The Forum for Integrative Medicine: Managing Chronic Complex Illness

The Forum for Integrative Medicine hosted a "beyond superb" event March 3-5, 2016 in San Diego, CA.  The event had some of the best practitioners in the field of Lyme, mold, and chronic illness.  With speakers like Dr. Dietrich Klinghardt, Dr. Patricia Kane, Dr. Ann Corson, Dr. Kristine Gedroic, Dr. Raj Patel, and many more of the greats, this was a "not-to-be-missed" event.  Unfortunately, the event was not recorded.  I'll do my best to share some of my key takeaways here, but the below is only a very small sampling of all that was discussed at this conference.  

Special thanks to Susan McCamish and her team for coordinating this excellent event.  It was originally Susan's idea to have an integrative conference, and it proved a huge success.  

 Disclaimer: Nothing in this text is intended to serve as medical advice. All medical decisions should be made only with the guidance of your own personal licensed medical authority.

Disclaimer: This information was taken as notes during the conference and may not represent the exact statements of the speakers. Errors and/or omissions may be present.

Note: As this information may be updated as any errors are found, I kindly request that you link to this single source of information rather than copying the content below. If any updates or corrections are made, this will help to ensure that anyone reading this is getting the most current and accurate information.  

The first day of the event was a smaller group and was the workshop day.  The speakers consisted of Dr. Michael Lebowitz DC, Dr. Sunjya Schweig MD, Dr. Kristine Gedroic MD, Susan McCamish CTN, and Dr. Patricia Kane PhD.  Superb speakers; superb content.  

Dr. Michael Lebowitz DC spoke on "How to Effectively Use Muscle Testing in Your Practice".  I loved this talk.  I have taken classes with Dr. Lebowitz in the past and have found him to have lots of tools to bring to the discussion of chronic illness recovery.  He shared:

• He likes to test people with their normal watches, rings, etc. as that is their normal state; removing them may result in false negatives.  He mentioned the same is true if the practitioner's office environment is too perfect and doesn't represent the stress of the person's normal environment.
• People get much better if they are willing to remove all of their stressful foods from their diet.  It is a key to making progress.
• Antimicrobials won't work as well if your body is still stressed by the foods you are eating.  
• 60% of patients are energetically stressed by nightshades.  He tests food toxins rather than the foods themselves.  A tomato for example may not stress as it has several beneficial compounds besides the stressful ones.  If the food toxins are stressful to the patient, the foods that contain that toxin should still be removed from the diet.
• He used to get many false negatives when testing for food stress and then started testing for the toxins specifically in the foods and found the results were much more accurate.
• Taking people off of 80% of the supplements they are on often gets people much better.
• 90% of people stress on caffeine and it is generally best avoided.  
• High levels of pain and inflammation in Lyme may be related to food toxins.
• Adrenal support may help to minimize food reactions, but the foods should still be avoided.
• Energetically, some foods that stress may be negated by antimicrobial herbs and supplements which suggests that the reactions are in part driven by the microbial overgrowth.  Foods are often secondary to the microbes, but you can't keep eating them and make progress.
• Organ stress is often secondary to microbial overgrowths as well.  Reducing the microbial stress often addresses the organ stress.
• Muscle testing is generally not a very good way to do dose testing.
• If you are off of certain foods, you may not stress energetically when being muscle-tested.  You may need to eat a small amount of the food prior to testing to get more clear information.
• People are much sicker than they were 30-40 years ago.  
• Many Herxheimer reactions are improper supplementation.  
• Generally does not like supplements that contain multiple ingredients.  There could be one ingredient that the body is stressed by.
• Many supplements have enzymes that are fungal-derived and are not good for people.
• With his muscle testing, he finds that very few patients test beneficially for fish oils.
• With molds, it is not uncommon to find that people get continued re-exposure from the air and this is often negated with an antifungal. 
• With fungal and parasitic stress, have to identify where did it come from.  It could be from pets, family members, etc. 
• In his system of energetic testing, he uses provocation testing to minimize false negatives and to find deeper layers of issues to address.  
• With is method of testing, he had arrived at a conclusion similar to Dr. Fry; that fats do support biofilms and make the biofilm problem more significant - even healthy fats.  
• He is hesitant to give enzymes for biofilms and uses topical essential oils to support the body in addressing biofilms.  Enzymes should only be used when on antimicrobial substances at the same time. 
• Enzymes alone are like opening the jail cells and letting out all the criminals; with essential oils, it is like opening the doors and having a guard in front of each cell.  
• In most people, it is best to treat all microbial stressors at the same time.

Dr. Sunjya Schweig MD spoke on "Do You Have a Gut Sense? The Importance of Gastrointestinal Healing in Lyme and Chronic Infections" and shared:

• 56% of his patients did at least one SIBO test and 77% of those had abnormal results.
• He uses lots of soil-based probiotics in his practice; Prescript-Assist and MegaSporeBiotic for example.
• SIBO can manifest with intestinal and extra-intestinal symptoms. Beyond intestinal symptoms such as bloating, gas, belching, discomfort, constipation, diarrhea, heartburn, and nausea, it can also lead to headaches, fatigue, joint and muscle pain, skin conditions, restless legs, interstitial cystitis, prostatitis, and more.
• The message was if you are not looking for SIBO, you may be missing a major factor in your patient's health challenges.
• In terms of treatment approaches, he looks at biofilm treatment with Beyond Balance MC-BFM-P or Interfase Plus, digestive enzymes and HCL, and probiotics.
• Motility may be an issue and things that may support motility may be LDN, Motil-Pro, and Iberogast.
• Herbal antimicrobials may be considered. He may use Apex GI Synergy and Lauricidin. Another option is Biotics FC Cidal and Dysbiocide. Another option is Metagenics Candibactin AR and Candibactin BR.
• There are studies that have shown that herbal therapy can be equivalent to Rifaximin for SIBO.
• He may use Rifaximin for hydrogen positive SIBO and Rifaximin with Neomycin for methane positive SIBO. Neither of these has major systemic absorption.
• Rifaximin from the CDD (Center for Digestive Disorders in Australia) may have more systemic absorption but still seems to be effective.
• Rifaximin does not disrupt the gut microbiome.
• Methane is a better test than the hydrogen test.
• Dr. Allison Siebecker ND has a good lab called NCNM. Commonwealth Labs is also good.
• Methane should be less than 3 and there should be less than a 20 point rise in hydrogen.
• They do not always restrict the diet while treating; happy, well-fed bugs are easier to kill.
• For stool pathogens, may use Doctor's Data CSAP (Comprehensive Stool Analysis with Parasitology) or the BioHealth 401H GI Pathogens Screen.
• There are not a lot of false positives with stool testing.
• His index of suspicion for tick-borne infections goes up when one is positive for Cryptosporidum.
• H. Pylori is the most common bacterial organism in humans. It has a protective effect if you get it at a young age but is more pathological when acquired as an adult. He generally attempts to eradicate it when possible. It has been known to be involved in some cancers. It persists for a lifetime in 50% of the world's population and can lead to inflammation and autoimmunity.
• May use Coptis Detoxifying Formula, Pepto Bismol, Mastic Gum, Zinc Carnosine, or Berberine as natural options for H. Pylori treatment.
• He mentioned the herb Horopito may be helpful for dealing with yeast overgrowth.
• Also may use coconut oil, undecylenic acid, caprylic acid, oregano oil, Pau D' Arco, rosemary, thyme, and systemic enzymes.
• Prebiotics are a solid option for boosting healthy bacteria.
• All parasite protocols should consider the need for treatment of family members of the infected individual.
• GLA is used to improve tight junctions in the gut; related to leaky gut.
• Buddify is an app that can be helpful for meditation. 

Dr. Kristine Gedroic MD and Susan McCamish CTN gave a workshop entitled "Herbal Applications and Protocols for Chronic Illness" and shared:

• When the genetic sink overflows, disease sets in.
• You can regulate both the faucet and the drain.
• Opening up the extracellular matrix (ECM) can be a very powerful tool in healing.
• People respond better to treatment when the ECM is considered.
• As toxins build up in the ECM, acupuncture may not be as effective as it may be as one gets further down the treatment path.
• Dr. Gedroic has found BB-2 to be helpful for Rickettsial organisms that may come out with Bartonella and have a presentation of joint pain.
• Stillingia is an herb that may be helpful for Borrelia.
• Dr. Gedroic loves BAR-1 and finds that it also helps some with Mycoplasma and Chlamydia pneumoniae.
• Babesia duncani more readily shows up with antibody testing but don't assume that Babesia microti is not present.
• BAB-2 may reduce microbial stressors that seem to create biofilms.
• Babesia is an easily provoked organism. BAB-3 is a good option when reindoctrinating the immune system slowly.
• Dr. Gedroic likes COGNEASE followed by COGNEASE DETOX. She finds that COGNEASE DETOX can be stronger; both help brain fog.
• When treating fungus and getting brain fog, COGNEASE DETOX has been helpful.
• 95% of neuro-Lyme patients have fungal overgrowth; impacts neurocognitive abilities.
• Parasites are like the Russian doll phenomenon.
• Babesia and mold both lead to rouleaux which can lead to brain fog.
• Protozoa and helminths may play a role when seeing hollowed out red blood cells under a microscope or on a lab such as Fry Labs.
• Coxsackie may be a cause of chronic laryngitis.
• IMN-V-III may be helpful for autism. May support against enteroviruses like the Polio family which may play a role in hip girdle weakness, fasciculations not related to Borrelia, etc.
• IMN-B has been helpful for PANS/PANDAS and SIBO. 
• IMN-GI has been helpful for those with H. Pylori and other gut microbial overgrowths.
• Bartonella is a crafty bug with the ability to hide; it is likely we never get rid of it.

Edward Kane and Dr. Patricia Kane, PhD provided attendees with a "NeuroMetabolic Cocktail Hour" where we learned about membrane medicine and shared in some delightful, healthy treats. They shared:

• The membrane is everything.
• We are not talking about fish oil.
• Fish oils are not essential until later in life.
• Butter, coconut oil, lard, olive oil are the only ones to cook with.
• Hemp oil has an Omega 6 to Omega 3 ratio of 3.8 to 1. 4:1 is ideal.
• If you can change the fluidity, you can alter the disease.
• Alkaline phosphatase correlates to the levels of phosphatidylcholine (PC) in the body.
• We need both phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and phosphatidylcholine (PC).
• Lecithin breaks down into triglycerides. Lecithin gets wiped out in the digestive system.
• Phosphatidylethanolamine is needed for mitochondria.
• Execs of oil companies gave permission to call anything that was 35% PC phosphatidylcholine.
• Toxins get in between the double layer of the cell membrane; need to add more PC to detoxify these toxins.
• Intralipid is from egg and preserved with aluminum; it is not for therapeutic use but can be helpful for acute situations.

The next two days were the "main event" and started with Dr. Tom Moorcroft DO lecturing on "Osteopathy: Deciphering the Riddles of Health and Dis-Ease".  He shared:

• Dis-ease is a lack of ease or harmony within the body.
• The person is a unit of body, mind, and spirit.
• The body is capable of self-regulation, self-healing, and health maintenance.
• Structure and function are reciprocally interrelated.
• Changes in function change the structure. Changes in structure change the function.
• The foundation of the physical universe is motion.
• The foundation of the spiritual universe is stillness.
• One of the problems with braces is that they force the body to look a certain way with little or no regard to function.
• Braces may lock in unhealthy patterns making them more difficult to treat.
• Mouth breathing is not natural; nasal breathing is.
• Head forward posture is common and can be a compensation to splint open the airway. This position can strain the neck and cranium.
• Other ways to splint open the airway may be chewing on things, thumb sucking, bruxism, and teeth clenching.
• An Advanced Light Force (ALF) device was designed by dentist working with osteopaths to support self-healing.

Dr. Michael Lebowitz DC spoke on "Using Applied Kinesiology to Navigate Chronic Complex Illness" and shared:

• He specializes in treating dysbiosis, food toxins, allergens, toxic chemicals, and metals.
• From 2000-2015, his work has added EMFs, hypercoagulation, food toxins, additional microbes, mycotoxins, biofilms, vials to aid in evaluation, methods to minimize false negatives, and provocative testing.
• Applied Kinesiology is fast, inexpensive and often leads to better patient outcomes.
• The cons are many inaccurate testers, influenced by the mind, and false negatives can occur.
• Some of the lessons that Dr. Lebowitz shared were:
  • Treat all microbes, food reactions, and supplements during same visit.
  • Consider treating metals, chemicals, and hypercoagulation at the same time.
  • Check factors that impede progress such as moldy homes, sexual partners, water, pets, and EMFs.
  • Pretest stressors before testing remedies. You want to bring the body's attention to the problem before looking for a solution.
  • Hypertonic (strong muscle becomes stronger) reactions are positive tests and can easily be missed.
  • Multiple ingredient remedies may have one thing in them that stresses that patient; generally not ideal.
  • Provocative testing helps to reduce false negative results.
  • Some of the things he sees most commonly in referred patients are missed microbes, wrong supplementation, not paying enough attention to foods, and false negatives.
• He suggests that much of "Herxing" is improper supplementation.
• Many foods stressors are secondary to microbes.
• It is hard to clear H. Pylori unless you remove poultry and eggs.

Dr. Raj Patel MD spoke on "Treating the Dastardly Duo: Hidden Mold Exposure in the Context of Lyme Disease" and shared:

•  Both Lyme and mold respond only partly to antimicrobials, or not at all.
• Herbs and antibiotics stop working due to the presence of uncontrolled inflammation.
• Always address inflammation before treating Lyme disease related-infections.
• He defines uncontrolled inflammation as C4a > 10,000, MMP9 > 500, and TGFb1 > 7000.
• Lyme will often raise C4a up to 10,000. Significant elevations above 10,000 are generally due to mold or viruses.
• Mold is the number one cause of uncontrolled inflammation; viruses next. Autoimmunity is third.
• He addresses the mold issue before treating Lyme.
• If you have low VEGF, you cannot work out and get muscle fatigue.
• NeuroQuant imaging has been very helpful as a mold patient has a very clear pattern; as does a Lyme patient - and these patterns are very different.
• With mold, it is more the forebrain, cortical gray matter, caudate and pallidum; with Lyme, the putamen and right thalamus.
• C4a, TGFb1, and MMP9 often drop after having been on Cholestyramine for 4 weeks or longer.
• His treatment approach is to eliminate exposure, reduce inflammation, treat MARCoNS, treat Lyme and coinfections, prepare the patient for VIP.
• It is critical to have a mold-free sanctuary at home to get well; otherwise, they will not.
• For the ERMI collection, collect 8-10 samples of dust throughout the house with a Swiffer. The dust should be accumulating for 4 weeks or longer.
• Cholestyramine can be taken 30-60 minutes before each meal and should always be mixed in 16 ounces of water.
• MSH increases when MARCoNS is treated.
• Biomagnetism is a system that his patients have done well with when adding towards the tail end of treatment as it can help with viruses and other persistent microbes.
• He does a provocation using the patients home to see if their home is a problem. This is done with a baseline series of testing using the C4a. The first is the baseline, the second after they have been on high dose Cholestyramine in an environment believed to be mold free. They then stop the Cholestyramine and remain under "house arrest" for 5 days with repeat testing (the third) on day 5. In patients with mold illness, #1 is high, #2 is dramatically lower, and #3 will go back up indicating a negative response to the home.  
• Maintenance level doses of Cholestyramine during Lyme treatment helps to address accidental mold exposures and keeps the Lyme treatment progressing more smoothly.
• VIP helps to reverse the priming of the inflammatory pathways so that patients becomes less reactive to short-term exposures to water damaged buildings. It repairs the damage left behind by Lyme and mold.
• VIP raises MSH, normalizes aromatase, balances T-reg cells, decreases C4a/TGFb1/MMP9, reduces MCS, increases VEGF, improves metabolism of Vitamin D, and corrects ACTH production which helps to repair the HPA axis.
• His conclusion was that mold illness can be debilitating and that it should be on the radar of every Lyme practitioner. It will put a wrench in Lyme treatment making recovery prolonged and expensive at best.

Dr. Sunjya Schweig MD spoke on "Do You Have a Gut Sense?" and shared:

• Bartonella can be a player in GI manifestations of illness.
• Tick-borne pathogens directly impact the gut.
• Antibiotics used in treatment can lead to major GI issues.
• Addressing gut imbalance is key to decreasing inflammation, modulating the immune response, decreasing symptoms, decreasing side effects of antibiotics, shortening tick-borne disease protocols, restoring health faster and more completely, and maintaining remission.
• The GALT (gut associated lymphoid tissue) is 50-70% of all lymph tissue in the body.
• Tick-borne infections can directly impact the gut and lead to inflammation and leaky gut, malabsorption, pain, reflux, neurological issues such as Bell's Palsy of the gut, nausea, diarrhea, and constipation.
• Gut inflammation potentiates systemic inflammation and cytokine production.
• Leaky gut may be caused by gut inflammation, infections, food allergy or sensitivity, psychological stress, toxins, antibiotics, or Candida and other fungi.
• Leaky gut is a factor in many systemic illnesses.
• Healing the gut can reduce inflammation.
• The 4R program is: Remove, Replace, Reinoculate, and Repair.
• Remove allergens, pathogens. Replace digestive enzymes and hydrochloric acid. Reinoculate with pre and probiotics. Repair the integrity of the gut mucosa.
• Testing for food sensitivities may have false positives if there are infections, leaky gut, etc.
• Elimination diets are often a better starting point than testing for food sensitivities; at least initially.
• Common GI pathogens include Blastocystis, Cryptosporidium, H. Pylori, Entamoeba Histolytica, Giardia, Dientamoeba Fragilis, Klebsiella, Salmonella, and more.
• He often sends stool tests to two labs at the same time as they have different pros and cons; surprisingly different results. Any finding is significant and addressed.
• 70% of immune system is in the digestive tract.
• SIBO can lead to bloating, flatulence, belching, abdominal pain and discomfort, constipation, diarrhea, heartburn, nausea, malabsorption. It can also lead to systemic symptoms such as headaches, joint and muscle pain, fatigue, and skin manifestations.
• The bacteria in the small intestine ferment the food meant for the host and produce hydrogen and methane gas.
• Treatment may be with Rifaximin and in some cases Neomycin or Metronidazole. Herbal options also considered and used.
• H. Pylori can lead to systemic inflammation and autoimmunity.
• Saccharomyces boulardii can be helpful; often taking 1-3 capsules 2-3 times daily.
• Insulin is one of the most pro-inflammatory molecules in the body.
• Of 146 new patients in 2015, 56% completed a SIBO test. Of that group, 77% had abnormal results.
• Diet can be a missing link and can reduce inflammation and autoimmunity.
• Gluten is a major player; many benefit from removing it.
• Cyrex and Enterolab have good options for testing.
• Foods to avoid are those that are pro-inflammatory such as grains, red meats (for some), citrus, soy, legumes, nightshades, dairy, processed foods, sugar.
• Lyme Disease Solution, Recipes for Repair, and The Lyme Diet are good books on the topic of anti-inflammatory diet options.
• Different people do better with different diets. Paleo, GAPS, and Body Ecology can be good options.
• The gut plays a major role in Lyme treatment as it is a source and solution for inflammation.
• Points to consider: grain free, nutrient dense foods, fermented foods, probiotics, bone broth, low glycemic, no alcohol, no caffeine, stay hydrated.

Dr. Kristine Gedroic MD spoke on "The Role of Phospholipids in Autoimmune Disease, Microbiome Regulation, and Chronic Illness" and shared:

• By one-year-old, we have an adult microbiome.
• 1-2% of our body weight is bacteria.
• Butyrate can be helpful for brain fog and circulation.
• Autoimmune diseases result from the successive accumulation of pathogens into the microbiome over time.
• Vitamin D receptors are responsible for over 1000 antimicrobial enzymes.
• Microbes block the vitamin D receptors and D 1,25 rises.
• When D 1,25 is 10-20 points higher than D 25, there may be an intracellular microbial burden.
• This split between 1,25 and 25 vitamin D has to resolve in order to resolve a positive ANA.
• Microbial cells in the body outnumber human cells by 10 to 1.
• What we are doing with antioxidants is too late to the scene of the crime and can be bad for patients if trying to put out an inflammatory response the body is using to address bacteria.
• The root of all common pathways is the CDR - cell danger response.
• CDR alters the behavior of the host to prevent the spread of infection.
• Most toxins, viruses, BPA, etc. are electrophiles and steal electrons.
• Treatment consists of restoring membrane stability and managing intracellular microbial burden, and feeding the microbiome.
• Restoring membrane stability is done with the PK (Patricia Kane) protocol.
• Nature's anti-inflammatories are Phosphatidylcholine and Butyrate.
• She may use a "Power Drink" which consists of a healthy milk, a protein powder, Phos Choline, Balance Oil, Evening Primrose Oil, electrolytes, etc. Thus there are oral and IV options for membrane stabilization.
• They use a lot of pancreatin and Ox Bile. Ox bile and cholagogues can recover and stimulate the gallbladder.
• For management of infection, options from Beyond Balance, Byron White, and others may be used.
• To support the microbiome, diet is key. Sugar and processed foods should be eliminated, carbs should be reduced, pre and probiotics and bone broth should be added.

Dr. Ann Corson MD spoke on "The Chronic Illness Puzzle" and shared:

• Her slides are available here which contain much more detail than I can share in these notes. It is a wealth of information so please review.
• Mold is huge and is everywhere.
• Newer buildings can be worse in some cases as they are not built as well.
• Inflammation leads to fibrin in the body.
• Infection and mold lead to inflammation.
• 99 out of 100 people may have microbes, even healthy people, but the mold may be what pushed you over the edge.
• Root canals are "puss pockets". Period; end of story.
• One ingestion of gluten can set you off for months.
• Ask over and over about mold.
• Trichothecenes can cause direct problems to the gut including leaving holes in the gut. These mycotoxins are like embers on a silk scarf.
• Exogenous cortisol is often a bad thing to do as it can crash people with biotoxin illness by suppressing the small amount of pituitary function they have left.
• The best way to lower cholesterol is to reduce systemic inflammation.
• You will never get rid of inflammation if you are not out of mold.
• Metals and mold toxins lead to increased hypercoagulation.
• A scalloped tongue may represent thyroid issues, hypercoagulation, or congestion in the body.
• Some people cannot move lymph with drainage remedies and need physical options such as the Lymph Star Pro.
• Inflammation may get worse if one supplements vitamin D when 1,25 vitamin D is high and 25 vitamin D is low.
• In her experience, the low amylose diet did not seem to work for patients.

Amy Joy Smith NP spoke on "Seeing PANDAS: Distinguishing Infection-triggered Autoimmune Encephalitis from Infection-driven Neuropsychiatric Symptoms" and shared:

• PANDAS can often look like a psychiatric problem and parents may be told the problem is psychiatric or behavioral in nature.
• PANDAS is an abrupt onset of symptoms from a misdirected immune response to strep (PANDAS) or other microbial or environmental triggers (PANS).
• It is infection triggered and leads to inflammation of the basal ganglia due to misdirected immune response that is autoimmune in nature.
• It is the body's immune reaction that causes the symptoms and not the strep or other trigger itself.
• The course of the illness is a baseline that becomes more severe with each exposure to the instigating trigger (strep, etc.).
• Group A strep in a genetically susceptible host can lead to antibodies attacking host tissues due to molecular mimicry. This misdirected immune response leads to PANDAS/PANS.
• In PANS, triggers could be strep (PANDAS), Lyme, Bartonella, Babesia, Mycoplasma, Viruses, and Fungi. Triggers can also be environmental such as mold, metals, or other toxins.
• The diagnostic criteria for PANDAS includes sudden onset; OCD, restricted eating or motor tics; prepubertal onset, episodic course, and the presence of other neuropsych symptoms.
• The obsessions and compulsions may take over the child's life.
• Obsessions may include repeating or counting, requests for reassurance, concerns over safety, and others. Compulsions may be around arranging things, rituals such as rubbing something a certain number of times, handwashing, eating rituals, and more.
• Diagnosis may include brain scans, looking for infections, autoimmune or inflammatory markers.
• A test called the Cunningham Panel is often used which measures antibodies against brain proteins.
• Treatment consists of treating infections, reducing inflammation, cleaning up the terrain, modulating the immune system, treating symptoms, protecting the brain, and repairing the damage.
• IVIG and Plasmapheresis may be used to support immune modulation.

Dr. Christabelle Yeoh spoke on "Mitochondrial Metabolism: From Rags to Riches" and shared:

• Life is all about evolutionary conservation.
• The most ancient function of the mitochondria is cellular defense.
• Our mitochondria are under siege.
• Reactive oxygen species from the mitochondria are designed to defend but lead to: increased membrane rigidity or stiffness, altered membrane permeability, and inhibited cell division.
• There is a chronic mismatch between evolutionary conservation and over bearing organisms; it is an unresolved war.
• Mitochondria are the powerhouses of the cell but they must defend first and provide energy second.
• ATP is the energy currency of the cell and ultimately the entire body.
• Mitochondria, beyond energy producers, are involved in immunity.
• Cell Danger Response is triggered by chemicals and physical or biological threats which exceed the cells capacity to maintain balance.
• Mitochondria are the biggest sources of reactive oxygen species and triggers of the "inflammasome".
• Healthy fats can support cell membrane structure, optimize mitochondrial functioning, minimize inflammation, and support the neurological and metabolic systems in the body.

Dr. Dietrich Klinghardt MD, PhD shared "8 Insights: Why We Are Ill and What to Do About It". Dr. Klinghardt split his lecture into two talks, but the second talk was a continuation of the first. Thus, I am combining them here in my notes.

• Teeth are part of the body.
• Insight #1 - We are not separate from our environment.
• We are separated from our environment only through a number of semi-permeable membranes. We will become the same as our environment; the cause of all chronic illness.
• Everything else is an outcome of that.
• Most people don't have the opportunity to choose an environment that is congruent with their genes.
• HSV-1 and Borrelia both impact the brain.
• We have to get the toxins and infections out.
• Insight #2 - Many of our illness tendencies were programmed into our cells generations ago.
• Epigenetics is more important than genetics; forget the genes.
• Quinton water may lead to better baby outcomes.
• Infection and toxin exposures in the womb and trauma are primary causes of adult illnesses.
• Epigenetics can be healed; healing genes is still an art form.
• Insight #3 - Most of toxicity is unnecessary. We have to be aware and lead less toxic lifestyles.
• Aluminum, Mercury, Lead, Glyphosate, and Fluoride are the 5 top toxins and are responsible for 80% of the damage caused in us.
• Some memory foam mattresses may gain 9 pounds of weight in 1 year; this weight is moldy fluids.
• Lice are a main cause of Bartonella.
• Don't bathe in electrosmog; use only when necessary.
• Aluminum potentiates Lyme disease.
• Mold outgrows everything in us; the first part of mold treatment is to remove mercury.
• Even organic food may have glyphosate.
• Cilantro tincture plus a foot bath was found to increase the rate of toxins released by up to 10 times. Foot baths generally done twice a week.
• Insight #4 - We can assist in the creation of healthy babies even in a toxic world.
• Chlorella has been found to be very helpful and in Europe they have "Chlorella babies" that grow up with very good health, features, etc.
• Insight #5 - There are deep rivers running in us that we may never understand. Health and illness come from there.
• This is in references to traumatic experiences, unhealed trauma, stress.
• We need to find a therapist that deals with energy psychology and understands the family system. We need to find our own spiritual connection.
• Insight #6 - We are cooperating with a deliberately destructive technology.
• This is in reference to our use of wireless technologies such as WiFi, cordless phones, smart meters, etc.
• Melatonin helps to clear the brain of toxins and is the most powerful brain detoxification agents.
• Insight #7 is the Klinghardt Axiom which I wrote about with Dr. Klinghardt many years ago now. It is that there is a relationship between symptoms, pathogens, toxins, and unresolved psycho-emotional conflicts.
• We have to work on addressing these simultaneously to make lasting progress.
• Insight #8 - Treating chronic illness must follow the 4 main Klinghardt principles.
  • Principle #1 - Must correct and balance the physiology - exercise, diet, pH, hormones, vitamins, EMR protection, structural work, etc.
  • Principle #2 - Detoxification - metals, chemicals, biotoxins
  • Principle #3 - Immune Modulation - must both upregulate underactive aspects of the immune response and downregulate overactive ones.
  • Principle #4 - Decrease Microbial Burden - parasites, molds, viruses, bacteria, and protozoa.
• The use of cannabis can prevent age-related deterioration of the brain.
• Melatonin moves viruses and parasites out of the brain. Glutathione doesn't do much for detoxifying the brain.
• 5-HTP may increase melatonin.
• EMF is an outdated term and the correct term is EMR.
• Lyme may be like a teenager that caused the forest fire when it comes to Parkinson's, etc. it may be the trigger, but you can't reverse it with Lyme treatment alone.
• Iron is inflammatory and may be a factor in destruction of myelin.
• Toxins are stored in areas of unresolved emotional issues; bugs are found in areas with toxins.
• Most antibiotics are also potent metal chelators.
• EDTA stops the replication of Lyme spirochetes; Sodium EDTA, not Calcium EDTA.
• Spirochetes move 2000 times faster than the fastest white blood cell.
• Spirochetes will likely be with us for life but they are only a problem with the immune system doesn't play nice with them.
• Homeopathy does not "kill" Lyme bugs but it is a good modulator of the immune system.
• Colonics create a pattern of change that is dramatic for the immune system.
• When killing is the last part, herbs are perfectly appropriate and effective.
• The response of the host makes the disease - 95% of symptoms is the response to the disease.
• Insulin resistance may be caused by Lyme in some cases.
• Testosterone facilitates the virulence of Babesia.
• He is not a supporter of the Marshall Protocol; vitamin D in high levels has huge benefits for some. With every 10,000 units of D3, you need 100 mcg of K2.
• Zeolite is a primary healing tool in many other countries. It may help the body to remove fluoride.
• Most toxins are positively charged; zeolite is negatively charged.
• Zeolite gives off a number of minerals that are beneficial to the body.
• Zeolite is far superior to cholestyramine for mycotoxin binding without side effects.
• Zeolite has antibacterial effects; stays in the gut.  Does not like the idea of zeolites in the bloodstream; it needs to stay in the gut.
• Zeolite is the poor person's apheresis.
• Zeolite may lower ammonia.
• Testosterone has a devastating effect with mercury. Don't rush in to do hormone replacement.
• Everyone with Babesia downregulates Testosterone as an adaptation. Address the Babesia; resist the Testosterone. Then once Babesia is treated, Testosterone may be helpful at 1/3 to 1/2 of what you normally think you should do.
• Toxic residues from the bugs lead to their own illnesses.
• Bartonella and Babesia both play a role in cavitations.
• Porphyrin testing can be helpful for looking at metals.
• Coproporphyrins are suggestive of lead exposure, precoprpprophyrin for mercury, and uroporphyrin for aluminum.
• The closest inch of hair may be indicative of the last 4 weeks where porphyrin testing may reflect what has happened in the past 6 months. Doctor's Data and labbio.net both have this testing.
• Oligoscan is an in-office testing option for heavy metals.
• Every patient with Lyme has low WBC. If it is over 5.5, Lyme is not the key issue; something else.
• Chlorella may help those with low CD57.
• 90% of the effect of some herbal formulas may actually be related to their ability to modulate the immune system.
• Allergies and immune reactions are impacted by the limbic system.
• Bravo yogurt is still overlooked; the suppository option may be even better.
• "Rope worm" may be a biofilm community that organizes itself into one creature.
• Ivermectin may be helpful for Morgellons and for cancers below the diaphragm and some lung cancers.
• Parasites are symobiotic creatures extracting metals from our bodies.
• Argentyn 23 silver can be helpful for MARCoNS.
• Up to 80% of mosquitoes in some areas carry Borrelia.
• It should no longer be "tick-borne disease" as most never had a tick.
• Bartonella is the most serious of the Lyme coinfections.
• DNA Connexions testing has been very helpful. It is a provoked urine PCR test; provoked by a deep tissue massage or rolfing prior to the urine collection.
• Round body forms may survive temperatures of 600 Celsius; you can't eradicate the Lyme organisms even though you can reverse Lyme disease.
• 62% of the time, antibiotic treatment makes people worse.
• Liposomal formulas have been a powerful way to address microbial burdens in patients.

Kelly McCann MD spoke on "Environmental Medicine - Testing and Treatment Pearls in the Care of Chronically Ill Patients" and shared:

• Environmental medicine is the interaction between humans and the environment.
• We need to both avoid toxins and remove them from the body to return to health.
• We have to ask the question "What is lurking inside our homes, offices, water, and food supply that may be making us sick"?
• Toxins include persistent pollutants like DDT, DDE, PCBs, PBDEs. Heavy metals. Non-persistent pollutants such as formaldehyde, phthalates, parabens, BPA, pesticides, etc. Biological toxins from molds, Lyme. EMF. Emotional toxins.
• Pollutants are a factor in diabetes.
• Lead is found in casings of bullets and can make people very sick from the dust.
• Can look at scorecard.org for local toxicants.
• Toxins can play a role in rT3 (reverse T3) elevations.
• In over 500 patients, only 2 did not have susceptibilities genetically to being impacted by toxins.
• She referred to the sink running over from all of the things that make up our total load. Genes/epigenetics, exposures during pregnancy, nutritional choices and deficiencies, sugar consumption, food, air, water, buildings, environment, infections, mold, stress and trauma, dysbiosis, and more.
• Almost every disease you can think of can be related to environmental toxicity. She presented a very long list of conditions and of toxicity symptoms.
• When it comes to Lyme or mold or coinfections, she suggested the chances were all of them.
• Uses metal testing from QuickSilver Scientific as well as others.
• Uses DMSA, DMPS, and EDTA for chelation of metals.
• Companies are starting to have more testing for toxins such as the Genova Toxic Effects panel, Great Plains GPL-TOX, and US Biotek Environmental Pollutants.
• Different nutrients are used to support Phase 1 and Phase 2 Liver detox.
• Phase 1 include Riboflavin, Niacin, P5P, Methylfolate, A, C, E, Selenium, CoQ10, Glutathione, amino acids, magnesium, flavonoids, copper, zinc, manganese, molybdenum, garlic, onions, milk thistle.
• Phase 2 include Calcium D-Glucarate, NAC, Glutathione, sulfur compounds, turmeric, milk thistle, SAMe, artichoke, rosemary, sulforaphane, green tea, and polyphenols.
• Phase 3 consists of gut healing, fibers, probiotics, ox bile, and hydrochloric acid.
• Saunas can be very helpful for detoxification of many different substances including metals and mycotoxins.

Patricia Kane PhD spoke on "Membrane Medicine" and shared:

• Genes are not a problem until we are poisoned; epigenetics.
• Toxins attach to DNA and change gene expression.
• Genetic testing is not important; epigenetics is the key.
• Phosphatidylcholine has been used orally, as an IV, topically, and as an enema.
• Omega 6 is paramount to the mitochondria.
• To disable mitochondria, they put them in antibiotics.
• Phos Chol nourishes and detoxifies.
• Phenylbutyrate breaks up lipid rafts which are used by certain infections such as Ebola.
• Lyme overtakes people if their membranes are not healthy; feeds off of the very long chain fatty acids.
• Butyrate helps to break up long chain fatty acids; then followed by Phos Chol.
• Diet is key!

Dr. Steven Harris MD talked about "A Team Approach to the Integrative Management of Lyme Disease Patients" and shared:

• Allopathic doctor arrogance is related to anxiety about not having all the answers.
• You have to fix the terrain and the organism will fix itself.
• Allopathic models assume that the body is reduced to chemistry and physics and that the whole is equal to the sum of the parts. If illness stems from an external living agent, treatment is to annihilate the agent. If the illness comes from within the body, control and weaken the body's ability to create the illness.
• Allopathic approaches assume one disease is related to one agent or cause.
• A naturopathic model acknowledges that there is an inter-relatedness of organ systems and interconnection between the individual and the environment. The whole is greater than the sum of the parts. There is more to illness than just one thing.
• An alternative medicine approach acknowledges intention. Perfect health is the body's tendency and it will heal itself with correction of imbalances. Structure and function are key. Energy fields, chakras, etc. are acknowledged. Fix the terrain.
• An individual is highly complex and has a physical, mental, emotional, epigenetic, spiritual, transgenerational, and intentional component.
• Dr. Harris mentioned the work of Dr. Klinghardt and of Dr. Horowitz.
• Dr. Klinghardt looks at parasites, protozoa, strep, Babesia, Viruses, Fungi and Yeast, Mycoplasma, and Lyme and coinfections.
• Dr. Horowitz looks at the 16 Point MSIDS map which includes immune dysfunction, inflammation, environmental toxins, nutritional deficiencies, liver dysfunction, endocrine abnormalities, neuropsych disorders, allergies, lack of exercise, neurodegenerative disorders, pain disorders, sleep disorder, GI disorders, mitochondrial dysfunction, autonomic nervous system and POTS, as well as co-infections.
• There can be interactions between all of these factors in Lyme.
• Organisms can change and shift in what is known as pleomorphism.
• He covered a long, long list of possible treatment approaches that may help people dealing with chronic disease.
• A team approach with several practitioners overseen by a health plan facilitator may be a good approach.

Dr. Kristine Gedroic MD spoke on "Managing Detoxification and Infection with Herbal Formulas" and shared:

• In patients that require IV therapy, they often combine with oral Soluna therapy for drainage support.
• Every single child born to a mother with biofilms will have biofilms.
• Interfase and Interfase Plus are largely focused on biofilms in the gastrointestinal system.
• For biofilms, finds Beyond Balance BFM-P and BFM-1 to be helpful.
• Beyond Balance BAB-2 has been helpful in her patients for addressing the most prestigious biofilm formers.
• Antibiotics are human mitochondrial toxins.
• When we are born with infections, the body does not know the difference between self and non-self. May use something like DesBio Series Remedies or homeopathics to wake up the immune system.
• Even after microbes are gone, there can be frequencies that may remain.
• Antibiotics drive Bartonella deeper into the body.
• Have to open detoxification, resolve biofilms, and then do herbal or antibiotic protocols for Bartonella; with this approach, it is a shorter treatment duration for the antimicrobials.
• Beyond Balance BAB-3 is very gentle in her experience.
• Beyond Balance BB-2 has been helpful for patients dealing with Rickettsial issues.
• Has had some patients with exhausting fatigue and hip girdle weakness that presented like ALS; seemed to benefit from Beyond Balance IMN-V-III.
• Eclectic Lomatium isolate won't lead to a rash like some other lomatium brands can.
• When people get neurological symptoms after eating, this may be an indication that parasites may be a factor.

Dr. Todd Thoring ND spoke on "Integrative Strategies for Complicated Tick-Borne Infections and Co-Conditions" and shared:

• Scutellaria can be helpful for people with Lyme.
• For those with autoimmune issues, tocotrienols may help calm the system.
• For inflammation and cytokine overproduction, this has to be a focus of treatment. Things like Boswellia, Curcumin, Ginger, black or green tea, Rosemary, Coptis, Scutellaria, and Ashwaganda may help.
• Antihistamines and mast cell stabilizers such as quercetin, nettles, Loratidine, and others.
• Leukotriene reduction with Singular, Boswellia, and Scutellaria. COX inhibitors such as Scutellaria, and others.
• Reducing NFK-b with curcumin, cat's claw and TNF-a with Boswellia, cat's claw, and more.
• A product from Researched Nutritionals called CytoQuel contains some of these and is a good "calming" formula for inflammation or Herxheimer reactions.
• Immune modulation is key; must calm auto-immune responses.  Transfer Factor Multi Immune, Thymus extract, Astragalus, Cat's Claw, Medicinal Mushrooms, Olive Leaf, Transfer Factor LymPlus or Plasmyc, probiotics, LDN.  PSC Regulato can help balance and regulate the Th1/Th2 systems.
• Detox is a must. Drainage is fundamental. Consider liver support, GI detox, sauna, skin brushing, baths, exercise, colonics, coffee enemas. Tri Fortify Orange can improve glutathione.
• Binders include chlorella, charcoal, pectasol, clay, Cholestyramine.
• For lymphatics, consider red root, gallium, wild indigo, poke root, red clover, yellow dock. Massage, skin brushing, rebounding, compression stockings, etc.
• Topical poke root can assist the lymphatic system and can be mixed with ITIRES.
• Most should be using Lithium Orotate - it helps with the immune system, nervous system, and is anti-viral.
• Many different antimicrobials may be helpful such as Researched Nutritionals BLt and Crypto-Plus, Garlic, Coptis, Samento, A-L Complex, Beyond Balance BB formulas. RX options may also be used.
• Homeopathics, IV ozone, and LDI may be helpful.  LDI can create a Herxheimer reaction that may have to be ridden out for 4-6 weeks.
• Silver may enhance antibiotic effectiveness.
• Viruses need to be considered and may be approached with RX or natural options. Olive Leaf, Lysine, Lithium, Selenium, Monolaurin, humic acid, artemisinin, and others.
• Protocols are always patient specific and may need adjustment. Pulsing may also be used.
• For Bartonella, Researched Nutritionals BLt, A-BART, DesBio Bartonella Series, NutraMedix Houttuynia, Tangarana, Barberry, Pau D' Arco, Beyond Balance BAR-1 and BAR-2, Clinical Response Formulas BST Cream may be helpful. There are RX protocols as well.
• For Babesia, Clinical Response Formulas CAT Cream, Researched Nutritionals Crypto-Plus, BioPure O3 oils, Raintree MYCO, NutraMedix Enula, Chanca Piedra, Beyond Balance BAB-1/BAB-2/BAB-3, A-BAB, and others may be used. There are also numerous RX options.
• BST Cream can help with Bartonella striae; CAT cream for Lyme and Babesia; can be applied to the bottom of the feet at night.
• SIBO is a common issue in patients and may approach with BLt, Crypto-Plus, Coptis, Garlic, Uva Ursi, grapefruit seed extract, silver, isatis, and others. RX Xifaxan may be used.
• Cinnamaldehydes such as in Pharmax Colon Guard can be helpful for GI dysbiosis.
• Xifaxin, an oral RX used for SIBO, stays in the gut and also helps with Bartonella in the gut and reduces ammonia production.
• Biofilms need to be considered as part of a treatment protocol and numerous enzymes may be helpful. Other natural options may include beta glucan, garlic, ginseng, grapefruit seed extract, NutraMedix Samento/Banderol, Immusist, NAC, Lomatium, black tea, resveratrol, BioPure Cistus tea, cinnamaldehydes, ozone, chelation.
• Biofilms may form on PICC lines and ports.

Dr. Ginger Savely DNP spoke on "Morgellons: An Integrative Approach to Treatment" and shared:

• This was one of the lectures that I was most interested in hearing. While more and more is known about Lyme each year, this is one issue that some with Lyme also struggle with that still needs much more research and better treatment options.
• Morgellons has both systemic and dermatologic (skin) manifestations; it is increasing in prevalence. Fibers are seen coming out of the skin.
• It is common for those with Morgellons to also have Lyme and other tick-borne diseases.
• Patients are told they are "delusional".
• Morgellons is increasing in prevalence, has a seasonal presentation, aligns with immune-suppressing triggers, patients have no history of psychiatric problems, and entire families, including children, have it. This is not a "delusional" disease.
• Like Lyme, lives are ruined. Given it is perceived as a "delusional" disease, incomes are lost, marriages end, sufferers have no support system, and often have severe depression; suicide may occur.
• Some of the main symptoms include crawling sensations, slow-healing lesions, hyper-pigmented scars when lesions heal, intense itching, black specs on the skin, fuzz balls on the skin, thread-like fibers. Fibers can be thick, tough fibers that are translucent and can be different colors; they are resistant to extraction. There can be a sensation of something trying to penetrate the skin from the inside out.
• Other symptoms may be fatigue, body aches, insomnia, cognitive issues, joint pain, anxiety, OCD.
• Morgellons was first found in historical literature as far back as the 1620s in France with Sir Thomas Browne.
• Recent interest was renewed over the past 14 years due to the work and web site of Mary Leitao.
• Diagnosis is clinical, like Lyme, and based on the symptoms and visible fibers. Have to use magnification from 30-200x to see the fibers as they are often not visible with the naked eye.
• Morgellons fibers can be seen in blood as well as in, on, or coming out of the skin.
• The fibers can shed into the air and can act as an irritant to others in the room but are not contagious.
• This is real. This is a disease.
• The exact cause is not known but patients can still be helped with treatment.
• Morgellons is not contagious with casual contact; the fibers are not contagious.
• The infection is in the patient, not around them. Constant cleaning is not needed.
• Morgellons patients do improve and get better with treatment.
• It is not caused by Collembola, GMOs, chemtrails, worms, fungus, mold exposure, dental materials, agrobacterium, or mites.
• There is immune suppression in people with Morgellons.
• There was often something dirty that penetrated the skin such as a bite, splinter, thorn, or cut later exposed to dirty water.
• 97% have Lyme and Borrelia has been found in the lesions; also have found H. Pylori and Bartonella.
• Fibers are keratin and the slimy substance on the skin is hyaluronic acid.
• She has treated more than 800 patients with Morgellons.
• Treating Lyme usually resolves Lyme symptoms but not the skin related symptoms of Morgellons.
• The best options for treatment are those that treat Bartonella.
• For natural treatment options, Researched Nutritionals BLt, Beyond Balance BAR-1 and BAR-2, Sida acuta, Houttuynia, and Hawthorne may help. RX Bartonella options are often helpful.
• Adding antiparasitics such as Alinia, Flagyl, or Tindamax can help.
• Many things work at first but not in the long run. Antifungals, antivirals, oral silver, numerous topicals may have an initial effect but do not last.
• Ivermectin, Biltricide, Albenza, Mebendazole, and others may be helpful in some but not needed by all and don't work for all.
• Must have a holistic treatment plan to make progress.
• It may take 2 or more years.
• The mind-body connection cannot be overstated.

Dr. Ann Corson MD wrapped up the event with "Treatment Tools and Case Histories" and shared:

• Bartonella lives for 9 days in flea poop.
• Cyrex and the ELISA ACT testing can be helpful for food related testing.
• Has found RealTime Labs Urinary Mycotoxin testing to be helpful.
• VEGF does go up in many cases of Bartonella.
• With HLA testing, a 2 in DQ generally means that gluten is not an option and that the patient is more likely to develop autoimmune thyroid issues if they continue eating it.
• Likes Nature's Way Charcoal and Systemic Formulas BIND for binders.
• Flex Now may be helpful to reduce mold responses and may be used in combination with Ibuprofen, Nrf2 Activator, and SyCircue for mold exposures.
• Dan Shen from Supreme Nutrition has been really helpful for some patients; have been able to get off of other supplements such as lumbrokinase.
• As a reminder, the full slides from Dr. Corson's talk have been graciously shared here thanks to Dr. Corson.

A few other notes that I captured from the Q&A sessions:

• Dr. Patel mentioned that he likes Beyond Balance IMN-V and IMN-V-II for his patients with viral issues.
• Best prebiotics - TruFiber, Glucomannan
• Many do not tolerate FIR saunas. Dr. Klinghardt mentioned that 98% of the benefit occurs within the first 5 minutes after sweating.
• A foot detox bath was mentioned from "A Major Difference" as being helpful for some patients.

Disclaimer: While I attempted to accurately represent the statements of the various speakers, it is possible that the above contains errors or inaccuracies. If you have any corrections to the content listed above, please Contact Me.