If you suspect you may have a parasitic infection, there is a natural way to treat it called a parasite cleanse.

Parasitic infections have become more common with international travel over time. We now know that a variety of parasites can infect the intestinal tract, leading to various digestive symptoms such as constipation, diarrhea, vomiting, and heartburn, as well as fatigue and chills.

A parasite cleanse involves eating a diet that is free of foods that can feed parasites (such as sugar and grains) and consuming more of the foods that are anti-parasitic, such as antioxidant-rich foods. It's quite similar to a Paleo diet, providing essential nutrients from probiotic foods, herbs, vegetables, and more.

Supplements can also be helpful in supporting your gastrointestinal and immune systems while you recover on a parasite cleanse.

A parasite is an organism that lives on or in a host and gets its food from or at the expense of its host. In other words, the parasite uses the resources of the person it's living inside, such as the very food that person eats, in order to survive. Yes, it's not pleasant.

Worse, parasites can cause disease in humans. Certain types of diseases caused by these organisms are easily treated, while some are not.

There are three main classes of parasites that can cause disease in humans: protozoa, helminths, and ectoparasites. Examples of some serious parasitic diseases include filariasis, malaria, and babesiosis.

How does someone become infected with a parasite?

Believe it or not, a relatively high percentage of adults living in the United States may carry parasites.

Parasites are generally acquired from consuming contaminated food or water, but people with imbalanced gut flora, leaky gut syndrome, or a weakened immune system may be more susceptible. Some can also be spread through the bite of a mosquito or sand fly or transmitted to humans from animals such as cows and pigs that are infected with parasites like Cryptosporidium or Trichinella. Learn here all about parasites

A parasite cleanse diet helps eliminate harmful organisms living in your digestive system by combating bad bacteria and fungus that these parasites thrive on. This type of cleanse involves adhering to a diet that is free of all sugar and grains, resembling a Paleo diet.

I recommend limiting your fruit intake or avoiding it altogether. Instead of a berry smoothie, opt for a coconut smoothie with coconut milk, chia seeds, and protein powder.

For lunch, indulge in a substantial salad, and for dinner, prepare organic meat with double the vegetables, avoiding all forms of grains and sugar, including fruit.

Another food that can be highly beneficial when fighting harmful organisms in your GI system is pumpkin seeds, along with pumpkin seed oil. Pumpkin seeds support gastrointestinal health due to their antioxidants and protective compounds, such as tetracyclic triterpenes and cucurbitins, which can paralyze worms and impede their survival in the intestinal walls.

Consume up to one cup of pumpkin seeds a day—perhaps by adding some to a morning smoothie and another half cup in the afternoon. Alternatively, you can make pumpkin seed butter by blending it with pumpkin seed oil, typically available at most health food stores.