For people living with MS or chronic neurological symptoms, the holiday season is supposed to be joyful — yet it often brings an increase in symptoms: more fatigue, more pain, more brain fog, more weakness… and for many, a sudden flare.

Most people assume it’s “the weather.” But there is a deeper reason why holiday flares are so common.

This season creates a perfect storm of conditions that can make parasites more active, which impacts immune function and triggers inflammation. When what’s truly happening inside the body is understood, it becomes much easier to prevent a flare — and even come out of the holidays feeling better than when they started.

 

Why Symptoms Worsen Around the Holidays

The holidays dramatically change daily rhythms. People eat differently, sleep differently, move differently, and experience higher emotional and social stress. These shifts can make the body more vulnerable to infections — especially parasitic infections that are present and driving inflammation.

Here are the most common holiday triggers that can worsen symptoms and increase flare risk:

1) More Sugar and Processed Carbs = More Fuel for Parasites

Holiday treats are everywhere: cookies, chocolates, festive drinks, baked goods, pastries, and sugary appetizers.

Sugar and simple carbohydrates are the favorite source of energy for worms, protozoa, fungi, and harmful bacteria. When sugar intake increases, parasites can become more active, produce more toxins and reproduce more quickly.

Even a couple of days of higher-carb holiday eating can create a noticeable increase in symptoms in someone dealing with chronic parasitic infections.

Caffeine is often part of this same cycle. Specialty coffees, chocolate, and caffeinated holiday drinks can be stimulating to us but can also increase the “activity” of infections as well. It becomes a double hit: more fuel plus more stimulation.

Alcohol can also add strain, because the liver must prioritize clearing alcohol while the body is already managing more inflammation and microbial toxins.

 

2) Higher Stress Levels = Weakened Immunity

As wonderful as the holidays can be, they often bring major stressors:

• family expectations and dynamics
• social pressure
• financial stress
• travel plans and disruptions
• extra responsibilities and busy schedules
• emotional triggers from past memories

Stress hormones like cortisol rise which suppresses the immune function, giving parasites the “unfair advantage” of allowing them to become more active, thereby producing more inflammatory stress on the nervous system.

This is why so many people say, “My symptoms always get worse when I’m stressed.”

 

3) Poor Sleep = Weakened Immune System 

The holidays often lead to:

• late nights
• early mornings
• travel disruption
• inconsistent routines

Sleep is when the body repairs tissue, clears toxins, and restores nervous system stability. When sleep is disrupted, the body has fewer resources to neutralize toxins, calm inflammation, and keep infections in check.

Even one to two nights of poor sleep can make symptoms increase for someone carrying a heavy infectious burden.

 

4) Travel and Eating Away From Home = Hidden Exposures

Holiday gatherings, restaurant meals, and eating food prepared by others often reduce control over ingredients. Common exposures that can worsen symptoms include:

• hidden sugars and starches
• high-carb meals and sauces
• processed oils (often inflammatory)
• moldy or fermented foods
• foods that trigger histamine or inflammation

Small exposures can have a big effect when someone is already sensitive or heavily impacted by chronic infection.

 

5) Less Movement = More Inflammation and Slower Detox

Cold weather, busy schedules, and travel often reduce physical activity. But movement supports:

• lymphatic flow
• circulation
• detoxification
• immune function

When movement decreases, inflammation can increase, and toxins can build more easily. For those with limited mobility, even small amounts of movement (stretching, short walks, gentle cycling, or walking around the house) can help.

 

6) Emotional Stress = Parasites “Sense” It

There is growing discussion in research communities about microbes responding to stress and stress hormones produced by the host. 

So it isn’t “stress alone.” Stress can change the internal environment in ways that make parasites more active and symptoms more intense.

 

Why This Leads to More MS Flares

When parasites become more active, they can release toxins and trigger inflammatory reactions in the body, including the brain and spinal cord. For someone already living with MS, this can present as:

• increased pain
• mobility loss or weakness
• numbness or tingling
• balance problems
• vision issues
• fatigue
• cognitive decline / brain fog
• bowel and bladder dysfunction

These symptom spikes are not random. They reflect microbial activity combined with lowered immune resilience and higher inflammation.

 

The Simple Holiday Plan to Prevent a Flare (and Feel Better)

You don’t have to suffer. You don’t have to feel deprived. And you don’t have to fear an MS flare.

Here’s how to enjoy the holidays and protect your health.

 

1) Follow the Live Disease Free Low-Carb “Parasite-Calming” Holiday Plate

Keep your meals simple and satisfying:

• Unprocessed animal protein (turkey, brisket, chicken, fish)
• 2–3 low carb vegetables (roasted, steamed sauteed or stir-fried)
• a big salad with olive oil + fresh lemon/lime juice
• healthy fat so you feel full
• unthickened gravy (no flour/starch).

 

2) Create Holiday Drinks That Don’t Feed Parasites

Instead of sugary drinks, try:

• sparkling water with lemon or lime
• unsweetened naturally caffeine-free herbal tea (avoid teas that taste sweet)

This keeps things festive without triggering symptoms.

 

3) Bring a Dish You Can Eat (So You’re Never Stuck)

If you’re going to a gathering, bring a dish that fits your plan:

• a big salad
• a vegetable tray
• a low-carb dip made with avocado mayo + herbs/garlic
• deviled eggs
• home-seasoned meatballs

And if it’s an appetizer-style event? Eat before you go. You’ll feel satisfied and won’t get pulled into “just grabbing something.”

 

4) Manage Stress to Keep Parasites Less Active

You can’t remove every stressor — but you can lower the impact.

Daily tools:

• deep breathing
• prayer or meditation
• nature time
• laughter and connection
• warm baths
• pacing yourself and doing less (on purpose)

Set simple boundaries:

• leave parties on time
• protect your bedtime
• let people know what foods work for you

Calm rhythms support immune modulation.

 

5) Protect Sleep Like Your Healing Depends on It (Because It Does)

Enjoy the day, then go to bed.

Give yourself permission to be the person who says:

“I’ve had an amazing time — I’m heading to bed.”

You will still build memories — without paying for it afterward.

 

6) Prioritize Daily Bowel Movements

This is non-negotiable if you want fewer symptoms.

Support your body with:

• hydration
• low carb diet
• gentle movement
• optimal sleep

You may need extra support now but this can improve as you support the body and treat the parasites.

 

7) Consider Simple “Toxin Support” Tools

When parasites are more active, toxin load rises.

Some people use binders like chlorella daily or activated charcoal occasionally, plus hydration and rest, to support detoxification. 

 

Real Hope: People Often Improve Fast When Parasites Calm Down

When you reduce what feeds parasites and reduce what activates them, symptoms can improve — sometimes quickly.

People report improvements in brain fog, fatigue, numbness, bladder issues, weakness, constipation, fatigue, and skin symptoms as they begin making these changes and starting treatment.

Take this seriously — not with fear, but with hope.

 

Your December Can Be Different

You can go through the holidays feeling stable and even stronger. You can enjoy the season and start the new year better than today — not recovering from a crash.

 

There are real solutions to recover from parasites today!

To restore health, we must focus on treating the cause of inflammation, which are parasites. First, identify the enemy (parasites), then support the body and treat the parasites while following a holistic approach. When parasitic infections are treated effectively, we can overcome inflammation or disease.

If you’re frustrated with the fact that our standard of care STILL doesn’t offer a real solution for treating MS and other diseases, then click on the link below to watch Pam Bartha’s free masterclass training and discover REAL solutions that have allowed Pam and many others to live free from MS and other diseases.

CLICK Here to watch Pam’s masterclass training

 

Blog Post Featured Image credit: ©Karola G via Canva.com