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Parasite Cleanses: Hype or Helpful?

There has been a recent uptick in social media messaging that promotes the benefits of parasite cleanses. Although these dietary regimens and supplements may not cause direct harm, it’s unlikely they offer any real benefits. And, for some people, they can have dangerous side effects... Parasite cleanses or detoxes usually consist of a dietary supplement containing natural herbs and oils that, according to the manufacturers, have anti-parasite properties. The supplements are often paired with a recommended diet plan that centers around eating natural, whole foods and avoiding greasy and highly processed foods. Even though eating a healthier diet will likely benefit your health, there is no evidence…

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  Is a ‘Parasite Cleanse’ to Poop Out Worms Ever a Good Idea?

I don't know how I ended up on the side of TikTok where tons of people are trying to poop worms on a "parasite cleanse," but we need to talk about it. While it's always hard to trace the origins of these trends, it seems to have started with people eating papaya seeds because of the rumor that they're antiparasitic, then claiming that their resulting poops after ingesting the seeds seemed…suspiciously worm-like. From there, things escalated as people wondered if they actually had worms in their guts and fled to Google in search of a "parasite cleanse." Of course, the internet obliged, and pretty soon TikTokers were flocking to Amazon to purchase various homeopathic remedies, which resulted in more TikToks where people chronicled their cleanses, reporting back on what turned up in their turds.

 Do You Really Need to Do a Parasite Cleanse?

It’s highly unlikely that you have intestinal parasites, but even if you do, a home remedy won’t do much.

 Heidi Klum Says Everyone Has Parasites—Is That True (And Do You Need a Cleanse)?

Parasite infections are rare in the U.S., and these cleanses are not proven treatments, experts say. Some studies show that certain supplements—like papaya seed and wormwood—can actually combat parasites, but the research is too limited to draw conclusions about their safety and efficacy in humans.

 Is the TikTok ParaGuard parasite cleanse safe?

It’s the popular social media platform that has something for everyone, but are those TikTok health trends safe? Parasite cleanses, brushing your teeth with hydrogen peroxide and more — there’s no shortage of advice-laden content, but medical professionals warn caution if you’re going to try a viral health trend.

Articles of Interest

Gut parasite cleanses like ParaGuard: The good, the bad and the ugly

Most people do not have parasites. "It's unlikely that the average person is walking around with active parasites in their gut," says Dr. Mannon. "I would question the usefulness of these parasite cleanses."

Heidi Klum's Worm Cleanse: 'Medically Unfounded, Potentially Harmful'

Supermodel says she's detoxing worms with herbs. Doctors say skip the cleanse, see a physician,

How Worm-Inspired Treatments Are Inching Their Way Toward the Clinic

Infection by certain wrigglers may reduce inflammation and fight obesity and diabetes. Scientists are working to turn the findings into therapies.

If A Worm Makes You Sick, Can This Cup Of Tea Cure You?

Pam Weathers, a biologist at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, has spent a lot of time studying how artimisinin and other derivatives of the wormwood shrub attack malaria parasites in people. She figured wormwood might also kill the worms that cause schistosomiasis. So along with her colleagues she ran a trial on 800 people in the Maniema Province in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, all of whom had schistosomiasis. Half were treated with the drug, and half got wormwood tea. In a new study published this month, she reports that sweet wormwood tea can cure schistosomiasis faster and with fewer side effects than the most common drug treatment.

Medicine: Pineapple for Worms

The worms, which usually plague children more than adults, enter the body in infected vegetables, may cause diarrhea, colic, convulsions. Standard anthelmintic (worm-killer) for ascarids is bitter oil of chenopodium (wormseed oil), usually given in capsule form. Last week in Science, Chemists Julius Berger and Conrado Frederico Asenjo of the University of Wisconsin stood up for a primitive worm-killer which is sweeter, cheaper, and just as powerful: fresh pineapple juice.

No, You Don’t Need a ‘Parasite Cleanse’ (Which Won’t Actually Treat a Parasite)

Trying to self-treat a suspected parasite with a so-called cleanse can do more harm than good.

Parasite Cleanses Are Viral, Again. Doctors Still Say They’re a Very Bad Idea

While the viral trend is big on TikTok, several doctors told Rolling Stone that there's no evidence parasite cleanses remove any toxins — but they could definitely hurt kids in the long run.

Parasite infection needs proper care, not fad diet

While the specifics of these cleanses can vary depending on the source, they typically focus on a cocktail of supplements that are supposed to clear the infection. To better understand the issue, we should begin by talking about parasites.

TikTok’s Gut Parasite Cleanse Trend Is Fake, Say Experts

Watching influencers in gym gear posting pictures of the parasite infested poos they just expelled out of their arsehole, might be enough to make you utter the words “that’s enough internet for today”. The term “parasite cleanse” currently has 450 million hashtags on TikTok, so if doomscrolling through too many of these videos has royally destroyed your algorithm then welcome to the club.

What Is a Parasite Cleanse, and Is It Right for You?

Foods like papaya seeds, pumpkin seeds, cinnamon, and garlic have been purported to have anti-parasitic properties—though there isn’t broad research behind these natural remedies.