Meet the Invaders: 8 Common Parasites and How They Harm the Body

By Heather Reinhardt RN, Epigenetics Specialist & Wellness Advocate

📑 Table of Contents

• Introduction
• The Three Main Types of Parasites
• 8 Common Parasites That Can Hijack Your Health
• Why You Might Never Know They’re There
• Parasites Are Masters of Disguise
• Heather’s Pro Tip
• FAQs
• Coming Up Next
• References

You’ve probably heard of tapeworms or pinworms, but did you know there are dozens of parasites that can live in the human body — many of them without you ever seeing them?Parasites aren’t just something you pick up while backpacking in a tropical country. They can come from pets, produce, soil, sushi, or even a barefoot walk outside. And once they’re inside, these uninvited guests can wreak havoc — draining your energy, stealing nutrients, and disrupting everything from gut health to brain chemistry (Loke et al., 2022).Many people dealing with unexplained weight gain, fatigue and low mood, may not realize that intestinal parasites could be hijacking their health. Let’s take a closer look at the most common parasites that show up in humans, and how they can impact your health.

Missed Part 1? Start here: Parasites in Humans: Hidden Symptoms and Why They’re More Common Than You Think

🧫 The Three Main Types of Parasites

Before diving into the “who’s who” of parasitic invaders, it’s helpful to understand the categories they fall into:
‍
Ectoparasites These are external parasites that bite, burrow, or feed on blood (think lice, ticks, mites). They’re often carriers for internal parasites too — especially in those with Lyme disease or co-infections (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2022).
‍
Protozoa Microscopic, single-celled organisms that can multiply rapidly in the body. They often spread via contaminated water, food, or even sexual contact (Hudson, 2024).
‍
Helminths These are the big guys — multi-cellular worms like roundworms and tapeworms. Adult helminths usually can’t multiply inside the body, but they can still cause serious disruption (Hotez et al., 2008).

⚠️8 Common Parasites That Can Hijack Your Health

1. Flatworms
   Found in the GI tract, liver, bladder, kidneys, and lungs Can range from microscopic to 50 feet long. Damage tissues, steal nutrients, and trigger inflammation (World Health Organization [WHO], 2023).
2. Flukes
   Tongue-shaped parasites with a suction cup for attachment Common types: liver, lung, intestinal, urinary, blood flukes May cause fatigue, liver congestion, and immune dysfunction (CDC, 2020).
3. Hookworms
   Enter through skin (especially barefoot contact) Use sharp teeth to feed on blood Can lead to anemia, bloating, brain fog, and swelling (Loke et al., 2022).Their blood-feeding behavior can leave you iron-deficient and constantly tired — especially problematic for those already dealing with fatigue or anemia.
4. Pinworms
   Common in children but can infect adults too crawl out of the anus at night to lay eggs 😬 Cause itching, mood changes, and digestive upset (CDC, 2020).
5. Ropeworms
   Sticky, stringy biofilm-like parasites Often seen during cleanses or after coffee enemas Can grow up to 2 feet long, and are known to hold onto toxins and mucus (Hudson, 2024). (Note: Ropeworms are controversial in mainstream medicine, but commonly reported by practitioners during detox protocols.)Often connected with detox blocks and fatigue — many report a noticeable increase in energy after expelling them during a cleanse
6. Roundworms
   Also called nematodes Lay hundreds of thousands of eggs a day Cause rashes, insomnia, respiratory issues, and even organ damage as larvae migrate through the body (WHO, 2023).
7. Tapeworms
   Can live in the intestines for up to 25 years May cause nutrient deficiencies, weight loss, or constant hunger.  Some grow up to 30 feet and shed pieces of themselves into your stool (CDC, 2022).They can cause both weight loss or stubborn weight retention by disrupting nutrient absorption and appetite signals.
8. Whipworms
   Spread via contaminated soil or unwashed food Look like tiny whips (thick at one end, thin at the other) Can cause bloody stools, pain, and malnutrition (Hotez et al., 2008).

😳 Why You Might Never Know They’re There

Many people assume if they don’t see parasites, they must not have them.
But…
👉 70% of parasites are microscopic. Even when you’re cleansing, most won’t be visible — especially in early stages. Plus, many parasites die quickly when removed from the body, and standard stool tests often miss them (Hudson, 2024; Loke et al., 2022).

🔍 Parasites Are Masters of Disguise

They’re not just squirmy freeloaders — parasites are highly intelligent. They can:

• Shift their life cycle to hide from your immune system
• Release enzymes that break down their own bodies when threatened
• Create a sticky biofilm for protection
• Manipulate neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, and GABA to dull immune response and affect your mood (Loke et al., 2022)

This means they can mimic or trigger symptoms like:

• Anxiety or panic attacks
• Sugar cravings
• Depression or irritability
• Brain fog
• Sleep issues
• Hormone imbalances
• Chronic bloating or constipation

✨ Heather’s Pro Tip

“Parasites don’t just affect digestion — they affect your mind, your mood, your energy. That’s why I always look at the whole person — gut, brain, immune system — and why I recommend tools like epigenetic testing to uncover the full picture.”

❓ FAQS

• Can I have parasites even if I haven’t traveled abroad?
  Yes. Many common parasites are found in the U.S. and other developed countries. You can get them from pets, soil, produce, undercooked food (like sushi), or even walking barefoot in your backyard.
•  What parasite symptoms are most commonly overlooked?
  Fatigue, bloating, anxiety, insomnia, and sugar cravings are frequently overlooked — often mistaken for adrenal issues, gut imbalances, or hormone shifts. But these can be early signs of parasitic activity.
• Can parasites cause weight gain or make it hard to lose weight?
  Yes. Parasites can steal nutrients, slow your metabolism, trigger cravings, and stress your body’s detox and immune systems — all of which can lead to stubborn weight retention or rebound weight gain.
• Are parasites connected to mood or mental health symptoms?
  They can be. Some parasites affect neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, which may contribute to anxiety, irritability, depression, or brain fog — especially if you’ve already dealt with gut issues or chronic stress.
• What should I do if I suspect I have a parasite?
  You can work with a wellness practitioner who uses comprehensive approaches — such as stool tests, epigenetic hair scans, or symptom-based protocols — to assess and guide a personalized cleanse. And Keep Reading here!

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📘 Coming Up Next:

Now that you’ve met the invaders, in Article 3 we’ll talk about

• How to prepare your body for detox
• How to avoid die off symptoms
• Why it's important to open up your body's drainage pathways

👉 Stay tuned for: “Detox Done Right: How to Prep Your Body Before a Parasite Cleanse”

🔬 References

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). Parasites – General information. https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/index.html
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Pinworm infection. https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/pinworm/index.html
• Hotez, P. J., Bottazzi, M. E., Franco-Paredes, C., Ault, S. K., & Periago, M. R. (2008). The neglected tropical diseases of Latin America and the Caribbean: A review of disease burden and distribution and a roadmap for control and elimination. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 2(9), e300. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0000300
• Hudson, L. (2024). Parasites. Nutritional Perspectives: Journal of the Council on Nutrition, 47(3), 5–8.
• Loke, P., Lee, S. C., & Oyesola, O. O. (2022). Effects of helminths on the human immune response and the microbiome. Mucosal Immunology, 15(6), 1224–1233. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41385-022-00532-9
• World Health Organization. (2023). Soil-transmitted helminth infections. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/soil-transmitted-helminth-infections

📑 Table of Contents