10 Reasons You Can’t get Rid of Lyme Disease, Parasites, Candida and other Co-infections

I began researching and visiting Lyme forums after being finally diagnosed with Lyme Disease in 2012.   As I read others’ stories, I began to recognize that the often-promoted kill, kill, kill approach was not working. Many were taking antibiotics, strong essential oils, MMS(chlorine dioxide), veterinary anti-parasitic drugs and even turpentine but they were not healing and staying in remission. I made many of the same mistakes until I figured out that my gut microbiome held the key to great health.  The goal is not to kill every bacterium, fungus, parasite and virus, but to bring the body back into a healthy, balanced state. I came to understand that the body is a self-healing system that can and will regenerate itself.  I simply had to provide the right nutrients, gently reduce the pathogenic load, stay hydrated, heal my gut and remove toxins – a simple approach to a complicated illness.

10 Reasons Why You Can’t Get Rid of Lyme Disease and Parasites

1. Still eating processed foods and sugar
This was easily corrected by eating a clean, nutrient-dense  Paleo Diet. I don’t eat anything that is in a package. All meals are made from scratch without sugar or additives, preservatives, dyes, artificial flavorings, taste enhancers (e.g., MSG), emulsifiers, hydrogenated fats and high fructose corn syrup, to name a few. Eating sugar and other junk is like throwing gas on the pathogenic fire. All of these alter the gut flora in favor of the bad guys. It is VERY important to change the terrain so that the good flora can win. Many with chronic illness have low stomach acid and are not able to digest and absorb valuable nutrients. You can read more about this here.

A junk food diet does not provide the necessary vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and essential fatty acids required to heal a broken biochemistry. Remember, we are what we eat!

2. Foods producing an allergic response or linked to intolerance: most common are gluten, dairy,  soy, corn, eggs, shellfish and nuts
I am intolerant to gluten, grains and dairy; I avoid soy and corn, and eat shellfish sparingly. It is really important to get tested for food allergies. It takes the guesswork out of what will cause harm.

3. Amalgam dental fillings
 These are extremely toxic and so many of us are having to deal with this today in order to recover our health.

Mercury toxicity has been linked to chronic fatigue syndrome, depression, lowered immune function, panic attacks, sleep disturbances, memory loss, chronic headaches, neurological symptoms, joint pain, candida, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s to name a few.

I had mine replaced and would highly recommend this to everyone that has amalgams. You can read more about this here.

4. Drugs that kill the good gut flora
Antibiotics wipe out both good and the bad flora; this indiscriminate killing effect has been likened to clear-cutting a forest. Once this clear-cutting happens, the gut terrain is never the same.  There are also drugs (in addition to antibiotics) that damage gut flora – such as antidepressants containing fluoride compounds.  I understand today why I felt so bad while taking these drugs. They were destroying my gut terrain over a period of 14 years and interfering with my immune system, leaving me constantly sick. Research the drugs you are on to see if they are noted for killing gut flora. If you are struggling with depression here is an article that outlines a natural approach.

I used antibiotics throughout my life for various infections, but after extensive research, chose not to use them to treat the Lyme Disease.  I began to find that many persons were healing from Lyme and co-infections using herbal preparations, and decided on taking the same approach.

Healthy gut flora is responsible for normal gastrointestinal function and protection from infection; it regulates metabolism and comprises more than 75% of our immune system.  This is very important for those with chronic infections.

5. Untreated chronic infections:  candida , parasites, bacteria, fungus and viruses
It is easy just to focus on one type of infection such as Lyme Disease or candida and overlook other co-infections, such as parasites.  But once the immune system is compromised, we have little defense against a whole range of pathogens. In reality, it is difficult to determine which infection is the most debilitating. Therefore, it is important to take a broad-based approach to eliminate the vast majority of pathogens.  Like most others, I had a whole symphony of infections that needed to be treated. I did this with a mixture of herbs that treat a wide range of co-infections.   I had complete success with the herbs and diet change. Had I not been so comfortable using herbs, I would have consulted with an herbalist. I began with a modified Hulda Clark Bowel Cleanse. The parasites were next using a recipe that I created. You can find  Brenda’s Herbal Dewormer recipe here. The Lyme and co-infections were treated using  Stephen Buhner’s Protocol.

6. Mineral Deficiencies
Drugs, poor diet, stress, toxins,  parasites and chronic infections all drain vital minerals from the body. I was extremely low in all minerals except for two when I did my first hair test. Once the minerals are depleted, it takes a serious effort to restore them to normal levels. It is very difficult, if not impossible to heal the body in a mineral-depleted state. Once I started the Wahls Diet, daily green smoothies and began taking several whole food supplements, my levels improved considerably in the space of one year. You can read more about it here.

7. Taking too low of an herbal dosage for an insufficient period of time
I have seen this over and over on the Lyme disease and parasite forums. Herbs have to be taken in fairly high and consistent doses to achieve remission. Everyone wants a quick fix, but there isn’t one out there. Stephen Buhner suggests 8 – 12 months on the core protocol for Lyme Disease. Many start treating and feel worse due to the die-off from pathogens releasing endotoxins, in addition to the effects of their active infection.  Here is an article that provides a number of detox strategies.  The temptation is to remain on a very low dosage to avoid the die-off reaction. I pushed through on the full dose of the Buhner Core Protocol, but didn’t start to feel better until I was 5 months into the treatment.  By then, I had cleared the parasites and candida, and continued taking the Lyme herbs for 8 months. You can read more about it in this article.

8. Toxic personal care and household products
Eliminate commercial body lotions, excess use of sunscreen, bug spray, toothpaste, make-up, non-essential hair care products, perfumed synthetic soaps, body scents, teeth whiteners, heavily scented laundry detergents and fabric softeners, synthetic cleaning products. I removed these, as they add an additional toxic burden to a body that is already extremely toxic.

9. Environmental toxins
Off-gassing from new furniture, carpets, new vehicle upholstery, fresh paint, mold in the home or workplace, excessive EMFs (electromagnetic fields), dirty electricity exposure, cigarette smoke, air fresheners and scented candles. I am also careful to avoid these as much as possible. I gave up my cell phone about 7 years ago, and will not get another one.  My husband will only use his in speaker mode, and keeps it away from his head.  At home in Canada, we got rid of cordless phones and replaced them with corded units.  Wifi is everywhere.  If you must have it in your home, it is important to keep it as far as possible from where you sleep and spend most of your time, and to turn it off at night if possible.

10. Stress and negative, self-defeating emotions
Are you stuck in a relationship, job or location that is causing stress? It is really important to address anxiety, depression, sadness, self-pity, feeling stuck or held back, frustration, guilt, low confidence, loneliness, regret, betrayal, unhappy relationships, humiliation, shame and unfulfilled dreams.  Over long periods, these weaken the human spirit and erode the body’s vitality, leading to disease and premature aging.

I have faced many of these issues through counseling over the years. I have let-go or changed many aspects of my life. One important step for me was to let go of unhealthy and unsupportive relationships. I surround myself with loving family and friends and try and have some fun each week. I have forgiven everyone for everything and try and live each day with an attitude of gratitude.

Blessings and Best of Health!

Brenda

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