Why “Kill the Parasites” Isn’t Healing
Healing the Terrain Instead of Fighting the Body
Mascari, Brooke | January 1st, 2026
In the holistic wellness space, parasites have become a popular explanation for everything from fatigue and gut issues to hormone imbalance and infertility. Social media is filled with stories of people who spent years chasing answers, only to discover that “parasites were the real cause all along.”
While these stories are compelling, they often miss something essential: the human body is not a sterile machine — it is a living ecosystem. And ecosystems don’t function through eradication alone.
They function through balance.
This topic has been in my heart for many months, and I wanted to share my insight. This article aims to offer a grounded, nuanced understanding of parasites — one that honors both modern science and holistic wisdom, without slipping into fear or oversimplification.
The Human Body as an Ecosystem
Modern biology recognizes humans as holobionts — organisms made up not just of human cells, but of trillions of microorganisms that live in and on us.
The gut microbiome alone influences:
Immune function
Hormone metabolism
Neurotransmitter production
Blood sugar regulation
Inflammation and detoxification
We now understand that attempting to eliminate all non-human life from the body is neither realistic nor healthy. The goal is resilience and balance, not sterility.
This ecological framework is critical when discussing parasites.
What Do We Mean by “Parasites”?
Medically, the word parasite refers to a broad group of organisms, including:
Protozoa (single-celled organisms)
Helminths (worms)
Ectoparasites (such as lice or mites)
These organisms vary widely in how they interact with the human body. Some are clearly pathogenic. Others can exist for long periods with few or no symptoms. Some are opportunistic, becoming problematic only when the body is under stress or depleted.
Lumping all parasites into a single category — and treating them as a universal enemy — creates confusion and unnecessary fear.
Do Most Humans Have Parasites?
Globally, yes — particularly in developing regions where parasitic infections are common and well-documented. In industrialized countries, most people do not carry harmful parasites, but many may host organisms that are neutral or asymptomatic under normal conditions.
This matters because presence alone does not equal disease.
Just as with bacteria or fungi, the internal environment — immune strength, gut integrity, nutrient status, and stress levels — determines whether something becomes problematic.
Can Parasites Ever Be Beneficial?
This is where the conversation becomes uncomfortable for both extremes.
Research into the hygiene hypothesis and immune regulation shows that certain parasites, particularly helminths, can modulate the immune system. In controlled research settings, this has led to experimental therapies for autoimmune and inflammatory conditions.
The takeaway is not that parasites are “good” or should be sought out — but that the relationship between humans and microorganisms is complex. Some organisms may coexist without harm. Others may even influence immune balance under specific conditions.
Science does not support a black-and-white view.
Parasites and Fertility: Separating Fact From Fear
There are parasitic infections that can affect reproductive organs, particularly in endemic regions. These are real, serious medical conditions and deserve appropriate treatment.
However, the idea that parasites are a hidden, widespread cause of infertility that modern medicine routinely overlooks is not supported by evidence.
Fertility is influenced by:
Hormonal signaling between the brain, ovaries, and thyroid
Blood sugar regulation
Chronic stress and nervous system tone
Inflammation and immune balance
Gut health and nutrient absorption
Parasites may be one variable in rare or specific cases — but they are not a universal explanation, nor a replacement for understanding the full physiological picture.
Why the Parasite Narrative Has Become So Popular
Parasite-focused messaging thrives because it offers:
A single villain
A clear enemy
A sense of hidden knowledge… “I found what doctors have missed.”
A promise of control
But the body does not operate through single-cause problems or single-solution fixes. When we reduce complex, multi-system issues to one explanation, we risk:
Aggressive cleansing protocols
Microbiome damage
Increased stress and inflammation
Long-term worsening of symptoms
Ironically, fear-based approaches often weaken the very systems they aim to heal.
A More Intelligent, Integrative Framework
Instead of asking:
“Do I have parasites?”
A more useful question is:
“Is my internal environment resilient or depleted?”
Parasites become problematic when:
The immune system is dysregulated
The gut barrier is compromised
Stress hormones are chronically elevated
Nutrient reserves are low
Inflammation is unchecked
Healing, then, becomes less about eradication and more about supporting the terrain.
The Body Is Not a Battlefield
A balanced, holistic approach does not deny the existence of parasites — nor does it elevate them into the root cause of all disease.
It recognizes that the body is intelligent, adaptive, and responsive. When supported with nourishment, safety, rest, and regulation, it naturally moves toward balance.
True healing does not come from fear.
It comes from understanding.