As many of us scramble to detox after holiday indulgences, a peek into the history of wellness cleanses reveals some alarming and bizarre practices. From juice fasts to liver-cleansing diets, people have tried everything, but one particularly shocking method stands out: a cleanse involving the hatching of a parasite in the intestines. That’s right—some misguided souls believed in hosting a little critter for their health!
These extreme detox fads highlight the desperation some feel in their wellness pursuits. Often, it’s easy to forget that not everything marketed as a“cleanse”is beneficial. In fact, as this history illustrates, some methods could end with more than just a nasty bout of food poisoning. So before hitting the reset button this New Year, it might be wise to consider safer, science-backed strategies instead. Who knew a detox could come with a side of danger?
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Local Lawton
Local Lawton is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.

