Claire Foy has shared a personal health struggle that lasted years. The Crown star revealed she lived with parasites for at least five years after catching an infection while traveling abroad.
The British actress, best known for playing Queen Elizabeth II on Netflix, spoke openly about the experience on the Table Manners podcast, hosted by Jessie and Lennie Ware.
Infection Linked to Travel in Morocco
Foy believes she picked up the parasites during a trip to Morocco. She explained that she started losing weight without understanding why. Doctors later confirmed she had parasites living in her body.
She described the diagnosis as shocking and unpleasant. According to her doctor, the parasites traveled in pairs, which made the situation worse.
At the time, Foy did not realize the cause of her symptoms. The infection stayed undetected for years before doctors identified it.
Diet Changes Instead of Strong Medication
Rather than taking heavy antibiotics, Foy chose a natural parasite cleanse. As part of this process, she made strict changes to her diet.
She completely gave up caffeine and followed a plan that focused on gut health. The actress said avoiding caffeine became essential during the cleanse.
Foy believes these changes helped her body recover without harsh medical treatment.
Living With an Autoimmune Condition
Alongside the parasite issue, Claire Foy also manages an autoimmune condition. To reduce inflammation, she avoids gluten and sugar in her daily meals.
She shared that she only relaxes these rules on special occasions. The dietary choices help her control symptoms and protect her overall health.
She joked about revealing this information, saying it felt like sharing a secret on a reality show.
Career Highlights and Upcoming Films
Despite her health challenges, Foy has built an impressive acting career. She won two Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe for her role as Queen Elizabeth II.
She also starred in films like Women Talking and H Is For Hawk. In the coming months, she will appear in The Magic Faraway Tree and the dark comedy Savage House alongside Richard E Grant.
Last month, she told the Sunday Times that earlier health problems once made her fear she would not live past 40.
What Are Parasites and How Do They Spread
Parasites are organisms that live inside or on another host and feed from it. Common types include roundworms, hookworms, and tapeworms.
People often catch these infections while traveling. Contaminated food, unsafe water, undercooked meat, and poor hygiene increase the risk.
The NHS advises seeing a GP if symptoms include unexplained weight loss, stomach pain, long lasting diarrhea, or visible worms in stool.
To reduce risk, doctors recommend washing hands thoroughly, cleaning fruits and vegetables, drinking safe water, and deworming pets regularly.
