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Are Parasites the Hidden Cause of Your Fatigue, Brain Fog, or Bloating?

The AHA! Team — Wed, 21 May 2025 05:07:23 +0000

Dr. Don Colbert – Millions of people in the U.S. unknowingly suffer from parasites, yet they are often overlooked by conventional medicine. Fatigue, brain fog, bloating, and even mood swings may not be random – they may be signs that something far more insidious is draining your energy from within. 🧬 The Magnitude of the Problem According to the CDC, over 60 million Americans are chronically infected with Toxoplasma gondii, a common parasite found in undercooked meat and contaminated water. And that’s just one type. Intestinal parasites like Giardia lamblia, pinworms, hookworms, and tapeworms are also widespread—and often undiagnosed. A 2014 study in the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene revealed that many parasitic infections in the U.S. go undetected due to limited screening practices. ⚠️ Overlooked Symptoms of Parasitic Infection Could parasites be causing your symptoms? Chronic fatigue or low energy Gas, bloating, constipation, or diarrhea Unexplained skin rashes or acne Nighttime teeth grinding or insomnia Brain fog or poor focus Mood changes, anxiety, or irritability Weight fluctuations These symptoms are often misdiagnosed as IBS, anxiety, or food sensitivities—when parasites may be the real root cause. 🧠 The Gut-Brain-Parasite Axis Emerging research shows parasites don’t just affect digestion—they can influence brain function. A 2015 study published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B found that chronic Toxoplasma infection may alter neurotransmitters and affect behavior. Parasites can also: Increase inflammation in the gut Disrupt the microbiome Deplete essential nutrients All of which contribute to fatigue, anxiety, and mental fog. 🛡️ Top 10 Doctor-Recommended Ways to Prevent and Eliminate Parasites Naturally Rather than relying solely on pharmaceuticals, many integrative practitioners—like Dr. Don Colbert—recommend a more natural, gentle parasite cleanse that supports the body’s detox systems while addressing both exposure risks and internal imbalances. Here’s how to protect yourself and actively cleanse your system: 1. 🧼 Wash Hands Before Meals and After Handling Pets Parasite eggs can transfer from contaminated surfaces, pet fur, soil, or litter boxes to your mouth—especially if you don’t wash your hands consistently. This is one of the most overlooked yet common pathways for parasite transmission. 👉 Wash your hands thoroughly with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds, especially: Before eating or preparing food After using the bathroom After touching pets, soil, or raw meat 2. 🔥 Cook Meat Thoroughly and Avoid Raw Pork or Wild Game Undercooked or raw meats—particularly pork, venison, and wild-caught game—can harbor harmful parasites like Trichinella, Taenia (tapeworms), and Toxoplasma gondii. ✅ Internal temperature guide: Pork: 145°F + 3-minute rest Ground meat: 160°F Wild game: 165°F Avoiding raw meat dishes or undercooked sushi made with pork or game is especially important if you’re immunocompromised or actively detoxing. 3. 💧 Filter Your Drinking Water—Especially Well Water Parasites like Giardia and Cryptosporidium are resistant to chlorine and can be found in untreated well water, mountain streams, and even some public systems. 👉 To reduce your risk: Use a high-quality water filter that removes parasites, bacteria, and protozoa Boil water when camping, traveling, or after natural disasters Consider regular testing if you use private well water 4. 🥬 Wash Produce with a Veggie Rinse or Diluted Vinegar Fruits, herbs, and leafy greens can carry parasite eggs from contaminated soil, water, or fertilizer—especially if eaten raw. ✅ Best practices: Use a veggie-safe wash or soak produce in a mix of 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water Scrub root vegetables like carrots or beets Rinse all produce thoroughly, even organic items 5. 🌍 Travel with Natural Antimicrobials (Like Garlic or Oregano Oil) Traveling to tropical or developing countries? New environments often expose you to unfamiliar pathogens in food, water, or even insect bites. 🧳 To protect your gut while traveling: Bring natural antimicrobials like oregano oil capsules, garlic supplements, or clove oil Consider a daily probiotic to support your gut lining Drink only filtered or bottled water, and avoid raw produce in high-risk areas 🌿 Natural Remedies to Cleanse the Body of Parasites Rather than relying solely on pharmaceuticals, Dr. Colbert recommends a natural, gentle cleanse that supports your entire detox system: 6. 🌿 Wormwood This bitter herb has been used for centuries to expel intestinal parasites and worms. It contains compounds like thujone, which have been studied for their anti-parasitic effects against Plasmodium and helminths. 7. 🧄 Garlic Garlic is rich in allicin, a sulfur compound that exhibits broad-spectrum antimicrobial, antifungal, and antiparasitic activity. 👉 It may help: Reduce active parasite load Inhibit reproduction of parasite eggs Support immune defense during cleansing 8. 🍃 Oregano Oil Oregano oil is one of the most potent plant antimicrobials. A 2000 study published in Phytotherapy Research showed oregano oil helped eradicate parasites in humans with gastrointestinal infections. 👉 It’s also: Antibacterial and antifungal Helpful in restoring gut balance Easy to take while traveling or cleansing 9. 🌀 Fiber for Colon Cleansing During a cleanse, fiber helps sweep out dead parasites, eggs, and toxins from the digestive tract, while also supporting healthy elimination. ✅ Dr. Colbert recommends: 👉 Fiber Zone – a delicious, psyllium-based prebiotic fiber blend that nourishes the gut and promotes regular detox support. 10. 🧬 Milk Thistle for Liver Detox As parasites die, they release toxic byproducts that your liver must process and eliminate. That’s why liver support is critical during any parasite cleanse. One of the most powerful and well-studied herbs for liver health is milk thistle. Rich in the compound silymarin, it has been shown to: Support liver cell regeneration Protect the liver from oxidative stress Enhance detoxification enzymes Help stabilize liver enzymes during toxic load [7] 🔁 For comprehensive liver support, consider combining milk thistle with other botanicals like Divine Health Nano-Glutathione Spray, NAC, alpha lipoic acid, or beet extract—found in Dr. Colbert’s Liver Gallbladder Cleanse. 💊 What Makes Dr. Colbert’s Liver Gallbladder Cleanse Unique? Divine Health’s Liver Gallbladder Cleanse is formulated with a synergistic blend of detox-supporting ingredients that go beyond milk thistle alone: Ingredient / Purpose Milk Thistle Extract (250 mg) / Regenerates and protects liver cells N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine (NAC) (1000 mg) / Boosts glutathione, the body’s master antioxidant Alpha Lipoic Acid (600 mg) / Recycles antioxidants and supports liver detox Organic Beet Root (600 mg) / Stimulates bile flow to aid gallbladder function Artichoke Extract (125 mg) / Promotes bile production and fat digestion Selenium (100 mcg) / Supports thyroid and liver enzyme activity This combination is ideal for: Supporting phase I and II liver detox pathways Enhancing glutathione levels during a cleanse Assisting with fat metabolism and gallbladder function Managing oxidative stress during pathogen die-off ✅ This formula is especially beneficial during a parasite cleanse when your detox pathways are under extra demand. 👉 You can find all of these ingredients in Dr. Colbert’s Liver Gallbladder Cleanse — a core component of a complete cleansing protocol. 🛡️ The Gentle Cleanse Protocol A typical integrative parasite cleanse may include: Herbs: Wormwood, garlic, oregano oil, black walnut, and clove Fiber: Daily intake of psyllium or plant-based fiber like Fiber Zone Liver support: Milk thistle, dandelion, leafy greens Immune boosters: Zinc, vitamin C, probiotics 🙏 Final Thoughts If you’re dealing with ongoing symptoms—despite clean labs and diets—don’t rule out parasites. Many people find that once they address this root cause, their energy, clarity, and digestion improve dramatically. “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” – 3 John 1:2 📚 References CDC on Toxoplasmosis Ajjampur SS et al. Am J Trop Med Hyg, 2014 Flegr J et al. Proc R Soc B, 2015 Willcox M. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg, 2004 Ross ZM et al. Appl Environ Microbiol, 2001 Force M et al. Phytother Res, 2000 Saller R et al. Drugs, 2001 To read the original article click here.

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Study: A Day of Hard Thinking Can Lead to Bad Choices

AHA Publisher — Mon, 14 Nov 2022 07:24:55 +0000

Christine Ruggeri, CHHC via Dr. Axe – Have you ever noticed a feeling a brain fog and fatigue after a day of thinking hard? Perhaps after a difficult day at work or long test, your brain just feels … tired. A new study suggests that your body may be pushing you to make poor choices after a long day. It’s not that you’re being lazy or trying to punish yourself, but natural biological regulations are working to combat cognitive fatigue by favoring easy, short-term decision making. Study Findings: Thinking Hard Can Lead to Bad Choices A study published in August 2022 in Current Biology explored cognitive fatigue with magnetic resonance spectroscopy during a workday. This tool measures electromagnetic signals within metabolites of the brain. For the study, two groups of participants performed either high-demand or low-demand cognitive control tasks and economic decisions. Data showed that choice-related fatigue markers were only present in the high-demand group, and those participants were more likely to prefer short-delay and little-effort options during decision making. Researchers found that the hard thinking group displayed increased glutamate levels in the cognitive control region of the brain compared to the low-demand thinkers. Glutamate is a neurotransmitter (or chemical messenger) in the brain that has “excitatory effects,” meaning that it can actually excite cells to their death, according to prior research. Study data also shows that this glutamate increase triggers a natural regulation mechanism in the cognitive region of the brain, which reduces a person’s control over decision making. What It Means This study indicates that after a day of hard thinking, you may experience a reduced ability to make decisions, and your brain will prefer little-effort options. Because there’s a natural increase of glutamate levels in the brain after a day of intense thinking, it becomes more difficult to use the prefrontal cortex, the region of the brain that controls our thoughts and decision making. We can learn from the study that it’s normal to feel brain fatigue after a day of hard thinking, and although we may not be aware of how tired our brains are, we should consider our abilities to make good decisions in these moments. Tips to Support Cognition Clearly, your brain is impacted by hard thinking and needs nourishment and rest to function optimally. Here are some tips to support cognition that you can practice every day: Eat nutrient-rich brain foods. Your diet has a tremendous impact on the health of your brain, so opt for foods that are rich in nutrients, including antioxidants, healthy fats, vitamins and minerals. Some of the best brain foods include avocado, berries, cruciferous vegetables, leafy greens, walnuts, coconut oil, bone broth and dark chocolate. Try nootropics. Nootropics are supplements that help cognitive function and support concentration. Some of the most popular nootropics include ginseng, ginkgo biloba, medicinal mushrooms, omega-3 fish oil, ashwagandha and vitamin B12. Get enough rest. It’s clear from this study that the brain needs time to rest. For starters, make sure you get enough sleep every night — at least seven hours is needed. It’s also important to take breaks throughout the day to reset and recover. This can include taking a leisurely walk outdoors, chatting with a loved one or sitting quietly over a cup of tea. Reduce stress. Stress increases cortisol levels, which impacts cognitive function, energy, sleep and more. When stress is chronic, or occurs daily, it can have a detrimental effect on your ability to think and make good decisions. Some effective ways to reduce stress include spending time outdoors, practicing meditation or quiet time, doing gentle exercise, and spending time with loved ones or pets. Move your body. Daily movement increases energy and cognition, improves sleep, and helps balance your hormones. Opt for at least 30 minutes of exercise every day. This can include walking, jogging, biking, swimming, dancing, lifting weights, yoga, pilates and more. Conclusion A study published in Current Biology indicates that after high-demand thinking the brain will experience fatigue, resulting in a preference for short-delay and little-effort options during decision making. Hard thinking increases neurotransmitters that excite brain cells, triggering a natural regulation system in the brain that can cause cognitive fatigue. As a result, people have a hard time making difficult decisions, sometimes without even noticing the difficulty. To avoid this brain fatigue, make sure you get enough rest and support your brain health with nutritious foods, proper sleep and exercise. To read the original article click here.

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3 Ways to Boost Your Mental Energy When You Are Tired & Overwhelmed

AHA Publisher — Wed, 23 Mar 2022 07:00:58 +0000

Dr. Caroline Leaf – In this podcast (episode #364) and blog, I talk about three tips to boost your energy when you are tired and overwhelmed. Why do we get tired? Our nonconscious mind never stops. It’s always trying to make us aware of issues that are damaging our resilience and causing neurophysiological disruptions in our brain and body. However, the conscious mind and brain do get tired because they work on energy, like our phones. This is kind of like when we have a whole lot of apps open, the brightness is on full and we are constantly using our phone—very soon the battery will die. And, like you need to recharge your phone, you also need to recharge your brain and conscious mind. It’s best we do this in a regular way, by incorporating periods of rest into our daily schedule to keep the brain charged all day long. This will also help us better know when to switch off at the end of the day. If we go for too long without rest, we may think we are okay, but the next day we won’t feel as rested as we should, and may notice our creativity or ability to think clearly is off because we didn’t recharge regularly the day before and pushed the conscious mind and brain to the limit. As we go through our day, everything we experience is processed by our conscious mind, nonconscious mind and brain. During this time, a lot of neuroplasticity (brain change) is occurring—we will have built about 8000+ new memories in thought tree clusters into our brain. This activity makes our brain, conscious mind and body pretty tired because they have limited energy, but the nonconscious mind never gets tired because it operates at a different level. The conscious mind and brain will get tired even if we can have a lot of good stuff happening in our lives. This is often why, even when things are going well, we can feel a loss of drive and creativity, and maybe even a little depressed. This is completely normal! The key to managing this activity is to become very self-regulated so that you don’t burn out. You can start practicing this by: Pausing every 30-45 minutes and going into what I call a “thinker moment” for a few minutes, when you switch off to the external and onto the internal and just let your mind wander and do a bit of daydreaming. (I discuss this in greater detail in my book Cleaning Up the Mental Mess.) Just stare out the window or sit outside and close your eyes—just let your mind wander. The great news is that the more you do this the more you will sense when you need to do it! Taking a longer break after every three hours of work. Eat something, grab a coffee or cup of tea, go for a walk, do some push-ups or yoga, play with your pets, chat with a loved one—whatever works for you! Limiting the intensiveness and length of your work. This could mean purposefully going to bed a little earlier, working out a little longer or shortening your work day. Be as deliberate about switching off as you were about switching on. Schedule in periods of “off time”, such as taking a hot bubble bath or shower or watching your favorite TV show. Remember, you can just “get away with it”. You can’t escape the way your mind and brain works—there are no tricks to “hack” the system. Overworking yourself will result in poor quality sleep and thinking the next day, which can have a ripple effect in your life and on your health. I personally find that I am more edgy, get more frustrated, and become more reactive when I am tired versus when I have more energy, patience and peace. To read the original article click here.

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