Chapter 9: Discussion and Summary

[Rebecca]

Chapter 9: Lyme, Functional Medicine, and Nutritional Therapies

Discussion Questions:

1. Have you had any nutritional or metabolic profiles done?

2. Is your current doctor treating you like a functional doctor would; working on the 6 basic detoxification principles?

3. How do you feel about the herbal protocols?

Summary:

• Functional Medicine is “a science based healthcare approach that assesses and treats underlying causes of illness through individually tailored therapies to restore health and function.” P. 238 This is in contrast to mainstream medicine where they are primarily concerned with naming a disease and finding a drug to treat it.

• It is valuable to look at nutritional and metabolic profiles. Especially for patients who don’t fit a typical MSIDS profile. Could possibly be suffering from environmental toxins, candida, leaky gut, food allergies and sensitivities.

• We are what we eat, drink, breathe, and touch. The list is long… From industrial chemicals and combustion pollutants; over 800 pesticides, insecticides, and herbicides; multiple endocrine disrupters, heavy metals; as well as food additives, preservatives, and drugs.

• There are six basic functional medicine detoxification principles that need to be part of every good health plan:

o Minimize toxic exposure
 Do not use pesticides in or around your home, avoid chemicals and use natural cleaning products. Use both water and air purifiers.

o Ensure hydration
 Kidneys are the main organ used in detoxification. “dilution is the solution to pollution,” drink 2-3 liters of fluid per day. Drinking the right type of water is important.

o Optimize bowel health
 Colon health is essential for any detoxification plan. Drink plenty of fluids and eat plenty of fiber. Probiotics are important. Glutamine is beneficial for inflammatory conditions in the gut. Check out page 247 for Table 9.1 showing “GI Dysfunction and Other Medical Conditions.”

o Increase antioxidant reserves
 Environmental toxins release large amounts of free radicals and ROS (reactive oxygen species resulting in oxidative stress, causing increased cytokine production and inflammation. Antioxidants decrease free radical damage.
 Glutathione is one of the most important antioxidant systems we have.
 Nutrients in foods can modulate genetic expression. Diet, nutrition and exercise as a means to influence chronic illness.

o Optimize mitochondrial function
 Mitochondria are the energy powerhouses of the cell. See more in Chapter 10.

o Assist and balance liver biotransformation
 Biotransformation is the metabolism of a drug or toxin in the body that happens in the liver. It requires energy and a constant supply of nutrients to be effective.

• Lyme Nutritional Therapies: Dr. Horowitz started using herbal protocols for treating Lyme starting in 2002. Can’t leave patients on antibiotics forever. Check out page 261 Table 9.2 for Effective Herbal Protocols Used in Dr. H’s practice.

o Dr. H did a 6 month study on the Cowden protocol which includes Samento, Cumunda, Banderol, Quina, parsley and Burbur. The results were awesome. 99% of patients would relapse after coming off antibiotic, but adding the Cowden protocol enabled up to 70% to remain well for months to years. Unfortunately he did not see any effect on co-infections and 30% of patients still relapsed.

o Adding in Buhner protocol of Andrographis paniculate, Polygonum cuspidatum, Smilax, and Stephanie root seemed to work, but should be monitored carefully.

o The Byron White protocol has also been found to be effective. He has used them in over 1,000 patients and say they are very promising in resistant patients who fail antibiotics.

o “Antibiotics are useful in treating the underlying infections, but they do not clinically appear to eradicate the infections completely in late Lyme and MSIDS, as the vast majority of patients relapse when they’re discontinued.” page 262

[Rebecca]

I have had all these extra profiles done and I have found them to incredibly motivating to improve health at home. From food to limiting my toxin exposure.

I do feel like I am taking the functional medicine approach by having my ND work closely with my LLMD.

I am really surprised by the ending to this chapter. 99% of patients relapse after antibiotics alone?! Did I read that right??

[Vicki]

Yeah, I know! I am hoping to do all Cowden eventually!