Should I Do a Parasite Cleanse?

Should You Really Do a Parasite Cleanse?
(Before You Jump on the TikTok Train, Read This.)

If you’ve been anywhere online lately, you’ve probably seen someone talking about “parasite cleanses” — usually while sipping some mystery herbal potion and promising that it’ll change your life. TikTok alone has racked up hundreds of millions of views under #parasitecleanse.

But here’s the truth: at Functional Health & Chiropractic Care in Farmers Branch, TX, parasite cleansing isn’t a trend. And it’s definitely not for everyone.
​
Let’s take a step back from the hype and talk about what these little freeloaders actually are, what they do, and how to know if cleansing is right for you.

First Things First: What Are Parasites?Just the word parasite can make your skin crawl. Technically, parasites are organisms that live on or inside another organism — their host — and get their food at the host’s expense.

There are three main types that can cause issues in humans:

1. Protozoa (microscopic single-celled organisms)
2. Helminths (worms — flat or round)
3. Ectoparasites (those clingy external ones like ticks and lice)

Not all parasites are inherently evil. We’ve coexisted with them for millennia. Some even hang out peacefully in our microbiome without causing trouble. But others? They can drain your energy, steal nutrients, and create inflammation throughout your body.

The Tiny Invaders: Protozoa
Protozoa are the single-celled members of the parasite family. You can’t see them, but your gut definitely knows when they’re there.

They can set up camp in your intestines, blood, or tissues, and cause symptoms ranging from mild bloating to full-on illness. Common culprits include:

• Giardia intestinalis (giardiasis)
• Entamoeba histolytica (amoebiasis)
• Cyclospora cayetanensis (cyclosporiasis)
• Cryptosporidium spp. (cryptosporidiosis)

Fun fact: Cryptosporidium is chlorine-resistant, which means it can survive in swimming pools. Gross, right?

The Wormy Ones: Helminths
Helminths are the “classic” parasites — the ones that make you picture something squirmy. These include flatworms (like tapeworms and flukes) and roundworms (nematodes).

They’re larger than protozoa, sometimes visible to the naked eye, and they’re quite developed — complete with their own organ systems. Adults live in the intestines, while their eggs and larvae can lurk in soil or food.
Common types you’ve probably heard of:

• Ascaris
• Taenia (tapeworms)
• Schistosoma
• Echinococcus
• Toxocara

And yes — you can absolutely get Ascaris from unwashed veggies. Just another reason to rinse those farmers’ market finds!

The Outsiders: Ectoparasites
Ectoparasites don’t move in — they live on the surface. Think fleas, lice, mites, and ticks. They can cause itchy skin and irritation, but more importantly, they can carry other infections.

Take Lyme disease, for example. It’s not a parasite itself — it’s caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi — but it’s transmitted through the bite of an infected tick. And here’s where things get interesting: ticks can also transmit Babesia, a parasite that infects red blood cells.

Ticks are sneaky. Their saliva numbs your skin and suppresses your immune response. It’s like a built-in stealth mode.

Should You Do a Parasite Cleanse If You Suspect Lyme?
Not so fast. If you have Lyme or think you might, there’s a lot more to consider before jumping into a cleanse. Your drainage pathways need to be open, your body nourished, and your stress under control. Otherwise, you might stir up more trouble than you clear out.

Ticks aren’t the only bugs that carry microbes either. Fleas can transmit Tularemia and Rickettsia typhi — yet another reason to think beyond just “parasite cleanse” trends.

Where Parasites Hang Out (and How to Keep Them Out)
Parasites are surprisingly adaptable. Some like the warm, moist comfort of your intestines; others prefer the skin or even the bloodstream. Some species hang out in soil or water, patiently waiting for a new host to stroll by.

Preventing exposure starts with awareness:

• Drink clean, filtered (or bottled) water, especially when traveling.
• Cook meat thoroughly.
• Wash produce carefully.
• Protect yourself and your pets from insect bites.

Simple, practical steps — but they make a big difference.

The Science: Why Parasites Are So Smart
Parasites are master survivors. They evolve, morph, and disguise themselves to evade your immune system. Some even suppress your immune response altogether.

For example, Borrelia bacteria (linked with Lyme) can literally change shape depending on what’s happening inside your body. Malaria parasites have complex life cycles, moving between mosquito and human hosts. Tapeworms have built-in suction cups that let them cling to your intestines and absorb nutrients like it’s their full-time job.

The result? Fatigue, nutrient depletion, gut distress, inflammation — even neurological effects in some cases.

So… Should Everyone Do a Parasite Cleanse?
Tempting, but nope. In fact, for some people, it can be harmful — especially if your body isn’t ready.

A parasite cleanse is not for you if you are:

• Nutritionally depleted
• Pregnant or nursing
• On certain medications
• Chronically ill or immune-compromised
• Not having regular, healthy bowel movements (non-negotiable!)

Four Things to Check Before You Even Think About a Cleanse

1. How Well Are You Pooping? 💩
If your elimination isn’t on point, neither is your detox. You should be having a well-formed bowel movement at least once a day — no constipation, no diarrhea. Otherwise, die-off waste can linger, ferment, or even be reabsorbed. (Gross and counterproductive.)

2. How Nourished Are You?
If you’re running on caffeine and chaos, don’t start a cleanse. Your body needs nutrients and fiber to handle toxin elimination. Fiber binds to bile, supports digestion, and forms healthy stool — all critical when cleansing.

3. How Hydrated Are You?
Water isn’t optional. Every detox pathway — liver, kidneys, lymph, gut — needs hydration to work. Chronic dehydration, mold exposure, or mineral imbalances can make cleansing harder than it needs to be.

4. Why Do You Think You Have Parasites?
This one’s huge. Are you reacting to foods? Battling weird digestion? Rashes? Hormone chaos? Or have you traveled recently and just felt off since?

Each symptom gives a clue — but the answer isn’t always a cleanse. Sometimes it’s your microbiome, drainage, or even your emotional stress response.

Why Testing First Makes Sense
At Functional Health & Chiropractic care use bioresonance testing — a non-invasive analysis of your hair and saliva — to check for resonating toxins, including parasites.

Sometimes, clients have no parasitic resonance showing at all. That doesn’t mean you’re in the clear forever — it means your body isn’t prioritizing that focus right now.

Understanding your bioenergetic readiness helps us personalize your next steps safely and effectively.

Top Takeaways Before You Cleanse

1. Wash your hands and produce, cook meat well, and skip raw sushi binges (sorry).
2. Drink clean water — bottled if you’re traveling somewhere questionable.
3. Support bile flow and stomach acid so your gut isn’t a five-star resort for microbes.
4. Work with a qualified practitioner before starting any cleanse.

Final Thoughts
Parasites aren’t just a trending topic — they’re part of the bigger story of how your body interacts with the environment. Understanding them is less about fear and more about balance.

At FHCC, we’ve been helping clients explore that balance for nearly two decades through bioresonance testing and holistic protocols that address the whole person — not just the bugs.

Before you jump into a cleanse, get curious. Learn. Test. Prepare.

Your body will thank you for it — and so will your microbiome.

Ready to find out what your body’s really trying to tell you? 🌿

Schedule a Full Scan today and discover whether parasites—or something else—are standing in the way of your balanced health.