Parasites in human
How To Rid Your Body Of Parasites
“In the United States and other high-income countries, such infections are uncommon. Most documented cases occur in travelers returning from regions where parasites are more common, or among people with certain exposures such as contact with infected animals.” – Dr. Leana Wen, CNN Wellness Expert - August 2025
That quote may sound reassuring, until it’s not. My family and I live in a suburb of Denver, Colorado. We haven't left the country, we eat well, stay healthy, and live what many would call a “clean” lifestyle. But recently, a USA-based lab confirmed through stool tests that my wife, my son, and I all tested positive for both parasites and bacteria.
So where is Dr. Wen getting her data? More importantly, why is nobody talking about this? The truth is, stomach parasites, gut parasites in humans, and parasitic worms are far more common than mainstream medicine acknowledges, especially when stool testing is rarely part of routine healthcare. Many people suffering from chronic issues may never consider the possibility that body worms in humans are silently wreaking havoc on their health.
gut parasites in humans
Parasites are organisms that live off a host, in this case, you and cause harm. They can drain your nutrients, release toxins, and disrupt your immune system. In humans, there are three main categories of parasites:
1. PROTOZOA: Microscopic one-celled organisms (like Giardia in humans) that multiply in the body. Commonly transmitted through water, food, or fecal exposure.
2. HELMINTHS: These are the parasitic worms, such as roundworms, tapeworms, and flukes. They can live in your digestive tract, organs, or tissues.
3. ECTOPARASITES: These include lice, ticks, fleas, and mites, parasites that live on your body but can also be carriers of internal parasites. And guess what? It’s estimated that 30% of the global population is affected by parasites, many unknowingly.
body worms in humans
Even without traveling overseas, there are many ways gut parasites in humans can take hold:
- Pork (#1 source - especially undercooked)
- Shellfish and seafood (second biggest source)
- Traveling to foreign countries with contaminated food or water
- Undercooked beef
- Swimming in rivers or lakes with untreated water Unwashed produce
- Exposure to fecal matter (dirty bathrooms, poor hygiene)
- Pets licking your face
- Mosquito or tick bites
- Housefly landing on your food
Most people think “I’d know if I had stomach parasites.” But would you? Our family didn't.
symptoms of parasites
Parasites can mimic other health issues, which is why they often go undiagnosed. Here are common signs:
- Digestive issues (bloating, gas, diarrhea, constipation)
- Fatigue / Low energy
- Muscle aches or joint pain
- Inflammation
- Sugar cravings
- Skin rashes / eczema
- Neurological issues (anxiety, brain fog)
- Headaches
- Teeth grinding
- Nutrient deficiencies
- Weight gain or loss
- Sleep disturbances, especially waking up around 2–3 a.m.
- Weakened immune system
And perhaps most alarming, certain parasites dramatically increase your risk of cancer. For example, one specific liver fluke raises the risk of bile duct cancer by 14x.
parasites test for humans
Worms In Human Poop: Most parasites are microscopic, so you typically won’t see them in your stool, which is why sending a sample to a reputable lab is the most reliable way to confirm an infection. My wife and I didn’t notice anything unusual about our stools, so we were genuinely surprised when our lab results came back positive for parasites. While some infections may present visible worms or segments, mucus, floating debris, changes in color or consistency, unusual odors, or undigested food (as can occur with Giardia), these signs are not always obvious.
Unfortunately, routine parasite testing is rare in conventional medicine unless you’ve recently traveled abroad or have severe, unmistakable symptoms, and that gap in testing leaves many infections undetected.
parasite detox
A parasite cleanse is a targeted, natural protocol aimed at killing and eliminating parasites from the body while supporting your system through the detox process. The goal is not only to remove adult parasites but also to destroy their eggs and larvae, disrupt their life cycles, and restore balance to the gut microbiome. This is typically achieved through a combination of herbal supplements with anti-parasitic properties, dietary adjustments that make the body less hospitable to parasites, and detox support to help flush out toxins released during die-off. A well-structured parasite cleanse may include herbs such as black walnut hull, wormwood, and clove, often used together because they attack parasites at different stages of development, as well as nutrient-dense foods like pumpkin seeds, papaya seeds, garlic, and fermented vegetables to nourish the body and replenish beneficial bacteria.
Hydration (with filtered water), gentle exercise, and liver support are also essential, as killing parasites can release waste and toxins that need to be processed and eliminated efficiently. Some people choose to do a parasite cleanse proactively once or twice a year, while others embark on one after lab testing confirms an infection or when persistent symptoms suggest a possible parasitic burden. Because parasite die-off can sometimes cause temporary discomfort, such as fatigue, headaches, digestive changes, or skin flare-ups, it’s important to follow a protocol that’s safe, effective, and tailored to your individual needs.
Disclaimer: If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, have underlying health conditions, or are on medications, always consult your healthcare provider before beginning any cleanse. Even natural compounds can be potent and may interact with certain drugs or affect sensitive populations.
natural parasite treatment
Here are some of the most well-researched and traditionally used home remedies for parasites.
Herbs and Supplements:
- Black Walnut Hull – kills both worms and eggs
- Wormwood – powerful anti-parasitic
- Clove or Clove Oil – destroys parasite eggs
- Oil of Oregano – effective against Giardia
- Pau D’Arco – antifungal and antibacterial
- Garlic – broad-spectrum anti-parasitic
- Mugwort / Artemisia – used for centuries
- High-Dose Probiotics – restore gut balance
- Humic & Fulvic Acid – binds and eliminates toxins
Best Foods for Parasite Cleansing:
- Pumpkin seeds / Pumpkin seed butter
- Papaya and papaya seeds
- Carrots and beets
- Pineapple (contains bromelain)
- Coconut oil
- Apple cider vinegar (before meals)
- Ginger and turmeric
- Celery Juice
travel parasite treatment
If you travel to high-risk areas where parasites are more common, a few precautions can significantly reduce your chances of infection. Taking bentonite clay and high-dose probiotics can help bind toxins and support a healthy gut microbiome, while sticking to well-cooked meats ensures you avoid undercooked or contaminated protein sources.
It’s also important to avoid tap water entirely (use one of our filtered water bottles with the Everywhere filter) and steer clear of pork, fish, and shellfish, which are among the top carriers of parasites. Adding a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and a dose of digestive bitters before meals may further support digestion and create an environment less hospitable to parasites.
over the counter medicine for parasites
Health and wellness influencer Gary Brecka, who is very clear in stating that he is not a doctor and advises consulting your own physician before starting any protocol, shares that he personally takes a form of Ivermectin along with fenbendazole three times a year as part of his parasite cleanse routine. There’s also a company called Jase that offers a single pill combining Ivermectin and Mebendazole specifically for parasite cleansing. Again, we have no relationship with Jase and you should do your own research and consult your local physician.
Mebendazole and fenbendazole are both anthelmintic drugs, meaning they’re designed to kill parasitic worms but they differ in their approved uses, typical availability, and primary applications. Mebendazole is an FDA-approved medication for humans, commonly prescribed for intestinal worm infections like roundworm, whipworm, hookworm, and certain tapeworms. Fenbendazole, on the other hand, is primarily a veterinary drug for animals but works in a similar way by blocking a parasite’s ability to absorb glucose. While mebendazole is the standard treatment for humans, fenbendazole is sometimes used “off-label” in people, though research in humans is limited. Again, make sure you consult a doctor before doing any type of treatment.
What my family is Doing
Dr. Wen’s statement is part of a larger issue: most people simply aren’t being tested for parasites. That doesn’t mean parasites are rare, it means they’re rarely diagnosed. My family recently used Parasites.org to do comprehensive stool testing, and we were shocked to learn that all of us were positive for parasites despite living in an developed area and not traveling abroad. After receiving our results, we decided to go through The Super Parafy Kit from RogersHood Apothecary aka “The Worm Queen” Dr. Kim to help cleanse our systems.
We don't personally have relationships with either of these organizations (parasites.org or RogersHood Apothecary) so we recommend that you do your own research. My wife and I did our research and it led us to them.
We’ve also changed the way we wash our vegetables to further reduce the risk of parasite exposure. Now, instead of rinsing produce quickly under the tap, we place a large camping sink inside our kitchen sink, fill it with tap water, and soak the vegetables thoroughly. During the soak, we run an ozone machine specifically designed to kill parasites and other pathogens living on the outer surfaces of fruits and vegetables. This extra step gives us greater peace of mind, knowing we’re doing everything we can to minimize contamination before the food even reaches our plates.
Parasites don’t discriminate; wealth, location, or lifestyle offer no guaranteed protection. You can be at risk if you’ve swum in a lake 10 years ago, eaten rare meat, let your dog lick your face, or used a questionable public restroom. If you’re dealing with chronic symptoms that no doctor can explain, a stool test could be the key to uncovering an underlying parasitic infection.
Don’t Ignore the Signs, If left untreated, parasites can cause or contribute to autoimmune disorders, cancer, chronic fatigue, IBS, and even mental health issues. As Dr. Mark Hyman says “You don’t know what’s going on in your body until you test.” We certainly didn’t think we had parasites, until we did. Don’t wait for your symptoms to escalate or for your health to decline. Test, cleanse, and give your body the chance to heal.
Video "Signs That You Have a PARASITE "
Sources:
CHRONIC INFECTIONS WITH VIRUSES OR PARASITES: BREAKING BAD TO MAKE GOOD
COMORBIDITIES INVOLVING PARASITIC DISEASES: A LOOK AT THE BENEFITS AND COMPLICATIONS
CRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME 5 YEARS AFTER GIARDIASIS
ARTHRITIS RELATED TO PARASITIC INFECTIONS
HELMINTH PARASITES AND THE MODULATION OF JOINT INFLAMMATION
PARASITE INFECTION, CARCINOGENESIS AND HUMAN MALIGNANCY
CDC RESEARCHERS LINK CANCER CELLS FROM PARASITES TO HUMAN TUMORS
PARASITIC DISEASES OF THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM: LESSONS FOR CLINICIANS AND POLICY MAKERS
A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF HUMAN PATHOGENS CARRIED BY THE HOUSEFLY
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