The incidence of Lyme disease is increasing in the U.S., making it the NUMBER ONE vector-borne (a disease that is transmitted to humans or other animals by an insect or other arthropod) disease; rising from number five in 2009. Lyme disease is not only transferred by ticks, but by mosquitoes, spiders, fleas and mites. Up until recently, Lyme was thought to be caused by deer ticks, however now scientists suspect that the dwindling red fox population who consumed a large number of small, tick-bearing animals have an impact as well.
Key Symptoms of Lyme Disease
The most obvious symptom is the telltale bullseye rash somewhere on the body. Sometimes it is hidden behind the hair on the head or sometimes not sighted at all. Physiological symptoms of Lyme include: insomnia, headaches, parasites and a wide variety of pain syndromes including joint pain are the key symptoms.
It is also thought that Lyme can go through progressive stages and caused by a combination effect of toxic load, cell wall deficiency or partial forms of the spirochetes and a significant change of the ‘inner milieu’ of the affected person. This means that the entire body, not just the Borrelia needs to be treated since the body’s toxicity can worsen the condition.
Practitioners have noted that Lyme can also worsen when the patient has a significant disturbance in the intestines, toxin-producing intestinal bacteria and a lack of basic detoxifying anaerobic intestinal bacteria. Another impact is the burden of heavy metals in the body. These toxins can upregulate the Lyme bacteria into higher pathogenicity.
A study published in March of 2013 confirmed that the pathogen that causes Lyme Disease can exist without iron. This is unlike ANY other known organism. Instead of iron, the bacteria utilize manganese to make an essential enzyme, thus eluding the immune system defenses that protect the body by starving pathogens of iron.
Lyme and Autism
Dr. Brainsfield from the Riverview Medical Center believes Lyme and other chronic infections during fetal development and infancy can lead to increased vulnerability for developing an autism spectrum disorder. He believes that a dysfunctional synergism exists with Lyme and other predisposing and contributing factors such as excitotoxicity, mitochondrial dysfunction, and oxidative stress; impairs the development of the amygdala and other neural structures that result in autism spectrum disorders.
A small study published in February 2012 issue of Medical Hypotheses found that treating children who had both Lyme and Autism Spectrum disorders for their Lyme symptoms was effective. After six months of treatment, all of the children’s autism assessment scores improved and the assessors reported improved speech, eye contact, sleep behaviors and a reduction of repetitive behavior.
Lyme and Parkinson’s
The Canadian Lyme Disease Foundation states that the neurological complications of Lyme disease include meningitis, encephalitis, dementia and although less frequently – Parkinson’s.
They have documented several cases and even the famous Canadian actor Michael J. Fox actually battled Lyme disease prior to being diagnosed with Parkinson’s. Fox contracted Lyme on a movie set and four other workers on the set also developed Parkinson’s leading to speculation that an environmental factor such as a pesticide or Lyme could be at fault.
Testing For Lyme
The tests designed to diagnose Lyme work by detecting chronic infections by measuring your immune reaction to the invading microbe. However Lyme infects the white blood cells and if they are infected, they do not produce the proper amount of antibodies, resulting in a number of false negative tests. This is referred to as ‘the Lyme paradox’ since in order to diagnose Lyme disease with a standard test, you need to treat the disease first so that your white blood cells can mount an appropriate immune response. Under those conditions, a commercially accepted test would be able to detect the presence of Lyme disease. When Lyme is suspected based on the clinical symptoms, some physicians choose to treat their patients for Lyme disease and then use a test that measures immune response.
Treating Lyme
At Healing 4 Soul, we utilize REBA to see if starting a Lyme treatment would be beneficial.
Effective natural approaches that help with Lyme disease include:
1.Detoxify according to the heavy metal burden in your body. Heavy metal detox and milieu improvement can be accomplished through:
a. Sanum Pleo Chelate - is able to stimulate the body's capacity of chelating and secreting ionic metals and particularly heavy metals such as mercury, lead and cadmium, thereby it reducing the production of harmful free radicals.
b. Pleo Nig – Used widely in Germany and around the world as a supportive therapy to help reduce the symptomatic effects for a variety of bacterial infections including Lyme.
c. NotaSAN & Pleo Sancom have been wildly successful in Europe for treatment of Lyme disease. An initial course of NotaSAN followed by a 6-month course of Pleo Sancom is an integral part of Healing 4 Soul treatment protocol for Lyme disease.
d. De-acidification of the milieu by eating more alkaline rich foods and using Pleo-Alkala & Original Quinton Isotonic.
2.Balancing the intestinal flora. At Healing 4 Soul we have tested many products and have found Gut Pro and Dr. Formulated Ultra probiotic to be highly effective.
3.Enhance the body with nutrition, supplements, and mineral balancing
We use the REBA device to help guide you through which nutrition and supplements would be most beneficial to your body. In most people tested, we have found Original Quinton Isotonic and Hypertonic to be highly effective with mineral balancing and de-acidifying the internal milieu.
Physicians in Europe note the significant lack of unsaturated fatty acids in Lyme patients, so quality fatty acids are part of the plan. In our practice, we utilize Fermented Cod Liver Oil to help with this.
4.CEASE Therapy - The aim of CEASE Therapy is a systematic detoxification of causative factors including Lyme, leading to step-by-step improvements and restoration of health. CEASE therapy is a VERY individualized program that uses homeopathic and orthomolecular medicine to provide incredible healing. Immunological support using these remedies have also shown promise overseas.
At Healing 4 Soul our goal is to bring you to back to a healthy mind, body, and soul. Call our office at (800) 669-0358 to schedule a consultation with Sima Ash to discover if Lyme could be causing your fatigue, headaches or could be a factor in your child’s autism.
WE ARE HERE TO EDUCATE, NOT MEDICATE.
