Medical professionals have warned against a new trend of “parasite cleanses” that are being pushed online by wellness influencers and celebrities.
The holistic treatments target organisms that it is claimed are responsible for a wide range of symptoms including – bloating, insomnia, food cravings and other health issues. But doctors say self-diagnosis and treatment are a bad idea.
Dr Ihab Ahmed, an infectious disease physician at Northwestern Medicine near Chicago, says that much of the time, when he is contacted by patients, sometimes even sending pictures of their stool, their concerns are largely not justified.
“Unless they’re actually looking at it under a microscope, or they have the expertise in that matter, I wouldn’t trust that what they’re seeing is an actual worm,” he told NPR.
Influencers claim that having parasites, especially in areas including the gut, is common. They advise using supplements or other herbal remedies to induce bowel movements and expel the worms.
Some online examples include using essential oils, Epsom salts or even baking soda to induce the movements.
One prominent influencer promoting the use of such cleansing remedies is Kim Rogers, who refers to herself online as “The Worm Queen.” Rogers, who is the CEO of RogersHood and has a million followers across online platforms, is not a doctor.
“I think 95 percent of us have parasites. We’ve never gone in and cleaned out,” she said, speaking during an appearance on singer Jordin Sparks’ podcast in January.
Rogers, who sells various products including parasite cleanse kits for $125 online, said that such cleanses should be done three or four times a year, and “especially if you have pets.” The Independent has contacted Rogers for comment.
Such claims have doctors raising eyebrows. “If they’re doing this every six months, you’ve got to imagine that whatever they’re doing isn’t effective,” added Dr Ahmed.
In addition, though gut parasites are real and can be dangerous, there are so many different types of parasites that supposedly “catch-all” remedies are unlikely to make a difference, according to D Peter Hotez, the dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine.
“No one would say you have one-stop shopping for all viruses. So it’s the same with parasites,” he said.
Doctors also point out that many herbal parasite cleanse products have not been approved or even evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration, a fact that online vendors typically acknowledge.
“This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease,” the cleanse kit on Rogers’ website notes. “We do not provide medical advice, and the supplements have not been evaluated by the FDA. Use at your own discretion and responsibility.”
The product also notes that it contains a California Proposition 65 Warning, meaning that it “contains naturally occurring minerals listed by the State of California as potentially causing cancer or reproductive harm.”
Professionals advise that, rather than kits or cleanses, people observe good food hygiene to prevent parasitic infestations and seek real medical advice if they are concerned.
