Just the other day my nephew and 5 year old son went for a short walk out on our land. Once they got back, I quickly realized what time of year it was. TICK SEASON!
They were absolutely covered in ticks of all sizes and ages. After the "strip down" and 20 minute "buddy check," they were off to the next item on their agenda. For hours after that it seemed I was finding ticks every- where. Crawling on the doors, in shoes, there was even one stuck in my 1 year old daughter’s back. Are you feeling them crawling all over you yet? As we all know there are some areas in the Northwoods that are more infested with ticks than others, and there are also certain types of ticks that prove to more readily carry the Lyme bacteria.
Let’s start with a quick overview of this disease. Lyme is a spirochete known as Borrelia Burgdorferi (Bb). The disease itself is actually more than a simple infection. It is now known to spiral into a complex illness consist- ing of chronic co-infections, which are usually parasitic (such as Babesia and Ehrlichia). Within less than a week of being infected, animal studies have shown this spirochete can be deeply embedded inside tendons, muscles, the heart, and can even cross the blood/brain barrier. Studies are also showing that children can be born with the disease, as it can cross the placenta as well.
Even worse is that this disease is no longer just tick borne; it can be transmitted by other insects, such as fleas, mosquitoes and mites. In fact, Nick Harris, Ph.D. (President of IgeneX, Inc.) says the Lyme would be the top infectious disease in the U.S. and Western Europe if it weren’t for AIDS.
The main trouble with Lyme is that we are having a hard time understanding and testing for the disease. The first test usually done is the Western Blot antibody test, which is not positive immediately after Bb exposure, and only 60-70 percent of people ever show antibodies to Bb. So typically Lyme ends up being a clinical diagnosis. There are, however, two tests currently being developed that I believe will help this situation tremendously (we are just waiting on FDA approval), called Electrodermal Screening and Darkfield Microscopy.
What about the infamous "bulls eye" rash? So far every medical doctor specializing in the disease that I have read about states that only 30-40 percent of cases will show this rash, and even more startling – only about 10 percent of children.
Ok, so is there any good news? In my opinion, those who do best with combating Lyme are the ones who have a good balance between conventional and alternative medicine. Because I consider myself an alternative practitioner, I will give you advice from that angle – just be sure you contact your medical doctor for his or her advice as well.
First, no matter the type of tick, if it is embedded into the skin, immediately take a slice of garlic and band-aid it over the bite for at least 24 hours. Garlic has a natural ability to pull out bacteria from directly under the skin.
Next, since Bb is a bacterium, it lives on sugar. The most important thing you can do dietarily whether yours is an acute infection or chronic is to avoid sugar. Eating sugar (and depending on the severity–this includes fruit sugars), allows these bugs to not only survive, but to thrive and reproduce. Studies are now showing that keep- ing your salivary pH between 6.7 and 7.0 is most optimal. There are certain dietary minerals that can bring pH up, reducing stress can also elevate pH. You can check your pH by picking up some litmus paper at any store with fish tank supplies. Try anti-inflammatory eicosanoids, such as fish oil and borage seed oil, along with a good whole food multivitamin/mineral formula, CoQ10, Carnitine, and possibly some herbals (such as an herbal anti-fungal that can help the stress put on the kidneys and liver when using pharmaceutical antibiotics).
As always, it is of utmost importance to actually speak to a practitioner who can help you with the proper nutritional/supplemental plan. Remember, supplements and herbs are not FDA regulated, and using the wrong ones or the wrong forms can be detrimental to proper treatment. Acupuncture, chiropractic, physical therapy, and biofeedback have also been proven to help tremendously with keeping the nervous system functioning in a healing state.
Although detection, understanding, and treatment of Lyme is on the frustrating side right now, it is a relief to know that there are many great studies currently going on that within the next year or two will change this situation dramatically. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have more specific questions on this disease.