Do You Need a Parasite Cleanse for Better Gut Health?

I’ve always had wonky digestion (sometimes constipated, sometimes going too frequently), so I’m always intrigued to discover what people are doing for gut health.

If you’ve been on TikTok lately, you may have seen the viral parasite trend that’s going around. People are buying supplements and pooping so much that they have to cancel their plans for two weeks to be close enough to their toilets. It seemed like insanity, but it made me wonder if I could have an unknown visitor in my intestinal tract, so I decided to go down the rabbit hole.

What is the viral parasite cleansing trend?

My first question was, “What are in these supplements?” I wanted to know why people believe they’ll work. These were the most common.

• Wormwood
• Black walnut
• Clove
• Neem
• Propolis

Those are just some of them, but Wormwood seems to be the most popular. While a 2018 study found Wormwood to reduce dwarf tapeworm levels similarly to leading antiparasitic medication in animal studies, no research is available on any of the other ingredients listed above. It was starting to sound like that skinny tea fad from a few years back, but instead of brewing and drinking it, you just swallow it. And all it did was make you poop to get “skinnier.”

Common symptoms of a parasitic infection

The second thing I wanted to know was why so many people were jumping on this train. What is causing everyone to believe they’re infected with parasites? I googled what the symptoms are and found this.

• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhea
• Nausea or vomiting
• Gas or bloating
• Dysentery (loose stools containing blood and mucus)
• Rash or itching around the rectum or vulva
• Stomach pain or tenderness
• Feeling tired
• Weight loss
• Passing a worm in your stool

Before you freak out and order one of these parasite cleanses, hear me out. So many of these symptoms overlap with literally hundreds of conditions, some of which are very mild and will resolve on their own. Okay, aside from the obvious worms in your stool. But seriously? Keep reading if you want a solution that will help these problems without an unnecessary amount of literal shit.

Who’s really at risk for parasite infections?

One thing I think is really important to touch on is not only what causes parasites but also who is really at risk for being exposed to them. So, what are the common causes?

• Drinking from contaminated water sources
• Eating raw or undercooked meat that is contaminated
• Coming in contact with contaminated human or animal waste

In short, it’s rare for those in developed countries to get parasitic infections. If you’re a farmer who is constantly coming in contact with animal waste, your risk may be higher. If you’re an avid outdoor adventurer and don’t treat the water you collect from contaminated sources, your risk will also be higher. If you’re backpacking, please filter your water. Getting something like giardia is totally unnecessary and preventable. So, if you’re not in those two camps, your risk is probably relatively low.

So, it’s not a parasite; now what?

I was relieved to understand my common digestive woes were probably not a parasite. I did not like the thought of giving up my life for two weeks for the sole purpose of pooping. Sorry, TMI?

I still didn’t love that my digestion felt off sometimes—okay, a lot of the time. I feel bloated after meals, and sometimes I won’t go for a full 24 hours. I wanted something to help me feel like myself again (without extreme measures of parasite cleansing — especially if I don’t need it!)

How to support your body when you feel something is “off”

The moment you’ve all been waiting for (drumroll please), I found my gut health holy grail: a supplement that is clean, effective, and supports your microbiome to relieve the symptoms you think are associated with parasites but are most likely because of something else.

My ride-or-die supplement by Semaine is their Pre+Probiotic for Women.

I’m a sensitive stomach girlie. I get gastritis if I take an NSAID, I can’t have dairy from cows who produce A1 beta-casein (google it; it’s too complicated to explain), and if I eat too much fiber in a day, I get abdominal pain. When I wanted to elevate my gut health, I knew I had to be picky about my chosen probiotic.

After taking Pre+Probiotic for Women for a few days, I felt better. I go regularly, have less digestive upset, and don’t feel as bloated after meals. Scroll back up if you need a refresher on some of the common symptoms people try to combat with these parasite cleanses. Notice anything? Maybe you just need a quality probiotic and some fiber. I go 3x a day, and this is the supplement I take. I’ve also never done a parasite cleanse.

Why I love Pre+Probiotic for Women

• It’s formulated with Lactobacillus Acidophilus & Lactobacillus Plantarum, which are two of the best-studied probiotic strains that support both gut and vaginal health.
  • They support intestinal health, reduce the occurrence of BV and yeast infections and lower intestinal inflammation.
• They include a prebiotic blend of psyllium husk (I literally put this exact ingredient in my dog’s food to add fiber—vet recommended, don’t @ me) and organic acacia gum.
  • Prebiotics act as fuel for probiotics and promote a balanced gut microbiome, improve digestion, nutrient absorption, and overall gut function.
• It has ginger extract. As a sensitive tummy girlie, I love this.
  • Ginger helps alleviate intestinal inflammation while soothing an upset stomach—literally what I needed during a gastritis flare. It also addresses heartburn and enhances gastric emptying, AKA it keeps you moving.

Other things you can do for your body

In addition to grabbing Semaine supplements, you can make some simple lifestyle changes to improve symptoms.

• Drink more water—Seriously, it will just help you all around.
• Eat more fiber and less processed foods—If you can’t poop and are constantly bloated, look at your diet.
• Add in gut-friendly foods like sauerkraut, kimchi, and miso to help keep your good bacteria population thriving.

The bottom line is that if you think you may be infected with a parasite, go to your medical professional for testing. But if you want to add some supplements to your routine, I highly recommend Pre+Probiotic for Women. It’s clean, science-backed, and uses clinically studied ingredients.

I’ll make it easier. Grab it now and get 20% off your first order with code HAPPYGUT.

Do your gut a favor and support it with ingredients that have been thoroughly studied to keep it healthy.