Health and nutrition experts are issuing stark warnings against the growing trend of 'parasite cleanses', popularised by celebrities like supermodel Heidi Klum and promoted heavily across social media platforms.
The Dubious Social Media Trend
Last August, Heidi Klum revealed to the Wall Street Journal that she and her husband were planning a worm and parasite cleanse, citing her social media feeds. Her comments helped fuel an online market where so-called holistic experts and influencers promote expensive herbal supplements and restrictive diets as cure-alls for a vague list of ailments from sleep issues to skin problems.
Caroline Susie, a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, was unequivocal in her assessment. "There is no solid clinical evidence behind them," she stated emphatically. Dr William A Petri, a professor of infectious diseases at the University of Virginia, concurred, noting "There is no evidence that these parasite cleanses are either effective or needed."
The Reality of Parasitic Infections
Parasites are organisms that live on or in a host, deriving nutrients at the host's expense. Common transmission methods include ingesting contaminated food or water, direct contact with infected faeces, or, in the case of hookworm, skin penetration from contaminated soil.
Beth Czerwony, a dietitian at the Cleveland Clinic, explains that while parasitic infections are a global issue—affecting almost 25% of the world's population according to a 2023 WHO report—they are concentrated in the poorest communities lacking clean water and sanitation. "Having intestinal parasites is less common in places with good sanitation," she notes.
In the UK and US, common intestinal parasites include giardiasis and cryptosporidiosis, typically contracted from fecally contaminated sources. Symptoms can include diarrhoea, stomach pain, unexplained weight loss, and visible worms in stool.
Risks of DIY Cleanses and Proper Treatment
The promoted cleanses often involve unregulated herbal supplements like wormwood or goldenseal and drastic dietary changes. Susie warns these carry real risks: supplements can interact with medications and be toxic at high doses, while restrictive diets may lead to nutrient deficiencies.
Medical professionals stress that legitimate parasitic infections require professional diagnosis, usually via stool or blood tests, and treatment with prescribed antiparasitic or antibiotic medications. "If you think you may have a parasite, it is important to contact a medical professional and not treat it yourself," Czerwony advises.
As for Heidi Klum's own cleanse experience? By November, she told People magazine, "I don't even know if anything happened!"—a sentiment that likely sums up the effectiveness of these trendy and potentially harmful protocols.
