Latest news with #parasitecleanse
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Doctors warn against bizarre 'Worm Queen' trend backed by Heidi Klum: 'It could be fatal'
Doctors have warned against a bizarre new wellness trend that sees people downing herbal concoctions in an attempt to 'flush out' parasites and worms from their bodies—warning it could be dangerous or even deadly. The so-called parasite cleanse—a viral detox fad spreading across TikTok and Instagram—has been endorsed by a host of influencers and health bloggers, who claim it can reduce bloating and rid the gut of hidden 'invaders'. Now supermodel Heidi Klum has jumped on the bandwagon, revealing she's trying the controversial cleanse for the first time after seeing dramatic videos online. 'I heard that you're supposed to do this once a year, and I've never done [a cleanse],' she told The Wall Street Journal. 'So I feel like I'm really behind. I don't know what the heck is going to come out.' But experts have slammed the trend as dangerous and unnecessary—warning that it is based on pseudoscience and could even prove fatal. 'There's absolutely no robust scientific evidence to support this,' said one doctor. 'It's pseudoscience gibberish.' While nearly half of all children under 10—and many adults—do carry threadworms without realising, medics stress that these are easily treated with safe, approved medicines. By contrast, some of the so-called herbal remedies used in these DIY detoxes—including wormwood and clove oil—can be toxic in high doses, potentially causing seizures, unconsciousness or organ damage. But that doesn't appear to faze Ms Klum, who cheerfully declared: 'Parasites hate clove.' One of the most talked-about products fuelling the trend is ParaFy, a liquid supplement created by self-proclaimed 'worm queen' Kim Rogers—whose videos documenting her own parasite cleanse have gone viral on social media. Sold under her brand RogerHoods Apothecary, the herbal tinctures claim to 'detox unwanted parasites, worms, candida, heavy metals and toxins while also promoting well-being'. A 30-day 'cleanse' kit costs around £74, although cheaper versions are widely available on Amazon for less than half the price. However, none of these claims have been verified by UK watchdog the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency, or the Food and Drug Administration, which regulates the safety of medical products in the US. The ParaFy kit contains a mix of natural ingredients including wormwood—the bitter herb used in potent alcoholic drink absinthe—along with clove oil, garlic and honey. Experts say people who try the cleanse are likely to suffer flu-like symptoms, nausea and diarrhoea as their bodies struggle to process the potent ingredients—some of which can be toxic in high doses. But Ms Rogers insists the symptoms are merely a sign the detox is working, blaming them on 'parasite die-off' and claiming her formula is 'designed to assist the body's natural detox processes'. Experts say wormwood oil can be poisonous when taken in high doses. Consuming wormwood products that have not had a compound called thujone removed at a high dose or for longer than a month can trigger nausea, restlessness and even seizures, studies have shown. Similarly, high doses of clove oil can cause severe liver damage, jaundice and even loss of consciousness resulting in a coma. Speaking to the Daily Mail, Professor James Dooley, a microbiologist at Ulster university, said: 'There is absolutely no robust scientific evidence to support any of the claims made [by advocates of the trend]. 'There are really no supplements that have been shown to do anything useful in this context—eliminating certain groups of organisms from the gut,' he added. The products themselves may not even be performing the 'cleansing' they claim to be on those who really are suffering with a parasite infection, experts have warned. 'Hearing that someone is advocating a worm and parasite cleanse is alarming because it is a medically unfounded practice that could potentially be harmful,' Dr Choukri Mamoun, an infectious diseases experts at Yale School of Medicine, explained. Research has also suggested undertaking these so-called parasite detoxes can actually make matters worse, flushing out the good bacteria in the gut and damaging the delicate gut microbiome. Instead, the experts suggest eating a balanced diet with plenty of fibre to aid digestion and cutting back on ultra-processed foods to keep the gut healthy and free from disease. 'Hygiene measures are also important to help clear any infection and prevent the spread,' Dr Dan Baumgardt added. 'This involves scrupulous washing of hands, laundry and avoiding scratching the affected areas. 'It's a good idea to trim fingernails too, to prevent the eggs from getting caught under them.' The warning comes alongside a growing body of research that suggests that intestinal parasitic worms could actually help treat some of the world's most complex diseases, including autoimmune conditions. The theory is based on the 'hygiene hypothesis' – the idea that our immune system has evolved to be exposed to a variety of parasites, bacteria and microbes. But as health and safety measures have improved, we no longer come into contact with these micro-organisms to the same extent. Without them, so the theory goes, our immune system has turned inward – it's begun to attack the body and over-react to harmless substances such as pollen or peanuts. Advocates of the theory say this has contributed to an explosion in allergies and autoimmune conditions such as Crohn's, ulcerative colitis, multiple sclerosis and type 1 diabetes.
The Independent
5 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
Worm Queen health trend explained as doctors label it ‘potentially harmful'
Heidi Klum has revealed she is undertaking a "worm and parasite cleanse", influenced by social media trends and a belief that everyone harbours such organisms. Klum stated her cleanse involves pills, herbs like clove, and papaya seeds, and is a months-long process she believes should be done annually. Medical experts, including gastroenterologists and infectious disease specialists, have strongly refuted the necessity and efficacy of these cleanses for the general population. Doctors emphasise there is no credible medical evidence that the average person has hidden parasites requiring cleansing, and such practices are medically unfounded and potentially harmful. Products promoted for parasite cleanses, often by influencers, are unregulated and not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), lacking proven benefits.
Fox News
6 days ago
- Health
- Fox News
Heidi Klum begins worm and parasite cleanse as part of bold new wellness routine
Heidi Klum is taking control of her health. During a recent interview with the Wall Street Journal, the supermodel, 52, opened up about her decision to start a worm and parasite cleanse with husband Tom Kaulitz. "I'm going to deworm and de-parasite for the first time," she said. "Everything I'm getting on my Instagram feed at the moment is about worms and parasites. So I'm doing a worm cleanse and parasite cleanse with my husband. I heard that you're supposed to do this once a year, and I've never done it. So I feel like I'm really behind. I don't know what the heck is going to come out." "If you are someone who eats raw things every now and then, like, for example, sushi. There are pills [to get rid of them]," she continued "They have all of these herbs. There's a lot of clove in there. The parasite hates clove. They also hate the seeds from a papaya. We have all this metal inside of us, and it's also very important that you use this de-metaling stuff." "I'm starting this now, and you have to do this for months," she added. "It's like a whole thing." According to the Mayo Clinic, parasitic infections are often asymptomatic, but symptoms can range from diarrhea and malnutrition to intestinal obstruction, and rarely, death. The goal of a parasite cleanse is to treat a parasitic infection without over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription medications, according to Healthline. However, little research suggests that parasite cleanses are an effective treatment method. Klum isn't the only celebrity taking action against internal parasites. Brandi Glanville - who was hospitalized in April amid her ongoing battle with a possible parasite - attempted to eliminate the alleged parasite in her face on her own. The former "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" star took to social media this week to reveal that she smeared Nair, a hair removal product, on the lower half of her face in an attempt to drive out what she believes to be a "parasite" living in her face – one she has named "Caroline." "I know I look attractive," Glanville, 52, joked in a TikTok video as she documented the aftermath. "Good news," she added, "You don't have to spend a lot of money on peels and lasers anymore." While the reality star laughed off the incident in her video, the visuals told another story. Glanville's face appeared red, irritated and burned. In the video, she went on to explain that she believed applying Nair would aggravate the parasite, leading to an improvement in her complexion. In 2022, Glanville began feeling symptoms of depression upon returning home from Africa. Five months later, she started losing her ability to speak and noticed her speech had become slurred. Following a stressful move in October 2023, she was hospitalized after collapsing at home. Glanville exclusively told Fox News Digital that while no one has figured out what's truly wrong with her disfigured face, doctors have suggested "that it could be a parasite, but they're not sure."
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Heidi Klum is starting her first-ever 'worm and parasite cleanse'... three years after THAT Halloween costume
Heidi Klum just revealed she's embarking on her first-ever worm and parasite cleanse. 'I heard that you're supposed to do this once a year, and I've never done it. So I feel like I'm really behind. I don't know what the heck is going to come out,' the German 52-year-old told the Wall Street Journal on Monday. 'I'm starting this now, and you have to do this for months. It's like a whole thing.' Heidi went on to claim that every human being has parasites and worms inside their body, especially if you enjoy raw fish. 'If you are someone who eats raw things every now and then, like, for example, sushi. There are pills [to get rid of them],' Klum explained. 'They have all of these herbs. There's a lot of clove in there. The parasite hates clove. They also hate the seeds from a papaya. We have all this metal inside of us, and it's also very important that you use this de-metaling stuff.' Ironically, the self-proclaimed 'Queen of Halloween' dressed up as an earthworm during her 21st annual bash at Sake No Hana in Manhattan's Lower East Side back in 2022. As usual, Heidi collaborated with Oscar-nominated, special effects make-up artist Mike Marino and his Prosthetic Renaissance team of 15 on the epic prosthetic costume. Klum will next appear on ABC's Good Morning America this Wednesday to promote the 21st season of Project Runway. The Emmy-winning host reunites with her America's Got Talent judge Sofia Vergara on the next episode of the reality TV design competition airing this Thursday on Freeform, Disney+, and Hulu. OG Project Runway judge Nina García and celebrity stylist Law Roach joined Klum as judges while Project Runway season 4 champ Christian Siriano returned as mentor to the designers. Heidi previously hosted Project Runway for 16 seasons spanning 2004-2018 before exiting to co-host rival competition Making the Cut on Amazon Prime Video alongside Tim Gunn for three seasons spanning 2020-2022. 'Project Runway is my first television baby,' Klum gushed to the WSJ. 'It's something that I have helped create, help sell to the network that ended up choosing us at the time. I love the show. I'm proud of the show. 'I feel like we've come a long way. We talked about important things on the show that were kind of groundbreaking, I thought, at the time, including body positivity. So I feel like, "Yes, I'm coming back." But you know, in my heart, I was never really gone.' In February, Spice Girls alum Mel B officially replaced Heidi as judge on the 20th season of America's Got Talent, which currently airs Tuesdays on NBC/Peacock. On the personal front, the Erewhon brand ambassador and her third husband - Tokio Hotel guitarist Tom Kaulitz - celebrated their sixth wedding anniversary on Monday. At 35, the German rocker is 17 years younger than Klum, but they've been going strong since meeting on the set of Germany's Next Topmodel in 2018. The Calzedonia brand ambassador welcomed four children - daughter Leni, 21 (with Flavio Briatore); son Henry, 19; son Johan, 18; and daughter Lou, 15 - during her seven-year marriage to second ex-husband Seal, which ended in 2012.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'I don't know what the heck is going to come out': Heidi Klum to start a worm and parasite cleanse
Heidi Klum is planning a worm and parasite cleanse. The 52-year-old supermodel has revealed that she and her husband Tom Kaulitz, 35, intend to try out the cleanse as they attempt to rid their bodies of potentially harmful worms and parasites. Heidi told the Wall Street Journal: "I'm going to deworm and de-parasite for the first time. Everything I'm getting on my Instagram feed at the moment is about worms and parasites. So I'm doing a worm cleanse and parasite cleanse with my husband. "I heard that you're supposed to do this once a year, and I've never done it. So I feel like I'm really behind. I don't know what the heck is going to come out." The model added: "Apparently, we all have parasites and worms. If you are someone who eats raw things every now and then, like, for example, sushi. There are pills (to get rid of them), they have all of these herbs. There's a lot of clove in there. The parasite hates clove. They also hate the seeds from a papaya. We have all this metal inside of us, and it's also very important that you use this de-metaling stuff. "I'm starting this now, and you have to do this for months. It's like a whole thing." Meanwhile, Heidi explained that she is constantly on the go. The former America's Got Talent judge said: "I feel like I exercise every day because I don't sit around on the couch. I'm always moving, doing things. I don't have someone that packs and unpacks for me. I run thousands of errands. "Today, for example, I have a fitting, then I try on I don't know how many outfits. It's clothes on and off, on and off, on and off, on and off. So I feel like I exercise kind of all the time. "Then we have a pool at home, so I swim a little bit in the pool. And we have a trampoline." Meanwhile, Klum is returning to the reality TV series Project Runway after an eight-year absence and is delighted to be revisiting her "first television baby". She said: "Project Runway is my first television baby. It's something that I have helped create, help sell to the network that ended up choosing us at the time. I love the show. I'm proud of the show. "I feel like we've come a long way. We talked about important things on the show that were kind of groundbreaking, I thought, at the time, including body positivity. "So I feel like, 'Yes, I'm coming back.' But you know, in my heart, I was never really gone."
