Detoxification therapy is a common treatment option for people with Lyme disease, a bacterial infection transmitted by ticks. This therapy aims to rid the body of toxins and other substances that may be contributing to symptoms and promoting inflammation. Detoxification therapy can be an important part of a comprehensive Lyme disease treatment plan, which may include medications and other therapies.
Many different detoxification methods can be used, including dietary changes, supplements, and physical techniques like saunas and exercise. It’s important to work with a Lyme-literate doctor to determine the most appropriate treatment methods.
Types of Immunity For Detoxification Therapy
Different types of immunity protect you throughout your life. Innate immunity is what you are born with and naturally occurs when the body feels threatened. Examples of innate immunity include coughing, fever, stomach acid, sneezing, and inflammation.
Acquired immunity is the type that develops over time as you are exposed to various pathogens. Each time your body is exposed to a virus, bacteria, or parasite, your immune system becomes better and stronger at fighting it.
Passive immunity is the type you acquire from a source other than your own body, such as a baby drinking a mother’s milk containing antibodies or receiving an injection of antibodies.
Damages to the Immune System
Can you imagine not having an immune system? Or having one that does not function properly?
Unfortunately, about 25 million Americans have immune systems that can’t do their job. Damaged immune systems occur due to the following:
- Primary immune deficiency or genetics and being born with it (SCID- Severe Combined Immunodeficiency)
- Acquired immune deficiency or getting a disease that weakens it (HIV/AIDS)
- Allergic reactions or when it is too active (Asthma)
- Autoimmune disorders that cause it to turn against itself (Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus, Multiple Sclerosis)
With some diseases, like Lyme disease, even if the bacteria are killed, it doesn’t mean they are automatically flushed out of the system. When bacteria die, they release endotoxins. Think of bacteria as tiny pebbles. When you hit that pebble with a hammer, it breaks into numerous smaller pieces, or endotoxins, which can travel throughout your system and trigger more inflammation.
It’s essential to find a way to eliminate the endotoxins and the bacteria to avoid autoimmune deficiencies.
Detoxification Therapy and Lyme Disease Affects
Lyme disease is not yet classified as an autoimmune disorder, even though it triggers an autoimmune response in the body that acts like an autoimmune disorder. Also, Lyme disease is often misdiagnosed as an autoimmune disorder.
Lyme disease is caused by a bacterial infection acquired by the black-legged or deer tick. The bacteria, Borrelia burgdorferi enters your bloodstream, activating inflammation that begins a search-and-destroy mission. The problem is that Lyme bacteria are clever and extremely good at making themselves invisible. They go undetected by:
- Hiding in blood cells and lining
- Going dormant or inactive
Creating biofilms for protection can also travel against the flow of blood, making it difficult to flush them out of your system.
Inflammation does not stop searching for the cause of the infection; eventually, your body has an adverse reaction to the inflammation. The more prolonged Lyme disease goes untreated, the more it can affect your immune system.
Getting Rid of Inflammation
Most doctors prescribe antibiotics as the first line of treatment. Doxycycline, one of the most potent antibiotics, is a common choice.
Antibiotics alone do not always work. Many continue to have symptoms of Lyme even after multiple treatments. At this point, infectious disease specialists, like Lyme-literate doctors, will integrate alternative therapies with antibiotics.
Detoxification therapy is one example of an alternative therapy that works.
Detoxification Therapy for Lyme Disease
Cleansing the body of endotoxins allows your kidneys, lungs, lymphatic system, and other significant organs to do their job efficiently. Detox can occur using infusions, vitamins, minerals, and alternative protocols.
Your Lyme-literate doctor will create a detox therapy plan based on your individual needs, detailed symptom history, lab work, and blood analyses. Standard protocols may include the following:
- Chelation- removes heavy toxic metals from the body, like pollution and chemicals you encounter daily.
- Manual lymphatic drainage using the Vodder method of massage on specific body areas to help the body naturally drain toxins.
- Activated charcoal binds to toxins so they can be flushed out of the system. It can attach to other things, so avoid taking it while taking other medicines.
- Bentonite clay binds to anything with a positive charge, like toxins. Masks and baths are usually prescribed for using bentonite clay.
- Glutathione is a powerful antioxidant that helps cleanse the intestines, kidneys, liver, and lungs of toxins. Lyme-literate doctors can administer glutathione infusions, so you receive the most benefits
- Body purification protocols or detox include teas, infusions, coffee enemas, steam showers, infrared saunas, and Epsom salt baths.
What to Put Back In The Body
Now that you are working on detoxing, you must also think about what you put into your body. Going through a detox and then filling your system with toxins means you will be stuck in a cycle of feeling suitable for a while and then feeling bad again.
Preventing toxins from your system is best done by restoring essentials. Water is essential for hydration and flushing toxins out of the body. Other essentials include fiber, probiotics, apple cider vinegar, and deep breaths that help release toxic gases.
What you consume is key to preventing toxic buildup. Food and drinks trigger inflammation, including anything made from processed sugars and flour.
Detoxification Therapy Main Takeaways
There are hundreds of detoxification therapies that help treat Lyme disease. Reach out to a specialist in infectious diseases who understands how to choose the best ones based on your needs.
You can start detoxing immediately. You can make small changes now to enhance the treatments you receive. Drinking more water, improving your diet, and exercising more will help give you the positive results you deserve.
