Nutritional Supplements for Chronic Lyme and other Tick Born Diseases

NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS IN DISSEMINATED LYME DISEASE - Taken from ILADs website treatment guideline from Dr Burrascano. Guidleines where abbreviated and my own experiences added.

for Complete Buranscano Protocol: http://www.ilads.org/burrascano_1102.htm#rehab

Note: Nutritional Supplement aid in healing but do not cure or treat Lyme or other Tick Born Diseases.

Studies on patients with chronic illnesses such as Lyme and Chronic Fatigue have demonstrated that some of the late symptoms are related to cellular damage and deficiencies in certain essential nutrients. Double blinded, placebo controlled studies, and in one case direct assay of biopsy specimens have proven the value of some of the supplements listed. Some are required, while others are optional — see below. They are listed in order of importance.

The quality of supplements used is often more important than the dose. In fact, “mega doses” are not recommended. Instead, seek out, if possible, pharmaceutical grade products, especially if USP certified. Pharmanex brand products are recommended because they fit these criteria.

Basic Daily:

Acidophilus: Take two with each meal.
Required for antibiotic therapy.Essential daily supplement to maintain the normal balance of bowel flora, especially if on antibiotics, or if gastrointestinal disturbances are present. Always try to get enteric coated, milk-free acidophilus. The best kinds are frozen or refrigerated to ensure potency. Take two with each meal.

I take Florastor (sacchomyces boulardii lyo) once in the morning and once at night. I will be adding Acidophilus at the beginning of August.

Multi-vitamin: (required) Continue long term.
These are unique supplements — Pharmaceutical grade and USP certified, they are the only products clinically proven in double-blinded, placebo controlled crossover studies to quench free radicals and raise antioxidant levels in the blood and lipids. Choose LifePak for males under 40, LifePak Women for hormonally active women, and LifePak Prime for postmenopausal women and for men over 40. They are available through Pharmanex.

I love these!

CO-Q10 (ubiquinone) — required if not taking the prescription drug atovaquone (Mepron) 90 mg of the well absorbed, highly purified, crystalline CoQ 10 product sold by Pharmanex. Deficiencies have been related to poor function of the heart, limitations of stamina, gum disease, and poor resistance to infections. Combine with regular exercise.

I take Mepron so I have not tried this.

Vitamin B (required) Take one 50 mg B-complex capsule daily.Clinical studies demonstrated the need for supplement vitamin B in infections with Borrelia, to help clear neurological symptoms. Take one 50 mg B-complex capsule daily. If neuropathy is severe, an additional 50 to 100 mg of B6 daily may be helpful. Generics are OK.

I take 3K mcg a day. I should be taking 3 times this but I havent worked up to that yet. Between the antiboiotics and supplements it is just a lot of medication to take.

Magnesium (required) supplementation is very helpful for the tremors, twitches, cramps, muscle soreness, heart skips and weakness. It may also help in energy level and cognition. The best source is magnesium L-lactate dehydrate (“Mag-tab SR,” sold by Niche Pharmaceuticals [1-800-677-0355], and available at Wal-Mart). DO NOT rely on “cal-mag,” calcium plus magnesium combination tablets, as they are not well absorbed. Take at least one to two tablet twice daily. Higher doses may cause diarrhea, and you should check with your physician before using more than this. In some cases, injections or intravenous doses may be necessary. Continue long term.

I take this in perscription Magox. I will let you know what I think once I have 90 days or more under my belt.

Essential Fatty Acids (required) Studies show that when EFAs are taken regularly, statistically significant improvements in fatigue, aches weakness, vertigo, dizziness, memory, concentration and depression are likely. There are two broad classes: GLA (omega-6 oils) and EPA (omega-3 oils), derived respectively from plant and fish oils. This is what to take:

Plant Oils: borage oil, evening primrose oil, or black currant seed oil (choose one). Do NOT use Flax seed oil!

I haven't got this far yet but I plan to start with black currant seed oil because I already know that I digest rasins easily.

Fish Oil: Omega-3 (Fish Oil) capsules, 1000 mg per capsule. Use “Optimum Omega” by Pharmanex, if a higher quality product is desired, or to minimize the “fishy” aftertaste. RECOMMENDATION: four plant oil capsules and four fish oil capsules daily, taken with meals. Continue for three to four months then try to taper down the dose.

I eat mostly fish so I skip this. But recently some on told me that I would have to each a lot of fish to get the required dose. Heart disease runs in my family so I think I am going to try it. My stomach tends to not like oils of any kinds so I will let you know how it goes.

OPTIONAL SUPPLEMENTS FOR SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES. I suggest you take them - especially the Cordymax.

CORDYMAX (optional)

Cordyceps is a well-known herb from Tibet and has been shown in clinical studies to improve stamina, fatigue, and enhance lung and antioxidant function. It increases mitochondrial ATP levels and also raises superoxide dismutase levels. The positive effects can be so dramatic, I strongly urge all people with fatigue to try this. Available only from Pharmanex as “CordyMax.”

This is great

METHYLCOBALAMIN (Methyl B12) (optional)

This is a prescription drug available only from compounding pharmacies. It is related to vitamin B12 and has several documented benefits: it helps to heal damage to the nervous system, enhances diminished T-cell function, can restore the normal diurnal cycle, and can help with memory and cognition. Methyl B12 must injected into the muscle as it will not be absorbed if swallowed or used sublingually. Dose ranges from 25 to 50 mg daily, based on weight.

I don't do this one.

REISHI MAX (optional)

This enhanced extract from cracked spores of the reishi mushroom has been shown in clinical studies to augment function of the Natural Killer Cells and macrophages. Take two a day for maintenance, and four a day in disease states. Available only from Pharmanex.

Phages therapy is done in the Republic of Georgia. My brother was a missionary there for 5 years and has actually done it. He said it was very effective but did not make a person feel better right away. Now you can skip the plane fair to Russia

ECHINACEA (optional)

May be helpful in fighting acute and chronic viral illnesses. Choose a pharmaceutical grade brand (“Immune Formula” by Pharmanex), and do not use the liquid form as this contains alcohol. Do not take daily on a long-term basis, as the benefit may wear off. For a chronic illness, double the usual daily dose but take in cycles — use daily three weeks on, one week off each month.

BIO-GINKGO (optional)

The most effective ginkgo brand in my experience — pharmaceutical grade, and very high potency to assure full bioavailability. Available only from Pharmanex. Ginkgo has been shown to increase blood flow to many organs, including the brain. Patients report clearer thinking and better memory. Be aware that this brand is strong — start with a low dose, then increase every few days or a pressure-type, vascular headache may result from all the increased circulation.

GLUCOSAMINE (optional)

Can be of long term benefit to the joints. Do not be misled into buying a product that also contains chondroitin, as this chemical does not add anything, but it can make the product more expensive. Look for a product that contains the herb Boswellia serrata — this is a non-irritative anti-inflammatory. Although many generics exist, the Pharmanex product, “Cartilage Formula,” has the right ingredients and is of proven efficacy. Expect improvement only over time (several weeks), but plan to use this indefinitely to maintain joint health.

CREATINE (optional)

Creatine has been shown to be of benefit in neuromuscular degenerative diseases such as Lou Gherig's Disease (ALS) and can be very helpful in supporting low blood pressure, as in NMH. Important: To use this safely, you must have an adequate fluid intake. The creatine product should contain taurine, an amino acid needed to enhance creatine absorption, plus some carbohydrate to aid creatine entry into muscle. You will need a 20 gram loading dose for the first five days, then 4 to 10 grams daily maintenance. Try “Cell Tech” from the Vitamin Shop, and follow label directions.

Wasting is a big issue for me so I do this

MILK THISTLE (optional)

Useful to support liver function. Take 175 mg three times daily — use an 80% Silymarin extract.

I am alergic to this so I skip it.

MUSCLE FIX (optional)

This blend of nutrients from Pharmanex really helps sore, tight muscles. Must be taken on an empty stomach — either two, twice daily between meals, or four at bedtime. Can be used intermittently as needed, or daily.

My Shopping List:

Basic Daily:

Acidophilus refrigerated. Take two with each meal. Whole Food Grocery
Florastor - CVS Pharmacy

Vitamin B12 and B Complex 1 gram (total) 10000 mcg CVS Pharmacy
Vitamin C 1 gram CVS Pharmacy

LifePak Nano Pharmanex.
CoQ 10 product sold by Pharmanex. If not on Mepron
Borage oil or evening primrose oil or black currant seed oil (choose one). Do NOT use Flax seed oil! by Pharmanex
Omega-3 (Fish Oil) capsules, 1000 mg per capsule. Use “Optimum Omega” by Pharmanex
Cordymax: Pharmanex as “CordyMax.”
Reishi Max: Pharmanex. Phages therapy
Echinacea: (optional) “Immune Formula” by Pharmanex
Bio-Ginko: (optional) start with a low dose, then increase every few days or a pressure-type, vascular headache may result from all the increased circulation.
Glucosamine:(optional) Pharmanex product, “Cartilage Formula,” has the right ingredients and is of proven efficacy. Expect improvement only over time (several weeks), but plan to use this indefinitely to maintain joint health.
Milk Thistle: (optional) use an 80% Silymarin extract.
Muscle Fix: (optional) Pharmanex

Mag-tab SR,” sold by Niche Pharmaceuticals - no cal mag . Using Perscription Magox instead of Mag-tab

Methylcobalamin: (Methyl B12) (optional) Triangle Compounding Pharmacy

Creatine: (optional) Try “Cell Tech” from the Vitamin Shop