Information

I don't think I will ever understand everything that is going on in Lyme Disease, but I can share some of the things I've learned. Knowing what is going on in Lyme is one thing, treating it is another. I'll stick to what is going wrong. This is a small example of some pathway inefficiencies that can occur. If it is to much for you to swallow, just print this and give it to your physician. It may help him fill in some gaps. This is not a linear system and it cycles. That means things go wrong one day may not be as bad or go wrong the next.

-Inflammation from LPS detection increases acidity through quinolinic acid and cytokine production. Quinolinic acid binds and decreases the NMDA receptor stimulation.
-An increase in nitric oxide due to inflammatory pathways decreases BH4. Mutations from chronic infections often occur at MTR or MTRR which decreases BH4 recycling lowering its availability. MTHFRA1298C does the same.
-BH4 is made from a molecule called a pterin and can be increased by eating bright colored vegetables. Without adequate BH4, serotonin and other catacholamine neurotransmitters can't be formed.
-BH4 is used in hydroxylating the aromatic amino acids: tryptophan, tyrosine, and phenyalanine. The reduction of BH4 allows for an increase in circulating phenyalanine. Having an overgrowth of yeast does the same and most Lyme patients have that. Most Americans have that was well.
-Phenylalanine decreases the glycine binding on the NMDA receptor. Phenylalanine is also used to make BH4 instead of tyrosine which leads to a reduction of tyrosine.
-A reduction of tyrosine may cause Dynorphin A to fragment so the body can utilize the tyrosine and glycine from that residue. Dynorphin A binds and decreases the NMDA receptor stimulation when it does not have a tyrosine on the end of its chemical structure. This reduces available Dynorphin A for utilization.
-Nitric oxide binds transition metals as do polyamines. These reactions lead to a greater turnover and reduction of available substrates in the body. As an example, molybdenum is used to make BH4 so its reduction also decreases BH4 levels. Copper, magnesium, zinc, cobalt, are other examples of transition metals that are decreased. Their decrease lowers biopathway efficiencies because they often are substrates for many reactions.

The Borrelia bacteria causes all of this and much, much, more to occur by reducing manganese levels. The reduction in available manganese reduces lactobacillus levels. They form spores in the GI tract and their increase in size reduces the available space on the villi for other bacteria to grow. Yeasts like candida and various saccharomyces species increase their growth along with gram negative anaerobes. Enterococcus growth increases and becomes a predominant gram positive Firmicute. All of this leads to a huge reduction in B vitamin formation and tryptophan loss. Daily RDA's are not met on most nutrients. Getting those valuable nutrients and altering the GI flora is the only way to correct those problems.

There is a lot more going on but I would need to write a book to cover it. I'm too lazy for that.

sandyfeet said...
This is a great summary GH, thanks for sharing.

I know you’ve been saying gut is key for a while and that you favour a plant based diet (nutrient dense I assume). Can you summarize your treatment approach? Do you supplement or look for specific food sources. Do you check for nutrient deficiencies or just assume they’re there. I tend to focus on magnesium and manganese primarily. What’s your opinion on probiotics - again do you specifically supplement or rely on food and support existing bacteria.

Any tips are most appreciated.

On my phone at the airport so I won't be long, but I can't say there is one treatment for everyone. There are multiple pathogen issues for each Lyme patient so they would all react differently to being treated. I look for specific food sources and the variety of foods you eat is crucial. My protozoan based issue doesn't do well if I eat a lot of protein or fats, but too little fats or protein causes me trouble. I have elevated yeast levels like most and that creates it's own set of problems. I prefer Doctor's Data tests for seeing what you are excreting. Probiotics need their own thread but they can help some, others they won't. Animal protien intake helps some but hurts them long term. I can't blame them for eating it, I love the taste myself but the IgG effect is negative.