in the clear. Medical professionals agree that social media parasite cleanses are generally a money grab that aren't likely to positively affect your health.
Despite what your favorite influencer might be saying on their platform, natural parasite cleanse kits are a popular—and expensive—social media fad that most people don't need. Here, we'll take a look at what parasite cleanses typically consist of, why parasite cleanses on social media are typically scams, how adopting a whole foods diet can help support a healthy digestive system better than any bottle of supplements you'll order off of social media, and actual signs that you may be dealing with a parasitic infection and need to reach out to your doctor immediately.
What are parasites?
Parasites are organisms that reside in or on the body, utilizing the body's food sources as their own. Typically, parasite cleanses claim to rid the body of internal parasites that reside in the digestive tract. Common parasites that infect humans include tapeworms, flukes, pinworms, hookworms, whipworms, and ascariasis.
What is a parasite cleanse?
Usually, parasite cleanses sold online include dietary supplements that manufacturers claim have the ability to rid the body of parasites. The supplements included in parasite cleanse kits are typically made of naturally-occurring herbs and oils.
Herbs included in parasite cleanse kits may include:
- Anise
- Rosemary
- Cumin
- Barberry
- Berberine
- Black walnut
- Goldenseal
- Mint
- Clove oil
There is currently no research that supports the effectiveness of over-the-counter parasite cleanse supplements and kits. Since the Food and Drug Administration doesn't regulate herbs and supplements, there isn't research on the safety of parasite cleanses.
If you decide that you're going to try a parasite cleanse, it's important to talk with your healthcare provider, especially if you're taking prescription medications, as the herbs and supplements in a parasite cleanse may interfere with your body's ability to absorb your medication.
Parasite cleanses and social media: What's the hype?
On social media, many influencers claim that parasite cleanse kits have helped them lose weight, increase their energy levels, improve their digestion, and help them get better sleep—all by simply taking a pill.
Like many fads on social media, the promises provided by parasite cleanse companies are simply too good to be true. The vast majority of people simply don’t have parasites, according to Dr. Peter Mannon, a gastroenterologist at Nebraska Medicine. "It's unlikely that the average person is walking around with active parasites in their gut. I would question the usefulness of these parasite cleanses," says Dr. Mannon.
A look inside parasite cleanse scams
Some parasite cleanses don't harm anything other than your wallet. You may find that you feel better after a few days, but that's likely due to following the whole-foods diet recommended with many parasite cleanse programs, rather than the effect of the supplements themselves. Many parasite cleanse kits encourage customers to follow a strict diet in order to "starve" parasites. Tips may include avoiding pork, gluten, and dairy. While this isn't likely to cause digestive issues, it's also not likely to make any difference to your health.
Some parasite cleanses, however, come with troublesome side effects that can be uncomfortable at best—and dangerous at worst.
Side effects that may occur during a parasite cleanse include:
- Electrolyte imbalances
- Dehydration
- Kidney problems
- Diarrhea
- Malnutrition
- Supplement-induced liver disease
In many cases, parasite cleanse companies state that side effects are an indication that the cleanse is working, but this is almost never the case. According to Dr. Monalisa M. Tailor, an internal medicine physician with Norton Community Medical Associates, the negative gastrointestinal effects that come as the result of a parasite cleanse can do more harm than good.
"This is perhaps one of the more dangerous trends right now. These so-called 'parasite detoxes' can flux out the good bacteria in your gut, which can cause other issues," says Dr. Tailor.
Can foods kill parasites?
It's possible for some parasitic infections to clear up on their own, and eating a whole food diet can help support your body's ability to get rid of parasites. That being said, it's important to see a doctor if you think you may have contracted a parasitic infection. Your doctor can help you determine the natural strategies that will work best to support your health while also providing you with prescription medications developed to target the specific type of parasite you've contracted.
Natural strategies to promote gut health
Protecting your gut health is a smart idea for both your mental and physical health. While it's not likely that you need to protect your body against a parasitic infection, bolstering your gut health can have a wide variety of benefits, including improved digestion, a stronger immune system, reduced inflammation throughout the body, and more.
Try these tips to improve your gut health:
- Add fiber to your diet. Enjoying high-fiber foods like strawberries, raspberries, beans, and oatmeal helps to support the health of good bacteria in your gut, which can promote healthy digestion and keep you regular.
- Get plenty of sleep. When you're well rested, it's easier to make dietary choices that positively affect gut health.
- Enjoy healthy exercise. Research shows that participating in 2.5 to 4 hours of moderate to high-intensity exercise each week has a positive impact on gut bacteria.
- Include probiotics in your diet. Foods rich in probiotics can improve your digestive health. Try adding yogurt, sauerkraut, kefir, kimchi, miso, and buttermilk to your diet to give your gut the live, active cultures it needs to thrive.
When to talk to your doctor about a potential parasite problem
If you've recently traveled to an area known for parasites, and you're experiencing symptoms of a parasitic infection, it's important to reach out to your primary care provider right away for treatment. Left untreated, parasitic infections can become life-threatening (especially for babies, children, elderly people, and those with weakened immune systems).
Common symptoms of parasitic infections include:
- Diarrhea
- Stomach pain
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Bloating
- Unexplained weight loss or increased appetite
- Fever
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Body aches and pains
- Excessive gas and gas pains
- Weakness and fatigue
- Skin abnormalities, including a rash, bumps, and/or itchy areas
- Passing visible worms in the stool
As we mentioned, traveling to certain areas can increase the likelihood of developing a parasite. If you've recently traveled to Asia, Latin America, sub-Saharan Africa, the Caribbean, Appalachia, or the Southeastern U.S., you're at a higher risk of developing a parasitic infection.
You're more likely to get a parasite if you live or spend time in areas where you're in close contact with livestock, live with many people in an area with limited space, have inadequate public sanitation facilities, don't have access to clean water, or walk barefoot in high-risk areas. Parasites are often contracted through insect bites, drinking contaminated water, touching highly contaminated surfaces, and eating undercooked or contaminated food.
In the event that you’ve developed a parasitic infection, it's vital to get medical treatment from a licensed healthcare professional—not from a company selling cleanses on social media.
Learn more about supporting your nutrition goals with Evidation
It can be tough to sort through all the noise on the internet and social media when you're looking for ways to become your healthiest self. At Evidation, we get it, and we're here to help.
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