Challenge: diagnosing Lyme and associated co-infections
Chronic Lyme, such as neuroborreliosis, is not diagnosed and recognised by the NHS because the NHS relies on diagnostic lab tests (serology and Western Blot) that are known to be insufficiently sensitive and only detect a fraction of affected individuals, leading to approximately 70% of false negatives.
A second reason is that a multi-system disorder does not fit into one specific health specialty, leading to the person being referred to a series of specialists who, each in isolation, do not comprehend the complexity of the disease. Lyme Disease requires a functional medicine approach and the integration of disciplines to be fully understood and effectively treated.
Finally, the varying nature of the symptoms and commonly associated cognitive dysfunction lead to the erroneous conclusions that the disease "is all in their head" or psychiatric in origin, therefore necessitating medications that target the symptoms (e.g., depression, psychosis) rather than the root causes of the symptoms.
Their condition often remains untreated and potentially deteriorates further.
Functional nutrition for Lyme disease focuses on addressing root causes, enhancing resilience, and supporting recovery through these key strategies:
Address the Infection
Collaborate with medical professionals for antibiotics and herbal antimicrobials like Cat’s Claw, Japanese Knotweed, and Andrographis.
Reduce Inflammation
Follow an anti-inflammatory diet rich in omega-3s and use herbs like turmeric and ginger.
Strengthen Immune Function
Optimise nutrients (e.g., vitamins D, C, zinc, selenium) and include probiotics, prebiotics, and medicinal mushrooms.
Support Detoxification
Enhance liver detox with cruciferous vegetables, milk thistle, and hydration. Use binders like activated charcoal to remove toxins.
Improve Gut Health
Use an elimination diet, gut-healing foods (bone broth, fermented foods), and digestive enzymes.
Boost Mitochondrial Function
Supplement with CoQ10, glutathione, magnesium, and adaptogens to combat fatigue.
Neurological Support
Incorporate omega-3s, magnesium, and phosphatidylserine for brain repair and cognitive health.
Address Coinfections
Test for coinfections (e.g., Bartonella, Babesia) and use targeted herbs like Cryptolepis and Artemisia annua.
Lifestyle Modifications
Prioritise stress reduction, restorative sleep, and gentle exercise to support recovery.
This approach addresses the multifaceted challenges of chronic to promote systemic healing and long-term health.
Their health can be significantly impacted. This could amount to cognitive and mental health difficulties (e.g., depression), even psychiatric symptoms (e.g., psychosis, hallucination), and epilepsy. It could also lead to chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia (a rheumatic condition characterised by muscular or musculoskeletal pain with stiffness and localised tenderness at specific points on the body), heart issues, ocular/vision problems, or developmental issues if a child is affected.
Health deterioration can occur several years after the initial infection. Until then, a healthy immune system kept the infection in check. This can contribute to the difficulty of identifying the root cause of the person's health difficulties.
Lyme Disease is very commonly undiagnosed and misunderstood by mainstream health professionals who need to be Lyme literate. In the UK, the NHS only recommends a short course of antibiotics after a tick bite when the individual has had an erythema migrans rash or based on the occurrence of flu-like symptoms and recent known exposure to ticks.
By addressing Lyme disease holistically through functional nutrition, the body is better equipped to manage the infection, mitigate symptoms, and recover long-term health.
The challenges people living with Lyme Disease face are many:
Frequently asked questions by our clients
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We can assess viral, parasitic, spirochal, bacterial, and fungal infections. We review the symptoms and history, and we can determine through reliable tests the presence of the infections (PCR, serology, lymphocyte transformation assays, phage testing, stool tests, microbial organic acid test). We can also assess inflammation (including cytokine profiles) and detailed lymphocyte subsets. This way, we can accurately understand a person’s infection load and the state of their immune system.
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Lyme disease can lead to systemic inflammation, immune dysregulation, and various symptoms. Functional nutrition aims to address the root causes, enhance the body's resilience, and support recovery. We collaborate with Lyme-literate practitioners for persistent Lyme (chronic symptoms) and GP during to eradicate the infection during acute stages.
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Lifestyle Interventions
Stress Reduction:
Incorporate mindfulness, yoga, or meditation to modulate the stress response.
Sleep Hygiene:
Prioritise restorative sleep to support recovery and repair.
Gentle Movement:
Low-impact exercise (e.g., walking, stretching) to maintain circulation without overexertion.
If you’d like to know more, please get in touch or book in a free call with Lorene by clicking the link below.