The Cleanse Fueling a Very Online Gut Obsession
Midjourney
The Trend: Cleanses are nothing new in the world of wellness. But one specific type — the parasite cleanse — has a tight hold on the industry right now. People who believe they have intestinal worms are ingesting raw garlic, ground papaya seeds, oregano oil, burdock root, and a number of other “alternative wellness” ingredients they believe will buck the worms right out of their system. And then they’re posting photos of their results (read: their excrement) online. Oversharing, if you ask us.
What People Are Saying: While the parasite cleanse well-received the au naturel wellness community, doctors and other health professionals are raising their eyebrows. Many are also not fans of the fact that wellness influencers (without wellness credentials) are selling high-priced — and unproven — parasite detox kits, like this one from the “Worm Queen” Kim Rogers.
What to Know: If you think you have intestinal parasites, you should see a doctor and undergo proven treatment to expel them. Cleanse protocols are generally unhelpful at best, and can be dangerous at worst. And remember: No regulatory agencies preapprove supplements before they hit shelves, and they’re often mislabeled.
