Parasite Cleanses

Microbiome

The microbiome is the collection of microorganisms that colonize our bodies from birth. While many sites within the body are colonized, the greatest microbial diversity is found in the gut. This is what we call the gut microbiome. The majority of our gut microbiome is composed of bacteria as well as viruses, fungi, and even parasites. A robust amount of beneficial bacteria in the gut microbiome can help reduce the likelihood that pathogenic bacteria, yeast, and parasites will colonize the gut. 

If you are active on social media, you have likely seen information about parasites and parasite cleanses. While it is true that intestinal parasites can cause serious illness and symptoms like severe diarrhea, vomiting, and subsequent malnutrition, this is not necessarily a cause for concern for the general public, as the incidence of parasitic infections tends to be higher in developing countries. Those at higher risk of contracting a parasitic infection include young children, those with compromised immune systems, those in areas with poor food and water quality (undercooked meats and lack of access to clean water), and those with poor hygiene (not washing hands after using the restroom). 

Is a parasite cleanse right for you?

Parasite cleanses are being sold all over the internet. We are constantly told we need to detoxify our bodies regularly to get rid of parasites, but is this true? No! The average person does not need a parasite cleanse. If you look closely at many of the people online selling parasite cleanses, you will often find influencers with no medical education or training trying to sell you a product they created or are being paid to promote. It is important that we do our due diligence and understand where we are getting our information from. 

You may need additional microbiome support if you traveled to an underdeveloped country and became ill. Or, if you work with farm animals on a daily basis. But I typically do not recommend a ‘parasite cleanse’ to anyone, as it is a vague term that is often not tailored to your individual needs. If you are concerned that you may have parasites for any reason, I recommend completing comprehensive stool testing. This will provide better insight into what is happening in the digestive system. If parasites are detected in the sample, steps can be taken to mitigate them and support the digestive tract. 

If you decide to initiate a parasite cleanse on your own, it is important to know that sometimes a ‘cleanse’ can worsen symptoms if the body is unable to eliminate or detoxify properly. This is why I recommend working with a professional to determine the steps needed to support your microbiome. 

Naturopathic Approach to Parasites 

As naturopathic doctors, we want to get to the root cause of your symptoms and concerns, and if we think you may have a parasitic infection, we will likely recommend working alongside the rest of your care team to obtain comprehensive stool testing to gain insight into your entire gut microbiome. Once we know what we are up against, we can craft a plan specific to your individual needs. Your doctor will most likely lay out this plan in several phases. This could include a removal phase with antimicrobial herbs, a restoration phase with demulcent herbs, and/or a repopulation phase with targeted probiotics. 

If you have been confused about the information you have been seeing online and are curious how you can support your gut microbiome, I recommend scheduling an appointment with one of our naturopathic doctors for a consultation and a personally crafted plan that fits your individual needs! 

References

Grondin JA, Jamal A, Mowna S, Seto T, Khan WI. Interaction between Intestinal Parasites and the Gut Microbiota: Implications for the Intestinal Immune Response and Host Defence. Pathogens. 2024;13(8):608. Published 2024 Jul 23. doi:10.3390/pathogens13080608 

Ahmed M. Intestinal Parasitic Infections in 2023. Gastroenterology Res. 2023;16(3):127-140. doi:10.14740/gr1622