By all means, turn to TikTok for fun, catchy dances that spark joy into movement.
But you might want to be more careful following random nutrition orhealth advice.
Experts in This Article
Carolyn Newberry, MD, is a gastroenterologist at Weill Cornell Medicine.
Christine Lee is an esthetician and the U.S. education manager for Comfort Zone.
The impression these TikTokers are giving is that just about everyone has parasitic worms squiggling around in their stomachs.
But thats far from the truth.
Carolyn Newberry, MD, is a gastroenterologist at Weill Cornell Medicine.
However, getting stomach worms in the U.S. is pretty rare, she says.
So its very unlikely that all the TikTokers claiming to see worms in their poop actually are.
Seeing a worm in your poop is also a big sign, according toMount Sinai Health System.
So people who have stomach worms really might see worms in the toilet.
The worms will show traces in your poop.
How do you get stomach wormsand how do you avoid them
Stomach worms are contagious.
Those little parasites like living inside humans or animals and theyll take the chance to spread if they can.
Gastroenterologists call this fecal-oral transmission, saysCarolyn Newberry, MD, a gastroenterologist at Weill Cornell Medicine.
Fecal-oral transmission can also happen when youre in places that dont have adequate sanitation systems, she says.
Carolyn Newberry, MD, is a gastroenterologist at Weill Cornell Medicine.
Its Amazing How Its All Connected.
People think if theirfruits and vegetables are labeled organic, its just good to eat, she says.
Organic just means there are no pesticides.
It doesnt mean natural fertilizer wasnt usednatural fertilizer being manure.
Your first line of defense against stomach worms is hygiene, Dr. Lee says.
Wash your fruit and vegetables.
double-check the meat you eat is thoroughly cooked, especially pork.
check that you have access to clean water when traveling or hiking in a rural area.
And know how to sanitize your water if you cant guarantee clean water otherwise.
But, they arent a scientifically robust treatment for stomach worms, either.
The evidence comes from two sources, Dr. Lee says.
Farmers have been using papaya seeds in livestock feed to fend off parasites for several years.
Now, does that translate to humans?
Theres really little to no data.
There isonehuman studywhich is being cited on TikTok.
We do know there are trace amounts of cyanide on papaya seeds, she says.
Some herbs actually can be used to treat certain parasites, according toMount Sinai.
Instead, your doctor will probably prescribe a drug calledalbendazole, Dr. Lee says.
Albendazole is monitored by the CDC, she says.
You could also have inflammatory bowel disease, which is characterized by inflammation in your gut.
But a close second is thinking youve cured yourself when you may actually have another illness that needs treatment.
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