The infamous phrase, “Detox with me!” has flooded social media, as well as hundreds of influencers promoting detox or herbal-based parasite cleansing products meant to prevent bloating, remove parasites from the digestive tract, and alleviate fatigue. Ironically, these cleansers are not FDA approved, and there is no direct evidence that they work; in fact, they can cause liver problems, nutritional deficiencies, and dangerous side effects.
Some people believe they have certain symptoms that induce them to buy the detox. These symptoms include bloating, fatigue, constipation, and sometimes just a desire to lose weight. While some influencers buy store-bought detoxes, others make “DIY” detoxes, which many people compare to “potions.” It is important to note that there is no scientific evidence that says that detoxes work, or parasitic cleansers root out parasites. Parasites in the digestive system can come from eating contaminated food and/or drinking contaminated water.
As aforementioned, parasitic cleansers/detoxes have no scientific evidence that they work, but they do have scientific evidence that they are harmful. According to the Cleveland Clinic, “I really hope these cleanses don’t become popular,” said registered dietitian Beth Czerwony, RD, LD. “There’s just no credible evidence to show that they work, and they can bring big health risks.” It is also important to note that not all digestive symptoms are caused by parasites, which many social-media influencers have consumers believing. Additionally, these detoxes/parasite cleansers can cause health risks, including vitamin and nutrient deficiencies, diarrhea, dehydration, low energy levels, and liver damage.
Some ingredients that can be found in these so-called parasitic cleanses/detoxes include bitter herbs such as wormwood, black walnut hulls, aromatic spices such as cloves, garlic, and oregano oil, due to their alleged microbial properties. They also include fibrous materials such as psyllium husk, flax seeds, and chia seeds. Continuing, they contain alleged digestive supports, such as ginger, milk thistle, and apple cider vinegar. There can be other strange add-ons, such as pumpkin seeds and papaya seeds.
A reason why the FDA has yet to approve these alleged parasitic cleansers/detoxes is that there is no evidence that any specific diet will rid your body of parasites. Additionally, some cleansers contain materials that may interact with some medications, causing harmful results. According to University Hospitals, “The parasite cleansing systems being promoted on the internet and social media are not medically necessary, can cause alarming side effects, and have not been proven to kill parasites,” says Dr. Ratay. “If you have symptoms of a parasite infection, my advice is to seek professional medical help and not waste your money on home remedies.”
The next time you hear influencers promoting detoxes/parasitic cleansers on social media, you can rest assured knowing that they are nothing more than a mere fraud, and can do more damage to your health than good. If you believe that you actually do have a parasite, a good option would first be to get a diagnosis, which would probably include anti-parasitic medications, vitamins, a healthy diet, and probiotics, as opposed to a harmful self-diagnosis.