A Comprehensive Guide to Parasite Cleansing: Detoxifying Your Body for Optimal Health

For most people, the very idea of parasites is disconcerting and reminiscent of something from a horrible sci-fi film. Unfortunately, parasites are more common than people think and affect people of all ages and backgrounds.

Parasites live on or inside another living organism (known as a host) and live off of nutrients at the host’s expense. They can enter the body through consuming contaminated food or water, poor hygiene practices, contact with an infected animal, certain insect bites, and touching contaminated soil.

Boulder Holistic Functional Medicine in Boulder, Colorado, has experience diagnosing and treating many varieties of common parasites. Over the years, they’ve discovered many natural and effective parasite cleanses can help you get rid of harmful parasites and return you to optimal health.

Keep reading to learn all about natural parasite cleansing at Boulder Holistic Functional Medicine, including signs you may have a parasite and effective parasite detox strategies.

What is a Parasite Cleanse?

A parasite cleanse, or parasite detox, is any combination of therapies aimed at removing harmful parasites from the body. Strategies differ but can include any combination of dietary changes, herbal supplements, and other practices like enemas or colonics.

Signs You May Have a Parasite

Parasites are often difficult to diagnose because many signs you may have a parasite are also associated with other conditions like food poisoning, IBS, and IBD.

What makes it even more difficult is the variety of parasites, including protozoa (single-celled organism such as Giardia and Cryptosporidium) and helminths (worm-like parasites including roundworms, tapeworms, and flukes). Each parasite has a different life cycle and causes different symptoms.

Here are a Few Common Symptoms of a Parasitic Infection:

Digestive Symptoms:

Abdominal pain and cramping
Diarrhea or constipation
Nausea and vomiting

General Health Issues:

Fatigue and weakness
Unexplained weight loss
Joint and muscle pain

Skin and Allergic Reactions:

Itchy skin and rashes
Allergic reactions or sensitivities

Sleep Disturbances:

Insomnia or disrupted sleep patterns.
Restlessness and anxiety.

Other Symptoms:

Fever
Flu-like symptoms
Brain fog
Itchiness in the rectum
Acne
Allergies
Anger issues

Excessive appetite
Teeth grinding at night
Dehydration
Nutrient deficiencies, especially iron and other nutrient deficiencies that doesn’t respond to high-dose supplements
Anemia
Enlarged stomach

How Do I Check Myself for Parasites?

To find out if you have parasites, you and your provider will have to do a comprehensive exam including a review of your medical history, physical exam, and lab tests. Unfortunately, even all of those diagnostic tools may not reveal the presence of parasites.Most parasite tests rely heavily on a stool test, but stool tests don’t reveal the presence of hidden parasites living happily inside a biofilm.That’s why Boulder Holistic Functional Medicine recommends the 3-Day GI Effects or GI Map for parasite testing. The GI Effects utilizes both ova and parasite microscopy in addition to DNA- PCR testing for some common parasites. The GI Map utilizes DNA-PCR testing for some common parasites.If we feel you need more comprehensive parasite testing, we recommend stool testing through Parawellness Research or Parasitology Center Inc. You can also schedule a consultation at Boulder Holistic Functional Medicine to discuss parasite testing here.

The Importance of Parasite Cleansing

Parasites are enormously draining for your body. Think about it – they are using the very nutrients you need to keep your body running smoothly. Not only do they cause a variety of uncomfortable symptoms in the short term, but over time parasites lead to chronic fatigue, immune dysfunction, chronic inflammation, and other issues that severely compromise your quality of life.When you get rid of parasites, all of the body’s systems will benefit. Parasite cleanse promotes healthy digestion and nutrient absorption. They reduce inflammation, boost immunity, and improve energy levels.

Do parasites go away on their own?

No, some parasites will create a home for themselves inside your body inside a substance called biofilm. This substance protects them from your immune system and allows them to live comfortably undisturbed inside your body for many years.

Parasite Cleansing for Adults

Like with all types of detox, parasite cleansing requires you to go slowly. You should also seek guidance from a qualified healthcare practitioner before starting any parasite cleansing regimen, especially if pregnant, nursing, or managing underlying health conditions.Boulder Holistic Functional Medicine focuses on a two-step approach to parasite cleansing that begins by supporting the body’s natural detoxing systems.

Step 1: Open the 7 Elimination Channels

First, you build up the body’s seven elimination channels – bowels, liver, kidneys, lungs, skin, lymphatic system, and blood. Opening the seven elimination channels before a parasite cleanse is important because it prepares the body for effective detoxification and elimination of toxins released during the cleanse.

Step 2: Parasite Cleanse

Boulder Holistic often recommends a multifaceted approach to parasite cleansing that includes a combination of herbal remedies, medical protocols, and colon cleansing. You should also try to get enough rest, eat a balanced diet, and hydrate to support your body as it detoxes.

Herbal Remedies:

Several herbs, including wormwood, oregano, black walnut, cloves, and garlic, are antiparasitic and common during parasite cleanses. Boulder Holistic Functional Medicine is happy to recommend our favorite herbal formulations during your consultation! You may also want to explore comprehensive herbal systems for parasite cleansing.

Our recommended cleanses include:

Cell Core’s Para series paired with a biotoxin binder – an effective treatment for parasites.
Tricycline from Allergy Research Group – This treatment combines Berberine, artemisinin, grapefruit seed extract to break biofilm, and black walnut hulls to treat intestinal parasites.
The Parafy Kit offered by Ms Rogers Hood – another increasingly popular herbal protocol

All of these treatments are designed to support safe and effective parasite cleansing but should be used with professional guidance.

Medical Protocols

Some protozoal and worm-type parasites require a comprehensive prescription-based antiparasitic protocol, like the Gant Protocol or Simon Yu’s Parasite protocol.

Colon Cleansing:

Colon cleansing can also help remove harmful parasites and toxins from your body. You can try colon hydrotherapy or enemas to flush them out or try fiber-rich foods and supplements which promote regular bowel movements and prevent re-infestation.—Parasite cleanses are a type of detox so you should be prepared for temporary detox symptoms like headaches, fatigue, and gastrointestinal disturbances as your body eliminates toxins and parasites. Always work with a medical professional like those at Boulder Holistic Functional Medicine for added support during your parasite cleanse.

Work with Boulder Holistic Functional Medicine

Parasites can lead to all kinds of health issues, from digestive problems to chronic fatigue and immune dysfunction. They provide an unnecessary strain on all of the body’s systems and removing them may be your first step to optimal health!Boulder Holistic Functional Medicine in Boulder, Colorado, offers comprehensive support for natural parasite cleansing with herbs, medical protocols, and colon cleanses. If you think you may have a parasite, schedule a consultation with Boulder Holistic Functional Medicine and start your detox journey today!