Is the TikTok-viral ‘Parasite Cleanse’ worth the hype?

If pregnant‚ nursing or on medication‚ consult with your healthcare practitioner. People traveling outside the United States or to areas with contaminated water sources are at risk for developing parasites. “When you travel, be aware of what type of water you come in contact with and where your water is coming from,” says Sam. She also advises that you travel with a water filtering system, such as Brita, or boil the tap water.

Products such as ParaGuard will certainly make you go, and some effects include diarrhea, cramping and gas. While they are not out of the question, parasite infections are not common in the U.S. As long as you eat cooked foods, wash your hands and drink clean water, you are not likely to have parasites. Despite what you may have heard on TikTok, the majority of people in the U.S. aren’t likely to be walking around with an intestinal parasite or 12 inside of them. “These are relatively uncommon in the United States,” Cynthia Sears1, M.D., infectious disease specialist and professor of medicine at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, tells SELF.

So needless to say when I saw parasite cleanses popping up almost every other video I felt it was a sign to give it a whirl. Many natural sources have similar effects to standard medications for parasites and show promise as antiparasitic paragard parasite cleanse reviews tools. However, it may be difficult to tell if they are effective when many people using at-home parasite cleanses do not have any underlying infection. Natural parasite cleanses may be effective, but more research is needed.

There are other naturally based, plant-derived medicines that claim to cleanse parasites from various body systems, including the intestines, liver, and other parts of the digestive tract. Your natural health practitioner may also recommend homeopathic treatments to eliminate specific parasites from your body. Once you know what type of parasite infection you have, you can choose how to treat it. Some parasitic infections disappear on their own, especially if your immune system is healthy and you eat a balanced diet. However, Akinsete says people should get tested by a doctor if they have traveled to a developing country and have symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, rashes, and bloating. Imagine my dismay as I checked off each one of these ailments.

The cleanse involved taking herbal supplements that consisted of cloves, black walnut, and wormwood—the dosage of which was literally fistfuls of gelatin capsules each day. And since I struggle to swallow even the tiniest pills, I quickly gave up and opted for a stool test at my doctor’s office. Some parasites can be visible under a microscope, and DNA tests can identify those that might not be so visible.

Pediatric emergency doctor Dr. Meghan Martin told her followers the most common worms people in the US need to be concerned about are pin worms, which are common in young children, not in adults. Some parasite infections will disappear on their own, especially if you have a healthy immune system, but others will need to be treated with oral medication. A parasite cleanse is actually a very common at home procedure to excrete potentially harmful parasites and detoxify your body. ParaGuard isn’t a prescription medication, it’s a super-strength formula that contains a unique blend of herbs that supports a healthy intestinal balance.

However, some manufacturers of parasite cleanses and other detox products may inflate these numbers. Many makers of parasite cleanse products will go so far as to say everyone should do a parasite cleanse once or twice a year, with or without evidence of them having a parasite. “That’s one of the problems with these health trends,” Hajifathalian says. Although it’s highly unlikely, if you think you have parasites, Hajifathalian suggests talking to your doctor instead of trying TikTok remedies. Symptoms of a parasite infestation, if you have them, can include anemia, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, blood in your stool, rashes, and itching. The symptoms TikTokers describe, like anxiety and teeth grinding, can indicate many other conditions that are more plausible than a parasite infestation, Hajifathalian says.