My Parasite Cleanse - A Nutritionist’s Story
For the sake of this parasite cleanse article, I will only be focusing on the most common parasites found in human intestines.
These types of parasites are commonly found in lake water, cats and dogs, contaminated or undercooked meat or dairy, contaminated water, and raw fish.
A parasite cleanse may be recommended for anyone who has consumed any contaminated foods or water, swims in lakes or standing water, or allows pets to sleep in their beds or lick their face.
Should you do a parasite cleanse?
It’s easy to think that we are past the days of parasite infections in our modern American world, complete with indoor plumbing, clean water and food choices, and advanced medical technology.
But parasites are more common than you might think, and parasite symptoms can be subtle.
I’m going to share some (non-graphic) details from my recent parasite cleanse with you in this article. Although I will not include many graphic details, if you have a queasy stomach, this post may not be suitable for you.
Hi friends. I’m Hilary Beckwith, ex-dieter and holistic nutrition expert. Clients come to see me with signs of adrenal stress and inflammatory conditions, and my job is to find the root causes so we can address their symptoms more effectively, and fill in the gaps between what their doctor is saying and what their body is saying.
In this article, you’ll learn:
where parasites can be found
more about parasites’ life cycle
common parasite symptoms
does the full moon really impact parasite activity?
my parasite cleanse story
what to do if you think you have a parasite
what is a parasite?
By definition, a parasite is any organism that lives in or on another species and takes their nutrients and resources for their own use.
Things like fleas, ticks, or lice might come to mind when thinking about parasites you are familiar with. But when it comes to parasites that live in your intestines, there’s a whole other world of parasitic creatures that mostly consist of single-cell parasites called protozoa, in addition to various types of worms, which are multi-cell organisms.
For the sake of this parasite cleanse article, I will only be focusing on the most common parasites found in human intestines.
These types of parasites are commonly found in lake water, cats and dogs, contaminated or undercooked meat or dairy, contaminated water, and raw fish.
A parasite cleanse may be recommended for anyone who has consumed any contaminated foods or water, swims in lakes or standing water, or allows pets to sleep in their beds or lick their face.
Parasites can also be transmitted through sexual contact if one partner is infected.
are parasites contagious?
Speaking specifically of protozoa and worms known to infect the human body, some of these parasites can live an alarming number of years when using your body as a host. It’s possible you currently have parasites that were transmitted decades ago.
Here is a list of some of the more common parasites that live in human intestines, how they are transmitted, and their respective lifespans:
Cryptosporidium (protozoa)
Commonly transmitted through fecal-contaminated food or liquid
Lifespan: up to 3 years in humans.
Entamoeba histolytica (protozoa)
Commonly transmitted through fecal-contaminated food or liquid, pets, and sexual contact.
Lifespan: Weeks-to-years in humans.
Giardia (protozoa)
Commonly transmitted by ingesting or direct contact with standing water, and can get past many filtration systems. Giardia can also be carried and transmitted by animals, and is commonly found in childcare centers.
Lifespan: Up to 3 months in cold water, 6 months in soil, and can live on surfaces for up to 2 weeks. They can live from weeks to months in humans.
Blastocystis hominis (protozoa)
Commonly transmitted through fecal-contaminated food or liquid.
Lifespan: weeks, months, or years in humans.
Chilomastix mesnili (protozoa)
Commonly transmitted through fecal-contaminated food or liquid.
Considered non-pathogenic (does not cause disease), and is common in the large intestine.
Lifespan: Unknown
Cyclospora cayetanensis (protozoa)
Commonly transmitted through fecal-contaminated food or liquid, Does not spread from person-to-person, except through fecal exposure. Commonly found on imported produce.
Lifespan: (unable to locate information)
Dientamoeba fragilis (protozoa)
It is not well understood how this parasite spreads, but experts speculate it is transmitted through fecal-contaminated food or liquid.
Lifespan: Unknown
Endolimax nana (protozoa)
Commonly transmitted through fecal-contaminated food or liquid.
Lifespan: Unknown
Entameoba coli (protozoa)
Not to be confused with e. coli, this organism is commonly transmitted through fecal-contaminated food or liquid, and is considered to be non-pathogenic.
Lifespan: Days-to-weeks inside the host’s body, although their larvae can survive up to 3-4 months outside the host. Mature Entameoba coli will not survive outside its host.
Pentatrichomonas hominis (protozoa)
Commonly transmitted through fecal-contaminated food or liquid, and is carried by cats and dogs.
Lifespan: Unknown within the human body, however when outside the host’s body, this parasite is known to survive for several days.
Ancylostoma duodenale and Necatur americanus (hookworms)
Transmitted by skin contact with, or ingestion of, contaminated soil.
Can also be transmitted by cats and dogs.
Lifespan: Ancylostoma duodenale can survive inside humans for up to 1 year. Necatur americanus typically survives up to 5 years in humans, but has been recorded as surviving 15 years.
Ascaris lumbricoides (roundworm)
Commonly transmitted through fecal-contaminated food or liquid.
Lifespan: 1-2 years in humans.
Trichuris trichiura (whipworm)
Commonly transmitted through fecal-contaminated produce, and person-to-person contact.
Lifespan: 1-2 years in humans.
Taenia species (tapeworm)
Commonly transmitted through fecal-contaminated and undercooked pork (known as taenia solium) and beef (taenia saginata).
Lifespan: Taenia solium can survive in humans for 10-20 years, while taenia saginata can survive up to 25 years!
why parasites are harmful
It’s important to remember that for the sake of this parasite cleanse article, we are discussing parasites that commonly live in human intestines. This does not include parasite symptoms for external parasites, such as ticks, fleas, or lice.
For starters, among many other parasite symptoms, intestinal parasites are known to release toxins that can cause anxiety and interfere with neurotransmitters [1]. They are also known to release inflammatory toxins into tissues and joints, causing increased pain.
PARASITE INFECTIONS ARE ALSO KNOWN TO CAUSE:
sugar cravings - parasites leech off your nutrients, and because of that, your body will crave sugar in order to satisfy its need for fuel. This can lead to more serious conditions like insulin resistance, weight gain, and diabetes.
chronic fatigue - as good as parasites are at evading the immune system, their presence can activate your fight or flight response. This can be exhausting for a body that’s not getting the nutrients it needs.
digestive issues - parasite symptoms are often confused with IBS symptoms, because there is so much crossover. CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT IBS.
anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders - parasites are known to release toxins that interfere with neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine. In addition to increased fight or flight response, this can lead to anxiety symptoms in many people.
skin conditions (rash, inflammation, eczema) - parasites can stimulate the release of immunoglobulins (antibodies) called IgE, which interact with mast cells that live in the lungs, digestive tract, and skin, and are responsible for allergic reactions. So, whether or not you have a true allergy, parasites can cause your body to react as though it does.
anemia - if you’ve been told you have anemia that is not being resolved with medical or dietary intervention, consider you may have a parasite.
malnutrition - parasites use your body’s resources to survive and replicate, including nutrients from food. If you have intestinal parasites, you may not be getting the nutrients you need for optimal health.
But some experts would argue that parasites are actually beneficial for treating certain types of diseases [2]. This theory carries a lot of weight because intestinal parasites are known to manipulate the immune system [3, 4] to prevent themselves from being found, but more research is needed to understand this better.
That said, this manipulation of the immune system has its downsides, too - and plenty of them.
common parasite symptoms
How do you know if a parasite cleanse is right for you?
COMMON PARASITE SYMPTOMS INCLUDE:
restless sleep or insomnia
increased anxiety, depression, or other mood disorders
itchiness
chronic diarrhea or loose stools
alternating constipation and diarrhea
mucus in stool
bloat or gasiness
IBS symptoms
abdominal cramps
intestinal ulcers
headache or migraine
hyperactivity or nervousness
food allergies or food sensitivities
been diagnosed with anemia
unexplained vomiting
sugar or processed-food cravings
loss of appetite
frequent cold, flu, or sore throat
menstrual problems
blurry vision
fatigue or lethargy
does the full moon really increase parasite activity?
It’s hard to say just yet.
Scientists and researchers seem super excited to learn more about this, but so far the research is pretty limited.
Generally speaking, scientists speculate that adopting the rhythm of the host allows parasites to exploit the host’s resources more effectively. And as humans, our circadian rhythm is largely modulated by light exposure and moon phases.
Which does lead to a credible hypothesis that a full moon would increase parasite activity. Take that with a grain of salt, but we have yet to see any concrete evidence of it just yet [5, 6, 7].
my parasite cleanse story
I eliminated two visible parasites (that I know of) when doing a recent parasite cleanse, and as I write this post, I am currently undergoing a second parasite cleanse to make sure I got everything.
Typically, I would recommend lab testing for clients who suspect they have parasites before doing a parasite cleanse. But not everyone needs that.
In my case, symptoms were incredibly subtle, which shows you just how sneaky parasites can be. Even the parasite screening questionnaire I use with clients showed a low-to-moderate likelihood that I would have parasites.
My parasite symptoms included:
blurry vision
depression, anxiety
restless sleep
(mild) sugar cravings
more frequent colds in the last year
fatigue
Since many parasite symptoms can cross over with other conditions, I decided to try a parasite cleanse as part of my efforts to find underlying causes of stress and anxiety, despite my subtle symptoms and low questionnaire score.
And I found parasites! I plan to follow up with lab testing once I complete this second round of parasite cleanse. (Want to hear updates on this? Subscribe to my email feed)
Because my parasite symptoms were relatively subtle, it’s difficult to see any drastic changes, although I have seen a huge (positive) shift in my mood since the initial cleanse. I’m looking forward to seeing more long-term effects as I go through the next few months.
should you do a parasite cleanse?
Before you go jumping into a parasite cleanse, let’s talk about your parasite symptoms and health history. These pieces are essential to understanding the whole picture before you go spending your resources on something you don’t need.
Stop throwing spaghetti at the wall. Let’s talk about it first.
was this helpful?
Share your thoughts and questions in the comments below!
NUTRITION SERVICES
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
BLOG REFERENCES
Khodadadian, Dr. Shawn. “10 Signs You May Have a Parasite - NYC Gastroenterologist: Manhattan Gastroenterology.” NYC Gastroenterologist | Manhattan Gastroenterology, 4 Feb. 2025, www.manhattangastroenterology.com/10-signs-you-may-have-a-parasite/#:~:text=Parasites%20can%20invade%20the%20joint,suffering%20from%20a%20parasitical%20infection.
Król G;Tomaszewska A;Wróbel G;Paprocka P;Durnaś B;Piktel E;Bucki R; “Toxicity of Parasites and Their Unconventional Use in Medicine.” Annals of Agricultural and Environmental Medicine : AAEM, U.S. National Library of Medicine, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31885223/. Accessed 9 Apr. 2025.
Hewitson, James P, et al. “Helminth Immunoregulation: The Role of Parasite Secreted Proteins in Modulating Host Immunity.” Molecular and Biochemical Parasitology, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Sept. 2009, pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2706953/#:~:text=Abundant%20proteins%20secreted%20by%20adult,GAL%2D1%20%5B29%5D.
Shea-Donohue, T, et al. “Parasites, Nutrition, Immune Responses and Biology of Metabolic Tissues.” Parasite Immunology, U.S. National Library of Medicine, May 2017, pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5863236/.
Gebresilassie, Araya, et al. “The Influence of Moonlight and Lunar Periodicity on the Efficacy of CDC Light Trap in Sampling Phlebotomus (Larroussius) Orientalis Parrot, 1936 and Other Phlebotomus Sandflies (Diptera: Psychodidae) in Ethiopia - Parasites & Vectors.” BioMed Central, BioMed Central, 15 Feb. 2015, parasitesandvectors.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13071-015-0723-7.
Motta FC;McGoff K;Moseley RC;Cho CY;Kelliher CM;Smith LM;Ortiz MS;Leman AR;Campione SA;Devos N;Chaorattanakawee S;Uthaimongkol N;Kuntawunginn W;Thongpiam C;Thamnurak C;Arsanok M;Wojnarski M;Vanchayangkul P;Boonyalai N;Smith PL;Spring MD;Jongsakul K;Chuang. “The Parasite Intraerythrocytic Cycle and Human Circadian Cycle Are Coupled during Malaria Infection.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, U.S. National Library of Medicine, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37279274/. Accessed 9 Apr. 2025.
Reece, Sarah E, et al. “The Life and Times of Parasites: Rhythms in Strategies for within-Host Survival and between-Host Transmission.” Journal of Biological Rhythms, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Dec. 2017, pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5734377/.
Heartburn medications for Heartburn Relief and the Health Effects of Long-Term Use
Are you the person who always has a stash of TUMS in your purse?
Most medications are designed to be used on a temporary basis, not long-term. But how many people do you know that take antacids at most meals for heartburn relief?
If you take any type of heartburn relief medication, prescription or non, you are causing long-term damage to your digestive health and opening yourself up to viral gut infections, food sensitivities, and nutrient deficiencies.
Is It Safe to Use Antacids for Heartburn Relief?
Are you the person who always has a stash of TUMS in your purse?
Most medications are designed to be used on a temporary basis, not long-term. But how many people do you know that take antacids at most meals for heartburn relief?
If you take any type of heartburn relief medication, prescription or non, you are causing long-term damage to your digestive health and opening yourself up to viral gut infections, food sensitivities, and nutrient deficiencies.
It’s true we do need resources for symptom relief when they arise. But the more important question we (and our doctors) are not asking is, why do you have heartburn in the first place?
Hi friends. I’m Hilary Beckwith, ex-dieter and holistic nutrition expert. Clients come to see me with signs of adrenal stress and inflammatory conditions, and my job is to find the root causes so we can address their symptoms more effectively, and fill in the gaps between what their doctor is saying, and what their body is saying.
In this article, you’ll learn:
the role of stomach acid
what causes heartburn (spoiler alert - it’s not typically caused by too much stomach acid)
three main types of heartburn relief medications
how to improve digestion long-term, without medications
what is stomach acid?
Stomach acid, known as hydrochloric acid, or HCl, is produced by cells that line the stomach, called parietal cells. It’s necessary to disinfect food and triggers the cascade of hormones and enzymes needed to further break down fats, proteins, and carbohydrates.
Additionally, HCl is needed to lower the pH (increase acidity) of the food you’ve eaten in order to trigger the next phase of digestion.
Think of it like the air conditioner in your home. You “set” a certain temperature that you want to maintain, and your thermostat monitors the temperature constantly and activates or deactivates the air conditioning as needed to maintain that temperature.
Digestion works similarly. In this case, the “thermostat” is monitoring pH levels of food in the stomach, and is “set” to somewhere in the range of 1.5-2.0. When the pH reaches 1.5, this triggers the opening of the pyloric sphincter, which allows food to pass through into the small intestine.
how stomach acid is produced
We’re about to get real nerdy.
The parietal cells in the lining of your stomach all have receptors for histamine, gastrin, and acetylcholine.
For the sake of this post, you do not need to understand what each of those is or does. Just know that when one or more of those factors interacts with its receptor on a parietal cell, this is what activates the process of stomach acid production.
Here’s how that works:
Hydrogen (which has a positive charge, and is therefore, a proton) enters the parietal cell by way of carbonic acid, which is what you get when water and carbon dioxide molecules combine.
Separately, bicarbonate within the parietal cells, is also being traded for chloride from surrounding blood vessels. The chloride is then transferred to the stomach.
When parietal cells are activated by way of histamine, gastrin, or acetylcholine receptor activation, this triggers an enzyme called ATPase to provide enough energy to pump hydrogen into the stomach, in exchange for potassium (potassium enters the cell, hydrogen leaves the cell), known as a proton pump.
When the hydrogen, now in the stomach, combines with the chloride, we get hydrochloric acid or HCl. This is stomach acid. (here is a really great video of how it is formed)
what causes heartburn?
While it can be true that one can produce too much stomach acid, one common cause of heartburn is actually not enough stomach acid, or HCl.
Taking heartburn medications and antacids when you actually don’t produce enough stomach acid can be harmful to your health, leave you susceptible to pathogenic infections like parasites, helicobacter pylori, candida overgrowth, and bacteria.
Additionally, taking heartburn medications regularly can lead to poor breakdown of foods, causing digestive symptoms like foul-smelling gas, bloating, constipation, and indigestion.
HOW LOW LEVELS OF STOMACH ACID CAUSE HEARTBURN
Refer back to the thermostat analogy I used earlier, and remember that food will stay in your stomach until it reaches a certain “set” acidity level of 1.5-2.0. Once that acidity level is reached, the pyloric sphincter relaxes and opens, allowing food to pass through into the small intestine.
If you don’t produce enough stomach acid to reach that “set” acidity level in a timely manner, but you do produce some stomach acid, imagine how that still-very-acidic food sits in your stomach, not going anywhere.
This not only causes damage to the lining of your stomach tissue by eroding the protective mucosal tissue, but also creates an environment for pressure to build, especially as you continue eating.
Eventually, the pressure builds enough that the still-very-acidic food begins to regurgitate back into your esophagus (the tube that connects your mouth to your stomach).
This is heartburn.
While there is a place for heartburn medications in symptom relief, especially when peptic ulcers are present, taking heartburn medications and antacids long-term can actually make your digestive symptoms worse, and lead to other, more serious conditions.
The best option is to find and address the root causes of your heartburn symptoms, not just mask them. Later in the post, I’ll walk you through ways to improve your digestive health so you can ditch heartburn medications for good.
other health effects of low stomach acid production
prevents bile production from the liver, needed to break down fats and eliminate toxins
increases risk of pathogenic infection [2], such as h. pylori, candida overgrowth, parasites, and bacteria
increases risk of food sensitivities
increases inflammation by way of tissue damage within the stomach and intestines
increases fight or flight activation, due to tissue damage and unaddressed pathogenic infections
prevents conversion of pepsinogen to pepsin, the enzyme needed to break down proteins
vitamin B12 deficiency - HCl is required to stimulate the production and release of intrinsic factor, which is essential to the absorption of vitamin B12
other vitamin and mineral deficiencies - HCl is needed to properly digest food and absorb nutrients
foul-smelling gas - incomplete breakdown of proteins leads to fermentation, and consequently, foul-smelling gas
constipation
bloating
heartburn, GERD, ulcers, or indigestion symptoms
3 main types of heartburn medications
Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI): Looking back to the diagram of how HCl is produced, you might recall the Proton Pump, which pumps hydrogen from the parietal cell into the stomach, where it combines with chloride to make stomach acid. PPIs are designed to stop the action of ATPase, the enzyme that powers the Proton Pump, thereby reducing the amount of HCl produced [1]. The less hydrogen we have in the stomach, the less HCl is formed.
Common names for PPIs include Omeprazole (Prilosec), Lansoprazole (Prevacid), Esomeprazole (Nexium), etc..
H2 Antagonist: Looking back at the same diagram, recall the Histamine receptors that trigger the production of ATPase when activated. These receptors are known as H2 Receptors, and therefore, H2 Antagonists block the receptor for histamine, preventing the activation of ATPase.
Common names for H2 Antagonists include Cimetidine (Tagamet), Famotidine (Pepcid), and Nizatidine (Axid).
H2 Antagonists, or H2 Blockers, are primarily used for relief from peptic ulcers.
Antacid (calcium carbonate): Calcium carbonate provides heartburn relief in two ways [3]:
Once in the stomach, the bond between calcium and carbonate is broken, and the carbonate binds to the free hydrogen, neutralizing it.
The influx of free calcium can stimulate peristalsis, or the mechanical movement of the stomach that works to push food into the small intestine.
Common product names include Tums, AlkaSeltzer, and Rolaids.
3 ways to improve digestion that you can start today
If you think these actions are too small to make an impact, think again. These three action steps are fundamental to long-term digestive health, and are often the first things I recommend to my private coaching clients.
Practicing these steps without also working to find and address root-causes to your digestive symptoms, isn’t going to get you very far. In many cases, we need to dig deeper, and that looks different for every individual.
If you want help figuring out what’s at the root of your heartburn and other digestive symptoms and want to ditch the heartburn medications for good, we need to chat. Click here to book some time on my schedule for a free consultation.
CHEW YOUR FOOD: Think this is too simple to be true? Chewing adequately supports the activation of your rest and digest nervous system response, and activates important salivary enzymes to begin breaking down food. There is no magic number - chew until your food becomes a smoothie-like consistency.
AVOID/MINIMIZE BEVERAGES WITH MEALS: Fluids, especially non-caloric fluids, dilute stomach acid, and prevent or slow the movement of your food through your digestive tract. If you feel the need to “wash down” your food, you may not be chewing enough.
EAT WITHOUT DISTRACTIONS: One of the most important steps needed for good digestion, is the activation of your parasympathetic nervous system, known as rest and digest. Eating while working, driving, doom scrolling, or multi-tasking, even if it doesn’t feel like you’re highly stressed, actually keeps your body in fight or flight, which inhibits digestion.
was this helpful?
Share your thoughts and questions in the comments below!
NUTRITION SERVICES
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
BLOG REFERENCES
Shin, J. M., & Sachs, G. (2008, December). Pharmacology of Proton Pump Inhibitors. Current gastroenterology reports. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2855237/
Yibirin, M., De Oliveira, D., Valera, R., Plitt, A. E., & Lutgen, S. (2021, January 18). Adverse effects associated with proton pump inhibitor use. Cureus. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7887997/
Fritz, K. (2023, August 5). Calcium carbonate. StatPearls [Internet]. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK562303/
Low FODMAP Diet and IBS Symptoms
Without also addressing digestive health and underlying stressors, changing your diet and supplements is a giant waste of your money. Probiotics and low-FODMAP foods might help your symptoms, but they are not going to resolve the why behind your IBS symptoms.
When clients come to me with IBS symptoms, I commonly look at their adrenal health, digestive health, liver health, dietary habits, sleep habits, and look for signs of pathogenic activity. When necessary, I’m also looking at specialized lab testing to find sources of these underlying stressors that are part of the root cause for their IBS symptoms.
IBS symptoms are the result of chronic stress
Has anyone ever told you that IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) is an umbrella term for symptoms of digestive distress? Put differently, it’s not the cause of your IBS symptoms, it’s simply the name we’ve given them.
What that means is, there are ways to get rid of IBS symptoms by addressing their root causes. But chances are, that wasn’t explained to you when you received (or gave yourself) your IBS diagnosis. Addressing those symptoms requires a more individualized approach than simply following a low FODMAP diet.
This article will dig into potential root causes of IBS symptoms and provide information on how to address them so you can have more freedom and flexibility in your food choices and stop saying ‘no’ to social invites.
Hi friends. I’m Hilary Beckwith, ex-dieter and holistic nutrition expert. Clients come to see me with signs of adrenal stress and inflammatory conditions, and my job is to find the root causes so we can address their symptoms more effectively, and fill in the gaps between what their doctor is saying and what their body is saying.
In this article, we’ll discuss:
how to know if you might have IBS
common root causes of IBS symptoms
where western medicine is missing the mark when working to address your IBS symptoms - why low FODMAP and probiotics aren’t enough
steps you can take to address root causes of IBS symptoms
do you have IBS?
Cleveland Clinic classifies the following as IBS symptoms:
frequent constipation, OR
frequent diarrhea (or a combination of both)
excess gas
excess bloating
abdominal pain and/or cramping
mucus in your stool
unable to feel like you’ve completely evacuated a bowel movement
The word “syndrome” included in the term IBS, indicates these symptoms consistently occur together.
DISCLAIMER
Now is a good time to point out that the information you read in this article and throughout the website should not be construed as diagnosis or medical advice. But rather to provide information and education to help you make more informed decisions about your health, and to empower you to advocate for your own health in the presence of a medical practitioner. Click here to read the full disclaimer.
Do you need a diagnosis of IBS to be able to address underlying causes? Absolutely not.
If you are interested in getting an official IBS diagnosis, consult with a trusted licensed physician who can provide an IBS diagnosis after a proper examination.
While Cleveland Clinic contradicts itself by calling IBS both a cause of symptoms and a “group of symptoms”, I have to give them credit for pointing out the interaction between the gut and the brain, further pointing to “childhood stress” as one common cause of IBS symptoms.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN IBS AND IBD
IBS is an acronym for Irritable Bowel Syndrome, a group of symptoms that consistently occur together, that does not cause damage or inflammation to the intestines.
IBD is an acronym for Inflammatory Bowel Disease, which is an umbrella term that includes Crohn’s Disease and ulcerative colitis, both of which cause inflammation and damage to the intestines. According to Cleveland Clinic, IBD is incurable.
I would argue that there are ways of reducing underlying stress and systemic inflammation that may help symptoms of IBD in addition to addressing digestive health and adrenal health as a whole.
Addressing these symptoms goes deeper than following a low FODMAP diet. It requires an individualized look at your body’s symptoms, history, and needs. That’s the work I do.
common causes of IBS symptoms
Earlier we discussed how Cleveland Clinic describes the causes of IBS symptoms, but let’s break it down a bit more. I’ve used the list of common IBS symptoms we looked at earlier in the article, and provided common root-causes I see in my clients who have these symptoms.
potential causes of constipation
candida overgrowth
low stomach acid
slow motility (food does not move quickly enough through your digestive system)
lesions in the gut lining
dehydration
potential causes of diarrhea
intestinal inflammation (it’s possible IBS doesn’t cause inflammation and tissue damage, but it can certainly be caused by it)
food intolerances
unaddressed infection, such as bacterial overgrowth, Lyme, h. pylori, clostridia, or parasites
heightened adrenal response (chronically active fight or flight response)
potential causes of excess gas
low stomach acid and digestive juices
poor protein digestion
slow motility
diet high in fermentable foods (high FODMAP)
bacterial overgrowth in small or large intestine
potential causes of excess bloating
(see potential causes of excess gas)
potential causes of abdominal pain and/or cramping
Because the abdomen consists of many organs, it’s difficult to provide generalized information about what may be causing abdominal pain or cramping.
If you experience abdominal pain or cramping, please consult with a trusted healthcare practitioner.
potential causes of mucus in your stool
mucus membranes are home to part of your immune system (think congestion when you get a head cold). Mucus in your stool can indicate immune activity, fight off a gut infection such as bacterial overgrowth, candida, parasites, or mold.
constipation - if you’re constipated, your body may secrete mucus in order to help you evacuate a bowel movement
ulcerative colitis
potential causes of feeling unable to completely evacuate a bowel movement
parasitic infection
congested liver
dehydration
chronic sympathetic nervous system response (fight or flight) due to stress
low FODMAP and probiotics aren’t enough to address IBS symptoms
Here’s where Western medicine and health influencers are missing the mark.
I commonly hear clients and friends who experience digestive symptoms (including IBS symptoms) tell me that they’ve tried probiotics and low-FODMAP diets for their symptoms, with little or short-lived success.
It’s also common for me to hear that they were instructed to do so by their Primary Care Physician or that they saw it on socials somewhere.
Without also addressing digestive health and underlying stressors, changing your diet and adding supplements is a giant waste of your money. Probiotics and low-FODMAP foods might help your symptoms, but they are not going to resolve the cause of your IBS symptoms.
When clients come to me with IBS symptoms, I commonly look at their adrenal health, digestive health, liver health, dietary habits, sleep habits, and look for signs of pathogenic activity. When necessary, I also look at specialized lab testing to find sources of these underlying stressors that are part of the root cause of their IBS symptoms.
The process of eradicating these pathogens is specific to each person, the severity of the infection, and includes personalized dietary support. Once the pathogens are successfully eradicated (confirmed with lab testing), THEN we rebuild the gut microbiome with probiotics.
So, while low-FODMAP diets and probiotics might temporarily help with your symptoms, they are not fixing the problem.
steps you can take to address root causes of IBS symptoms
ADDRESS DIGESTION - This may seem rudimentary, but it is fundamental to addressing IBS symptoms. Mindful eating (sitting down to meals, undistracted, chewing adequately, relaxing) are all ways to effectively support your digestion.
Additionally, clients who show indications of low stomach acid production or intestinal inflammation are also recommended supplements to temporarily support those functions, as well.
This Digestion Troubleshooting Guide will help you understand the basics of healthy digestion, and troubleshoot your own symptoms.
ADDRESS ADRENAL HEALTH - This is a broad feat, and requires more than a simple blog paragraph can offer, but like digestion, it is essential to long-term solutions for IBS symptoms.
Addressing adrenal health requires a look at sleep, blood sugar regulation, mental health, activity levels and timing, and light exposure. The adrenal glands regulate sleep, stress, hormone balance, fluid balance, and energy production.
If you want a closer look at supporting adrenal health, check out this article.
GET TESTED - Before you can address gut pathogens, we first need to know what they are. Addressing mold is different than addressing bacterial overgrowth (same for candida, h. pylori, parasites, and other factors). Lab testing is the only way to know for sure what we’re dealing with.
In order to know which type of testing best suits your symptoms, we need to have a face-to-face conversation. Book a free 30-minute consultation so we can figure it out together.
YES! EAT A LOW-FODMAP DIET! - By writing this article, I’m not suggesting low-FODMAP diets or probiotics won’t help. I’m pointing out why those two remedies are not enough to resolve your IBS symptoms. As you can see, IBS is more complex than that, but there is hope! And eating low-FODMAP can help reduce your symptoms.
FODMAP is an acronym that stands for:
Fermentable
Oligosaccharides
Disaccharides
Monosaccharides
And Polyols
IBSDiets.org put out a comprehensive FODMAP food list here that will help get you started.
learn something new?
Share your thoughts and questions in the comments below!
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Natural Insomnia Treatment Without Sleep Gummies
I’ve worked in healthcare for a long time, and a common pattern I have seen over the years is, that not only do the adults I work with generally not sleep enough, but they don’t see it as a problem.
This is alarming, considering sleep is an essential function for detoxification and tissue healing, but also influences hormone balance, weight loss, and blood sugar levels.
Reaching for those sleep gummies is a solid effort in getting much-needed sleep, but it will not solve the underlying issues. We need to take a holistic look at insomnia treatments.
Ditch the sleep calculator and sleep gummies, for good
As a holistic health practitioner, I am here to tell you sleep is non-negotiable when it comes to weight loss, hormone health, and inflammation.
But it’s not always so easy to just go to sleep when you’re supposed to. Sleep health and insomnia treatment requires a multi-pronged approach that involves addressing diet, adrenal health, hormones, and light exposure.
Hi friends. I’m Hilary Beckwith, ex-dieter and holistic nutrition expert. Clients come to see me with signs of adrenal stress and inflammatory conditions, and my job is to find the root causes so we can address their symptoms more effectively, and fill in the gaps between what their doctor is saying, and what their body is saying.
I’ve worked in healthcare for a long time, and a common pattern I have seen over the years is, that not only do the adults I work with generally not sleep enough, but they don’t see it as a problem.
This is alarming, considering sleep is an essential function for detoxification and tissue healing, but also influences hormone balance, weight loss, and blood sugar levels.
Reaching for those sleep gummies is a solid effort in getting much-needed sleep, but it will not solve the underlying issues. We need to take a holistic look at insomnia treatments.
In this article, you’ll learn:
why sleep is important for health
what factors affect sleep (besides caffeine)
ways to get better sleep without using sleep gummies or sleep calculators
why do you need sleep?
It’s not news to you that sleep is essential to optimal health.
So then why do you so cavalierly call yourself a “night owl” or wear your busyness like a badge of honor?
When considering insomnia treatment, it’s important to understand why sleep is so important.
HERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT HAPPEN WHEN YOU SLEEP:
tissue repair - factors that repair tissues, whether you have a sprained ankle, a pulled muscle, or something more subtle, like lesions in your intestines due to inflammation, happen while you sleep.
liver detoxification - research shows that liver detoxification and involved factors, operate on a circadian rhythm, and are more active at night time while in a rested state [1]
clearance of toxins and waste from the brain - more research on humans is needed to get a clearer picture on how this works, but scientists are finding clear indications that the human brain removes harmful, but normal, metabolites and waste that occur as part of normal brain function, while we are sleeping. This takes place through a system called the glymphatic (glial-lymphatic) system, as it acts similarly to the lymphatic system [2]. Scientists suspect lack of sleep may play a significant role in the development of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimers and Parkinsons.
memory formation - in the same vein as preventing neurodegenerative conditions I just mentioned, sleep is also when long-term memories are formed. If you are someone who deals with memory issues or brain fog symptoms, consider your sleep!
what affects sleep?
Sleep gummies can be helpful in a pinch, and sleep calculators can help you know the quality of sleep your body is getting. Both can be useful when exploring holistic insomnia treatments.
But what is affecting your sleep at the root cause?
Finding and supporting the root-cause of sleep issues is the only way to get truly long-term results. This is true for anything in the health world, and is exactly the work I do with clients. I’m here to help you figure out WHY you are having insomnia symptoms in the first place.
Is adrenal fatigue at the root of your PCOS symptoms, insomnia, and anxiety?
take the quiz
Arguably, the biggest factor in insomnia symptoms is rooted in cortisol - a hormone produced by the adrenal glands in response to external stressors, internal stressors (low blood sugar, unaddressed gut pathogens or other infections, tissue inflammation, unaddressed emotional trauma, etc.), and as a natural component of the sleep-wake cycle, known as circadian rhythm (see diagram above).
One important thing to remember here is that cortisol is released as part of the cascade of events that occurs when your fight or flight response is activated. And your fight or flight response will be activated by things you may not consider to be “stress”.
Let’s talk about what your brain views as stress.
HERE’S WHAT AFFECTS CORTISOL LEVELS:
low blood sugar
unaddressed emotional or physical trauma
chronic infections, such as candida overgrowth, bacterial overgrowth, undiagnosed parasites, or mold toxicity
exercise
daylight exposure
busyness, with little priority for rest
lack of self-reflection - lack of self-reflection through journaling, therapy, or other modalities, can lead to rumination - a cyclical form of processing that often has no resolve but instead perpetuates stress or anxiety
people-pleasing behaviors (yep!)
Not all of these cortisol stimulators are bad things, but it’s important to consider how frequently (and what time of day) they are utilized.
In some cases, removing the stressor is best, such as healing from emotional trauma, or eradicating gut pathogens. But in other cases, such as with exercise and daylight exposure, understanding how to time your cortisol stimulators in a way that supports healthy cortisol rhythms throughout the day, is a long-term solution to your sleep woes.
But that won’t happen overnight. It requires time and consistency to see results.
5 ways to improve sleep
get at least 10 minutes of daylight exposure within 2 hours of waking
take a morning walk
drink your morning tea by a well-lit window (here in the PNW it’s not always easy to be outside)
grounding in your front garden
prioritize workouts before lunch
look back at the cortisol diagram - hitting the gym after work is a surefire way of pumping up cortisol at a time when cortisol should be at its lowest, and I would bet good money that is a big factor in your insomnia symptoms
prioritize animal protein and greens, especially as your morning meal
managing blood sugar is a big part of supporting healthy sleep-wake rhythm. Animal protein and greens, in balance with healthy fats and a very small amount of unrefined carbs, is the dietary change that supports my clients most.
want help knowing which foods to eat? THIS WILL HELP
get professional support for your mental health
you’ve read all the self-help books, and follow all the wellness influencers - it’s time to put your tools into action with expert support.
whether it’s talk therapy, EMDR, somatic work, breathwork, journaling, or otherwise, please find an expert who has been trained to help you learn mental health tools and navigate communication and healing
get your gut checked by a professional
I’m not talking about magical breath testers or CGMs - Find a practitioner who is trained to assess your gut health, and can help you eradicate underlying infections that are harming your health and causing your body stress. (I CAN HELP!)
want to dig deeper?
The REBALANCE Masterclass gives you the education and practical tools you need to reset your metabolism, feel more rested when you wake up, and gain control of your hormones.
was this helpful?
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BLOG REFERENCES
McCommis, K. S., & Butler, A. A. (2021). The Importance of Keeping Time in the Liver. Endocrinology, 162(2), bqaa230. https://doi.org/10.1210/endocr/bqaa230
Bohr, T., Hjorth, P. G., Holst, S. C., Hrabetova, S., Kivinemi, V., Lilius, T., Lundgaard, I., Mardal, K.-A., Martens, E. A., Mori, Y., Nagerl, U. V., Nicholson, C., Tannenbaum, A., Thomas, J. H., Tithof, J., Benveniste, H., Iliff, J. J., Kelley, D. H., & Nedergaard, M. (2022, August 20). The glymphatic system: Current Understanding and Modeling. iScience. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589004222012597
Symptoms of Hormone Imbalance and Hormone Balancing Supplements
The adrenal glands do not get nearly enough limelight when it comes to addressing hormone imbalance symptoms. Dysfunction in the adrenal glands will disrupt hormone balance and cause issues with sleep, periods, mood, energy, and blood sugar levels.
Addressing adrenal health and stress management are the keys to getting better, more predictable periods, and improving mood and energy levels.
But there’s more to it than bubble baths or meditation.
Stress management and hormone imbalance
You’re gaining weight, you don’t sleep well, your periods are getting progressively off track, and you are desperately trying to find answers.
You go in for your annual bloodwork and ask your physician to test your hormones, which are all coming back relatively “normal”.
So, why are you experiencing symptoms? And more importantly, how can you stop them?
Hi friends. I’m Hilary Beckwith, ex-dieter and holistic nutrition expert. Clients come to see me with signs of adrenal stress and inflammatory conditions, and my job is to find the root causes so we can address their symptoms more effectively, and fill in the gaps between what their doctor is saying, and what their body is saying.
The adrenal glands do not get nearly enough limelight when it comes to addressing hormone imbalance symptoms. Dysfunction in the adrenal glands will disrupt hormone balance and cause issues with sleep, periods, mood, energy, and blood sugar levels.
Addressing adrenal health and stress management are the keys to getting better, more predictable periods, and improving mood and energy levels.
But there’s more to it than bubble baths or meditation.
In this article, you’ll learn:
how your body responds to stress
health effects of prolonged chronic stress
how to improve hormone imbalance symptoms by addressing chronic stress at the root
the body’s natural stress response
Stress is a normal part of human existence, and is modulated by the Autonomic Nervous System. It is necessary to keep us alive, and even become stronger!
Most stress is caused by what your brain perceives as a threat, but some stress is necessary for improving health, such as bone remodeling, building muscle, and cold plunging.
The stress your brain perceives as a threat (most stress), your body responds to as if it were a tiger. Evolution has not yet caught up to our modern lifestyles, and your brain cannot yet tell the difference between the threat of a tiger, and stress that comes from running late for a meeting.
When tigers are coming at you from all directions (work deadlines, heated conversations with your partner, toxic load from processed foods or medications, undiagnosed gut infections, people-pleasing behaviors, unaddressed emotional trauma, low blood sugar…), your stress response system will be constantly activated.
That chronic activation of the stress response system interferes with hormone production and balance. This is why effective stress management is essential to addressing hormone imbalance symptoms.
HERE’S HOW IT WORKS:
Is adrenal fatigue at the root of your insomnia and PCOS symptoms?
take the quiz
In response to a stressor, your fight or flight response is activated, and a feedback loop called the HPA axis (or hypothalamus, pituitary, adrenal axis) [1], stimulates your adrenal glands to produce stress hormones to increase energy production and increase blood flow to large muscle groups, heart, and lungs, to help you fight or flee the danger (tigers!).
When the threat has been successfully dealt with, the stress response stops, and your body returns to its rest and digest mode
If the stress becomes chronic, the system stays activated, and the adrenal glands adapt by producing less stress hormones, but more frequently.
TAKE A LOOK:
stressor or danger is sensed, and fight or flight response (a part of the Autonomic Nervous System) activates, signaling a cascade of events
the hypothalamus releases Corticotropin Releasing Hormone (CRH)
the increase in CRH signals the pituitary gland to produce AdrenoCorticoTropic Hormone (ACTH)
ACTH travels to the adrenal glands, signaling them to release stress hormones such as cortisol, adrenaline, and noradrenaline
these hormones begin the processes of energy metabolism (to fight or flee the stressor), and increase blood flow to large muscle groups, heart, and lungs
health effects of chronic cortisol release
The health effects of poor stress management impact more than just hormone imbalance symptoms. Chronic cortisol release has been shown to:
suppress the immune system [2]
cause sex hormone imbalance [3]
increase belly weight by way of insulin resistance [4]
increase inflammation [5] - Cortisol itself is anti-inflammatory, but its presence signals immune cells to react in response to stressors. This is inflammation. Chronic cortisol = chronic inflammation.
decrease thyroid hormone activity at a cellular level, causing elevated TSH levels on bloodwork
increase appetite by reducing leptin (hormone that tells you when you are full), and increasing ghrelin (hormone that tells you when you are hungry)
decrease digestive activity - when fight or flight is active, rest and digest cannot be.
causes poor sleep quality - the ability to fall asleep, stay asleep, and ultimately makes it difficult to get up in the morning.
Regarding hormone imbalance symptoms, the most important thing to remember about chronic stress is its ability to disrupt feedback systems for sex and reproductive hormones.
Take another look at the HPA axis. Components of this feedback system are also components of other important feedback systems, including the HPT (hypothalamus, pituitary, thyroid) axis, and the HPG (hypothalamus, pituitary, gonadal) axis.
When your fight or flight response is chronically activated due to poor stress management, or undiagnosed root-causes of stress, this will prevent hormone feedback systems from communicating properly, leading to hormone imbalance symptoms.
ways to improve stress management
I discuss methods for improving stress management at length in this article. But the best thing you can do for yourself right now, is to get data.
Let’s get curious about your symptoms and find out if there’s even anything to be concerned about.
want to dig deeper?
The REBALANCE Masterclass teaches you everything you need to know about supporting adrenal health.
was this helpful?
Please share your thoughts and questions in the comments below!
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BLOG REFERENCES
Slominski A. (2009). On the role of the corticotropin-releasing hormone signalling system in the aetiology of inflammatory skin disorders. The British journal of dermatology, 160(2), 229–232. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2133.2008.08958.
Segerstrom, S. C., & Miller, G. E. (2004). Psychological stress and the human immune system: a meta-analytic study of 30 years of inquiry. Psychological bulletin, 130(4), 601–630. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.130.4.601
Ranabir, S., & Reetu, K. (2011). Stress and hormones. Indian journal of endocrinology and metabolism, 15(1), 18–22. https://doi.org/10.4103/2230-8210.77573
Kahn, Barbara B., and Jeffrey S. Flier. “Obesity and Insulin Resistance.” The Journal of Clinical Investigation, American Society for Clinical Investigation, 15 Aug. 2000, www.jci.org/articles/view/10842.
Hannibal, Kara E., and Mark D. Bishop. “Chronic Stress, Cortisol Dysfunction, and Pain: A Psychoneuroendocrine Rationale for Stress Management in Pain Rehabilitation.” OUP Academic, Oxford University Press, 1 Dec. 2014, academic.oup.com/ptj/article/94/12/1816/2741907?login=false.