1 in 3 People May Have Parasites… Why Doctors Rarely Test for Them I The Functional Code Podcast

Parasites may be far more common than most people realize.In this episode of The Functional Code, Dr. Jace and Dr. Addy break down the science behind parasite infections, parasite symptoms, parasite exposure, and parasite testing, and why parasites are often overlooked in modern healthcare.According to leading parasitology research, parasites may affect roughly one in three people, yet many healthcare providers rarely test for them unless symptoms are severe.This episode explores how parasites may contribute to digestive issues, chronic health symptoms, and unexplained illness, and what people should understand before attempting parasite cleanses or treatments.In This Episode We Discuss• What parasites are and how parasite infections occur• Common parasite symptoms such as bloating, abdominal pain, constipation, and itching• How parasites can spread through food, water, pets, and environmental exposure• Why parasites are often missed in conventional medical testing• The dangers of attempting a parasite cleanse without proper testing• Evidence-based approaches to parasite testing and treatment• How parasites may contribute to chronic digestive symptoms and inflammationParasites are organisms that live within a host and can affect multiple systems in the body depending on their life cycle and location.Many people associate parasites with travel or developing countries, but research suggests they may exist in developed countries as well, often through contaminated food, water, and environmental exposure.Understanding potential root causes of chronic symptoms can help people make better informed health decisions and seek appropriate testing when necessary.Some symptoms associated with parasitic infections may include:• abdominal pain• bloating and digestive discomfort• constipation or diarrhea• itching or irritation• fatigue• skin changes• unexplained gastrointestinal symptomsHowever, parasite symptoms can vary widely depending on the type of parasite, stage of infection, and location within the body.Guide:00:00 Parasites and why they are often missed01:00 Parasite exposure and global prevalence03:00 Common ways people are exposed to parasites06:00 Food and produce contamination risks08:00 Parasites and pet transmission10:00 Symptoms of parasite infections12:00 Why parasite testing is often overlooked14:00 Social media parasite cleanses explained17:00 Evidence-based parasite treatments19:00 Detox and recovery considerationsEpisode: 113🎙 About The Functional CodeHosted by Dr. Jace & Dr. Addy, The Functional Code decodes health, performance, longevity, and human optimization through an evidence-based, tissue-specific lens.New episodes weekly.Subscribe for:• Evidence-based health strategy• Performance physiology• Clinical frameworks• Longevity tools🎧 LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE🎙 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3aY5zkhwg5Rzk2q33cbIlf🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-functional-code-podcast/id1754585557📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1ik_6wOJin5IxtZXvHdurw⚠️ Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not substitute for medical advice. Consult your healthcare provider before making health decisions.Are mitochondria the real governor of performance, fat loss, recovery, and longevity?Subscribe for more evidence-driven conversations on performance, longevity, and functional medicine.