Lyme Disease or tick disease, as it is also known, is an illness caused by an infection with the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi and is becoming an ever increasing problem. In nearly all cases the infection is is caused by a bite from a tick that is infected with the bacteria. Many researchers believe that it is an underlying problem in many health problems such as chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia. MS, Lupus and even autism. As detoxification can help these problems people are asking if you can detox Lyme Disease?
Although the bacteria, a spiral shaped spirochete, can often be successfully treated with a course of antibiotics if caught early enough a chronic infection is a different problem. There are many people with chronic Lyme Disease that were initially wrongly diagnosed or not diagnosed at all. Unrecognized and untreated Borreliosis can cause arthritic and neurological syndromes that become difficult to treat. But a few pioneering nutritional doctors and naturopaths are having success with detox protocols.
Detox
One study indicated that unless toxins are removed from the body the Borrelia bacteria that survive aggressive herbal or even pharmaceutical treatment will regrow forming a new population. Toxins stimulate their growth. So whatever treatment you are getting for Lyme Disease it is important to work hard on getting the toxins out as well with a comprehensive detox program.
Detox Mercury
One of the worst type of toxins involved are heavy metals, especially mercury. Dr Lee Cowden, a physician and clinical nutritionist who treats Lyme with natural therapies says that the most common source of heavy metals that he sees is mercury from the silver mercury amalgam fillings in peoples' teeth. It is impossible to detox mercury unless the silver mercury amalgams are removed as well because chewing releases more mercury into the body.
There is a special technique that should be used to remove amalgams so that no more mercury is released into the body. Look for a holistic dentist who is knowledgeable in the procedure. There are a number of substances such as liquid zeolite or chlorella and cilantro mixtures that help to detox mercury and other heavy metals.
The bacteria, Borrelia, itself produces toxins that interfere with the immune system and how the nervous system works and gives many of the neurological symptoms seen in chronic Lyme Disease. The toxins interfere with the release of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter (brain chemical). The conclusions of a recent three month placebo controlled study was that detox was essential for chronic Lyme Sufferers.
Burbur Detox
Burbur is used by some health practitioners as part of a protocol to detox borrelia. Burbur is an extract of a Peruvian plant that has traditionally been used for cleansing and detoxification of the liver, kidneys and lymph. It helps with the removal of toxic chemicals that suppress and weaken the immune system.
If you have used personal care products such as lipstick, lip balms or skin creams you are probably also toxic with petroleum by products which promote growth of the harmful bacteria. Many creams sold for dry skin contain liquid paraffin, a by product of petroleum, that prevents the natural detox function of the skin. To detox Lyme Disease you have to avoid putting the toxins back into your body. Look for natural non-toxic personal care and household cleaning products.
Yeast and bacterial overgrowth
Many people with Lyme Disease also suffer with yeast and bacterial overgrowth in the intestines. Long treatments with antibiotics will kill the the good bacteria in the gut and also affect the liver enzymes. Cumanda, another herb from Peru, is one of the natural herbs currently being used as part of Lyme detox and is also a good antifugal which will not kill the good bacteria.
Good detox programs always start with the bowel. A large percentage of the immune system is located in the bowel so colon cleansing and restoring the good bacteria with a good quality, high potency probiotic and a healthy diet is essential if you want to improve your immune system.
Detox can help with most chronic illnesses and people who persevere with a good detox program are finding that their troublesome symptoms diminish and can eventually disappear. So the answer is yes, you probably can detox Lyme Disease.
Body Detox - Can You Detox Lyme Disease?
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(c) 2009. Sandy Halliday is a nutritionist and health researcher with over 20 years experience of many different types of detoxification programs. She is passionate about detox for the prevention of disease and aging and for the improvement of many health problems. She is the author of a new ebook The Definitive Detox Diet