980 - Expert Reveals Signs You Have Parasites (And How to Treat)

980 - Expert Reveals Signs You Have Parasites (And How to Treat)

Author: Dr. Michael Ruscio, DC August 18, 2025 Duration: 1:51:43

Today I'm excited to have board-certified internist and complex chronic disease expert, Dr. Tania Dempsey back on the podcast to discuss parasites. Hidden parasites are more common than you think and may even be related to conditions such as SIBO, IBS, Histamine intolerance and poor immune system health. We'll cover the types of parasites, best testing options, a treatment protocol and how to prevent parasites. You don't want to miss this! 

Start healing with us! Learn more about our virtual clinic:  https://drruscio.com/virtual-clinic/

 

Follow Dr. Tania Dempsey

https://drtaniadempsey.com/about/

https://drtaniadempsey.com/podcast/

https://www.instagram.com/drtaniadempseymd/

https://www.youtube.com/@DrTaniaDempsey

https://www.facebook.com/taniadempseymd/

 

👇 Watch more videos like this 👇 

➡️You Didn't Know This About Lyme Disease| Dr. Tania Dempsey:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4r_Ud5Cmp9Y

➡️The Overlooked Parasite Causing Brain Fog & Gut Symptoms|Dr. Henry Lindner:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIbTwGfnKjs

➡️How To Reverse Autoimmune Disease

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBvveVY9huY

 

Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@DrRuscioDC?sub_confirmation=1

 

And if you have any questions or topics you would like covered, let me know in the comments!

 

👇Read these next 👇

➡️ Protozoan Parasites: How to Treat Them:

https://drruscio.com/protozoan-parasite/

➡️Do Parasite Cleanses Really Work?:

https://drruscio.com/parasite-cleanse/

➡️ Babesia Symptoms and How to Reverse Them:

https://drruscio.com/chronic-babesia-symptoms/

➡️ 5 Signs of Autoimmune Disease (And How to Reverse Them):

https://drruscio.com/5-signs-of-autoimmune-disease-how-to-reverse-them/

 

Timestamps

00:00 Intro 

03:32 Why they're important

08:47 Increase of susceptibility

11:53 Types of parasites

14:35 Prevalence & risk factors

18:19 Giardia, IBS & SIBO

22:14 Cryptosporidium & immune health

25:32 Liver flukes & gallbladder issues

30:24 Approaches to treatment

38:02 Babesia & parasite connection

41:54 Testing options 

49:11 Are cleanses effective?

50:25 Pharmaceuticals vs. herbals

53:05 Likelihood of multiple infections 

56:01 Gut healing benefits

57:59  Antiparasite  protocol

01:05:14 Immune system health is vital

01:09:36 LDN efficacy

01:12:14 Inflammation as a key sign

01:13:31 Celiac & parasites

01:19:41 Healing happens in stages

01:26:05 Helminth therapy

01:29:00 Managing environmental risks

01:38:50 Takeaways

 

Featured Studies 

📉Giardia Infection:

https://www.cdc.gov/giardia/about/index.html#:~:text=What%20it%20is,feeling%20more%20and%20more%20tired.

📉Pruritus ani:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19412003/

📉The Landscape of Parasitic Infections in the US:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37182583/

📉Giardiasis:

https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/giardiasis-a-to-z#:~:text=Some%20of%20the%20symptoms%20can,may%20float%20and%20smell%20foul.

📉Cryptosporidiosis:

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21023-cryptosporidiosis

📉Endolimax nana: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26998431/

📉Blastocystis hominis:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/blastocystis-hominis-infection/symptoms-causes/syc-20351205#symptoms

📉About Clonorchis: https://www.cdc.gov/liver-flukes/clonorchis/index.html

📉Hookworm Disease:

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/14072-hookworm-disease#symptoms-and-causes

📉Albendazole Therapy & Enteric Parasites in Refugees:

https://www.nejm.org/doi/10.1056/NEJMoa1103360?url_ver=Z39.88-2003&rfr_id=ori:rid:crossref.org&rfr_dat=cr_pub%20%200www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

📉Hookworm Infection for Improving Gluten Tolerance in Celiac Disease: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33512796/

📉Trichuris suis therapy for active ulcerative colitis: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15825065/

📉Intestinal parasite screening in internationally adopted children: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21824880/

📉Detection of parasitic protozoa in SAF-fixed faecal samples in Sweden: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31656115/

📉Improvement of the diagnosis of intestinal protozoa using a multiplex qPCR strategy: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40162804/

📉Blastocystis hominis:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/blastocystis-hominis-infection/symptoms-causes/syc-20351205#symptoms

📉Glutamine & whey protein improve Crohn's disease:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22038507/

 

Follow Me

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/DrRuscio

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/drruscio/

 

DISCLAIMER: The information on this site is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider before starting any new treatment or discontinuing an existing treatment.

Sound Shed Studios:

https://www.soundshedav.com/

Music featured in this video: "Modern Technology" by Andrew G, https://audiojungle.net/user/andrew_g 

*Full transcript available on YouTube by clicking the "Show transcript" button on the bottom right of the video.


Trying to make sense of the latest health trends and research can feel overwhelming. Dr. Ruscio Radio, DC: Health, Nutrition and Functional Healthcare cuts through the noise with grounded, evidence-based conversations. Hosted by clinician and researcher Dr. Michael Ruscio, DC, this podcast explores the practical side of functional health, where complex science is translated into actionable steps you can use. Episodes often start with a curious question-why does one diet work for some but not others, or what does the latest study really mean for everyday health-and follow the evidence where it leads. You’ll hear deep dives into gut health, nutrition, and fitness, balanced with a critical eye that isn’t afraid to debunk popular fads when the data doesn’t support them. The tone is conversational yet precise, reflecting Dr. Ruscio’s dual role as a practicing clinician and a dedicated investigator. Each discussion is built to provide clarity, leaving you with a clearer understanding of how your body works and what might help it work better. It’s important to note that this podcast is for educational and informational purposes. While Dr. Ruscio shares his expertise as a doctor of chiropractic, the content does not constitute personal medical or professional advice. Instead, think of it as a reliable source for thoughtful analysis, helping you have more informed conversations about your own health journey.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Dr. Ruscio Radio, DC: Health, Nutrition and Functional Healthcare
Podcast Episodes
953 - Bad Breath Starts in Your Gut (& How to Fix It) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:31
A fascinating new study has found that bad breath, or "halitosis" may be correlated with gut issues. In the study, 99% of those who were given treatment for their gut health actually fixed their bad breath! In this episo…
952 - Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) Deficiency Is Causing Your Gut Problems [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:03
Thiamine is a highly underrated but very important vitamin for your gut health, mitochondria, immune system, and more. However, 56% of people aren't getting enough. In this episode, I'll explain the important function of…
951 - The Science of Seed Oils: Are They Really Harmful? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:29
Seed oils have been a controversial topic as of late. But, are they all harmful? In this episode, I'll present extensive research on seed oils, how they're affecting your body, and suggest the best ways to consume them.…
947 - The Truth About Microplastics and Health with Dr. Ian Mudway [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:12:29
I had an eye-opening discussion with environment and health expert, Dr. Ian Mudway about the prevalence and risks of microplastics in our everyday lives. How do we consume microplastics? Are they a danger to our health?…
946 - The Best Mind-Body Advice To Optimize Your Health & Healing [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:25
If you have been struggling with chronic health conditions, I see you and I know firsthand how difficult it can be holistically. While you heal your body, it is important to take optimal care of your mindset. In fact, yo…