Supplements For Lyme Disease
The top supplements that support Lyme disease recovery help your body in several key ways:
The following list of supplements for Lyme disease is not exhaustive many more nutritional supplements can be helpful during the Lyme recovery process, depending on ones unique health challenges. However, this list of ten foundational supplements provides a solid place for most Lyme patients to start when it comes to selecting helpful supplements.
Natural Remedies For Lyme Disease
People with chronic Lyme disease are often living with symptoms that make it hard, and sometimes impossible, to go about their daily lives. Although antibiotics are generally an effective treatment for Lyme disease after an immediate tick bite, some people are left with long-lasting symptoms.
About 10% of people who undergo antibiotic treatment for Lyme disease experience further symptoms . Not to mention antibiotics can come with their own side effects as well. Others may never realize they were bit by a tick and go on for years without proper diagnosis, which can cause the untreated disease to develop into a chronic condition.
Some common symptoms of PTLDS and chronic Lyme disease include:
- Pain and swelling in large joints like the knees and elbows
- Difficulty with cognition including memory and concentration
People with chronic Lyme disease may benefit from looking outside the traditional medical model to find relief from symptoms and help boost their immune system. Weve helped to explain some natural remedies for Lyme disease to help you or your loved one navigate the discomfort that comes with this disease.
However, note that the information about natural Lyme disease treatment in this article does not constitute medical advice. Rather, it is simply a collection of anecdotal information reported by some patients. You should always consult with your doctor before pursuing any kind of Lyme treatment, whether it includes natural remedies for Lyme disease or not.
Supplements Chronic Lyme Patients Need To Know
When seeking treatment for Lyme disease, most chronic Lyme patients understand the need to take a number of supportive substances to help them repair damage from the bacteria, stave off further infection and to improve cellular function and protection. The bacteria attacks healthy cells and weakens ones bodily defenses, and without some kind of supportive measures imbalances can occur.
We polled a number of chronic Lyme patients across the country and asked them to reveal the contents of their personal medicine cabinets. Please note this is not meant to be a comprehensive list. This is a compilation of supplements our polled patients thought were important for others to know. Here is what we found:
1. Vitamin D3: There are two different forms of vitamin D: vitamins D-2 and D-3. Vitamin D-2, or ergocalciferol, is the form made by mushrooms from exposure to sunlight. Vitamin D-3, or cholecalciferol, is the type thats made in your skin. Vitamin D3 works to naturally boost an individuals immunity and works to regulate inflammation. Taking about 5,000 IUs daily, especially if vitamin D deficient is highly beneficial. However, taking extremely high doses can cause adverse side effects, so patients should pay attention to their daily dosage levels.
Many of the above supplements have been combined together in an affordable supplement powder especially designed for Lyme patients. .
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Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy For Lyme Disease
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy involves exposure to 100 percent oxygen at a high pressure. Its often in a room called a hyperbaric oxygen chamber to promote wound healing.
There isnt much research about the effectiveness of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for Lyme disease. But a 2014 case study from Taiwan reports that it treated Lyme disease in a person who hadnt responded to antibiotics. Still, more large-scale studies are needed to understand whether its an effective treatment.
The Autoimmune Protocol Diet
Chronic Lyme disease may trigger autoimmunity in some people. Individuals with Lyme disease and autoimmune disease may benefit from the autoimmune protocol , a nutritional approach intended to alleviate autoimmunity by removing foods that frequently trigger an immune response. AIP is an extension of the Paleo diet. In addition to eliminating grains, legumes, industrial seed oils, and refined sugar, it eliminates foods that can trigger intestinal inflammation and food intolerance, including coffee, dairy, eggs, nuts and seeds, nightshade vegetables, and alcohol. You can learn more about AIP in 5 Steps to Personalizing Your Autoimmune Paleo Protocol.
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Phase One 3 To 30 Days
Also called early localized infection
Some say less than 50%, others say up to 70-75% develop the bullseye rash, starting at the site of the tick bite. It is not itchy or painful but they are usually warm to the touch. Sometimes flu-like symptoms develop soon after, including fever, chills, swollen lymph glands, headaches, muscle pain, and joint pain.
What Are The 3 Levels Of Lyme Disease
There are 3 stages of Lyme disease.
- Stage 1 is named early localized Lyme disease. The micro organism have no longer but unfold all the way through the body.
- Stage 2 is known as early disseminated Lyme disease. The micro organism have begun to spread throughout the body.
- Stage 3 is called past due disseminated Lyme disease.
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Lyme Disease Fatigue And Coq10
Mitochondrial dysfunction has been implicated in the pathogenesis of both chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia . Randomized controlled clinical trials have demonstrated that supplementation with CoQ10 can significantly improve symptoms in both of these disorders . More generally, a systematic review of interventional studies by Mehrabani et al. identified the significant benefits of CoQ10 supplementation on fatigue following exercise, statin intake, and in patients with multiple sclerosis and end-stage heart failure. It therefore follows that supplementation with CoQ10 could potentially alleviate symptoms of fatigue in Lyme disease.
Help Clients Recover From Lyme Disease With Diet And Nutrition
Optimal nutrition is essential for Lyme disease recovery. Read on to learn how you, as a dietitian or CNS, can help your clients with Lyme disease ease their symptoms and lead a healthier life with a nutrient-dense, anti-inflammatory diet.
Lyme disease, contracted from the bite of a black-legged tick carrying Borrelia bacteria, is one of the fastest-growing infectious diseases in the United States. At least 300,000 people are newly diagnosed each year in the U.S., and a shocking 1.5 million have chronic Lyme disease.
As a clinical nutritionist working with clients who have Lyme disease, Ive seen firsthand how a Functional Medicine approach based on simple dietary changes can boost energy, support cognitive function, and alleviate chronic inflammation, reducing the impact of Lyme disease on my clients lives. While nutrition cannot cure Lyme disease, it can ease symptoms and improve your clients overall health, complementing their Lyme treatment protocols and accelerating the healing process.
For people with Lyme disease, making simple dietary changes can help boost energy, improve cognitive function, and reduce chronic inflammation. Find out how clinical nutritionist Lindsay Christensen uses diet and nutrition to support clients with Lyme. #nutrition #functionalmedicine
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- Trigger autoimmunity
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Nutritional Support Of Lyme Disease
- PrintPrintPrint Post
Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and is usually treated with tetracycline antibiotics. Clinical signs of Lyme disease can be vague and include lameness in multiple legs, enlarged joints, fever, and behavioral changes. The diagnosis of Lyme disease can be difficult and involves testing for high antibody levels against B. burgdorferi. Nutritional support aims to promote the immune response, reduce inflammation, and offset possible adverse gastrointestinal effects from antibiotics.
The benefits of omega-3 fatty acids have been detailed extensively. Boosting immunity is just one advantage of supplementing with omega-3 fatty acids, so this seems a natural choice for an immune-suppressed horse. Another advantage is a reduction in inflammatory responses. In fact, omega-3 fatty acids reduce arthritic pain and can potentially reduce the dose of anti-inflammatories used for joint pain. Select an omega-3 product that has been derived from fish oil, as these contain direct sources of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid , two long-chain omega-3 fatty acids. For maximal palatability, marine-derived products such as fish oil should be deodorized and flavored. Check with the manufacturer to be sure the product has undergone these processes. One such product is EO-3, manufactured by Kentucky Equine Research .
The Lyme Protocol That Works
Ill bet someone is going to ask why I dont mention colloidal silver. I dont think its good for you, Ive never found it particularly helpful, and I just dont trust it. But to each their own you can find tons of very intelligent naturopaths who are much more educated than I am who will vehemently disagree with me on colloidal silver. And, the key to killing off Lyme with supplements, like with antibiotics, you need to use more than one. Youve got to attack from every angle you can or else they build up immunity. The good news is that natural remedies affords many more options with fewer if any side effects and in my experience , a much better success rate. Like, 100%.
Now heres the bad news. Actually, its not bad news, but it sure sounds like it to most people at first. You may not be able to kill the Lyme any time soon. I recommend a plethora of supplements with differing properties to attack any and all pathogenic bacteria, but you will never eradicate systemic pathogenic disease completely with supplements alone. And even with a perfect diet and all the best supplements, it takes time! A few of these Lyme-bacteria bastards, and other pathogens, will survive anything and everything you do to it at first. Dont think that just because you are symptom free that your body has rid itself of all virulent infection. It doesnt work that way.
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Anyone Can Be Tricked
The influential physicist Richard Feynman famously said:
The first principle is that you must not fool yourself and you are the easiest person to fool.
Some people invariably become convinced that an ineffective treatment works for them. But, as Dr. Harriet Hall describes in her course on Science-Based Medicine, we humans may believe ineffective treatments work for many reasons:
The disease may have run its natural course. Many diseases are cyclical. The wrong treatment may get the credit. Diagnosis and prognosis may be wrong. Temporary mood improvement confused with cure Psychological needs affect behavior and perceptions We confuse correlation with causation
Dr. Barry Beyerstein, a professor of psychology, described the above reasons in his essay Why Bogus Therapies Seem to Work. He concluded:
To people who are unwell, any promise of a cure is especially beguiling. As a result, false hope easily supplants common sense. In this vulnerable state, the need for hard-nosed appraisal is all the more necessary, but so often we see instead an eagerness to abandon any remaining vestiges of skepticism.
Erstwhile savvy consumers, felled by disease, often insist upon less evidence to support the claims of alternative healers than they would previously have demanded from someone hawking a used car. Caveat emptor!
In the following short clip, magicians Penn & Teller show how easily fake medicine can fool us:
Stress Management And Lyme Disease
Stress management is the final important part of any natural Lyme disease cures. Psychological stress can aggravate existing health conditions and as you may already know, cause Adrenal Fatigue. Your adrenal glands must be in good shape for your immune system to work properly and fight off Lyme disease, and to neutralize inflammation that may result from your immune response.
Since AFS is caused by chronic stress, one of the top priorities in your recovery plan should be stress management. Also make sure you get enough rest and sleep. To recover from both Lyme disease and AFS, giving your body the time it needs to recuperate and heal is crucial. Forcing yourself to work or perform at full capacity while trying to recover will either lengthen your recovery time or backfire, worsening your condition.
To ensure a good nights sleep, keep your room cool and dark, stop using devices at least two hours before bed, eat a light snack before bed so you dont wake up due to low blood sugar, and go to bed early. The hours between 10pm and 2am are the most regenerative for your body.
Some other great stress relievers include therapy, breathing exercises, support groups, meditation, and mild exercise. To aid AFS recovery, adrenal breathing exercises and adrenal yoga are extremely useful and gentle on your body.
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Tips For Reducing Inflammation
Changing diets to reduce inflammation can be daunting, but there are certain things people can do to make it easier.
- No miracle food: People should include a wide variety of foods in their diet rather than relying on a few anti-inflammatory foods. What works for some people may not work for everyone, so people should ensure they get a wide range of nutrients by diversifying their diet.
- Small changes: Rather than changing their entire diet all at once, people can make small changes to gradually replace pro-inflammatory foods with anti-inflammatory ones.
- Rainbow meals: The darker or more intense the color of a fruit or vegetable, the more packed full of antioxidants it is. Choose a variety of different colored fruits and vegetables.
- Exercise: Regular exercise can help reduce inflammation. People should start simply and aim for
Going Down ‘rabbit Holes’
Often, chronic Lyme patients present multiple symptoms that make their diagnosis challenging. They bounce from one specialist to another to tackle each problem, but each diagnosis cannot explain all of the symptoms they are experiencing.
Cashman underwent an MRI because of her severe pelvic pain, and the results found two deflating ovarian cysts which can cause severe pain in the lower abdomen. But that diagnosis did not explain the unbearable pain that gravitated to her knees and to her head. She recalled that the swollen knee “got red hot to touch,” and she developed a fever. Cashman began to look for causes. “Not everything is Lyme, but everything can be ,” she said. “It’s a weird thing, but you got to go down these rabbit holes.”
Croteau saw specialists, including emergency physicians, a cardiologist, a kidney specialist and an immunologist. All the tests she took were negative for Lyme disease. She was told the problems may be related to psychological issues.
“So basically, it’s been a timeline of two years of not being taken seriously, just pushed away either told I can’t do anything for you there’s nothing really wrong with you,” Croteau said.
A medical provider suggested that she seek counseling and increase her dose of anti-anxiety medicine. But the pain in her joints and wrists were real, and her knuckles often got swollen. The brain fog made it hard for her to punch in a phone number correctly.
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Herbal Remedies And Essential Oils As Natural Lyme Disease Cures
Herbal extracts are also useful for fighting infections and relieving the symptoms of Lyme disease. These include:
- Cats claw fights pathogens
- Astragalus a pathogen-fighting remedy used in traditional Chinese medicine
- Grapefruit seed extract can be used topically to relieve itching
- Rhodiola another adaptogen that helps the body adapt to stress and recover from fatigue
- Japanese Knotweed directly fights Lyme bacteria.
Colloidal silver is another remedy used for Lyme disease, but has mixed reviews, with some experts hailing it as the most effective option out there whereas others warn of its potential dangers.
A study published in the European Journal of Microbiology and Immunology looked at Stevia whole leaf extract as an agent for fighting Lyme disease bacteria. So far, the results are hopeful, although more conclusive research studies are still needed.
Stevia is a natural sweetener that contains numerous phytochemicalssuch as austroinulin, beta-carotene, dulcoside A, nilacin, rebaudi oxides, riboflavin, steviol, stevioside, and tiamin, all of which have strong antimicrobial propertiesand is being researched as a potentially stronger alternative to antibiotics.
The ability of stevia whole leaf extract to fight all the different morphological forms of Lyme bacteria make it capable of reaching areas where bacteria often hide from more typical antibacterial treatments, therefore, it may be a promising alternative.
Seven Things You Can Do If You Suffer From Lyme Disease
Lyme Disease can take it’s toll on your immune system. That’s why it’s so important to take good care of yourself. Here are seven things that everyone who suffers from Lyme Disease should consider.incorporating into their daily routine. Always be sure to consult your healthcare practitioner before taking any supplements.
Along with proper nutrition and adequate rest, regular physical activity is an important part of recovering from Lyme Disease. Exercise should be undertaken in consultation with and under the supervision of a healthcare professional.
The contents of this blog are intended for educational purposes only. The information presented here is not a substitute for proper medical attention, diagnosis, or treatment by a qualified healthcare professional. Always seek the advice of your healthcare provider before starting or making any changes to an existing treatment plan, exercise program or dietary regimen and before using nutritional supplements.
~ Dr.Sarah Williams ~ Concord & Nantucket,Massachusetts ~
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