Fatigue, digestion issues? Parasites might be the culprit! Learn signs & symptoms + explore natural solutions with Clinica Naturopathy.
Parasitic infections in humans are most commonly driven by intestinal protozoa and helminths organisms that can quietly impair digestion, immune regulation and nutrient absorption long before they are identified.
However, Parasitic presence alone is not always pathological; it is the interaction between specific organisms and a weakened gut environment that determines clinical relevance.
Rather than presenting acutely, parasitic involvement typically manifests as low grade dysfunction, contributing to symptoms such as bloating, food intolerance, iron deficiency and persistent fatigue. When you have trialled multiple gut-focused interventions without sustained improvement, an underlying parasitic burden may be one of the factors preventing full restoration of the gut environment and long term symptom resolution.
Watch this podcast interview Gabriella Sassi - Clinical Nutritionist & Naturopath. Blood Work, Parasites & Heavy Metals with the Corrective Culture team for an in depth understanding of how naturopathic medicine and functional testing can assist in long term management and treatment.
Signs and Symptoms of Parasitic Infections
Parasites can cause a range of issues from mild to severe. Common signs include:
Digestive issues like diarrhea, constipation, or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Nausea, vomiting, and intestinal cramping
Unexplained dizziness or fatigue
Loose stools, potentially with blood or mucus
Itchiness, especially at night
Restlessness, anxiety, and teeth grinding
Gas, bloating, food allergies, and loss of appetite
Sleep disturbances and difficulty maintaining a healthy weight
Itchy feet (often with a rash), palpitations, anemia, facial swelling, joint and muscle aches, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, and skin conditions
Types of Parasites Seen Clinically
Parasites broadly fall into two categories:
Protozoa: Single-celled organisms that can be in an active (trophozoite) or dormant (cyst) stage.
Helminths: Larger, multi-cellular worms visible to the naked eye, including nematodes (roundworms), cestodes (tapeworms), and trematodes (flatworms and schistosomes).
Common Parasites
Pinworms: Reside in the intestines and lungs, laying eggs around the anus at night.
Roundworms: Found in the stomach and intestines, often contracted through undercooked or contaminated food.
Tapeworms: Live in the lower intestines and enter the body through undercooked meat.
Hookworms and Threadworms: Enter through the feet and can be found in contaminated water, living inside for years with eggs that can incubate up to 10 years.
Dientamoeba fragilis & Blastocystis hominis: Reside in the large intestine, potentially causing gastrointestinal symptoms but may also be asymptomatic.
Medically significant parasites that often require pharmaceutical intervention include:
Giardia lamblia
Cryptosporidium
Trichomonas
Roots of Exposure
Parasites may enter the body via:
Contaminated food or water
Poorly washed produce
Undercooked meats
Skin penetration (commonly through the feet)
Close contact with animals or contaminated surfaces
Exposure does not equal disease, host resilience determines clinical outcome.
Why Symptoms Persist
Parasitic infections are often missed because symptoms are non-specific and fluctuate. They may contribute to or exacerbate:
Chronic inflammation
Autoimmune activation
Sleep disturbances
Mood and nervous system dysregulation
Long-standing nutrient depletion
Without addressing gut ecology, bile flow, immune tone and biofilms, eradication strategies alone often fail or lead to recurrence.
Functional Testing & Clinical Assessment
Clinical suspicion may arise with symptoms such as persistent digestive dysfunction, rectal itching, malabsorption, poor sleep and anxiety.
I recommend the below Functional Assessment:
Microbiome Explorer Comprehensive (CoBiome Comprehensive). These comprehensive microbiome tests go well beyond standard stool panels by using DNA‑based PCR technology to identify a broad range of microbial and functional markers.
Treatment: A Terrain-First Approach
Effective parasite management is not about indiscriminate killing. Treatment must be individualised and phased, prioritising restoration of the gut environment. Seek a Naturopathic consultation [BOOK HERE].
A naturopathic protocol may include:
Targeted herbal medicines (e.g. black walnut, wormwood, oregano, pomegranate husk, nigella)
Support for bile flow, digestion and liver clearance
Probiotics and prebiotics to restore microbial balance
Nutrient repletion to strengthen immune defences
Biofilm support where clinically indicated
Key principle: If the gut remains inflamed, dysbiotic or nutrient depleted, parasites will return.
Nutrition & Microbiome Support
Dietary intervention is essential not only to reduce foods that support parasitic growth, but to rebuild immune resilience.
Regular intake of fermented foods can help reinforce beneficial bacteria, strengthen gut barrier function and reduce susceptibility to opportunistic organisms.
Clinical priorities include:
Increasing microbial diversity
Supporting mucosal immunity
Improving fermentation capacity
Reducing inflammatory load
Gabriella Sassi Interview. Healing from the inside out
Additional Preventative tips
Wash hands thoroughly and frequently
Clean fruits and vegetables carefully
Ensure access to clean drinking water
Avoid undercooked meats
Wear protective clothing in high-risk environments
Maintain good hygiene in shared or public facilities
References:
https://www.ijidonline.com/article/S1201-9712(16)31070-0/fulltext
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24619876/