By Dr. Shawn Bladel
Hidden Parasites: The Overlooked Cause of Chronic Symptoms
By Dr. Shawn Bladel | July 11, 2025 | Recreated Health
How to Recognize the Signs and Restore Your Health Naturally
Many people suffer from unexplained health issues—chronic fatigue, bloating, skin problems, brain fog—without ever identifying the real cause. One often-overlooked culprit? Parasites.
These microscopic invaders can take up residence in your body, stealing nutrients, disrupting detox pathways, and compromising your immune system. At Recreated Health, we believe in a natural, root-cause approach to healing. Understanding the signs of parasitic infections is a powerful first step toward reclaiming your health.
What Are Parasites?
Parasites are organisms that live in or on a host, surviving at the host’s expense. They come in many forms:
- Protozoa – e.g., Giardia, Blastocystis hominis
- Helminths – e.g., tapeworms, roundworms, liver flukes
- Ectoparasites – e.g., mites, lice
Contrary to popular belief, parasitic infections are not limited to developing countries. According to research, over 60 million Americans may be unknowingly infected, especially those with compromised gut health or exposure through travel, pets, or food contamination [1].
7 Signs Your Body May Be Harboring Parasites
1. Chronic Digestive Issues
Persistent bloating, gas, diarrhea, or constipation could be due to parasites disrupting your intestinal lining. Some protozoa like Blastocystis hominis have been directly linked to IBS-like symptoms [2][3]. These organisms can also steal nutrients and damage beneficial gut bacteria, impairing digestion and nutrient absorption [4].
2. Fatigue, Brain Fog, and Mood Swings
Parasites rob the body of essential nutrients—especially iron, B12, magnesium, and B-complex vitamins—causing chronic fatigue, mood changes, and cognitive fog [5]. Additionally, parasites release neurotoxins and ammonia, which place a burden on your liver and brain, often mimicking adrenal fatigue or depression [6].
3. Skin Conditions
The skin is your largest detox organ. When parasites overload the liver, kidneys, and lymphatic system, your skin may try to pick up the slack. Common presentations include:
- Eczema
- Acne
- Rashes
- Itching
- Hives
Studies have linked parasitic infections to dermatological conditions such as urticaria and eczema, particularly when the immune system is compromised [7].
4. Unexplained Weight Fluctuations
Certain parasites consume nutrients from your food, leading to unintentional weight loss or malnutrition. Others increase sugar cravings, disrupt insulin sensitivity, and contribute to weight gain or difficulty losing weight [8].
5. Teeth Grinding, Insomnia & Night Sweats
Many parasites are most active at night, releasing toxins that can disrupt sleep. Symptoms can include:
- Restless sleep
- Nightmares
- Bruxism (teeth grinding)
- Night sweats
Bruxism has been shown to correlate with parasitic infections, especially in children, but it may also indicate parasite-induced nervous system stress in adults [9].
6. Joint & Muscle Pain
Some parasites travel beyond the gut, embedding into muscles and joints. This triggers localized inflammation, mimicking arthritis or fibromyalgia [10]. Parasites can also release neurotoxins that increase pain sensitivity and impair mitochondrial function in muscle tissue.
7. Weakened Immunity & Autoimmune Symptoms
Parasites weaken the immune system by:
- Depleting zinc, selenium, and vitamin D
- Releasing toxic byproducts
- Triggering chronic inflammation
This can lead to recurrent infections, food sensitivities, and even autoimmune-like reactions. Research shows that parasites can manipulate the immune response to help themselves survive, keeping the host in a state of imbalance [11].
How Do Parasites Enter the Body?
You don’t need to visit a jungle or eat raw sushi to get parasites. Common sources include:
- Undercooked pork, fish, or shellfish
- Contaminated produce
- Unfiltered tap water
- Barefoot contact with soil
- Household pets
- Swimming in lakes or hot tubs
Even brushing your teeth or showering in contaminated water can expose you to Giardia or Cryptosporidium. Most people with poor stomach acid or a dysregulated microbiome are unable to kill them off on their own [12].
Want a Full Roadmap for Parasite Detox?
Download our eBook: Parasite Detox Blueprint: Full Moon Edition
This is your family’s step-by-step, monthly protocol for clearing parasites, rebuilding gut health, and supporting detox naturally, at home, and without confusion.
How to Begin a Natural Parasite Detox
1. Eat an Antiparasitic Diet
Focus on foods with natural anthelmintic properties:
- Garlic & onions – contain allicin, which damages parasite cell walls [13]
- Pumpkin seeds – contain cucurbitin, a compound that paralyzes intestinal worms [14]
- Papaya seeds – shown to eliminate roundworms in children [15]
- Coconut oil – antifungal and antimicrobial (lauric acid) [16]
- Black walnut, wormwood, clove – kill parasites at different life stages [17]
*Avoid processed sugar, gluten, alcohol, and conventional dairy—all of which feed pathogens and increase inflammation.
2. Support Detox Pathways
Your body must eliminate what you kill off during detoxification.
- Liver: Milk thistle, NAC, curcumin
- Kidneys: NAC, Glycine, Taurine, Selenium, ALA, Magnesium
- Lymphatic system: Dry brushing, rebounding, vibration plates, and infrared sauna therapy
- Binders: Cellcore’s Biotoxin Binder binds to toxins and prevents the reabsorption of toxins and infectious debris.
3. Use a Clinically Tested Parasite Cleanse
At Recreated Health, we use the Para Kit by CellCore—a powerful, all-in-one herbal detox system that:
- Targets parasites at every life stage
- Includes binders to reduce Herxheimer reactions
- Supports digestion, liver, lymph, and kidney pathways
- Helps restore balance to the gut and immune system
🛒 Start here: https://www.recreatedhealth.com/pages/become-a-patient
Or schedule a consultation with Dr. Shawn for a personalized protocol.
Final Thoughts: Restore Your Health from the Inside Out
Parasites are a hidden epidemic—often missed, frequently misdiagnosed, and rarely discussed. If you’ve been struggling with fatigue, brain fog, gut problems, or mystery symptoms, don’t ignore what your body is telling you.
With education, the right tools, and proper support, your body can eliminate hidden infections and return to a state of balance, energy, and healing.
🌀 Your next step?
Download the Parasite Detox Blueprint: Full Moon Edition eBook or begin your personalized detox plan today.
📚 References
- Hotez PJ, et al. “Neglected Infections of Poverty in the United States.” PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2008. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0000256
- Croese J, et al. “Chronic enteritis associated with Blastocystis hominis.” Med J Aust. 1986.
- Stensvold CR, et al. “Blastocystis: Unravelling a Potential Contributor to IBS.” Trends Parasitol. 2012.
- Lukeš J, et al. “Parasites and the microbiome.” Trends Parasitol. 2015.
- Maizels RM, et al. “Helminths and the modulation of host immunity.” Nature Reviews Immunology. 2018.
- Liao C-C, et al. “Effects of Toxoplasma gondii on cognition and behavior.” Parasitology Research. 2018.
- Brenner MA, et al. “Parasitic diseases and the skin.” Clinics in Dermatology. 1997.
- Escobedo AA, et al. “Intestinal parasites and weight gain: complex connections.” Int J Obes. 2015.
- Macfarlane TW, et al. “Bruxism and parasitic infection.” Br Dent J. 1995.
- Kazura JW, et al. “Muscle involvement in parasitic infections.” Curr Opin Rheumatol. 1994.
- Anthony RM, et al. “Immunomodulation by helminth parasites.” Nature Reviews Immunology. 2007.
- Adam RD. “Biology of Giardia lamblia.” Clin Microbiol Rev. 2001.
- Ankri S, Mirelman D. “Antimicrobial properties of allicin.” Microbes Infect. 1999.
- Zhu N, et al. “Anthelmintic activity of pumpkin seed extracts.” Int J Pharm Sci Rev Res. 2010.
- Okeniyi JA, et al. “Efficacy of papaya seeds on intestinal parasites in Nigerian children.” J Med Food. 2007.
- Ogbolu DO, et al. “In vitro antimicrobial properties of coconut oil.” J Med Food. 2007.
- Shen CC, et al. “Antiparasitic effects of walnut hull extract.” BMC Complement Altern Med. 2011.
