Podcast Summary: The Dr. Gundry Podcast

Episode 378: Parasite Cleanse 101: Do You Really Need One? Dr. Gundry on Symptoms, Testing & Safer Supplements
Date: November 18, 2025
Host: Dr. Steven Gundry

Episode Overview

In this episode, Dr. Gundry demystifies two “under the radar” health threats: parasites and the increasingly prevalent herbicide diquat. He explores the real risks, symptoms, testing, and best responses—both for parasites and for herbicidal exposure. Dr. Gundry provides science-backed detox and supplement protocols, focusing especially on what genuinely supports gut health and whole-body resilience. Listeners are left with a practical checklist covering grocery shopping, food prep, supplementation, and lifestyle strategies for safer, everyday wellness.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Understanding Parasites: Facts vs. Hype

• Parasite Basics and Historical Context

  • Parasites have existed alongside humans and animals for millennia, causing illnesses such as malaria and toxoplasmosis. (04:00)
  • Most gut parasites are not beneficial, though some nematodes might play a symbiotic or even therapeutic role in rare scenarios (06:30).
  • Quote:

    “Parasites, as the name implies, take advantage of their host. They take away, they give nothing back.”
    — Dr. Gundry [05:00]

• Symptoms & Risks

  • Common transmission routes: contaminated food and water, inadequate hygiene during food handling and harvesting.
  • Symptoms vary, from digestive distress to systemic fatigue, but most people with chronic symptoms do not actually have parasitic infections (09:30).
  • Real-world example: Giardia is the most common culprit in Dr. Gundry's practice, especially after international travel (09:40).

• Misconceptions & The Parasite Cleanse Craze

  • “If you have fatigue or autoimmune disease, don’t assume it’s parasites. Most of the time, they’re not to blame.”
    — Dr. Gundry [11:13]

2. Testing for Parasites: What Works, What Doesn’t

• Problems with Traditional Tests

  • Conventional stool tests (ova and parasite testing) are outdated and often inconclusive (10:30).
  • Most stool tests don’t reliably pick up many parasites—especially if the parasite isn't in a stage that produces observable eggs.

• Modern Alternatives

  • The Gut Zoomer DNA/RNA-based test (Vibrant Wellness) offers comprehensive parasite identification, including both micro and macroscopic species (14:03).
  • Quote:

    “With RNA and DNA stool tests...we don’t actually have to look for these organisms per se, we just have to read the RNA and DNA in the stool and identify who’s there.”
    — Dr. Gundry [14:05]

  • These modern tests show that in 95% of leaky-gut cases, parasites are not present (11:40).

3. Treating Parasites: Natural & Pharmaceutical Options

• Natural Remedies

  • Herbal options include wormwood, oregano oil, garlic, berberine, and D-limonene—often used in combinations (16:44).
  • Gundry MD’s Total Restore is mentioned as a supplement containing many of these ingredients.

• Pharmaceuticals

  • Ivermectin: FDA-approved, highly effective as a dewormer and not absorbed by the human GI tract (17:20).
  • Pharmaceutical intervention is rarely necessary—Dr. Gundry has only had to use it once in five years for a stubborn case of giardia (21:50).

• Takeaway:

  • "If you’re thinking of a parasite cleanse, the odds are your issue is not coming from a parasite. All the hype…is not backed up by actual stool gut testing in the proper way."
    — Dr. Gundry [22:45]

4. New Dangers: Herbicides (Paraquat & Diquat)

• Beyond Glyphosate:

  • Paraquat is labeled “one sip can kill you”—linked to Parkinson’s in farmers (2.5x increased risk, according to NIH studies) (22:55).
  • Glyphosate (Roundup) is harmful to gut health but looks “tame” compared to Paraquat & Diquat.

• How They Harm Us:

  • Paraquat and Diquat disrupt mitochondrial function and damage the brain, especially when piggybacking on plant lectins.
  • While Paraquat is banned in the US, Diquat (its “son of Satan” chemical cousin) is still permitted and increasingly used as a crop desiccant (25:00).

• Exposure Routes & Labeling Loopholes:

  • Major targets: grains, soy, and beans—especially products like wheat, corn, oats, and animal feed.
  • No requirement for companies to disclose Diquat use on food labeling (26:45).

• Quote:

  “When regulators crack down on one toxin, the industry just swaps in another. Wolf in sheep’s clothing.”
  — Dr. Gundry [26:55]

5. Protecting Yourself: Practical Detox Strategies

• Reduce Exposure:

  • Avoid grains, soy, beans—Diquat’s “favorite targets” (28:25).
  • Use air and water filters (HEPA + carbon and reverse osmosis recommended), especially near farmland or golf courses (29:50).
  • Remove shoes indoors to reduce chemical tracking.

• Nutritional Defense:

  • Focus on polyphenol-rich, lectin-free foods (avocados, mushrooms, olives, herbs, spices) to support cellular detox.
  • Increase phase 1 & 2 liver detox enzymes with dandelion leaves, D-limonene (from orange peel), milk thistle (silymarin) (29:10).

• Gut-first Detox:

  • Repairing the gut lining is the cornerstone for detoxification—blocking toxins, bacteria, and parasites at the source (31:45).
  • Key Gut-Supporting Compounds (with mechanism notes):
    • N-acetyl D-glucosamine – Binds lectins, protects the gut barrier.
    • Licorice root – Soothes and repairs gut lining.
    • Wormwood, cinnamon bark, clove bud – Natural antimicrobials, support balance.
    • Maitake mushroom – Boosts immune cells.
    • Berberine – Favors beneficial gut bacteria over harmful ones.
    • Marshmallow root – Coats and calms the gut lining.
    • Zinc & Vitamin A – Directly reduce parasitic infections (malaria, giardia, toxoplasmosis).
    • D-limonene – Liver enzyme activation.
    • Activated charcoal – Binds environmental toxins for safe elimination (32:50).

• Realistic Approach:

  “Real detox doesn’t come from a crash cleanse or a fancy juice fast. It’s about giving your gut what it needs to do its job every day.”
  — Dr. Gundry [33:45]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Parasites bad, symbiotes, commensals good. The difference is knowing who's who and whether they're actually the problem.”
  — Dr. Gundry [06:12]

• “Most of us, with leaky gut, with autoimmune diseases, it’s not the parasites that are the culprit behind all this.”
  — Dr. Gundry [14:48]

• “If you suspect…if you’ve traveled the world…get a full RNA DNA examination of your stool. You’re probably going to find that you’ll be listened to by a functional medicine doctor more than a conventional doctor.”
  — Dr. Gundry [15:23]

• On paraquat and Parkinson’s:

  “NIH found that farmers exposed to Paraquat have a 2.5x greater risk of developing Parkinson’s. That’s a massive red flag.”
  — Dr. Gundry [22:40]

• “Now, until these chemicals are banned like they are in many countries, we have to take matters into our own hands.”
  — Dr. Gundry [28:18]

Key Timestamps

| Topic/Segment | Timestamp | |--------------------------------------------------|-------------| | Parasites: Definitions & Myths | 03:54–13:00 | | Parasite Testing (Old vs. New) | 10:30–15:08 | | Natural & Drug Treatments | 15:08–22:45 | | Herbicides: Paraquat, Glyphosate & Diquat | 22:45–28:11 | | Practical Detox: Food, Supplements, & Lifestyle | 28:11–35:35 | | Supplement Summary & Real Detox | 31:45–34:40 |

Actionable Checklist from Dr. Gundry

• For Parasite Safety

  • Wash produce thoroughly; avoid raw foods in high-risk regions.
  • If symptomatic after travel, request a modern RNA/DNA stool test.
  • Only use parasite cleanses if confirmed by testing.

• For Herbicide Avoidance

  • Limit grains, soy, and beans whenever possible.
  • Filter drinking water (reverse osmosis) and indoor air (HEPA + carbon).
  • Remove shoes indoors; be cautious near golf courses or farmland.

• For Daily Detox Support

  • Consume polyphenol-rich, lectin-free foods.
  • Support gut and liver with targeted supplements (see above list).
  • Remember: maintaining a healthy gut lining is the most important “cleanse” of all.

Concluding Insight

Dr. Gundry closes by reminding listeners that real health is about “giving your gut what it needs every single day.” Don’t be seduced by quick-fix cleanses or scare tactics; use evidence, not hype, to empower your health decisions.

This summary provides the essential content and actionable wisdom from Episode 378. Listen for in-depth stories, science, and Dr. Gundry’s signature blend of candor and practical advice.