Parasite cleanse hoax

The human body is a host to almost 300 species of parasitic worms, tracing back from our early ancestors and domesticated animals. By the end of the Ice Age, about 11,500 years ago, humans had inhabited most of the world, allowing for rapid transmission of parasites as humans developed trading routes and settlements. In today’s world, parasitic infections are transmitted via contaminated food and water, undercooked meats, insect bites, or animals such as cows or pigs. Having a weakened immune system also raises risks for intestinal parasites, and international travel can expose an individual to parasites in local food or water. Symptoms of parasites include diarrhea, intense stomach pain, nausea, and fatigue, but these symptoms are much more commonly experienced than solely pertaining to parasitic infections.

Parasite cleanses are one method used to eliminate parasites and parasitic infections. A parasite cleanse is usually any type of supplement, diet, or detox that clears the body of parasites. They’re medicine-free and done at home. However, there is a widespread myth among the health community that a majority of humans have parasites and need to perform parasite cleanses to detoxify themselves. This myth has been centered around the belief that every person has hundreds of parasites in their stomach and that vague symptoms such as bloating or weight gain are exclusively due to parasites.

This misconception has spread all over the internet, however, mostly targeting the social media app TikTok. Creators on the app tell their watchers to ingest digestive supplements to deworm their gut so that any worms or parasites in their gut are removed in their bowel movements. They suggest using Paraguard, an herbal supplement that contains wormwood. Zahler’s, a large company that supplies Paraguard, says it has “been used to support and restore vitality to digestion and microbial balance … oftentimes used as a potent cleanser to promote intestinal health.” Users have followed suit and attempted to de-worm themselves using Paraguard and a variety of other supplements. However, most of these individuals ingesting Paraguard do not have any type of parasitic disease. In reality, it is not very common to suffer from a parasitic disease in the United States.

Dr. Omobosola Akinsete, an infectious disease clinician at HealthPartners Medical Group in Minnesota, says that “Americans generally don’t need to be concerned about parasites as they are very rare in this country due to good sanitation, treated water supplies, and close monitoring of food products by the government or other agencies who make sure it’s safe for human consumption.” Akinsete assures that people do not have to cleanse for parasites unless they are experiencing any major symptoms.

“There is little to no research on if commercial parasitic cleanses are actually helpful. In fact, they might be more deleterious than beneficial.”

“If you believe that you have parasites, consult a doctor or medical professional before turning to TikTok or Paraguard.”

There is little to no research on whether commercial parasitic cleanses are actually helpful. In fact, they might be more deleterious than beneficial. Supplements tend to flush out good microbiomes in the gut that are naturally occurring and normal to contain in stool. Since they essentially function as laxatives, supplements could harm the entire system of microbiomes in the gut and lead to harmful side effects. Additionally, most supplements are not regulated by the FDA like pharmaceutical medicines are, so these supplements could contain detrimental ingredients dangerous to gut health. Companies such as Zahler, Zuma Nutrition, and Seachem that mass manufacture these parasitic cleanses claim that most people have parasites and need to rid their bodies of the toxins. However, this is simply clever marketing on the company’s end. Rather than “cleanse” your gut of healthy bacteria, it’s more important to eat a varied diet and consume probiotics. This way, a healthy gut flora can be maintained and gut health can improve as well as promote overall bodily health in the heart, brain, muscle, and bones. If you believe that you have parasites, consult a doctor or medical professional before turning to TikTok or Paraguard.

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