Chronic Infections & Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is a complex, multi-system infection that can have profound and long-lasting effects on physical, neurological, and immune health. When acquired in childhood, it may interfere with development, learning, and immune regulation, with potentially severe long-term consequences.
Lyme disease is caused primarily by bacteria of the Borrelia genus and is frequently associated with additional tick-borne co-infections. Transmission most commonly occurs via a tick bite, although exposure is often unrecognised. In some cases, transmission during pregnancy has been reported.
How Lyme Disease Develops
Early Lyme infection may present with flu-like symptoms and, in some individuals, a characteristic rash (erythema migrans). However, many people do not recall a tick bite or rash.
If not adequately identified and treated, Lyme disease may progress into a persistent, multi-system illness, sometimes referred to as chronic or persistent Lyme-associated disease. At this stage, symptoms can fluctuate and affect multiple organs and systems simultaneously.
Common Symptoms
Chronic Lyme disease and associated co-infections may present with combinations of:
Cognitive dysfunction, memory issues, reduced concentration
Fatigue and post-exertional exhaustion
Mood changes, anxiety, depression, or psychiatric symptoms
Neurological symptoms (headaches, sensory disturbances, seizures)
Musculoskeletal pain, stiffness, and fibromyalgia-like symptoms
Cardiac symptoms (palpitations, autonomic dysfunction)
Visual or ocular disturbances
Gastrointestinal and immune dysregulation
Developmental, behavioural, or learning difficulties in children
Symptoms may emerge months or years after the initial infection, once immune resilience is reduced.
Why Lyme Disease Is Often Missed
Lyme disease remains widely under-diagnosed, particularly in chronic presentations. Contributing factors include:
Limited sensitivity of standard testing, especially in later stages
Multi-system involvement that does not fit a single medical specialty
Fluctuating symptoms and cognitive impairment, leading to misattribution to psychological causes
As a result, individuals are often treated symptom-by-symptom rather than addressing underlying infection and immune dysfunction.
Functional Nutrition Support for Lyme Disease
Lyme disease requires a whole-systems, integrative approach. Functional nutrition does not replace medical treatment but supports the body’s capacity to tolerate treatment, regulate immunity, and recover.
At The Lauriston Centre, functional nutrition support may include:
Addressing Infection (Alongside Medical Care)
Collaboration with medical professionals involved in antimicrobial treatment. Nutritional strategies may support tolerance to treatment, including carefully selected herbal antimicrobials when appropriate and professionally supervised.
Reducing Inflammatory Load
Use of anti-inflammatory dietary strategies, adequate omega-3 intake, and food-based or botanical approaches to help modulate immune activation.
Supporting Immune Regulation
Optimisation of key immune-regulating nutrients (e.g. vitamin D, vitamin C, zinc, selenium) and microbiome-supportive strategies to promote immune balance rather than overstimulation.
Supporting Detoxification Pathways
Nutritional support for liver and gut elimination pathways, hydration, cruciferous vegetables, and cautious use of binders where appropriate.
Improving Gut Health
Identification of dietary triggers, gut-healing nutritional strategies, support for digestion and absorption, and careful microbiome modulation.
Supporting Energy and Mitochondrial Function
Targeted nutritional support for cellular energy production to help address fatigue and post-exertional symptoms.
Neurological and Cognitive Support
Nutritional strategies to support brain health, reduce neuroinflammation, and assist cognitive recovery where neurological involvement is present.
Addressing Co-Infections
Consideration of associated infections such as Bartonella or Babesia, with nutritional and lifestyle strategies adapted accordingly.
Lifestyle Foundations
Support for restorative sleep, stress regulation, pacing of activity, and gradual re-conditioning to protect recovery.
Our Aim
The aim of functional nutrition in Lyme disease is to reduce symptom burden, improve physiological resilience, and support long-term recovery, by addressing the interconnected immune, neurological, metabolic, and inflammatory drivers of chronic illness.
If you would like to discuss your specific health concerns and how we can help you, please be in touch.