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Practitioner Mentorship Module 4.1

The Lyme-Gut ConnectionWith Hillary Thing, MS, LAc., Cert. Herbalist

4.1: The Lyme-Gut Connection

Learning Objectives:• Refresh our knowledge of the gut’s role and

functioning in human biology;• Examine the connection between Lyme / stealth

infections and chronic GI disease;• Learn the 5 major components of dual Lyme / GI

disease;• Look at the symptoms and treatment of certain

nutritional deficiencies;• Discuss diet with regards to cleansing, Lyme

disease, and gut health.

Chronic Lyme & complex chronic disease

• Weakened immunity

• Diminished cellular functioning

• Systemic infection

• Toxicity

Gut health impacts all of these!

Gut-Associated Lymphoid Tissue

• The gut is also an organ of the immune system.

• It is technically an interface with the outside world and brings certain elements from the outside into the body.

• Peyer’s patches (like lymph nodes of the SI)

• Many other locations of lymphocyte production scattered throughout

Nutrient transformation & absorption

Necessary for:

• Physical strength

• Energy

• Cellular fuel

• Tissue repair

The 2nd Brain

Microbiome

• Effects many organ systems

• Inflammation levels

• Changes in gut microbiome has been linked to many

diseases including obesity, infection, and cancer.

Interconnection of Lyme & GI Diseases

• Pre-existing gut issues– GERD, constipation, IBS, etc. are exceedingly common

• Caused by Lyme or other infections– Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, loss of

appetite, bloating, gas, constipation, inflammation

• Caused by antibiotic treatment for Lyme disease– Yeast and fungal infections

– C. difficile and other bacterial infection

– Dysbiosis and weakened digestion

The 4 Major Causes of Chronic Digestive System Weakness

• POOR DIET

• CHRONIC STRESS

• TOXIN OVERLOAD

• BACTERIAL IMBALANCE

Bacterial Infections of the Gut

• Borrelia, Babesia, Bartonella, Mycoplasma, Ehrlichia, RMSF, Tularemia – all may cause digestive sx or live in GI tract– Bartonella – H. pylori neg. gastritis– Lyme / Bart – Bell’s Palsy of gut– Crohn’s like presentation– May affect anywhere along GI tract – taste buds, muscle

strength, swallowing, peristalsis, enzyme production, etc.

• Yeast, parasites, CMV, etc.• SIBO, C. difficile

Treatment for Dual GI / Lyme Disease

5 Major Components:

1. The symptoms themselves.

2. Ensure movement of food stagnation and waste matter, and promote peristalsis.

3. Address malabsorption and nutrient deficiencies.

4. Inflammation and auto-toxicity.– Eliminate irritants

– Heal leaky gut

5. Correct dysbiosis and eliminate gut-based infection.

1. Symptomatic Treatment

• Constipation: cannabis seed tea, Swiss Kriss, colon hydrotherapy, hydration with trace minerals and active H2, Magnesium, Vitamin C.

• Diarrhea: qian shi (semen euryales); red raspberry leaf tea; charcoal, liquid bentonite clay; fiber; probiotics (oral / enema).

• Acid reflux: DGL tablets; slippery elm gruel; aloe vera juice; Bai Hu Tang or Zhu Ye Shi Gao Tang; smaller meals and shorter eating window.

• Indigestion: betaine HCl; pancreatic enzymes, ST Curing pills; food combining.

• Gas / bloating: digestive enzymes; colon hydrotherapy; anti-microbials; bile salts; more liquid food.

• Nausea / vomit: herbal bitters or Relaxed Wanderer teapills or Minor Bupleurum formula; coffee enemas; castor oil packs; carbonated water.

• Pain: digestive enzymes; colon hydrotherapy; food combining; elimination of obvious food triggers.

2. Ensure Movement Through the GI Tract

• At least one large bowel movement is the minimum daily requirement.

• Ideally more than this is happening, because accelerated waste removal will support and accelerate: – Symptom relief – less gas, bloating, etc.– Removal of yeast, parasites, and other gut infections– Clearing of mucus and waste that coat the SI’s microvilli– Healing and soothing of gut lining and decreasing

inflammation.

• Medicinal enemas are also a great way to deliver medicine to the GI tract.

3. Malabsorption & Nutrient Deficiencies

• Very common in Lyme / complex chronic disease population, especially those with chronic gut issues;

• Chronic infection, stress and pharmaceuticals can rapidly deplete nutrient stores;

• Effects Liver function and detoxification ability;• Increases likelihood of adverse reactions to foods,

drugs, herbs;• Weakens body’s tissues and organ function.

Magnesium

• Involved in over 300 enzymatic processes, energy production, muscle function, nerve conduction, cell repair;

• Symptoms: weakened immunity, depression, fatigue, HTN, high cholesterol, GI problems, irregular Htbeat, poor memory, mood swings, muscle spasm, twitching, motor skill problems

• dark leafy greens, pumpkin, sunflower, and flax seeds, dark chocolate, tahiini

• Supplement with a bioavailable form of oral magnesium (Mag chloride, cirtrate malate or glycinate) @ 1,000mg / day or more, transdermal cream, detox baths, magnesium carbonate water

Zinc

• Immune function (WBC), energy production, combats heavy metal toxicity; NT synthesis

• Symptoms: emotional disorders, developmental problems, rough skin, low stomach acid and low appetite, stretch marks and striae, acne, white spots or transverse lines on fingernails, low collagen, macular degeneration, dandruff, mental lethargy, delayed would healing, osteoporosis, reduced fertility

• spinach, beef, shrimp, kidney beans, oysters, flax and pumpkin seeds, garlic, egg yolks

• Zinc picolinate @ 50-200 mg

Vitamin C

• Utilized by adrenal glands, brain, immune system; component of collagen; detoxification and repair;

• Virtually all medical conditions involve oxidative stress, and the relief of this oxidative stress with Vit C and other anti-oxidants will always help diminish the overall experience of illness; in serious illness, the reserve of Vit C goes to 0 b/c it is so rapidly depleted, so large doses are required to bring it back to normal.

• Tired, weak, poor immunity, easy bruising, swollen or bleeding gums, slow wound healing; dry hair or skin; swollen painful joints, weight gain.

• Sweet red and green peppers, oranges, grapefruit, kiwi, broccoli, strawberries, brussel sprouts, tomatoes, cantaloupe, cabbage, cauliflower, potatoes, papaya, spinach, green peas.

• As much as 10-20 GRAMS / day via high dose oral powdered Vit C or liposomal (lower dose needed); avoid GMO corn derived Vit C

Vitamin B6

• Needed for nutrient absorption, aa metabolism, NT production, hemoglobin synthesis; like zinc, an anti-oxidant that correlates to levels of glutathione

• Symptoms: nervousness, anxiety, insomnia, irritability, depression, muscle weakness or tremors, neuropathy, carpal tunnel, migraines, PMS

• Turkey, fish (tuna), beef, beef liver and other organ meats, pistachios, pinto beans, avocado, chicken breast, black strap molasses, sunflower and sesame seeds.

• 50-100 mg / day as pyridoxal-5-phosphate (P-5-P)

Vitamin B12

• Required for metabolism, protein synthesis for NS; RBC production

• Symptoms: fatigue, GI issues, memory problems, high homocysteine levels, moods swings

• Liver, mackerel, sardines, red meat, salmon, milk, swiss cheese, yogurt, eggs, whey; for vegetarians / vegans – nutritional yeast, fortified cereals

• Sublingual B12 as methyl cobalamin, up to 1,000 mg / day.

Manganese

• Bone development, wound healing, nutrient absorption, blood sugar level maintenance, lipid metabolism, thyroid hormone production

• Symptoms: nausea, vomiting, high blood sugar, skin rash, joint pain, inflammation, arthritis, change in hair color or slow hair growth; assoc. w/ diabetes, Parkinson’s, osteoporosis, epilepsy

• Seafood, nuts, seeds, whole grains, tofu, tempeh, beans, spinach, black tea

• Manganese +/- 10 mg / day

Biotin (B7)

• Mitochondrial energy production; healthy brain and NS; deficiency assoc w/ many aspects of aging

• Symptoms: hair loss, scaly rash around eyes, nose, mouth, genitals; neuro sx – depression, lethargy, numbness and tingling; MS; muscle pain

• Eggs, organ meats, seafood, dairy products; plant sources are best – almonds and other nuts, legumes, banana, carrot, onion, sweet potato

• Biotin 5,000 mcg / day

Molybdenum

• Trace element used in detox, particularly of aldehydes (toxins that result from alcohol, Candida, perfumes); also involved in kidney and NS function;

• Depletion can occur due to CBS gene mutation, which causes high sulfites and depletes molybdenum;

• Symptoms: brain fog cognitive disability, seizures, tachycardia, nausea, vomiting, headache

• Basil, parsley, liver, kale, green beans, cucumber, lentils, peas; whole grains;

• Molybdenum picolinate or glycinate 500-2,000 mcg / day

LYME DIET

GOAL: Bring nutrition and digestibility to the next level, regardless of dietary philosophy.

“Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.”

– Michael Pollan

MUST MEET 4 CRITICAL REQUIREMENTS:

#1: ELIMINATE ALL ALLERGENS & IRRITANTS

#2: CLEAN (organic)

#3: EASILY DIGESTIBLE

#4: FILLED WITH NUTRIENT DENSE FOODS

SeLYME DIET Part 1: Eliminate all

allergens and irritants.

• Critical step to stop gut-based inflammation; impossible to heal without removing the offenders;– Sugar (*processed sugar)– Gluten, wheat and grains– Processed foods– Dairy– Soy– Individual food allergens

SeLYME DIET Part 2: Eat clean.

Avoid at all cost:

• Toxins, pollutants

• GMO’s

• Antibiotics and hormones from conventional meat and dairy

• Tap water

• Avoid pharmaceuticals and OTC’s

• Packaged foods

Replace with:

• Organic, low pesticide (EWG)

• Non GMO

• Wild or no abx / hormones meat, dairy, eggs

• Berky filter or spring water

• Natural herbs and supplements

• Simple whole foods

SeLYME DIET Part 3:

Easily digestible meals.

• Food Combining• Eat light -> heavy, raw -> cooked• More liquids, less solids• Eat to build alkalinity• Intermittent fasting / reduced eating window• Regular eating times• Consuming some raw with every meal• Sprout grains and beans• Utilize digestive enzymes as needed

SeEasily digestible meals =

Food Combining

• Neutral foods (all vegetables) – combine with food from any other group (except fruit).– Starches & legumes (young coconut, sprouted or cooked

legumes, potatoes, yams, grains (quinoa, millet, rice, etc.), corn, sprouted grain brain;

– Animal protein (raw goat and sheep’s milk, cheese, kefir, yogurt, ice cream, or pasteurized if raw is unavailable); raw cow milk products if digestible; eggs, fish, poultry, wild meat, beef

– Seeds, nuts and dried fruit (sesame, hemp pumpkin, sunflower, dates, raisins, additive free dried mango, apricot, cranberrry, etc.; almonds walnut, cashew, pecan (avoid peanuts); banana; coconut

• Fruit – best to consume solo, or prior to a meal; may be OK with salad greens, fresh juice, coconut,or dairy.

SeLYME DIET Part 4:

Maximize nutrient density.

• Juicing• Bone broth and broth-based meals (soups, stews)• Veggie centric• Fruit• Whole foods• Raw, organic, local• Sprouts• Fermented foods• Coconut• Carb-selective• Clean, usable protein • Omega 3 fats

Treatment for Dual GI / Lyme Disease

5 Major Components:

1. The symptoms themselves.

2. Ensure movement of food stagnation and waste matter, and promote peristalsis.

3. Address malabsorption and nutrient deficiencies.

4. Inflammation and auto-toxicity.– Eliminate irritants

– Heal leaky gut

5. Correct dysbiosis and eliminate gut-based infection.