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Do you need to deworm twice a year? Or could a parasite cleanse cause more harm than good?

View more blogs related to Healthy Lifestyle View more blogs related to Belly and Pelvis View more blogs related to Digestive System Gut parasite cleanses like ParaGuard: The good, the bad and the ugly September 2, 2021 Do you need to deworm twice a year? Or could a parasite cleanse cause more harm than good? See why Nebraska Medicine gastroenterologist Peter Mannon, MD, MPH, urges caution before following this untested TikTok trend. Most people do not have parasites. "It's unlikely that the average person is walking around with active parasites in their gut," says Dr. Mannon. "I would question the usefulness of these parasite cleanses." If you've traveled recently to an area with endemic parasites and have unexplained weight loss, then it's possible you could have a parasite. But even then, it's not a sure thing. "When we see people with diarrhea, most test results are negative for pathologic parasites," says Dr. Mannon. Symptoms of a genuine parasitic infection Common symptoms of parasitic infection include: Fatigue Bloating Diarrhea after traveling Stomach pain Nausea or vomiting Unexplained weight loss Passing worms in your stool But these symptoms can also indicate many other diseases that are more common than parasites. If you experience symptoms, see your primary care provider. They can use a stool test or blood test to identify parasites in your gut. The risks of parasite cleanses Not only is there no upside to these cleanses (since no parasites are there to remove), there are many potential downsides. "The risks depend on the type of cleanse," says Dr. Mannon. Note that parasite cleanses are not tested to see if they work or if they're safe. They haven't gone through any type of Food and Drug Administration (FDA) review or approval process. The good: strict diet If you're avoiding gluten, dairy or pork to "starve your parasites," that's not such a bad thing. While it may not clear up any parasites (because there were none to begin with), it shouldn't cause any digestive issues. "For the most part, a strict diet would not be particularly dangerous, unless you exclude essential vitamins and important nutrients," explains Dr. Mannon. Eating healthier is great for your body. The bad: herbs and other supplements Other people may try adding supplements like wormwood to their diet. If you're adding dangerous amounts of certain herbal supplements, that could be a problem. "Certain herbal dietary supplements can even cause drug-induced liver disease," warns Dr. Mannon. Check with your doctor before taking supplements, especially if you have a chronic illness that needs to be managed with medication. The ugly: untested products Untested products are the worst of all. They don't go through FDA review, and they may contain toxic compounds. "Colon-cleansing regimens being sold, whether pills or enema therapy, can have unexpected consequences. You don't know what's in them," says Dr. Mannon. "They can be contaminated by pathogenic bugs or toxic compounds like lead, mercury or arsenic." Some of these products act like a laxative, to trick you into thinking it's doing something helpful. If you have excessive diarrhea, you can be at risk for kidney injury. It's best to avoid these products. Related articles Healthy Lifestyle September 2, 2021 5 tips for researching health advice online Healthy Lifestyle August 5, 2021 Can't sleep? What to know about melatonin supplements In this article Providers Learn more about Peter J Mannon, MD Services Learn more about Gastrointestinal Care Need help finding a doctor? Browse our doctors or call 800.922.0000 Share: Link to share on Twitter Link to share on Facebook Share via email Stay connected with the Nebraska Medicine app Download the app Subscribe to Advancing Health By signing up, you are consenting to receive electronic messages from Nebraska Medicine. Subscribe Today Links you might like Conditions and Services December 24, 2025 Preventing Alzheimer’s disease and dementia by treating obstructive sleep apnea Healthy Lifestyle November 19, 2025 7 types of magnesium: Which form is right for you? Conditions and Services September 5, 2024 How to have great sex during menopause and beyond Subscribe to Advancing Health Link activates modal Open modal window Open directions modal Modal window You're leaving our websiteYou’re about to leave the Nebraska Medicine website. The other site may collect information about your visit, including your IP address. Do you want to continue? Open in Google Maps Close modal window close modal window