(These are excerpts From the Dietrich Klinghardt, MD, Ph.D., Dr. Mercola, and Dr Scott Taylor. They are three of the most brilliant researchers studying Lyme disease, presenting workshops and lectures around the world. They collectively have in excess of 45 years in Medical practice and 30 years Bb cognizant.)
The Three Components of Lyme disease
Lyme disease has three components, which should be recognized and addressed with treatment:
Component #1: The presence of spirochete infection and co-infections
The co-infections are bacterial, viral, fungal and parasitic. Since the spirochetes paralyze multiple aspects of your immune system, the organism is without defenses against many microbes. Many – if not most – of the co-infections are really a consequence of the spirochete infection and not truly a simultaneously occurring “co-infection”.
Component #2: The illness effects of microbial toxins.
Most of these are neurotoxins. Biotoxins from the infectious agents have a synergistic effect with heavy metals.
We use toxin binding agents such as chlorella and cilantro given together (both in our recommended Body Detox Nutrients). A solid heavy metal detoxification program should be used simultaneously with the first phases of the Lyme treatment. Safe toxic metal elimination is an art unto itself. We also use an EDTA/Alpha-Lipoic acid mix (also in our Ultimate Body Detox), which is currently the most tolerated and effective form of phospholipids for the Lyme patient.
The more difficult objective is to choose agents and methods to trigger the release of neurotoxins from their respective binding sites. Only then can they be transported to your liver, be processed, and enter your small intestine from where they can be carried out by the binding agents.
Glutathione is the most important detoxifying agent in the body to get rid of undesirable toxins such as BLPs produced by borrelia (again, in our Ultimate Body Detox). It forms a soluble compound with the toxin that can then be excreted through the urine or the gut. The liver and kidneys contain high levels of glutathione as they have the greatest exposure to toxins. Glutathione is the major antioxidant produced by the cell, protecting it from ‘free radicals’ (‘oxygen radicals’, ‘oxyradicals’).
Thus, glutathione is required in many of the intricate steps needed to carry out an immune response. For example, it is needed for the lymphocytes to multiply in order to develop a strong immune response, and for ‘killer’ lymphocytes to be able to kill undesirable cells such as cancer cells or virally infected cells. The importance of glutathione cannot be overstated. NAC (N-acetyl-cysteine, and, yes, its there), is the best cost effective way to increases the production of intracellular glutathione.
Component #3: The immune reactions provoked by the presence of both toxins and microbes.
In autoimmunity, the toxins and microbes often act as haptens – marking the cell, cell wall or tissue in which they are hiding as foreign and therefore for destruction. This happens especially against a backdrop of preexisting heavy metal toxicity, which has to be addressed aggressively and prior to treating the microbes themselves.
The Importance of Minerals
We found that amongst those approaches, abundant mineral substitution based on the red cell mineral analysis is most rewarding. Amazingly, the most depleted minerals in our Lyme patients are often copper, magnesium, manganese (in Lyme) and iron (in Babesiosis).
Bb and Bartonella need magnesium to duplicate and deplete the host’s body rapidly. Copper and iron have all but disappeared from most of our supplements based on faulty interpretation of hair analysis. Your immune system uses those two metals in the process of phagocytosis. They are the main constituent of the enzymes (or “bullets”) your immune cells use in the battle against the invaders.
For a while selenium should be given in high doses to suppress viral replication and render bioavailable mercury non-reactive.
The most critical element in the Lyme patient, however, is iodine! Filling up your body’s mineral reserves has always been the most essential part of our heavy metal detox program. It is also the most essential part of our Lyme treatment.
(All these minerals are in the nutrient foundation formula. We also add magnesium to our Biofilm Dissolving Formula to help the enzymes.)
Monolaurin and Bacterial Lipoproteins (BLPs)
The monoglyceride of lauric acid is called Monolaurin. Multitudes of clinical studies (many in our A-Z Index) show Monolaurin fights Lyme Disease! The concentrated form of Monolaurin has potent antibacterial properties. While nontoxic and approved as a direct food additive by the FDA, Monolaurin adversely affects bacteria, yeast, fungi, and enveloped viruses. It damages the cell membrane of pathogenic bacteria, killing them.
Regarding borreliosis, the molecular component of the pathogen that appears initiate the pathogensis are the bacterial lipoproteins (BLPs) which are found within the outer surface proteins of the borrelia cell membrane. BLPs are fat-soluble toxins that are part protein and part lipid. They are often a structural part of the borrelia cell membrane and can be found within the outer surface proteins of borrelia. They are very potent immunomodulators (diminishes immune responses) even in small amounts.
At the molecular level, the BLPs cause a dysfunction in the immune system by triggering a complex imbalance of chemical immune mediators (cytokines). These cytokines regulate the immune system and when they are over stimulated, they produce harmful reactions from the immune system, such as pain, inflammation, and even apoptosis (cell death).
Controlling Inflammation and the Immune Dysfunction
Inflammation is a major part of any disease, but none more complex and involved than with Lyme disease. Borrelia BLPs that has disseminated throughout the body will trigger inflammation in any and all systems, organs and tissues that it resides in. This is how Lyme can cause so many different symptoms and mimic so many disorders.
Dealing with this complex inflammation is a major part of managing Lyme disease. Controlling inflammation begins with a well-balanced low-carb diet. Why? Basically because sugars and starch promote inflammation by altering the body’s metabolism of fatty acids.
There are several dietary supplements that help reduce inflammation: Salmon oil, of course, MSM is a very safe supplement that is used to reduce inflammation without the risk of any side effects. Other inhibitors of TNF include Quercetin, Turmeric, and NAC (N-acetyl-cysteine).
(If you will notice, our Ultimate Foundation multi-vitamin / nutrient contains all these recommended nutrients – as well as many others. While we do not consider it essential, it is worthy of consideration for Lyme Disease – as well as general body health. Our Chronic will safely and naturally help balance inflammation and pain if needed in individual cases.)
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
It is also called “fibromyalgia” or, more recently, “chronic fatigue immune dysfunction syndrome” (CFIDS). It cannot be readily distinguished from chronic Lyme disease and is probably one in the same disease. Yes, I believe along with many LLMDs that most cases of fibromyaliga and CFIDS are actually misdiagnosed cases of chronic Lyme disease! Strong support for this comes from the fact that antibiotic and other LD therapies improve many patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia.