The next time you look in a mirror, think about this: In many ways you’re more microbe than human. There are 10 times more cells from microorganisms like bacteria and fungi in and on our bodies than there are human cells. But these tiny compatriots are invisible to the naked eye. Artist Ben Arthur gives us a guided tour of the rich universe of the human microbiome.
https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2018/01/03/gut-microbiome-probiotics.aspx? Dr. Mercola Jan., 2018
Story at-a-glance
- Because 70 to 80 percent of your immune system resides within your gastrointestinal tract, optimizing your gut microbiome is a worthwhile pursuit that will have far-reaching effects on your physical health and emotional well-being
- A vital first step toward balancing your gut flora is to eliminate sugar from your diet, especially sugars found in processed foods
- Eating fermented foods such as kefir, kimchi and sauerkraut, as well as consuming prebiotic foods like garlic, leeks and onions, can help create an optimal environment for beneficial gut bacteria, while decreasing disease-causing bacteria, fungi and yeast
- Taking a probiotic or sporebiotic supplement can also be beneficial, especially during and following antibiotic treatment, because it helps restore and promote healthy gut flora
- Your gut bacteria can influence your behavior and gene expression, and has also been shown to play a role with respect to autism, diabetes and obesity
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All Lyme/MSIDS patients should be on a good pro and prebiotic as well as lowering or avoiding sugars, eating a whole-food based diet, and avoiding processed food. Some will do well eliminating gluten and/or dairy. We are all so different – what works for one may not work for another, but all are worth trying.
In my quest, I’ve been studying DMSO and MSM. For that information: https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2018/03/02/dmso-msm-for-lyme-msids/
Briefly, MSM stands for Methylsulfonylmethane and is 34% sulfur by weight. Sulfur plays a crucial role in detoxification and is an important antioxidant for producing glutathione. If you aren’t getting enough sulfur, glutathione can not work. Even if you have a diet rich in sulfur (think cabbage, onions, garlic, broccoli, etc – essentially the stinky veggies – and many other food items as well) your body still could use supplementation.
For me it was a game-changer.
https://lyngenet.com/msm-wonder-supplement-sinus-digestive-lung-esophageal-health/ By Lyn-Genet Recitas, NMT, Sports Nutritionist, Holistic Health Pracitioner, RYT
Recitas, author of “The Plan,” calls MSM the wonder supplement for your gut. It can alleviate allergy symptoms, helps with detoxification, eliminates free radicals, and improves cell permeability. She states that with given time, MSM will start to actually repair damage caused by leaky gut – a common problem with Lyme/MSIDS patients. It can also help the body’s ability to absorb nutrients from food. Many Lyme patients struggle with paralysis of the gut where the muscles of the stomach and intestines stop being efficient. MSM helps this muscle tone as well.
My personal observation after starting MSM
I started out with 1/4 tsp of distilled crystals in about 2 oz of water, since it has a bitter taste. After studying it, I learned the distillation process is the best one and if you want to find sources easily go here: http://www.optimsm.com/brands/ You should see the OptiMSM patent on the product. I happened to get the 16 oz tub of crystals at the Vitamin Shoppe but as you can see there are many brands available. (As always, I don’t make a dime on any of this and have no connection what so ever to any product line)
Within three days I noticed my nails growing faster. Within a week, about 50% of my pain was gone. Now this is a big deal as this pain has been resistant to nearly everything I’ve tried over the years.
After this reduction in pain, I increased the dose to 1/4 tsp twice a day and then ultimately to my final dose of 1/2 tsp twice a day in 2 oz of water.
**update** I had to pull back on amount for a few weeks as my body was detoxing and I broke out like a teenager on my face, back, and chest. All I can say is it does help detoxify as clearly seen on my skin. After reducing the dose for a month or so I easily went back to my full dose of 1/2 tsp once a day. Everyone’s different and requires different doses. Take the lowest amount to achieve desired results.
I have to report that my pain is completely gone on some days with a fraction returning on other days.
For a great MSM guide: http://msmguide.com/
http://www.nutraceuticalsworld.com/contents/view_breaking-news/2017-04-25/decades-of-discovery-summarized-in-new-msm-review/ This article gives a current 2017 review of MSM as well as studies and 195 references.
MSM has been studied for decades.
It is recommended to start at a low initial dose and allow the body to acclimate. You can slowly increase the dose after a week. It is also stated that those with chronic conditions may take up to 6 or more months to notice a difference.
You can also get MSM in creams, gels, and lotions for topical application – as well as pills. Make sure you read about the other ingredients and if the MSM is made from distillation. Like any other supplement, the devil’s in the details.
I’ve had patients report back to me that MSM has been a game-changer for them too. Considering the fact it’s cheap, helps with pain and inflammation, helps with detoxification and helping the gut, it is one item I can suggest to anyone to try.
MSM is derived from DMSO and has many similar properties plus DMSO has many all of its own worth investigating. DMSO takes more knowledge to use so please read that article above in detail as it’s a penetrating agent and will drive anything and everything into your body. If using topically you want it to completely dry before anything touches it and your hands, utensils and everything it’s stored in must be clean and preferably glass. DMSO should never be stored in plastic.
Madison Area Lyme Support Group 