Supermodel Heidi Klum said this week she has started a cleanse with pills that contain clove and papaya seed after viewing information about parasites and worms on Instagram. She is hoping to get rid of worms and parasites in her body.

In an interview with Wall Street Journal, Heidi Klum talked about her lifestyle habits and said she doesn’t follow any diets. The 52-year-ols revealed she’s starting a worm and parasite cleanse with husband Tom Kaulitz.

Heidi Klum going to de-parasite

Supermodel Heidi Klum has revealed that she and husband Tom Kaulitz are attempting to cleanse their bodies of worms and parasites. “I’m going to deworm and de-parasite for the first time,” she told the outlet. 

“Everything I’m getting on my Instagram feed at the moment is about worms and parasites. So I’m doing a worm cleanse and parasite cleanse with my husband. I heard that you’re supposed to do this once a year, and I’ve never done it. So I feel like I’m really behind. I don’t know what the heck is going to come out.”

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Heidi Klum didn’t clarify whether she had any evidence of worms or parasites, but claimed that everyone has them.

“If you are someone who eats raw things every now and then, like, for example, sushi. There are pills [to get rid of them],” she explained. “They have all of these herbs. There’s a lot of clove in there. The parasite hates clove. They also hate the seeds from a papaya. We have all this metal inside of us, and it’s also very important that you use this de-metaling stuff.”

“I’m starting this now, and you have to do this for months,” she added. “It’s like a whole thing.”

What are parasitic infections?

According to PEOPLE, parasitic infections are real and can cause serious health problems and can only be diagnosed by a doctor following proper testing. 

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“Parasites are organisms that live on or inside a host and feed off it to survive. Many types of parasites affect human health, including external ones such as lice and ticks and internal microscopic parasites like Giardia and Cryptosporidium,” said CNN wellness expert Dr. Leana Wen.

Parasitic worms are a type of internal parasite that live most frequently in the gastrointestinal tract. People typically become infected by ingesting worm eggs or larvae through contaminated food, water or soil.

High-risk foods include undercooked pork or beef, raw freshwater fish, and unwashed vegetables and fruits. Not washing hands thoroughly after using the bathroom and before eating can also increase infection risk.

In some cases, certain worms can penetrate the skin directly, especially in regions with inadequate sanitation and where it is the norm to walk barefoot outdoors. Currently, there’s no medical evidence showing that herbal supplements or similar ingredients can eliminate a parasitic infection. In fact, cleanses and detoxes in general may carry various health risks.

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Experts also emphasize that not every gastrointestinal problem is caused by parasites.

“I really hope these cleanses don’t become popular,” registered dietitian Beth Czerwony told the Cleveland Clinic. “There’s just no credible evidence to show that they work, and they can bring big health risks.”

“Sometimes, a parasitic infection will clear up on its own,” Czerwony said, “but most people need prescription medication treatment. If you have a legitimate parasitic infection, trying to treat yourself holistically with herbs and spices is just not a good idea.”