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Posted 12/13/2012 9:47 PM (GMT 0)
In the past month I've tried to clean up my diet as much as possible (it was already pretty clean). So now I'm on no sugar, alcohol, gluten, yeast, dairy, meat and animal products, and caffeine (I'm drinking a lot of raw vegetable smoothies). I'm pretty much coping but I miss my cup of green tea in the morning. I may have had a detox reaction when I gave up caffeine though so perhaps it truly isn't good for me. So... Do you all partake in caffeine or no? Do you think it's better not to?
Posted 12/13/2012 11:27 PM (GMT 0)
 Coffee Elevates Stress Hormones
Caffeine in coffee elevates the stress hormones cortisol, epinephrine (also known
as adrenaline) and norepinephrine.These hormones are responsible for
increased heart rate and blood pressure, and a sense of “emergency alert”.
Circulation of oxygen to the brain and extremities is decreased and the immune
system is suppressed. The purpose of the body’s “fight or flight” response is to provide the body with a
temporary energy boost for intense physical activity. the continual state of increased stress resulting from caffeine consumption can affect health particularly in people with disorders that are sensitive to stress.
 Caffeine Suppresses Immune System Function
Continuous elevation of stress hormones causes suppression of the immune
system. lymes is a bacterial infection and requires a functional immune
system to adequately resist and ultimately fight the infection. Cortisol suppresses
the activity of cells in the immune system, including natural killer, or T-cell
function.

I like Teecino it is a lot like coffee but is made from chicory, and carob and dates and figs and raises your alkaline in your body as opposed to making you acidic like coffee. (you want to be alkaline) It brews just like coffee but in my oponion it tastes even better and gives me energy. and is caffeine free and acid free!
Posted 12/14/2012 12:26 AM (GMT 0)
I LOVE coffee , and I love a caffeine buzz ! BUT I can no longer handle it anymore it , I get really ill from even a few sips of coffee.

Also if you are gluten sensitive ( which most of us are ) , than you would benefit from knowing that caffeine includes a protein that cross reacts , the body reacts to it like it would gluten protein . It doesn't surprise me that you would fee bad after coffee .
Posted 12/14/2012 2:01 AM (GMT 0)
I used to have 3 cups a day. For about 6 weeks I didn't have any coffee but now I have one cup in the morning after a full glass of water and then right after drinking the coffee I have another glass of water. But that is it for caffeine all of my tea is caffeine free. I'm pretty sure though if I do have lyme it is a mild case compared to most.
Posted 12/14/2012 4:37 AM (GMT 0)
I refuse to give up my coffee. I read in one of my lyme books that a prominent LLMD recommends we drink some to help with the brain fog. I'm inclined to agree.

:D
Posted 12/14/2012 9:51 PM (GMT 0)
Right, tickle, the caffiene can help open up the blood pathways that feed the brain. But, there is an affect to the adrenals that is negative. So. I am in much more moderation with my coffee of late - still drink the "high test" but only one cup a day, then I switch to decaf...:-)
Posted 12/15/2012 12:31 AM (GMT 0)
It's good that you have so much self control!

Me, not so much.

I'm working on diet, though, and have gone gluten free (noticed an improvement) and almost dairy free. It's the cream in my coffee I haven't given up. Ironic, isn't it? lol
Posted 12/15/2012 12:31 AM (GMT 0)
It's good that you have so much self control!

Me, not so much.

I'm working on diet, though, and have gone gluten free (noticed an improvement) and almost dairy free. It's the cream in my coffee I haven't given up. Ironic, isn't it? lol
Posted 12/15/2012 12:46 AM (GMT 0)
yazzer , why am I recalling that caffiene is a vacular restrictor ? I need to look that up !
Posted 12/15/2012 12:15 PM (GMT 0)
I avoid things like gluten, dairy and sugar, but I don't go out of my way to avoid caffeine. I don't drink coffee so most of my caffeine intake is from green tea and I think the benefits (primarily antioxidant and l-theanine) from green tea outweigh the risks for me.

I do notice though that if I overdo it with caffeine (particularly if I drink black tea) I get an increase in heart-related symptoms.
Posted 12/15/2012 3:07 PM (GMT 0)
I am a coffee drinker as well - I used to survive on it! It's no wonder my adrenals were shot! LOL!

I couldn't even imagine being without coffee when I first started treatment with my current doc, so we came to an agreement - she wouldn't get on my case too much (:-)) and I would not only switch to the 1/2 caff stuff, but would limit myself to 2 cups a day, then if I had to have another, it would be decaf.

Since doing this, I've noticed that I really don't do well if I have more than that much caffeine - so I avoid it the rest of the day. Even just 2 or 3 mgs (the amount in decaf coffees and teas usually) more caffeine after 3 pm can keep me up for hours past when I should go to bed!
Posted 12/15/2012 10:35 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks so much for weighing in everybody. Seems like there's no clear answer on this one, not like with sugar or gluten. I may go back to drinking some green tea in the morning and see if there's any immediate negatives.
Posted 12/15/2012 11:20 PM (GMT 0)
Everyone,

I don't have a stake in this issue as I am not sick, but I do drink coffree, and I love it! There is nothing better than to sit down and to enjoy a good cup of coffee with my desert, while I am enjoying a great conversation with my family or friends. it is a great social catalyst for me! it definitely elevates my mood.

Heather does not drink coffee, tea, or soft drink.

The issue is a judgment call. If you notice an energy deficit, I would be cautious about ingesting a lot of caffeine. I cannot add anything to what Mumma has stated. Caffeine consumption will add to the overstress that your adrenals may already be experiencing.

A knowledgable nutritionist once told me that he would not advise drinking decaf as the chemicals used to extract the caffeine are unhealthy. He said that it would be healthier to drink caffeinated beverages than decaf. Is he correct? Would this be the case for a person with Lyme disease? I don't know. My recommendation would be to not ingest caffeinated products on a regular basis. I would however allow myself to enjoy them on special ocassions!

Having said all of this. I just got back from a coffee shop off campus from the University of Pittsburgh. I enjoyed 3 cups of steaming hazelnut coffee with half and half creme. My wife enjoyed her requisite herbal tea. We chatted for about 2 hrs and resolved some issues. We both left the coffee shop with an uplifted and positive outlook on life. If it serves a similar role in your social discourse and life outlook, who am I to suggest otherwise?

Don
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