Archive for the ‘Supplements’ Category

85 COVID Patients: Zero Hospitalizations & No Deaths

https://www.drbrownstein.com/85-chm-covid-patients:-zero-hospitalizations-and-no-deaths/

85 COVID Patients at The Center for Holistic Medicine: Zero Hospitalizations and No Deaths

Apr 09 2020

At my office, the Center for Holistic Medicine (CHM), we have had 85 COVID patients. At this time, no one has been hospitalized, no one has been diagnosed with pneumonia, and there have been no deaths.

There are five practitioners at CHM: Drs. Brownstein, Ng, Nusbaum, Jenny Drummond, PA, and Taylor Easson, NP. Since the start of the COVID-19 crisis, I have been asking my partners how their COVID patients are doing. As of this week, we have had 85 patients either diagnosed with COVID or suspected COVID.  I am pleased to report that our patients are doing well with this illness. (Note, since new guidelines have come out stating that any suspected COVID patient can be diagnosed with COVID, I am lumping COVID and suspected COIVD patients together for this post.)

I first reported to you about COVID on January 26, 2020. That was the first time I presented our protocol of using vitamins A, C, D, and iodine not only to support the immune system but also to treat viral infections. In that post, I also pointed out how important eating a healthy diet is.  The importance of using intravenous nutrient therapy, especially vitamin C, was mentioned. Finally, I suggested that, with coronavirus, it would be wise not to get a flu vaccine since the flu vaccine has been shown to significantly increase the risk of coronavirus and other flu-like viral infections.

That post seems like a lifetime ago even though it was only 10 weeks ago. During that time period, my message has not changed.  In fact, after witnessing the results our patients have experienced, I am more convinced than ever that a holistic approach like I presented above should be the first-line treatment provided to any COVID patient.

The human body is a true wonder. Given the proper support, it can do wonders. And, when the body is healthy, it can withstand and overcome an infectious illness like COVID.

The initial conventional approach to COVID was to encourage people to wash their hands (a good thing). As things worsened, the only other conventional idea was to quarantine. When the disease spun out of control our Government and conventional medicine panicked.   They had no real therapies to help COVID-suffering patients except for supportive care. Thankfully, a few conventional therapies, like hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin, have been promoted—though many in conventional medicine were downplaying it for far too long.

At my office, we were ready.  The first 24 years of practicing holistic medicine was our time to figure out what worked and what did not work for people suffering from viral infections. That set us up to be ready for this pandemic.

In my blogs, I encouraged people to take high doses of vitamins A, C, D, and iodine at the first sign of an illness. In our practice, this was sufficient for the majority of our COVID patients. I (and my partners) have no doubt that the vast majority of COVID patients would avoid a deterioration of their symptoms if they started this protocol at the onset of symptoms.

However, some became more ill or did not start the oral supplements early enough into their illness. Those patients needed additional holistic therapies. These included nebulizing hydrogen peroxide and iodine along with intravenous nutrient therapies.

To protect our staff and healthy patients, we did not treat sick COVID patients inside my office. We were gowning up and meeting our patients at their automobile at the back of our building and administering IVs and ozone therapies. Some of these patients were very sick. So far, they all recovered. I have shared some of their stories via a skype interview on previous blog posts. To watch a few of our patient testimonials go to:

There Is Still Hope Out There (3/28/20): Christopher

There Is Still Hope Out There (3/30/20): Jeremiah

There Is Still Hope Out There (4/05/20): Kendra

I think the end is in sight. We seem to be crossing over the hump of this dreadful disease. I have no doubt we will be in a much better position over the coming two weeks.

Folks, I hope the Powers-That-Be learn from this catastrophe. In the future, we need to focus on supporting the host rather than conventional medicine’s focus on killing the infectious organism.  We do not have a vaccine or any other conventional therapy that is successful at destroying COVID. In the future, I can guarantee you there will be other infectious illnesses that conventional medicine has no treatment to offer.  Instead of waiting for the hail-Mary from conventional medicine, it is better to be prepared and have your body ready to fight back. This can be achieved by following my original instructions; eat a healthy diet, maintain optimal hydration, exercise, and correct nutrient imbalances with vitamin and mineral supplementation.

If you don’t have a holistic doctor, it is past time to find one. At my office, we are happy to see you or do a telemed appointment. If you are interested in this please email Ann Salomon at info@centerforholisticmedicine.com.

A holistic doctor can help you achieve your optimal health. Conventional doctors, on the other hand, are busy diagnosing pathology and prescribing the drug to treat that diagnosis. The problem with the conventional model is that the drug prescribed does not promote health as nearly all drugs poison enzymes and block receptors in the body.  There is a time and a place for drug therapies, but they are well over-prescribed in the US. The use of many drug therapies leaves the body depleted of vital nutrients that it will need when confronted with something like COVID.

As I previously stated, the Center for Holistic Medicine currently has 85 COVID patients who are all doing well and have not been hospitalized. There were some I was worried about—they kept me up at night. I called them daily to monitor their progress. Having them increase the frequency of nebulizing hydrogen peroxide and iodine helped them all. Some of the sickest were advised to nebulize every hour or two for a short period.  IV therapies and ozone treatments have helped many.

This therapy has worked for helping COVID patients. It is sad that hospitalized COVID patients are not given the proper nutritional support when they are admitted. In a perfect world, I would immediately start an IV of vitamin C and begin nebulizing any hospitalized COVID patient with hydrogen peroxide and iodine.   I am sure that would markedly lower the need for mechanical ventilation.

Final Thoughts:

Like most holistic therapies, the earlier they are started in a disease process the better they perform. AT THE FIRST SIGN OF A VIRAL ILLNESS I ENCOURAGE MY PATIENTS TO START MY VIRAL PROTOCOL OF TAKING VITAMINS A, C, D AND IODINE.   Due to the severity of COVID, I now recommend starting to nebulize hydrogen peroxide and iodine early into the illness as well.

Better times are coming. Keep me updated on how you are doing. I will much more to talk about in relation to COVID. More posts will be coming soon.

To All Our Health,

~DrB

 

Category:

Activism, diet and nutrition, Supplements, Treatment, vaccines

How the COVID-19 Pandemic Will End

https://jameslyonsweiler.com/2020/03/15/how-the-covid-19-pandemic-will-end/

James Lyons-Weiler, PhD – 3/15/2020

How this pandemic will end depends on how soon the medical community realizes that therapeutics are 100% essential this time.

NOW THAT SOCIAL DISTANCING is occurring in the US and other countries, and some countries are under general quarantine, what next? How long will social distancing and quarantine be in effect?

The promise of a vaccine against Coronavirus is too far off to play a role in ending the deadly and economy- smashing effects of our response to COVID-19. The move to start human trials of SAR-CoV-2 vaccines without proper animal safety studies has prompted outcries (See Moderna and US NIAID Poised to Endanger the World Population?) given the reality that SARS-CoV studies had unacceptable safety issues of pathgenic priming : animals vaccinated using Spike protein based vaccines against SARS and MERS – close cousin of SARS-CoV-2 – had worse outcomes when challenged with the virus that the vaccine was supposed to protect them against. Even the most vocal vaccine proponents such as Paul Offit and Peter Hotez now say skipping the animal studies could result in unacceptable risks.

I should point out that this week, they have joined the ranks of people using freedom of speech to “spread” vaccine skepticism.

Given the catastrophic outcomes in animal safety testing for the SARS coronavirus vaccine, we must understand that the current vaccine trials will likely fail. We must realize also that social distancing alone will be insufficient to bring a reasonably quick end to the need for social distancing and quarantine.

Here are some simulation result of the outcome of using either just social distancing to manage the spread of SARS-CoV-2 or combining social distancing with therapeutics:

Clearly therapeutics will be necessary to play a role in bringing about an end to this pandemic. Resources on this are listed at the end of this article.

Here I list feasible steps that are absolutely essential for the counties to end the pandemic as quickly as possible.

1. Testing. Develop local testing capacity. Avoid CDC’s flawed test until they produce data showing high sensitivity and specificity of their primer probe sets. Testing will be relevant towards effective resource use, but people should not wait until they have symptoms to take steps to reduce the severity of virus-related illnesses.

The utility of accurate testing should be a lesson for all respiratory virus-related illnesses and perhaps we will see a massive paradigm shift towards accurate testing and reporting of which respiratory virus individuals actually have and perhaps medicine will now abandon so-called “flu syndrome”.

2. Plasma convalescent therapy. Each test-positive patient who has recovered should be asked to donate a liter of blood from which antibodies can be harvested. The resulting product should be screened for other viruses and then administered to those on the front lines first – nurses, MDs, medical staff – EMTS, the military, all essential personel in the “infrastructure” industries and in the food industries.

3. Therapeutics (Prophylatic Treatments). Mass production and distribution of other therapeutics including antivirals that have shown to be effective against SARS-CoV-2 for prophylactic use in families and workplaces who have a members or co-workers who test positive for COVID-19. Herbal remedies that also show efficacy should not be discouraged – anything that might help but will not hurt should be used. A registry of treatment experiences and outcomes should be created to help identify the most efficacious treatment options.

4. True Immune Enhancement. Increase the use of supplements that enhance and strengthen the immune system. These include vitamins such as vitamin D vitamin A and large doses of vitamin C. Encourage the uptake of micronutrients including zinc and selenium which have specifically been shown to inhibit the entry of SARS and SARS-CoV-2 into human cells. An extract of licorice root appears to have some effect. (The phrase “immune enhancement” is being misused to refer to a dangerous outcome due to exposure to the virus following vaccination, which should be referred to as “Pathogenic Priming”.

5. Wellness. Increase life a affirming and healthy lifestyle choices including exercise, exposure to sunlight, daily air exchange of the home and healthy avocational activities. People should be encouraged to take the time for early spring cleaning, take up a new exercise regime such as thai chi, to learn a new language or to learn a new musical instrument.

Use this time to exercise to reduce metabolic syndrome and diabetes is essential to reduce your risk of mortality. Diabetics have a 6% fatality risk. People with cardiovascular illness including hypertension have a 10% case fatality risk. Talk to your doctor about moving from ACE inhibitor blood pressure management to other options. Also talk to your doctor about adding exercise to your lifestyle to help control your diabetes.

I applaud the move taken by the banking and and finance industries to help stabilize hardships visited upon families by loss of work including interest forgiveness on loans, tolerance of delayed, late or skipped payments. Mental wellness is essential for making optimal life choices.

It is time to re-discovery the best part of ourselves. Engage in charitable acts to aid the elderly and those at most risk of serious illness.

Resources on Therapeutics

Antivirals

Treatments under study include nutriceuticals and supplements; ” and antiviral drugs such as Disulfiram and Chloroquine Phosphate.

Potential Inhibitor of COVID-19 Main Protease from Several Medicinal Plant Compounds by Molecular Docking Study. https://www.preprints.org/manuscript/202003.0226/v1/download

See: “Disulfiram can inhibit MERS and SARS coronavirus papain-like proteases via different modes“.

See “Remdesivir and chloroquine effectively inhibit the recently emerged novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in vitro“.

See “Expert consensus on chloroquine phosphate for the treatment of novel coronavirus pneumonia“.

The race to find a coronavirus treatment: One strategy might be just weeks away, scientists say https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2020/03/15/coronavirus-treatment-could-coming-doctors-say-still-no-vaccine/5052788002/

Chloroquine Confirmed Effective as Coronavirus Cure https://www.hngn.com/articles/228138/20200223/coronavirus-cure-chloroquine-confirmed-effective.htm

Vitamins and Minerals

See: How doctors say you can boost your immune system to protect against flu, coronavirus https://www.abcactionnews.com/news/national/coronavirus/how-doctors-say-you-can-boost-your-immune-system-to-protect-against-flu-coronavirus

Herbals and Supplements

Selenium and other micronutrient deficiency is considered to play a role in severity of a coronavirus infection (See: “Micronutrient Selenium Deficiency Influences Evolution of Some Viral Infectious Diseases“). Glycyrrhizin, an active component of liquorice roots, has been found to have few toxic effects and to be clinically effective against SARS-associated coronavirus. (See: See “Glycyrrhizin, an active component of liquorice roots, and replication of SARS-associated coronavirus“)

Supplements that might have a positive effect include N- acetyl cysteine, selenium, spirulina and high dose glucosamine (See “Nutraceuticals have potential for boosting the type 1 interferon response to RNA viruses including influenza and coronavirus

Colloidal Silver Nebulizer

See drpaulapproved.com for info on colloidal silver nebulizer.

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**Comment**

Please know that antivirals are not without risk.

For more:  https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2020/03/15/corona-virus-common-sense/

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2020/03/15/herbal-treatment-for-coronavirus-infections-buhner/

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2020/03/10/corona-virus-lyme-disease-drs-bock-rawls/

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2016/03/28/combating-viruses/

 

 

Category:

research, Supplements, Treatment, vaccines, Viruses

Lymph Detox For Lyme Disease

https://rawlsmd.com/health-articles/lymph-detox-for-lyme-disease-how-to-cleanse-your-lymphatic-system?

Lymph Detox for Lyme Disease: How to Cleanse Your Lymphatic System | RawlsMD

Lymph Detox for Lyme Disease: How to Cleanse Your Lymphatic System

by Jenny Lelwica Buttaccio
Posted 3/5/20

If you’ve dealt with Lyme disease for any length of time, you’re already aware of the value that adding detoxification strategies to your treatment protocol can deliver. Detox can help you combat aggravating Herxheimer reactions, lessen inflammation, boost your energy, improve sleep, and so much more.

Most people think of the liver and digestive system when they consider where detox happens in the body, but there’s another system that plays a crucial role in detoxification that you might not be as familiar with: the lymphatic system. It’s a vast drainage network of organs, vessels, and other structures throughout the body, including:

  • Spleen
  • Tonsils
  • Thymus gland
  • Adenoids
  • Lymph nodes
  • Lymph ducts
  • Lymph vessels
  • Lymph capillaries
  • Mucous membranes of the bowel

These well-coordinated structures actively move the lymph, a colorless fluid containing pathogen-fighting white blood cells (WBCs), proteins, and salts, throughout your body. The entire lymphatic system is an integral part of your immune system. If you can keep it operating efficiently, you’ll be better-equipped to fight off Lyme disease and coinfections like bartonella, babesia, or mycoplasma.

Let’s take a closer look at some facts and information about the lymphatic symptom, and what you can do to keep it working smoothly.

What is The Lymphatic System?

Similar to the action of the cardiovascular system, many of the functions of the lymphatic system happen without much awareness on your part. However, if you’ve ever had a cold (and who hasn’t?), you’ve probably felt swollen, bean-shaped bumps in your neck — those enlarged lymph nodes are a sign your body’s working to fight an infection on your behalf.

full body diagram of lymphatic system

The function of the lymphatic system is that of a waste management center for the body. It transports lymph to the lymph nodes where it removes cellular garbage like metabolites, excess fluid, worn-out red blood cells (RBCs), toxins, infections, and other harmful substances. There, the lymph nodes evaluate the waste using immune cells (called lymphocytes), then clean and discard it.

Each of us has approximately 600 to 700 lymph nodes; the number varies depending on the size of each node, the side of the body the nodes are located on, and whether a person is male or female. Lymph nodes are located in clusters, and the main areas are:

  • Neck
  • Chest
  • Armpits
  • Abdomen
  • Groin

Once the lymph fluid leaves the lymph nodes, it is returned into the cardiovascular system by way of the right and left subclavian veins, a pair of veins found deep in the neck. Then, the whole process repeats itself.

If the lymphatic system didn’t complete the task of removing your body’s fluid surplus, the fluid would accumulate, and you’d notice swelling. Each day, the lymphatic system cleans and drains up the 3 liters of lymph.

When Lyme is Part of the Picture

In a perfect world, the lymphatic system could diligently perform its duties without interruption. But there are several factors that can throw a wrench into its sophisticated operations, including Lyme disease.

When Lyme or other chronic illness is mixed with our toxic and fast-paced world, our bodies have to contend with more cellular debris than they can handle. This leads to congestion in the elaborate lymphatic drainage system and produces symptoms like:

  • Body aches
  • Joint pain and stiffness
  • Fatigue and lethargy
  • Brain fog or Lyme brain
  • Swelling
  • Sore throat
  • A feeling of puffiness or bloating

Inflamed lymph nodes. Sick black guy suffering from sore throat at home, touching his neck, panorama with free space

It’s important to make mention of a more extreme case of an impaired lymphatic system: Lymphedema. This condition occurs when a blockage in your lymph system causes the protein-rich lymph fluid to accumulate in tissues of the body, resulting in severe swelling. Lymphedema most often occurs in one part of the body — such as an arm or a leg — but there could be instances where it develops bilaterally.

The most well-known causes of lymphedema are cancer related, such as when a cancerous tumor impedes lymph flow, or when lymph nodes are removed as part of cancer treatment or other surgical procedure. However, lymph nodes can become blocked by other means as well, such as an infection by bacteria, viruses, or parasites, and by congenital abnormalities.

Although lymphedema may not be a classic symptom of tick-borne diseases, Lyme patients can potentially develop it. Indeed, you may have heard patients describe this distressing symptom, but it’s not widely understood which of the stealth microbes may be the culprit.

Treatments for lymphedema usually involve pressure-gradient wrapping techniques, compression garments, and manual lymph drainage (MLD) from a certified therapist. But for this article, we’ll focus on minimizing lymph congestion, the milder variation of an overtaxed and overworked lymphatic system, and supporting healthy functioning.

How to Support and Cleanse Your Lymphatic System

Unlike the cardiovascular system, which has a distinct pumping mechanism that causes the heart muscle to contract and relax cyclically, the lymphatic system doesn’t have a central pump. Instead, the flow of lymph throughout the body is determined in two main ways:

  1. The contraction of surrounding muscles, tissues, and joints
  2. The contraction of specialized muscles that reside in the lymphatic vessel walls

What does this mean for you? It means that engaging those key muscles, tissues, and joints are key to supporting your lymphatic system and promoting immune health. Plus, if you needed an excuse to indulge in a massage, you’re about to get one!

Read on to learn some easy ways to detox your lymphatic system and ease congestion.

1. Get Moving.

Since your lymphatic system doesn’t have that central pump, it’s important to engage in movement and exercise as much as your body tolerates. The reason: Contracting and relaxing your muscles and moving your joints aids lymph flow. And there’s no one type of activity you must do — the sky’s the limit, depending on your own personal capabilities and preferences.

Active senior man doing gentle exercise at home.

If you’re having a rough day symptom-wise, simple range of motion (ROM) exercises like raising your arms, marching your feet in place from a seated position, and calf raises are a great place to begin. As you feel stronger, you can add in low-impact activities like yoga, Pilates, walking, biking, or swimming.

Eventually, you can move up to more intensive activities like running, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), or weight training. Exercises like rebounding on a trampoline or vibrational activities like Power Plate are thought to be particularly beneficial for increasing lymph flow and stimulating the lymphatic vessels.

Ultimately, choose an activity that’s right for your current level of fitness and the symptoms you’re trying to manage without causing a flare-up. When it comes to stimulating the lymphatic system to work more effectively, any movement is better than none at all.

2. Stay Hydrated.

Yarrow tea in a glass teapot on a green napkin, fresh yarrow flowers on a background of pale wooden plank

To keep the juices flowing (literally), you’ll want to minimize your intake of dehydrating beverages like alcohol and caffeine, in favor of more hydrating drinks like purified water, mineral water, and herbal teas. Why? The composition of lymph fluid is mainly water (a whopping 95% or so), so maintaining adequate fluid levels helps to keep lymph moving and minimize congestion and sluggishness.

Bear in mind that conditions like POTS that sometimes overlap with chronic Lyme can make maintaining appropriate fluid levels a bit tricky. In that case, adding trace minerals or a pinch of sea salt to your water can be an easy hydration fix for some people.

3. Take Supportive Enzymes and Herbs.

green sarsaparilla leaves and buds forming from ground

Taking the right natural supplements can help ease inflammation that might clog up your lymphatic system, as well as break down, bind to, and dispose of proteins, bacteria, toxins, and other substances that can lead to dysfunctional lymphatic flow. Some top recommendations from Dr. Bill Rawls, Medical Director of RawlsMD and Vital Plan, include:

  • Bromelain, papain, and peptidase: All are protein-digesting enzymes. “Having these in your system helps break down some of the proteins that contribute to inflammation,” Dr. Rawls says.
  • Turmeric: Responsible for the bright yellow color in curry, turmeric helps balance inflammatory responses.
  • Sarsaparilla: Derived from the bark of a thorny vine found in South America, sarsaparilla binds to and helps dispose of endotoxins that are released from microbes during die-off.
  • Red root: This herb is another one that binds to toxins and flushes the system. “But note that red root is a coagulant and can thicken the blood, so avoid it if you have a history of cardiovascular disease,” says Dr. Rawls.

4. Dry Brush Your Skin.

At roughly $15 to $20, a dry brush is an affordable way to detox the lymphatic system, and it’s easy to track one down at a local health food store or online retailer. Using one to create a brushing action against bare skin is thought to stimulate the lymphatic system, remove dead skin cells, unclog pores, and improve circulation.

drawing of woman body with circular arrows overly for dry brushing motions

For some people, dry brushing may have an invigorating effect. The best part of dry brushing? It takes a matter of minutes to complete — a bonus for people who have fatigue as a major symptom of Lyme disease. Here are the steps to get you started:

  1. Start by brushing one foot, using smooth strokes in the direction of your heart.
  2. Next, move to your legs — first brushing all sides of your lower legs, followed by all sides of your upper legs. Always brush in the direction of your heart. Repeat on the other leg. When you get to the backside of your legs, don’t forget to include your buttocks and back, too.
  3. Then, move to your upper extremities, brushing both sides of your palms, forearms, upper arms, and shoulders toward your heart.
  4. Finally, brush your chest and abdomen. Ease up on the pressure a bit for these areas (especially the chest), because they tend to be more sensitive than other parts of the body.
  5. If possible, follow your dry brushing routine with a shower, and use a natural moisturizer to hydrate your skin.

To find the right dry brush, opt for one with natural bristles (usually boar’s hair or vegetable fiber) instead of a synthetic one; the bristles in synthetic brushes can be too harsh on the skin. Although you can use any size brush to stimulate the lymphatic system, one with longer handles will help you reach your back more easily.

5. Explore Manual Lymph Drainage.

Manual lymph drainage (MLD) is a therapeutic massage technique that gently supports and activates the lymphatic system. A trained therapist employs a variety of hand techniques (circles, pumping and scooping motions, soft strokes, gliding, etc.) to target lymph nodes and vessels.

The type of technique used varies depending on the area of the body that’s being treated. The mild friction across the skin encourages lymph to flow less effortlessly, so no massage oil is used during a session. A typical appointment may last 45 to 60 minutes, and there’s a general sequence that each massage should follow.

Guasha face lymph draining massage with jade stone roller

In addition to its ability to detoxify the lymphatic system, MLD may also be a good fit for you if you’re looking for relief from pain or digestive dysfunction, trying to tone your parasympathetic nervous system (the calming and restorative branch of your nervous system), or exploring how different types of massage might improve Lyme symptoms. To find a certified therapist in your area, check out the MLD Institute International for massage therapists, or the Lymphedema Association of North America (LANA) for certified healthcare professionals like nurses, physical therapists, and occupational therapists.

Certainly, there’s still a lot to learn about the benefits the lymphatic system has on our health. But as you work to optimize this intricate network within the body, you’ll begin to experience more energy and vitality, and you’ll have yet another tool in your toolbox to help you heal from chronic Lyme disease and coinfections.

Dr. Rawls is a physician who overcame Lyme disease through natural herbal therapy. You can learn more about Lyme disease in Dr. Rawls’ new best selling book, Unlocking Lyme.
You can also learn about Dr. Rawls’ personal journey in overcoming Lyme disease and fibromyalgia in his popular blog post, My Chronic Lyme Journey.

Learn About Dr. Rawls’ Herbal Protocol »
REFERENCES
1. Földi M, Földi E. Földi’s Textbook of Lymphology for Physicians and Lymphedema Therapists. 2nd edition. Munich: Urban & Fischer; 2006.
2. InformedHealth.org [Internet]. Cologne, Germany: Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG); 2006-. What are the organs of the immune system? 2010 Nov 30 [Updated 2016 Jan 20]. Available from: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279395/
3. Lymphedema. The Mayo Clinic website. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lymphedema/symptoms-causes/syc-20374682
4. Lymph System. Medline Plus website. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002247.htm
5. Moore JE Jr, Bertram CD. Lymphatic System Flows. Annual Reviews in Fluid Mechanics. 2018;50:459–482. doi:10.1146/annurev-fluid-122316-045259
6. Pastouret F, Cardozo L, Lamote J, Buyl R, Lievens P. Effects of Multidirectional Vibrations Delivered in a Horizontal Position (Andullation®) on Blood Microcirculation in Laboratory Animals: A Preliminary Study. Medical Science Monitor Basic Research. 2016; 22: 115–122. doi: 10.12659/msmbr.900654
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Category:

Detoxing, Herbs, Lyme, Supplements

Overcome Lyme Brain – Causes & Solutions

https://rawlsmd.com/health-articles/how-to-overcome-lyme-brain-causes-and-solutions

How to Overcome Lyme Brain: Causes and Solutions | RawlsMD

How to Overcome Lyme Brain: Causes and Solutions

by Jenny Lelwica Buttaccio
Posted 2/17/20

Forgetful. Zoned out. Unable to concentrate. These are just a few ways people describe the disconcerting constellation of neurological symptoms associated with chronic Lyme disease known as Lyme brain, a muddled mental feeling that impairs some degree of a person’s cognition.

Although the exact prevalence of the condition isn’t known, the majority of chronic Lyme patients will cycle through episodes of Lyme brain from time to time. It can be frustrating and debilitating. Missteps like showing up to a doctor’s appointment on the wrong day, forgetting to refill a prescription before it runs out, or desperately searching for your glasses only to discover they’ve been on top of your head all along can make you feel as though you’re losing your mind. Some people will even notice problems with word finding, reading comprehension, and writing.

Is there a way to stop it? Here, we look at some of the underlying causes of this neurological phenomenon, plus ways to help improve the distressing symptoms.

Cause #1: Untreated Infections

Lyme disease and Lyme coinfections like babesia, bartonella, and mycoplasmacontribute to metabolic and immune changes in the body because the microbes can be low-grade and persist for long periods of time. While no system of the body is off-limits, the central nervous system and the endocrine system are particularly vulnerable.

Germs in the blood. Leukocytes attack the virus. Immunity of the body. 3D illustration on medical research

“When pathogens invade the nervous system, white blood cells — immune cells like lymphocytes and plasmocytes — flood into the white matter of the brain and the spinal cord,” says Dr. Bill Rawls, Medical Director of RawlsMD and Vital Plan. “This causes a cascade of inflammatory immune messengers, called cytokines, in cerebrospinal fluid.”

This influx of proinflammatory cytokines causes neuroinflammation in the brain, which can contribute to a range of neurological symptoms, including those associated with Lyme brain. Because most Lyme patients have a compromised immune system, the body struggles to keep the offending pathogens in check.

The outcome? You continue to experience a prolonged inflammatory response and resulting symptoms until you’re able to suppress the harmful, stealth infections.

Solution: Suppress Harmful Microbes and Support Brain Health

To improve brain function, you’ll have to address persistent, low-grade infections. There may be a time and a place for heroic therapies such as antibioticsgut microbiome, too.

wooden spoon with herbal supplement on top, leafs underneath

A more restorative approach to subdue harmful pathogens is using herbal therapy, which has a balancing effect on the microbiome and the various systems of the body. Plus, some herbs can safely pass into the brain.

Not sure where to begin? Dr. Rawls’ preferred herbs specifically for brain health include:

  1. Lion’s Mane: This mushroom contains compounds called erinacines and hericenones, which cross the blood-brain barrier. There, they support normal levels of nerve growth factor (NGF), a peptide produced by the body that’s essential to nerve cell growth, maintenance, and survival. When NGF levels are in a healthy range, you notice that you have improved mental clarity, focus, and memory.
  2. Cat’s Claw: Native to the Amazon, cat’s claw has a long history of traditional use for the treatment of a wide range of inflammatory conditions, and it’s well-known among Lyme disease patients. The herb supports immune function and helps balance the body’s microbiome.
  3. Bacopa: A traditional Indian herb, bacopa has been used to bring balance and calm to the nervous system for thousands of years.
  4. Ashwagandha: Native to India and Africa, ashwagandha is used for its ability to balance, energize, and rejuvenate. Ashwagandha is a calming adaptogen that is particularly useful in balancing the HPA axis in the brain (the control center for hormone regulation), which leads to improved stress resistance, better sleep, and reduced brain fog.
  5. Ginkgo biloba: Ginkgo is one of the oldest living trees on earth. Current and traditional uses of the herb include enhancing blood flow, protecting brain and nerve functions, and supporting cognition.

Cause #2: Toxic Build-Up

As you treat Lyme disease, you’re likely to experience a Herherimer reaction (or herx). With the use of any antimicrobial (prescription or otherwise), a large number of bacteria die off, causing an inpouring of dead bacteria called endotoxins throughout the body. This forces the immune system’s inflammatory response into overdrive.

Bacterial die-off can also produce byproducts that are toxic to the nervous system (neurotoxic) like quinolinic acid, ammonia, and acetaldehyde, which can exacerbate cognitive symptoms like brain fog. These toxic byproducts can also come from a microbiome imbalance such as a small intestinal bowel overgrowth (SIBO) and candida overgrowth.

Solution: Augment Your Body’s Detoxification Efforts

Start with the antioxidants glutathione, alpha-lipoic acid (ALA), and N-acetyl cysteine (NAC). These were shown to help to support the liver’s ability to detoxify, mitigate the neurocognitive symptoms of Lyme disease, and lessen the accumulation of toxins as a result of treatment in a 2018 article in the journal Healthcare.

Raw yucca starch on the wooden table - Manihot esculenta.

Additionally, supplementing with molybdenum and yucca root can be beneficial, too. Molybdenum is a trace mineral that is normally present in small amounts in the body, similar to magnesium, iron, or manganese. Though a molybdenum deficiency isn’t common, adding a small amount of molybdenum — prepared in microgram doses — may help to neutralize excess ammonia and acetaldehyde and curb Lyme brain.

Similarly, the herb yucca root can be used to decrease ammonia levels. Typically, yucca comes in a capsule or powder.

Cause #3: Poor Sleep

Stress, inflammation, and infections can all disrupt your sleep, which only serves to worsen the symptoms associated with Lyme brain. Indeed, some short and long-term consequences related to poor sleep that are reminiscent of Lyme brain include mood disorders, cognitive dysfunction, memory problems, and performance deficits, among others, according to a 2017 review in the journal Nature and Science of Sleep. Sleep dysfunction alone could be the cause of Lyme brain in certain individuals.

Although it’s easy to see how a lack of sleep could be a significant factor contributing to neurocognitive issues, knowing how to improve the situation is a whole different battle. Generally, it will take some trial and error to find the repertoire of tricks and sleep hacks that will be helpful to you, but practicing solid sleep hygiene is paramount to decreasing the symptoms of Lyme brain.

Solution: Implement Good Sleep Hygiene

woman asleep in her bed, night time, white sheets

Going back to the basics of sleep hygiene can help you get a better night’s rest. They include:

  • Maintain a consistent bedtime routine. Try to go to bed and get up at the same time each day, even on the weekends.
  • Get exposure to sunlight. The majority of us spend a substantial part of our day indoors. But getting sunlight throughout the day, especially in the morning, can help to reset your circadian rhythm so you’re tired when you’re supposed to be.
  • Wind down at night. Many people with Lyme disease experience a tired-but-wired feeling when they try to go to bed — they’re utterly exhausted, but their bodies won’t calm down enough to let them drift off. If this describes you, try spending 10-15 minutes before your bedtime doing some gentle stretching to relieve muscle tension, reduce pain, and bring on the calm.
  • Turn off electronics by 9 PM. When you’re lying in bed wide-awake and waiting for sleep to come, it can be very tempting to pass the time by watching your favorite TV show or scrolling on your phone. But the blue light that’s emitted from electronic devices can disrupt the sleep-inducing hormone melatonin. So, instead of helping you fall asleep, electronic devices may be contributing to wakefulness. If you must be on your computer or phone at bedtime, try blue-light-blocking devices such as filters or glasses to keep your exposure to a minimum.
  • Make sure you have a comfortable bed. If you notice that you feel stiff or have greater pain in the morning, that’s a clue that your mattress could be an obstacle to quality sleep, and it might be time to invest in a new one. Most mattress companies will offer financing options so that you don’t need to shell out the funds all at once if you don’t have them.

Cause #4: Exposure to Mold

About 50% of homes have experienced some amount of water damage and contain mold. When exposure to toxic mold is coupled with Lyme disease and Lyme coinfections, all of your symptoms can intensify, including the cognitive issues that accompany Lyme brain, such as:

  • Trouble focusing
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Feeling lethargic
  • Mood swings
  • Delayed reaction times
  • Forgetfulness

Solution: Locate and Clean Up Moisture and Mold

cleaning of room wall from mold with metal brush

To avoid further exacerbating your symptoms, you may need to consult with a professional to safely find and remediate sources of mold in your home — a good idea in general, since doing it yourself will ramp up your exposure. In the meantime, here are some things you can do on your own:

  1. Place a HEPA air purifier in the areas of your home where you spend the most time, especially your bedroom. Reducing your exposure to mold while you sleep may help you wake up feeling more alert and refreshed.
  2. Reduce your humidity levels to as low as possible — ideally, between 30% to 50%. Dehumidifiers and air conditioners can be useful tools to keep in check the humidity mold loves.
  3. Routinely inspect your heating and air conditioning systems for mold, and if necessary, have them cleaned.
  4. Consider eliminating rugs or carpet in rooms that are known to contain high levels of moisture, such as the bathroom or basement.
  5. Keep your kitchen, bathroom, and laundry rooms well ventilated.
  6. If you have an attic, make sure the space is dry and doesn’t contain moisture.

There’s no doubt that Lyme brain can be a frightening and overwhelming symptom of Lyme disease, and many of the potential causes overlap with one another, which can make sorting things out a bit tricky. But begin to chip away at the causes as best you can. Over time, you’ll start to notice clearer thinking, improved memory, and better cognitive functioning. There is light at the end of the tunnel, and you can recover!

Dr. Rawls is a physician who overcame Lyme disease through natural herbal therapy. You can learn more about Lyme disease in Dr. Rawls’ new best selling book, Unlocking Lyme.  You can also learn about Dr. Rawls’ personal journey in overcoming Lyme disease and fibromyalgia in his popular blog post, My Chronic Lyme Journey.

REFERENCES
1. Bransfield RC. Neuropsychiatric Lyme Borreliosis: An Overview with a Focus on a Specialty Psychiatrist’s Clinical Practice. Healthcare. 2018 Sep; 6(3): 104. doi: 10.3390/healthcare6030104
2. Basic Facts about Mold and Dampness. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. https://www.cdc.gov/mold/faqs.htm
3. Horowitz RI, Freeman PR. Precision Medicine: The Role of the MSIDS Model in Defining, Diagnosing, and Treating Chronic Lyme Disease/Post Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome and Other Chronic Illness: Part 2. Healthcare. 2018 Dec; 6(4): 129. doi: 10.3390/healthcare6040129
4. Medic G, Wille M, Hemels MEH. Short- and long-term health consequences of sleep disruption. Nature and Science of Sleep. 2017; 9: 151–161. doi: 10.2147/NSS.S134864
5. Overview of Minerals. Merck Manual website. https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/disorders-of-nutrition/minerals/overview-of-minerals
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Category:

Herbs, Lyme, Psychological Aspects, Sleep, Supplements

The Gut-Lyme Connection (And How to Fix Both Naturally)

https://www.uprootinglyme.com/gut-lyme-connection/

The Gut-Lyme Connection (and how to fix both naturally)

By

Creating gut health is one of the two foundational pillars of holistic Lyme treatment.  It goes hand in hand with detoxification, the other pillar of successful holistic treatment.  Without these two systems working at the highest level possible, recovering from Lyme (or other complex chronic) disease will be slow-going to say the least.

Yet together, when functioning optimally, these two systems create the conditions inside the body that empower it to fight off infections and heal.

Once these aspects of treatment are fully in place, you are far better equipped to handle antimicrobial regimens and successfully implement other aspects of treatment that will propel your healing forward.

The Gut is the Center of Health & Healing Power

In many ways, the gut is central to the health of the entire being.  In Lyme and other multi-infection disease syndromes, it is also a crucial battleground where the struggle between the Lyme and our immune system is fought.

Chronic Lyme is intimately related to the following 4 issues:

  1. Weakened immunity
  2. Diminished cellular function
  3. Systemic infection
  4. Toxicity

Gut health impacts all of these.  The degree to which a person’s gut is functioning optimally impacts all of these conditions either positively or negatively.

Gut-Associated Lymphoid Tissue

The gut houses the GALT, or Gut-Associated Lymphoid tissue which comprises approximately 80% of the immune system and 70% of lymphocytes, including those all-important Natural Killer cells, so it is home to our primary line of defense against infection.

This fact really speaks to how much the GI tract functions to keep harmful elements from entering into the body, and why it’s so devastating when these tissues are compromised.

What makes the difference between a quiet daily co-existence with bacteria, fungi, viruses and rogue cells – versus the explosion of full-blown disease – is your immune system, and by association, gut health.

Nutrient Transformation & Absorption

The gut is responsible for nutrient transformation and absorption so  that the entire body may receive nourishment and building blocks for physical strength, energy, cellular fuel, and tissue repair.

In the face of Lyme-Borreliosis and other infections, the body needs the support of high-level nutrition.  It needs to be able to effectively make use of what is being ingested so that the cells have the resources to function properly, clean house and repair.  This requires a healthy functioning gut!

The Gut is our 2nd (or 3rd) Brain

Following the heart and the brain, the gut is highly innervated by the nervous system.  It is compromised by a tense or inflamed nervous system, and strengthened by a peaceful, flowing nervous system.  The gut-brain axis is a 2-way street, therefore psychological or other nervous system stress has a major impact on GI function and motility.

Meanwhile, the microbiota and gut function heavily impacts mood and cognition because, to give just 1 of many examples, 95% of serotonin is produced in the gut.

The gut microbiome has systemic effects and is involved in regulation of the heart, liver, brain, prostate, kidney, lung, pancreas, and inflammation.  Changes in the gut microbiome have been implicated in diseases from obesity to infections to cancer.

Restoration of a healthy gut microbiome is another aspect of whole body health.

The Gut & Emotions

From the traditional Chinese perspective, the gut is the center of our personal universe.  It is governed by the Spleen (an organ readily damaged by Babesia and Bartonella), and directly relates to our ability to think, absorb nutrients, discern what we should let in versus what we should keep out (on all levels of our being), and our ability to create energy, among other things.

The gut is the seat of all feeling. It is where many aspects of being are interwoven – the microbiome, the digestive system, immune function, the nervous system, the emotional body and the mental body.

Poor Gut Health + Lyme Disease = Downward Spiral

The GI system can become an ongoing source of inflammation, perpetual dysbiosis, and weakness that extends out to all other parts and systems of the body.

It is very common among modern people that the GI tract is a place of stagnation, fermentation, bacterial overgrowth, and becomes an enormous source of toxicity and inflammation.

Add a diet that contributes further to inflammation (high carb, high sugar and/or high in inflammatory fats), and it’s easy to see how the disease-causing bacteria quickly gain an upper hand within our bodies.

Ultimately we can see that the gut is both a major source of – and a foremost solution for – inflammation in tick-borne disease. 

Furthermore, the gut is a dynamic organ – it can be damaged and it can be healed!

5-Part Plan to Heal GI Weakness & Heal Chronic Lyme

  •  Utilize supplements to restore gut functionality & ease symptoms. 

Digestive symptoms are uncomfortable and potentially embarrassing at best, and completely debilitating at worst.  Bloating, gas or constipation, can make one’s entire being feel blocked and sluggish. Chronic diarrhea can inhibit a person’s ability to leave home or attend meetings without concern that they will have an accident if they can’t get to the bathroom in a hurry.  Nausea, vomiting, and stomach pains can make eating a good diet virtually impossible.

There are some good natural stop-gap measures for GI symptoms such as betaine HCl, pancreatic enzymes, bile salts, and soothing herbs that serve to both support proper functioning and alleviate symptoms until the deeper causes of dysfunction are fully dealth with.

  • Move stagnant food and waste matter.  

Stagnation of food, waste, mucus and gas inside the GI tract is very common, and it is what creates an ideal breeding ground for pathogenic bacteria.  Food and waste stagnation leads to lots of uncomfortable symptoms and the progression of GI diseases.

Clearing stagnation also allows gut healing treatments to work better, so you don’t want to skip this step.  Examples of ways to do this include regular colonics or enemas, the use of herbal laxatives, laxative foods, supplements such as magnesium, and consuming less solid food overall.

  • Address malabsorption and nutrient deficiencies.

When your digestive system is weak, you don’t digest and break down your food well.  This leads to mal-absorption of nutrients, which in turn leads to a weakening of the entire body, including the vital and sense organs, the muscles and joints, immune system, hormones, and all the tissues and cells. The body can’t operate properly without the enzymes, nutrients, and building blocks that it has to acquire from food.

Addressing know nutrient deficiencies with supplementation is important, as is juicing and utilizing superfoods in your diet in easy to absorb forms (think liquid food!) to help replace what is lacking.

  • Eliminate all food allergens and sensitivities.

When your food is not fully digested and broken down in the small intestine or if it is triggering an immune response,  proteins from undigested food can pass into the colon and cause irritation and inflammation. This irritation and inflammation can cause pain, spasm, mucus in the stool, and diarrhea.  Over time this compromises the delicate lining of the small and large intestine, which is only 1 cell thick.

As the gut membrane is compromised and breaks open in places, toxic waste and other inflammatory particles can seep into the bloodstream and massively increase the level of inflammation in the body. This is why the gut can be a major source of inflammation that accelerates degeneration and disease processes including Lyme, and also increases pain levels throughout the body.

In order to heal gut problems + Lyme disease, it is very important to eliminate all allergenic foods, at least until the final stages of healing when some foods can be re-introduced and improved tolerance and digestibility is likely.

  •  Eliminate infections and correct dysbiosis.  

This is about both getting the microbiome back into a healthy proportion where the health-promoting and neutral bacteria are dominant over the potentially pathogenic microbes.

We start with treating active infections that are wreaking havoc in the gut and system as a whole, such as yeast, parasites, Lyme, CMV and more.

These protocols need to be targeted to the specific organisms that are known or suspected to be plaguing the body.  We utilize a multi-pronged anti-microbial approach that includes herbs such as Chinese scutellaria, olive leaf and black walnut hull; liposomal essential oils such as oregano, clove and fennel, and biofilm-busters to eradicate these infections.

For more:  https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2019/12/16/the-root-of-autoimmune-disease-can-be-found-in-the-gut/

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2019/12/28/what-are-the-pros-of-probiotics/

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2019/12/26/settle-your-stomach-with-digestive-health-supplements/

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2019/04/04/the-importance-of-gut-health-to-healing-from-chronic-illnesses-podcast-dr-jill-carnahan/

Category:

diet and nutrition, Gut Health, Herbs, Lyme, Supplements, Treatment