Parasites are a real thing

Years ago, I traveled to Haiti for a wedding with mission’s work.

At first, everything seemed normal. The chicken at the wedding looked amazing. Chicken. Beans. Rice. What could go wrong?

Then the bubble guts hit. I needed to use the bathroom asap, but there were no toilets. So the cane field it was, ew. Unfortunately, it didn’t “stop” there.

Let’s just say the flight home was as close to hell as I pray I will ever be. The bathrooms on the airplane from Haiti to Miami were not working. Let’s just say, I clinched my booty at an unknown to me level – ha! It was awful.

What followed was one of the hardest health seasons I’ve ever experienced.

For weeks:

• I struggled with diarrhea after eating.
• My digestion felt completely off: tons of cramping and running for the restroom.
• I had zero energy.
• Weight was literally falling off of me.

Eventually, I lost 22 pounds before I finally got help.

Twenty Two whole pounds. My weight was less than 100 pounds. I looked… sick! People accused me of having an eating disorder. Eventually, I contacted my doctor.

At the time, I honestly didn’t know much about gut health, digestive infections, parasites, or how severely travel-related illness can impact the body. I thought I might have a stomach flu.

The doctor sent my poo for tests and they took my blood. Sure enough. Parasites. I was put on antibiotics and stomach tranquilizers. I often wonder if they could still be there?

That experience changed the way I think about health forever. I am forever thankful for American medicine. Very quickly, I regained strength and the ability to eat without needing to use the latrine so violently after.

Check Yourself

Now before we go full internet conspiracy mode here…

Not every digestive issue is parasites.
Not every bloated stomach means something serious.
And TikTok is currently blaming parasites for approximately 97% of humanity’s problems.

But the truth of the matter is this:

Digestive health matters FAR more than most people realize.

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Could You Have Parasites?

Let’s talk about the elephant on social media right now: parasites.

Parasite cleanses, detox videos, “signs you have parasites” reels… they are EVERYWHERE lately.

And honestly?
Some of the conversation online is helpful.
Some of it is wildly exaggerated.

So let’s stay balanced and grounded.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), parasites are organisms that live on or inside another host. Certain parasites can spread through:

• contaminated food or water
• undercooked meat
• international travel
• contaminated soil
• infected animals or pet waste
• poor sanitation or hygiene

The CDC also confirms that some pets can carry parasites transmissible to humans.

That does NOT mean every pet owner has parasites.

But it DOES mean awareness and healthy habits matter.

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Symptoms That May Point to Digestive Issues

Here’s where things get tricky. Many symptoms blamed on parasites online can ALSO be caused by:

• stress
• burnout
• hormone changes
• poor sleep
• processed foods
• food sensitivities
• gut imbalance
• insulin resistance
• chronic inflammation

That said, SOME people with digestive infections or parasitic illnesses may experience:

• diarrhea
• bloating
• stomach discomfort
• nausea
• constipation
• fatigue
• appetite changes
• unexplained weight loss
• brain fog
• skin irritation
• nutrient deficiencies

Symptoms alone cannot diagnose parasites.

That’s why medical care and proper testing matter. But if your digestion constantly feels “off,” your body may be asking for support.

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Why Gut Health Matters More After 40

Women over 40 are often dealing with:

• chronic stress
• hormone fluctuations
• sleep deprivation
• blood sugar imbalance
• inflammation
• muscle loss
• slower digestion

And honestly? Modern life is brutal on the gut, as is the “American,” diet. Here’s why…

We’re:

• rushing
• stressed
• eating processed convenience foods
• sleeping poorly
• overloaded mentally and emotionally

The body keeps score.

Sometimes digestive symptoms are the body’s way of waving a white flag.

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Simple Ways to Support Digestive Wellness – not associated with parasites

You do NOT need a dramatic internet “cleanse.” Most women benefit more from consistent wellness habits than extreme protocols.

Here are a few simple foundational habits that can support digestive wellness:

1. Drink More Water

Hydration supports healthy digestion and elimination.

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2. Increase Fiber Slowly

Fiber can support gut health and healthy bowel movements.

Think:

• berries
• vegetables
• chia seeds
• oats
• flaxseed

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3. Prioritize Protein

Protein supports metabolism, muscle health, and blood sugar balance.

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4. Reduce Chronic Stress

Stress impacts digestion tremendously.

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5. Move Your Body Daily

Walking and strength training support metabolism and digestion.

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6. Consider Digestive Wellness Support

Some people choose herbal digestive-support products as part of their wellness routine.

Personally, I’ve explored wellness products like:

• Young Living ParaFree
• Young Living ComforTone
• probiotics
• NingXia Red
• increased hydration

as part of an overall wellness-focused lifestyle.

These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease, but many people enjoy incorporating digestive-support products into their routines.

Wellness Tools I Personally Explored for Digestive Support – whether there are parasites or not

After my experience with severe digestive issues, I started paying much closer attention to supporting my gut and overall wellness naturally.

While these products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease, here are a few wellness-support tools I personally explored as part of a broader healthy lifestyle.

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Young Living ParaFree

Young Living ParaFree

ParaFree is an herbal supplement blend designed to support overall digestive wellness and healthy cleansing support. It contains herbs traditionally used in wellness practices to support digestive balance and gastrointestinal health.

People often include herbal blends like this as part of a broader focus on:

• digestive wellness
• healthy elimination
• gut-support routines
• wellness resets
• healthy lifestyle habits

Herbal wellness products are often paired with:

• hydration
• fiber
• nutrient-dense foods
• probiotics
• healthy sleep habits

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Young Living ComforTone

Young Living ComforTone

ComforTone is designed to support healthy digestion and bowel regularity. It contains a blend of herbs and fiber-support ingredients commonly used to promote healthy elimination and digestive comfort.

Many people focus on digestive regularity because sluggish digestion can sometimes contribute to:

• bloating
• discomfort
• feeling sluggish
• digestive irregularity

Digestive wellness is often about supporting the body’s natural processes consistently over time rather than looking for “quick fixes.”

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Probiotics – Life 9 and Mighty Pro for kiddos

Probiotics

Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that help support a healthy gut microbiome.

The gut microbiome plays a role in:

• digestion
• immune function
• nutrient absorption
• gut balance
• overall wellness

Many people choose probiotics after:

• antibiotic use
• digestive upset
• travel
• periods of poor nutrition
• ongoing digestive stress

A healthy gut microbiome may support overall digestive balance and wellness. Here’s some extra head knowledge:

Gut Microbiota: Strains like L. acidophilus and B. lactis are commonly used in research to help alter or restore gut microbiota composition.
Gastrointestinal Support: Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus species are heavily studied for their capacity to survive gastric acid and exert beneficial effects on intestinal flora, making them common adjuncts for antibiotic therapy
Immune Function: Several studies have linked probiotic supplementation to modest improvements in humoral immunity and overall gut barrier function.

National Institutes of Health (.gov)

Life 9 Delivery and Efficacy
For a probiotic to be effective, the live bacteria must survive the highly acidic environment of the stomach to reach the colon. Young Living incorporates targeted-release HPMC capsules and a specific desiccant bottle to protect the cultures from moisture and stomach acid.

Amazon.com
+4

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NingXia Red

NingXia Red

NingXia Red is a wellness beverage made with wolfberry puree, essential oils, and antioxidant-rich ingredients.

Many people use antioxidant-rich foods and beverages to support:

• overall wellness
• healthy energy levels
• cellular support
• recovery from stress
• healthy lifestyle habits

Personally, I focused heavily on hydration and nutrient support while rebuilding my digestive wellness.

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Increased Hydration

Hydration sounds simple… but honestly, many people are walking around chronically dehydrated.

Water supports:

• digestion
• bowel regularity
• nutrient transport
• energy levels
• healthy detoxification processes

Sometimes foundational habits matter more than dramatic wellness trends.

Increasing hydration was one of the simplest but most helpful changes I personally focused on during my wellness journey.

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The Bigger Conversation Nobody Is Having

Sometimes we focus SO much on:

• calories
• motivation
• discipline
• willpower

…but ignore the fact that the body may simply be overwhelmed.

Women are tired.

Burned out.

Stressed.

Inflamed.

Running on caffeine and survival mode.

And many women ignore digestive symptoms far too long because they are busy taking care of everyone else first.

I know I did.

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Final Thoughts on Parasites and the Gut

Could parasites be part of SOME people’s health struggles? Possibly. (Especially if you own pets and they sleep with you).

References (APA 7th Edition)

Chomel, B. B., & Sun, B. (2011). Zoonoses in the bedroom. Emerging Infectious Diseases, 17(2), 167–172. https://doi.org/10.3201/eid1702.101070 Cited by: 303

Zanen, L. A., Kusters, J. G., & Overgaauw, P. A. M. (2022). Zoonotic risks of sleeping with pets. Pathogens, 11(10), 1149. https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens11101149 Cited by: 21

If you do have pets, look into using Paragize Essential Oil blend for pets. Part of Young Living’s Pet Scents Line.

Finally, the biggest take away is to take care of ourselves. All the stress, symptoms, dietary habits, etc. – it all matters.

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Want My Simple Wellness Guide?

If you’d like my simple wellness checklist with:

• Easy tricks to stay hydrated
• Hacks for better sleep
• Improved energy level gems
• Tweaks to easily add fiber.

To download my free guide, click HERE.

For more along these lines, check out this post. If you have some health issues and are wondering how to treat them naturally, check out this helpful resource.