Parasites - all you need to know
When we think about gut health, most of us focus on things like probiotics, fiber, or cutting out processed foods. But there’s one often-overlooked factor that could be quietly draining your energy, disrupting digestion, and impacting your overall health: parasites.
Yes—parasites are more common than you might think, and they don’t just affect people traveling abroad. They can live in the gut, brain, ovaries, tissues, organs and lungs. They feed off your nutrients, and create a ripple effect throughout your entire body and cause many unexplained symptoms or issues that you can’t “figure out.”
Let’s break down what you need to know 👇
What Are Parasites?
Parasites are organisms that live in or on a host (that’s you) and survive by feeding off nutrients from the host’s body. In the gut, they can disrupt your microbiome, damage the intestinal lining, and interfere with proper digestion and absorption.
Common types include:
Protozoa (microscopic parasites)
Helminths (worms like roundworms, tapeworms, pinworms)
They can enter the body through:
Contaminated food or water
Undercooked meat
Poorly washed produce
Travel exposure
Pets or environmental contact
How Parasites Impact Your Gut Health
Parasites don’t just “live” in your gut—they actively disrupt it. They are incredibly smart creatures who want to live inside you, so they get creative and form biofilms to house themselves and protect against removal efforts.
1. Nutrient Depletion
Parasites feed on the nutrients you consume, which can lead to deficiencies (especially iron, B12, and other key vitamins). This is a major reason people with parasites often feel chronically fatigued.
2. Gut Inflammation
They can irritate and inflame the gut lining, contributing to:
Bloating
Gas
Food sensitivities
Leaky gut
3. Microbiome Imbalance
Parasites can throw off the balance of good vs. bad bacteria, making it harder for your gut to function properly.
4. Immune System Stress
Your immune system is constantly trying to fight off these invaders, which can leave you feeling run down and more susceptible to illness.
Common Symptoms of Parasites
Parasite symptoms can be sneaky and often mimic other gut or hormonal issues.
Some of the most common signs include:
Persistent bloating or digestive discomfort
Constipation, diarrhea, or alternating between both
Unexplained fatigue or low energy
Brain fog or difficulty concentrating
Sugar cravings (parasites thrive on sugar 👀)
Skin issues (acne, rashes, eczema)
Itching (especially at night, particularly around the rectal area)
Sleep disturbances
Unexplained nutrient deficiencies (like low iron/ferritin)
Feeling hungry shortly after eating
Not everyone will experience all of these—but a pattern of several can be a clue.
How Do You Know If You Need a Parasite Cleanse?
This is where it’s important to be both informed and intentional. If you are considering a parasite detox, it is highly recommended to work with a professional practitioner who can safely guide you through the process (and it IS a process that times time) before rushing through a protocol.
You might consider looking deeper if:
1. You Have Ongoing Gut Issues
If you’ve cleaned up your diet, tried probiotics, and still struggle with symptoms, parasites could be a missing piece.
2. You Experience Chronic Fatigue
Especially if it’s paired with nutrient deficiencies or you feel like you’re doing “all the right things” with no improvement.
3. You’ve Had Exposure Risks
Recent travel
Drinking untreated water
Frequent dining out
Close contact with animals
Sushi or pork consumption
Unwashed produce
Pets
4. You Notice Symptom Patterns
For example:
Symptoms worsen at night
Cyclical digestive issues
Intense sugar cravings
Brain fog
Testing vs. Guessing
Before jumping into a cleanse, testing can be helpful.
Options include:
Stool testing (though not always 100% accurate) and I actually don’t often use in practice. Think about it - they can live in other areas of your body, not just your gut! One piece of one stool sample won’t show the complete picture.
Functional lab testing - blood work is golden here!
Working with a practitioner who understands gut health to evaluate your signs and symptoms to see if anti parasitic supplements can work for you.
Is this a new thing?
Not. At. All. People have used anti parasitic herbs since the beginning of time. Parasite removal was never a second thought because people used to readily consume many of the plants and foods that kept parasites flushed out. Today, our bodies have become a haven for parasites as we are exposed to many more toxins thus making their removal more challenging. As a whole we are also eating less whole foods, using less fresh or dried herbs, and drinking less teas that doing a parasite cleanse from time to time to help keep the terrain healthy and inhospitable for the little buggers.
If you experience any of these symptoms, have unexplained fatigue, brain fog or just feel something is off, it’s possible parasites could be at play. I guide many clients through parasite cleansing (based off of their symptoms and blood work analysis) as part of my root cause approach. If you are interested in this, check out my services to see if that is something you would like to do! I have personally experience the success that comes with parasite cleansing - are you ready to try it?
Any questions, I’m just an email away.
In health,
Stephenie