The Tick Factor - Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Details: Created: September 23, 2016; Last Updated: January 02, 2020

I had the great privilege to attend "The Tick Factor" in Amsterdam, The Netherlands on September 17-18, 2016. Not only did I get to attend, but I was truly honored to be the moderator of the event. An informative and fun time was had by all. There were over 150 people attending the event and helping to educate practitioners in Europe about how to approach the treatment of Lyme disease. It was a powerful event hosted by Helen Blok and her husband Andre from Invintro, and what a job they did! It was so well-organized and beautifully executed. Kudos to Helen and Andre!

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.

Valerie Obsomer, PhD lectured on "Ticks and Associated Diseases: What and Whereabouts of an Increasing Risk in Europe" and shared:

Pathogens are all around us in nature. 11 out of 14 tick species carry Borrelia; 30% of bird-specific ticks carry Borrelia; 30% of Walloon cows are seropositive for Borrelia. Other animals such as rabbits, squirrels, dogs, horses, hedgehogs, blackbirds, and great tits (a bird) carry Borrelia.
Lizards reduce Borrelia in ticks; rabbits reduce tick populations; ants, chickens, and birds eat ticks; large mammals such as cervids (deer) and wild boar feed hundreds of adult ticks ready to lay eggs.
50% of ticks studied in 2016 in France were infected with various pathogens. 22% with various Borrelia; 18% with Bartonella; 17% with Rickettsia; 5% with Babesia divergens; 3% with Anaplasma; 1% with Ehrlichia. 3% had Borrelia miyamotoi which are not detected by Lyme serological tests but create a Lyme-like illness. Half of the infected ticks had at least two different infections.
It is predicted that there are 1,000,000 cases per year in Europe but only 80,000 are reported.
She created a survey of symptom occurrence comparing people that had tick bites and were diagnosed with Lyme vs. those that had tick bites and were not diagnosed with Lyme. There were clear differences in symptom presentation. Some of the top symptoms in those with Lyme were an EM rash, fatigue, sleep disturbances, stiffness of the joints or back, joint pain or swelling, neck creaks and cracks, muscle pain, confusion and cognitive issues, intestinal problems, and more.
More of her work can be found here: http://users.skynet.be/fa831542

Theodoor Scheepers, Ing. lectured on "Laboratory Diagnostics in Multi Infections Disease" and shared:

His talk was on the MELISA/LTT testing and was information from the work of Vera Stejskal, PhD.
The Lymphocyte Transformation Test for Borrelia can test for active Lyme and also can be used to validate successful treatment.
It is 89.4% sensitive and 98.7% specific for Borrelia.
He shared one study of Swedish patients with suspected Lyme. They had a positive result in 30% for Lyme and over 80% for heavy metals with the MELISA/LTT testing.
MELISA/LTT testing can be used to test for the immune system reaction to heavy metals.
Some people develop symptoms two days after removal of dental amalgams.
The body can struggle to remove heavy metals as a result of a stressed liver from the consumption of too many medications.
Some have a genetic predisposition to heavy metals which predicts the outcome after exposure.
Metal allergy is a delayed hypersensitivity and is mediated by T-cells (there are no antibodies produced).
Metals may bind to myelin and result in autoimmune-like responses. Metals can lead to autoimmunity.
Inflammation is a factor in many chronic diseases. Causes may be microbes (Borrelia, Candida, mold toxins, etc.), foods (gluten, casein, etc.), or metals.
Every metal used in dentistry can lead to an immune reaction.
Titanium dioxide, which is contained in toothpastes and some supplements, can lead to an immune reaction.
Changes in the blood can be seen after one is exposed to the ink of tattoos; metals from the ink accumulate in macrophages.
In metal allergic patients with chronic fatigue syndrome, 78% improved after having their dental metals replaced with non-allergenic materials. Only 2% worsened, and 20% remained unchanged.
Metal allergy can play a significant role in Fibromyalgia pain and removing the metals has been shown to result in 1/2 of the patients no longer having a Fibromyalgia diagnosis.
Mercury and nickel allergy are commonly seen in Multiple Sclerosis.
When people have chronic illness and multiple symptoms, metal allergy should be considered as a potential factor.
Using the MELISA testing to identify inflammatory triggers can lead to improved treatment outcomes.
MELISA testing can be used to establish allergy to many antigens including metals, cements, Lyme, molds, and more.
New developments to identify microbes include the TICK-BORNE BACTERIA FLOW CHIP which can look at: Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, Borrelia, Bartonella, Coxiella, Rickettsia, and Francisella. It is called the Hybrispot and uses PCR followed by a reverse dot blot hybridization based on DNA-Flow technology.
The sensitivity is 96% for Bartonella, 100% for Francisella, 94.4% for Coxiella, 100% for Borrelia, 91.3% for Anaplasma, 100% for Rickettsia with no observed cross-reactions.
This new method may represent a cost-effective option to improve diagnostic identification for tick-borne pathogens and earlier treatment intervention.
In one study of 97 ticks, Ehrlichia was identified in 4.1%, Bartonella in 3.1%, Borrelia in 32%, Coxiella in 1%, and Rickettsia in 23.7%.

Katharina Deutsch, MD lectured on "Methylation Disorders and Lyme – Fact or Fiction" and shared:

She uses 23andme in her practice for genetic analysis.
Health is 1/3 environment, 1/3 microbes, and 1/3 genetics.
She noted that genetics are partly hype but in her clinical experience has been helpful in managing chronically ill patients.
Detoxification capacity and energy production are impacted by our genes.
While there is an interest in genes, epi-genetics is involved in the regulation of genetic expression.
The epi-genome can be altered through external factors where the genome cannot be.
Methylation plays a role in the silencing of viruses. It is also involved in control of oxidative stress, inactivation of histamine, and the creation of many substances such as creatinine, choline, carnitine, CoQ10, melatonin, and others, including neurotransmitters.
SNPs are single nucleotide polymorphisms or gene mutations. Some upregulate an activity in the body while most downregulate.
Heterozygous (1 mutation) SNPs may reduce function by 30%. Homozygous (double mutation) may reduce function by 70%.
Homozygous SNPs are not very common. 8% for MTHFR 677; 11% for MTHFR A1298C; 26% for COMT V158M.
Incorrect methylation is a particular problem among those with Lyme, autism, and CFS/ME.
Abnormal methylation is associated with cancer.
There is a correlation with undermethylation and elevated homocysteine.
Undermethylation can impact the cells that line the blood vessels and result in cardiovascular diseases and hardening of the arteries.
Glutathione is the guardian and the garbage man.
MTHFR is the rate-limiting factor of the entire system.
High homocysteine = undermethylation. Low homocysteine = overmethylation. Ideal range is between 4 and 7.
With COMT, +/- is probably the best. +/+ leads to an enzyme slowdown and an increase of dopamine; +/+ is associated with overmethylators. -/- is associated with undermethylators.
COMT -/- may have higher viral issues and higher histamine.
Heavy metals block gene function; especially mercury and lead.
Nutrient and co-factor deficiency needed by the enzymes can lead to problems with methylation.
Drugs, infections, environmental toxins, pesticides can also lead to problems with the methylation cycle.
When methylation is decreased, there is an increase in Th2 and a decrease in Th1 functioning.
Lyme shifts to Th2 and Th1 is reduced; Borrelia turns the switch to Th2 which is advantageous as Th1 is the arm that deals with infections.
Improving methylation and raising folate and glutathione levels has an impact on the immune system and can influence the Th1 response which is needed to respond to Borrelia.
Extra demands can be placed on glutathione by injury, surgery, toxic exposures, infections, vaccinations, emotional stress, alcohol, sleep issues, and any form of mind or body stress.
Glutathione deficiency is associated with a functional B12 deficiency.
Borrelia utilizes cysteine which leads to lowered glutathione.
Lower levels of glutathione lead to increased levels of oxidative stress which forces Borrelia to go into a cyst form.
Glutathione depletion may be responsible for the re-activation of herpes viruses such as EBV, CMV, and HHV-6.
Glutathione depletion may lead to magnesium depletion in red blood cells.
One should expect that microbial die-off and mobilizing of stored toxins will lead to an increase in symptoms; but over time, improvement should be observed.
If you use too much glutathione, it can negatively impact the body's feedback loop and the body may block its own production.
Hydroxy-B12 is generally safe though some with MTR or MTRR may need more than HB12. Those with COMT +/+ may not do well with methyl-B12 as they may already have many methyl groups.
Methylation treatment must be subtle and personalized according to the infections present, SNPs, and detox capacity of the patient.
The practitioner must look at emotional stressors, heavy metals, environment, diet, and the SNPs using a holistic approach.
When looking at diet, emotions, environment, and SNPs, SNPs are not #1.

Joseph Burrascano, MD lectured on "Preventing and Treating Persistent Lyme Disease" and shared:

Borrelia leads to problems with toxin processing.
10-50% of patients treated for Lyme have persistent symptoms.
Borrelia has been shown to survive antibiotic treatment in rodents, dogs, primates, and humans.
"Persisters" persist despite antibiotic treatment. It is like a hibernating Borrelia organism.
Even in the persister form, the organisms are still antigenic and will stimulate the immune response and lead to continued symptoms.
Persisters make it extremely difficult to eradicate an infection.
It is only recently known that Borrelia is capable of forming persister cells.
The persister model is consistent with why some patients seem to need ongoing therapy to remain in a state of remission.
One has to optimize the treatment to minimize the creation of persisters.
Low dose antibiotics may lead to the formation of persisters.
"Dead bugs don't mutate".
The patients are not crazy; it is the Borrelia that is crazy.
To prevent formation of persisters, one must optimize 1) Drug, 2) Dose, and 3) Duration. Strong and high.
Borrelia induces defective B-cell signaling and suppresses B, T, and NK cells leading to immune suppression. There is also a 4 week cycle with new gene expression which allows the organism to evade the immune system. It can morph between spiral, cystic, and L-form and each form has different antibiotic that it responds to; this requires the use of antibiotic combinations.
The surface antigens change month to month which leads to different symptoms and migratory symptoms; and also is in part why many suggest that the condition is psychological in nature.
Borrelia can be in the nervous system from the onset of the infection. If there is blood in the CNS, there is Borrelia there.
Borrelia can live inside cells and in macrophages; treatment requires intracellular drugs.
Borrelia can survive as an intracellular pathogen. It lives in protective niches in the body such as in tissues and can exist in biofilm.
It has a very slow growth cycle of 4 weeks. Given the slow growth cycle, it is slower to grow but also slower to kill. It requires long-term treatment.
Borrelia secretes biofilms. This has been shown in vitro and in vivo (in the body).
The immune system does not recognize the surface of the Borrelia cyst.
Borrelia loves collagen. Patients look like they have Fibromyalgia.
Borrelia biofilms protect the organisms from immune attack. Can be up to 1000-fold increased tolerance to antimicrobial therapy.
In a research setting, even chlorine did not address Borrelia in the inner layers of a biofilm.
Infections can be transmitted to humans by ticks as soon as they bite. Borrelia can be transmitted in minutes. Studies have shown Borrelia in the CNS within hours of an exposure; even before an EM rash appears.
All stages of Borrelia infection need to be treated with full doses of antibiotics. Low doses of antibiotics leave resistant organisms and induce persister cells to form.
He recommends measuring blood levels of antibiotics as not everyone absorbs the drugs the same. There is a 10-100 fold difference in what can be found in the blood in different individuals.
Drugs must have both extracellular and intracellular action, must act in body fluids and tissues, and must cover all forms of the organism.
Doxycycline is best given with a big dose once or twice daily rather than several times a day. In general, doxycycline is not a very helpful drug with Lyme and was one of the failed drugs in recent persister studies. He mentioned that he generally avoids it as it has unnecessarily high rates of failure.
One of the most effective single drugs is Telithromycin; though it has a black box warning from the FDA and must be closely monitored.
The "mycin" drugs such as Azythromycin, Clarithromycin, and Telithromycin can lead to problems if one is on a statin drug.
High-risk tick bites should be considered for treatment.
Full doses of antibiotics should be used; should monitor with blood level testing.
Given the 4-6 week Borrelia cycles, the shortest duration of treatment would be about 26 weeks.
There are classic 4-week cycles of symptoms with Borrelia and this should be monitored; if these migratory symptom cycles are present, treatment is not complete.
T-cell responses, CD57+, and C4a should normalize before treatment is terminated or there is a higher chance of a relapse.
Women often need more aggressive treatment than men.
IV therapy may be warranted when the illness has been present longer than one year, reactive spinal fluid (WBC or protein elevation), synovitis with high ESR, major cognitive dysfunction, over 60, prior steroid use, or failure/intolerance of oral therapy.
Acute disseminated illness in the first trimester, acute carditis, and documented immune deficiency may also result in a need for IV therapy.
It is best to avoid PICC lines when possible as they serve as another site for biofilm formation.
Pulsed therapy regimes may be implemented with so many days on and so many days off of antibiotic treatment. It takes at least 36 hours to kill Borrelia with most antibiotics and days or weeks for Borrelia to recover.
Antibiotics may be given 2-4 days per week with no antibiotics on the remaining days.
Long half-life drugs cannot be pulsed.
Azole drugs need 14 days continuous use to be of greatest effect.
Pulsing does not work for co-infections; only for Borrelia.

Ann Corson, MD lectured on "Solving the Chronic Illness Puzzle" and shared:

Dr. Corson uses a German Biological Medicine model in her practice. This is a type of medicine that blends western medicine, European herbal medicine, homeopathy, isopathic medicine, terrain medicine, and bio-energetic medicine.
Disease starts in the extracellular matrix. When the terrain of the extracellular matrix is healthy (often related to toxicity). there are less bugs in the terrain.
The extracellular matrix has to be healthy for acupuncture or single-remedy homeopathics to have a positive effect. As toxicity in the matrix increases, these interventions generally become less useful.
The extracellular matrix is largely made of collagen. It is a transport and storage compartment in the body. Plastics, metals, petrochemicals, and other toxins overwhelm the matrix.
Lyme disease is the "whole shooting match" including protozoa, bacteria, viruses, bacteria, and other organisms.
In the homotoxicology model, tick-borne disease is considered to be in the cellular phases. Eating well, etc. will not cut it to bring a return to health. The body has to be "unstuck".
Epigenetic factors can far outweigh genetic ones. Metals can be epigenetic influencers of gene expression.
The body can fix itself if you can remove the roadblocks.
Emotional toxins can lock in physical toxins like glue.
For food allergy assessment, prefers IgA testing. IgG testing is not helpful as it is more of a snapshot of a lifetime and not current allergic responses.
Anticardiolipin antibodies may be present due to vascular infection with things such as HHV-6, Bartonella, or Protomyxzoa.
For testing antigliadin antibodies, stool or saliva are better materials for testing than serum.
Mold keeps people chronically ill. Dr. Corson stressed mold several times in her talk as a top priority for those that are not making progress with treatment.
Root canals are "pus pockets" in the body.
For dealing with biofilms, Beyond Balance BFM-1 and BFM-P have been indispensable with her patients.
Enzymes are the most important thing she uses. Boluoke is the often best option, but there are others that can be helpful as well including Lumbrokinase, Nattokinase, Serrapeptase, and others.
With all of the options available for treatment, it is not common that she needs to use RX antimicrobials.
Beyond Balance, Supreme Nutrition, and Researched Nutritionals are some of the product companies that she has found helpful for antimicrobial support.
Nature's Way Charcoal, Systemic Formulas BIND, and MicroChitosan may be useful binders.
Healthy fats are often needed including Omega 3, Omega 3/6/9, Phosphatidylcholine, Phosphatidylserine, GPC.
For reducing inflammation, Flex Now is one of her favorite tools; it is a shea nut butter. Xymogen Nrf2 Activator can be helpful for chronic inflammation.
As one is healing, symptoms often come in the reverse order that they initially presented.
Treatment is a process of cleaning, provoking, releasing in a continued cycle; have to find the "rotten spots".
When Herxheimer reactions present, increasing drainage, binders, and enzymes can be helpful. There is often a need to alkalinize the body.
A patient will never get well with antimicrobial treatment if they still have an ongoing mold exposure.
MOLD! MOLD! MOLD! is EVERYWHERE!
A patient needs to be peeing, pooping, and eliminating before starting to address heavy metals.
It is important that we continue to strive to improve our moral character in order to optimize health.
"Truthfulness, compassion, and forbearance is good."
Note: Dr. Corson has been kind enough to share her slides from this talk. They can be found here. Do review them as they contain much more than I have shared above.

Ginger Savely, DNP spoke on "Morgellons Disease: What We Have Learned So Far" and shared:

Morgellons is a skin disease of unknown pathology.
Crawling, biting, stinging sensations are present with disfiguring lesions and unusual filaments coming out of the skin.
It is better to call them "filaments" rather than "fibers" as that is more of a textile term and these are clearly not a textile.
People that have Morgellons are often labeled as having delusional parasitosis and accused of doing it to themselves.
Morgellons ruins lives and people that have it are often treated like lepers.
Filaments can grow under the nails; they are partially made of keratin.
Patients often have a gel-like substance on the skin and see black specs emerging.
It can feel like they are being punched with a pin from the inside out.
Primary symptoms include:
- Crawling and biting sensations
- Slow-healing lesions
- Thread-like filaments coming out of the skin
- Intense itching
- Painful sensations of something penetrating the skin from the inside out
- Slimy or gelatinous materials on the skin
- Black specs on the skin
- Hair loss or change in texture of the hair
The hair can feel different as the filaments can wrap around the hair itself.
Filaments have been found in the skin, in the urine, in vaginal fluid, in seminal fluid, and in the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, and mouth.
Scabs that form over the lesions have projections that go into the body and people often feel a significant reduction in pain by removing the scabs.
There are some correlations of Bovine Digital Dermatitis (BDD) which is a spirochetal disease where a Treponeme is suspected. 1 in 3 cattle in Europe have BDD.
Morgellons patients also have fatigue, brain fog, muscle and joint pain, insomnia, and anxiety.
The filaments can be seen under the skin with proper magnification.
Patients are not self-mutilating. Morgellons is real.
The filaments are not textile. They are made of collagen and keratin. They can be finer than a human hair or thick and translucent.
The filaments are made of the body's own proteins; collagen and keratin.
The lesions can be very slow to heal; nothing seems to work. They can leave scars.
Several bacteria have been isolated from Morgellons lesions including:
- Borrelia burgdorferi and other Borrelia species
- Bartonella henselae
- Helicobacter pylori
- Treponema denticola
The commonality in these organisms is that several of them are spirochetal or similar to spirochetes.
Dogs, cats, and horses also get Morgellons.
Several potential causes have been ruled out:
- Not fungal
- Not Collembola or Stenotrophomonas
- Not agrobacteria (soil bacteria)
- Not a man-made substance
The black specs that come out of the body are tightly wound filaments.
In a study of 122 Morgellons patients, 97% tested positive for or were clinically diagnosed with Lyme disease. There is a strong association.
Morgellons is more than likely a bacterial condition.
Eva Sapi PhD has found alginates in the biofilms of Morgellons patients. She is working to explore the potential of a genetic predisposition to the condition.
In two studies, it was shown that 6% of Lyme patients have Morgellons.
In a paper published in Sweden in 1938, 3 of 7 with a condition similar to Morgellons had Syphilis which is caused by a spirochete.
Dr. Shah from IGeneX found Borrelia species in 10 out of 10 samples from Morgellons patients.
Whether Borrelia is the cause or just present is not clear as many skin issues can find Borrelia in the cultures.
Clinically, it has not been treatment for Borrelia that has had the best outcome, but rather treatment for Bartonella.
Bartonella can be found in fleas and many with Morgellons report having had a flea infestation before they became symptomatic.
It is possible that Morgellons may turn out to be a new co-infection of Lyme; ticks are cesspools of infection.
Symptoms of Morgellons often worsen with initial treatment; much like a Herxheimer reaction in Lyme.
Patients are more complex than a Lyme patient.
Dr. Savely has a book coming out on this topic. More information on the book is available here.

Marlene Kunold, HCP spoke on "Vaccinations in Lyme Syndrome and the Toxically Blocked Lyme” and shared:

Vaccines are cultivated upon human fetuses, fast-growing cancer cells, ape kidneys, chicken and chicken eggs, rats, mice, calves, dogs, sheep, horses, cows, rabbits, and more.
Nobody can assure us that there are no residue particles that enter the vaccine.
There is no such thing as immunity towards a bacteria in nature. The presence of antibodies has nothing to do with protection.
Systemic autoimmunity appears to be a consequence of over-stimulation of the immune system by repeated immunization.
For some people, vaccines are like Russian roulette and can lead to autoimmunity.
Some additives in vaccines include mercury, aluminum, squalene, formaldehyde, Polysorbate 80, antibiotics, colorings, and foreign proteins.
Chronic Lyme comes with: mercury, histamine issues, pyrrole issues, gut dysfunction, acidity, nutrient deficiency, emotional issues, mitochondrial issues, free radical stress, vaccination damage, and more.
When Lyme disease is present, the result of a vaccination may not result in a good outcome. Heavy metals bind with Lyme. The immune system can become overstimulated and go into attack mode.
Lyme IgM antibodies may rise periodically suggesting that the illness is "toxically" blocked and cannot be healed at that stage.
To unblock vaccines, high potency homeopathics and emotional remedies may be helpful followed by high dose vitamin C and glutathione.
Metal detoxification may be needed for a prolonged period.
The body's electricity may need to be reorganized through ionic exchange using humic acids. Fulvic acids bind to heavy metals.
She likes the "muds" from Earth Elements.
These muds are a bioactive substance with nutrients such as organic minerals, amino acids, vitamins, antioxidants, and polyphenols. They have a high percentage of humic acids which bind with many toxins including glyphosates and heavy metals. The muds can help to reorganize the body's terrain and have an effect on reducing pathogenic microbes.
With the muds, they have observed that Borrelia cysts seem to disappear, biofilms resolve, Candida disappears, vitality rises (though there can be initial healing reactions), personal power increases, toxin excretion is increased (may need to support liver, kidney, lymph as the detox occurs), and there is a deep transformation.
Cadmium is high in everyone that she works with; possibly from car exhausts.
Aluminum and barium are high in every Lyme patient and seem to be from environmental exposure.

Dietrich Klinghardt, MD, PhD spoke on "A Late Symptom of Persistent Lyme Borreliosis: Alzheimer's Disease" and shared:

The Klinghardt Cocktail is like "birth control for bugs".
Colonics can be helpful for supporting the liver.
Rates of cancer have been flat; neurological disease have been growing exponentially.
There are 2,000 species of microbes in the oral cavity and different microbiome in the sinus, gut, and other parts of the body. The brain has its own microbiome consisting of alphaproteobacteria. Microbes in the brain drive brain development.
Toxic contaminants lead to the good bugs not being able to keep out the bad ones.
EMR/EMF is bad for the good bugs but good for the bad ones.
One study has shown that the mortality in Alzheimer's is associated with mobile phone output power. Maps of EMR/EMF and Alzheimer's disease overlap.
EMF/EMF leads to fatigue during the day and insomnia at night.
Autism Spectrum Disorder has the same features as Alzheimer's disease when evaluated after death. It is predicted that by the year 2025, half of children born will develop autism or other neurological issues. The ratio will be 20:1 boys:girls. Only 1 in 40 boys born in 2025 will be neurologically normal.
Anti-neuronal antibodies may be an attempt to get rid of microbes such as Lyme that can be a factor in conditions such as ALS, MS, and other neurological diseases.
An Alzheimer's brain is a brain infected with Lyme.
The plaques in the brain are a protective mechanism against spirochetes and herpes viruses.
Factor involved in Lyme and related chronic diseases:
- Infections (viral, bacterial, protozoal, mold, and fungi) and biotoxins
- Impairments in the glymphatic system and melatonin
- CCSVI
- PANDAS/PANS
- Metal toxicity
- EMR/EMF
- Dysregulated physiology
- Herbicides and chemicals
- Epigenetics, transgenerational trauma, and methylation blocks
- Endogenous infections and toxicity from the oral cavity and jaw
- HPU/KPU
- Decreased regulatory neuropeptides such as MSH, oxytocin, VIP, ADH, and melatonin.
He noted that Dr. Kamsteeg from Holland was a hero and Dutch doctor that was an expert in HPU.
Infections impact us in three ways:
- Immune reaction to the microbes or their metabolic products
- Effects of their secreted exotoxins and metabolic wastes (example: Quinolinic acid leading to inflammation)
- Competition for our micronutrients. (example: zinc and magnesium are critical minerals for the immune system)
With their OligoScan testing, they have noticed that all Lyme patients are trace mineral deficient.
Lyme uses iron and manganese to its benefit.
Inflammation in the venous and lymph systems narrows the outflow from the brain and leads to CCSVI and decreased brain perfusion.
Less than 25% of people with Lyme had an EM rash.
Spiders, lice, stinging flies are common sources of exposure; it is not all about ticks.
With the DNA Connexions PCR testing via urine (after deep tissue or similar body work), they have had 2 negatives out of 200 tests and most were coinfected with Bartonella and/or Babesia.
Alzheimer's disease is a symptom of Lyme; this was Judy Miklossy's work.
Amyloid is intended to encase microbes; it is part of the immune system's protective response.
Detoxification is huge in the treatment of Alzheimer's and in Lyme disease.
The 4 main principles in treatment are:
- Balance basic physiology - exercise, diet, pH, hormones, vitamins, EMF reduction, etc.
- Decrease toxic body burden - metals, chemicals, pesticides, biotoxins
- Immune Modulation - the response of the host makes the disease. LDI comes into this realm and has been very positive for patients.
- Decrease microbial burden (Note: this is last for a reason)
Biological Lyme Protocol or Klinghardt Cocktail
Biofilm breakers destroy healthy biofilms as well as detrimental ones. Rockrose or Cistus is a selective biofilm breaker and does not harm the beneficial biofilms.
Lyme lives in areas with high hyaluronic acid. As a result, he uses sublingual HA as "bug bait" to get the bugs to come out and then follows with a killing agent.
Silver can increase the killing potential of antibiotic therapies. It also helps herbs to be 20 times more effective when followed by homeopathic silver such as Argentyn 23.
Other factors in Alzheimer's include: blocked lymphatics and CCSVI, genetics, Herpes simplex virus, prions, aluminum and mercury toxicity, herbicides, lack of natural light, and EMR/EMFs.
They see miracles in patients since having added Stevia into their protocols/cocktail.
Liposomal formulations penetrate biofilms and allow the treatment to reach hidden or protected microbes.
In Cuba, a single dose of 200C Leptospirosis was given to 1.2 million people and resulted in a 60-80% reduction of disease.
Every single person should consider environmental influences which are causing universal health challenges.
Aluminum toxicity is the biggest single co-factor in Lyme disease.

Klaas Riepma, PhD spoke on "A Complementary Vision of Two Technical Pharmacists on Lyme: Analysis and Therapy" and shared:

Some need to decrease the number of supplements they are on as it can "become stupid".
Make your own mental status as strong as possible as you have to run a marathon.
Complementary medicines can be just as scientific as regular medicines.
What is not scientifically proven is not always nonsense.
Evaluate food for the quality of vitamins, minerals, carbs, fats, proteins, and dietary fibers.
Vegetables contain more bioactive ingredients than other foods. These include bioflavanoids, polyphenols, and other compounds.
80-90% of minerals in food have been lost as compared to 100 years ago.
Some of the supplements he listed as potentially beneficial for Lyme included: Curcumin, C, Reishi, Coriolus, Resveratrol, Broccoli sprouts, Phytoalexins, Melatonin, D, Green Tea, Garlic, Ginger, Glutamine, Antioxidants, Iron, Zeolites, Trypsin/Chymotrypsin/Pancreatin, Papaya powder, Res-Imnun, Fish Oil, Selenium, Lycopene
With Lyme, need to increase the immune system, supportive treatment, strengthen the body, increase conditioning, detoxify....
CBD really works, but the bioavailability of most products is 3-4%.
For detox, silymarin or solidago. As adaptogens, Chyawanprash, ginseng, or ashwaganda. For supplements, vitamin, minerals, IV vitamin C. Curcumin for inflammation; CBD or melatonin for sleep; PEA or CBD for pain.
Liposomes should be made with phosphatidylcholine and not lecithin.
Only supporting the body with medications and supplements is not enough. We need to keep the body in shape, dance, yoga, Tai Chi, meditation, look for family/friends/buddy.
Many cases of successful recovery from Lyme may not be evidence-based, but who cares?

Ginger Savely, DNP spoke on "An Update on the CD57+ Test – Is It Really a Good Marker for Lyme Disease?" and shared:

"CD" is cluster designation and is a protein that identifies a type of NK cell.
CD 57+ are what are looked at in Lyme disease.
T-cells are measured in HIV. NK cells in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, chronic Lyme, chronic viral infection, and autoimmune diseases.
Originally introduced in 2001 by Ray Stricker, MD and Edward Winger, MD as an marker for chronic Lyme disease.
The "normal" range of 60-360 was determined by looking at the first 1000 "healthy" people.
Illnesses such as MS, lupus, ALS do not have lower levels of CD 57+ NK cells.
Initially, it showed promise in diagnosis and tracking treatment in chronic Lyme.
There is tremendous normal variability in CD 57+ results. A practitioner must know this in order to determine if a change observed means something.
In one study, sick patients had a mean of 46 with a range of 8-160 while well patients had a mean of 164 with a range of 60-354.
CD 57+ results can change even within the same day.
The coefficient of variation was 30% and represents one standard deviation. Normal variation would be 60% above or below the count.
Thus, if a patient had a result of 100, normal variation would be between 40 and 160.
Dr. Savely mentioned that she does not use CD 57+ testing very much anymore.
The count does not always seem to match how the patient is feeling.
There are many variables that affect the result.
Patients get discouraged when the number does not increase and often this is within normal variability.
Other conditions that may be associated with CD 57+ besides Lyme include Bartonella, Babesia, Mycoplasma, Chlamydia pneumoniae, PANDAS/PANS, viral infection, mold exposure.
The CD 57+ test is a potentially useful adjunct tool for diagnosis of Lyme when other testing is not clear.
The CD 57+ test does not appear to be a reliable test to follow patient progress or treatment efficacy.
The CD 57+ test may be helpful in making a decision to end treatment.
High CD 57+s (600 or higher) have been seen in neurologic cases and in patients of European or Middle Eastern decent. It is not clearly understood why some people have high CD 57+.
Pregnancy can lower CD 57+.
CD 57+ is not a good marker to evaluate in children as it can be super low; there are no normals established for children.
Some have a CD 57+ of 12 and were well, remained well, and had no symptoms.
Coriolus has been found to increase CD 57+ in some patients. However, its use did not seem to result in positive clinical changes.

Ann Corson, MD delivered a lecture on "Management of Chronic Illness in Pregnant and Pediatric Patients" and shared:

Those with chronic inflammation often have KPU/HPU.
People have more autoimmune responses to the thyroid and connective tissue than to the brain in the patients she works with.
Epigenetic influences can be inherited; we inherit methylated proteins of DNA.
Kids often don't start growing until they have the energy to grow rather than the energy being used for the immune system to respond to the body burden of microbes.
Cats are a high risk for Bartonella infection.
When working with patients of divorced parents, it is important to have support from both parents or treatment may not work.
Dr. Corson uses the RealTime Labs urinary mycotoxin testing as one tool to look at potential for mold issues. It correlates to clinical presentation and improvement with treatment.
An organic diet with limited sugars and grains should be used during pregnancy; an anti-inflammation diet.
Dental health is important to consider as is gut health in keeping the bowels moving.
Oral Defense from Supreme Nutrition is a good tool for addressing oral pathogen burden.
A pregnant mother should not have aggressive cleaning or any amalgam work done during the pregnancy.
Supplements during pregnancy may include: multi-vitamin, phospholipids, essential fatty acids such as Omega 3/6/7/9, B vitamins and folate to support methylation, trace minerals, mitochondrial support.
It is important not to mobilize toxins during the pregnancy; you want to keep the toxins in the matrix of the mother and not stir them up and potentially expose the child to the toxins.
Some of the sickest babies have come from mothers that were living in a home with Stachybotrys.
All toxin exposures should be limited during pregnancy: mold, environmental toxins, personal care products.
Drainage remedies such as those from Pekana, Nutramedix, Energetix, or Nestmann may be considered.
The mother is often on antimicrobial treatment during the entire pregnancy; this may be a mix of RX antibiotics and natural antimicrobials.
Trichoderma in an environment may be from slow leaks over a long period of time.
Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Cladosporium like a humidity that is 50-70%.
Quinolones, Clarithromycin, Tetracyclines, Metronidazole, Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole are not safe during pregnancy.
Vital Guard Supreme and Manjistha Supreme from Supreme Nutrition are options.
Beyond Balance products are great in small children; also good for dogs and horses.
While breastfeeding, need to continue to limit exposure to toxins and continue antimicrobials in the mother. The child may also need to be treated if any of the tests are positive.
Dr. Corson does several tests at birth using the cord blood: Advanced Labs culture, Fry Labs smears and Protomyxzoa testing, Galaxy Bartonella testing, IGeneX, and PCR panels for other common organisms such as EBV, HHV-6, Parvovirus, Chlamydia, and Mycoplasma. She also tests the baby's first urine as well as foreskin and placenta bioposies with IGeneX using PCR for Borrelia. Blood testing/serologies looking for immune response (antibodies) to microbes are not helpful at birth.
A woman with active Protomyxzoa will pass that microbe to the baby.
It is generally appropriate to treat when tests are positive; whether or not the child is symptomatic as the consequences of not treating may not be pleasant.
Phosphatidylserine pre and post vaccination can help to protect the nervous system.
Nosodes may be another option worth exploration to build immunity.
A pH of 8.0 for drinking water is ideal.
When there are shifting food allergies, think mold. Mold toxins punch holes in the gut wall. Reflux often resolves when one leaves their moldy environment.
Sugar makes people fat; not fat. (Of course, living in a moldy environment can lead to weight gain as well.)
Hypercoagulation increases when one is moving metals or mold toxins in the body.
When herxing, it is often helpful to increase fibrinolytic enzymes.
There is no point in treating if the patient is exposed to a moldy home, work, school, or car.
Beyond Balance IMN-V-III is a powerful tool for addressing viruses.
Note: Dr. Corson has been kind enough to share her slides from this talk. They can be found here. Do review them as they contain much more than I have shared above.

Armin Schwarzbach, PhD spoke on "Lyme and Coinfections Test Panels for CFS, MS, RA, Fibromyalgia, Alzheimers, and, Parkinsonism" and shared:

Test panels may look at NK cells (CD57+), T-cells (EliSpot) or B-cells (antibodies; IgG, IgA, IgM).
CD57+ may be a general inflammation marker.
70% of children with autism spectrum disorder had low CD57+ in one study.
Cytokine storms in the body can lead to pain and inflammation.
CD57+ is not specific for Borrelia but can be low in Mycoplasma and Chlamydia infections as well.
Yersinia is an up and coming problem including in the United States.
EliSpot is similar to the iSpot Lyme test in the US. It is a T-Cell test for Lyme.
EliSpot is 84% sensitive and 94% specific for Borrelia.
EliSpot looks for responses to Borrelia burgdorferi, Borrelia afzelii, and Borrelia garinii.
3% of ticks evaluated had T-cell responses to Borrelia miyamotoi.
EliSpot is available for Borrelia burgdorferi, Borrelia miyamotoi, Chlamydia pneumoniae, Chlamydia trachomatis, Ehrlichia, Yersinia, EBV, CMV, and HSV1/HSV2.
Basic diagnostic tests for Lyme: Borrelia IgM/IgG antibodies (60% sensitive; 99% specific), Borrelia EliSpot (84% sensitive; 94% specific), CD57 (70% sensitive, unknown specificity). When all three tests are used together, it is > 90% specific and 99% specific.
Study: 20-30% of autism can be caused by Borrelia and 58% by Mycoplasma.
Study: 90% of chronic fatigue patients are Lyme patients.
Borrelia can be inside or outside of the cell. All coinfections and viruses are intracellular. There are no extracellular coinfections.
It is more common in Europe to see Babesia microti and more common in the US to see Babesia duncani or Babesia divergens.
Koalas also get Chlamydia pneumoniae. Frogs also have it; don't kiss a frog. :)
Chlamydia pneumoniae is an intracellular bacteria and creates the same symptoms as Lyme disease.
EBV is very common and can lead to lymphoma.
Herpes Simplex viruses play an important role in Multiple Sclerosis.
High IgM for HHV-6 may be factors in Hashimotos and some cancers.
90-95% of people have Coxsackie virus. It can be involved in heart problems and Diabetes mellitus.
Ticks are 14 million years old; Borrelia is 15 million years old.
In Fibromyalgia and Rheumatoid Arthritis may want to explore: Borrelia, Chlamydia, Mycoplasma, Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, Rickettsia, Yersinia, Coxsackie, HHV-6.
In MS, may want to explore: Borrelia, Chlamydia, Mycoplasma, Bartonella, Coxsackie, EBV, CMV, HHV-6.
In CFS/ME, may want to explore: Borrelia, Chlamydia, Mycoplasma, Bartonella, Parvovirus, Coxsackie, EBV, CMV, Herpex Simplex 1 and 2, HHV-6.
In Alzheimer's and dementia, may want to explore: Borrelia, Chlamydia, Mycoplasma, Coxsackie, Herpex Simplex 1 and 2, EBV, CMV.
In Parkinson's, may want to explore: Borrelia, Chlamydia, Mycoplasma, Bartonella, Coxsackie, EBV, CMV.
In Autism, may want to explore: Borrelia, Chlamydia, Mycoplasma, Coxsackie, EBV, CMV.
Every patient has several infections.
An interactive coinfection symptom checklist can be found in several languages here.
More information on testing options can be found at http://www.arminlabs.com/

Dietrich Klinghardt, MD, PhD gave a second lecture entitled "Cofactors in Lyme Disease and Brain Disorders" and shared:

He uses primarily herbal and natural options. Herbs nurture the earth.
Herbs first; and then antibiotics only if needed.
Autism is Lyme disease acquired in the womb.
22% of people in one study showed evidence of Mad Cow Disease on biopsy. The older you get, the more you should be on a vegetarian diet.
The blood brain barrier is destroyed by aluminum, mercury, microwave, and infections.
When we address toxins, emotions, infections, and radiation exposure, there is huge progress and often full recovery.
Natural options require the patient to be more involved in the treatment and is a better overall strategy.
Everyone on the planet should work a lifelong detoxification program to optimize health.
There are 11 contributors to Lyme and Lyme-induced Alzheimer's: Mechanical issues such as lymphatics and CCSVI, Genetics, Herpes Simplex, Prions, Aluminum Toxicity, Mercury Toxicity, EMR/EMF, Herbicides, Gluten, Jawbone infections, Lack of natural daylight.
With Apo-E genetics, Apo-E2s are good detoxifiers and Apo-E4s are poor detoxifiers. Life-long detoxification must be implemented.
Brain cells shrink up to 60% at night to create space to clear toxicity. We must sleep. The brain becomes more toxic if we are not sleeping. RX sleep options are not the same and will not facilitate the detoxification of the brain like more natural sleep does.
Insomnia may be related to EMFs, accumulation of aluminum and mercury, and infections.
Liposomal melatonin removes mercury and aluminum from the brain as well as removing Lyme and viruses.
Melatonin is a peptide hormone and does not cross the blood brain barrier unless it is liposomal. One researcher mentioned takes up to 200 mg of melatonin each night.
EMR/EMF stimulates the bugs which leads to brain fog.
A Lyme patient may need 20 mg of liposomal melatonin and this will lead to a detox and thus should be paired with a broad detoxification protocol.
For Herpes Simplex and other viruses that are significant in Alzheimer's (and Lyme), EB Homaccord, RERUM, and Bravo may be helpful tools. Life-long antiviral protocols need to be implemented. This may overlap with optimization of methylation. Artemisia is an antiviral option.
For aluminum and heavy metals, zeolite may be a useful; also cilantro tincture. Silica-rich waters can help with detoxification of aluminum.
There is a direct link between aluminum toxicity and Lyme disease severity.
Aluminum, barium, strontium, and titanium can be found in the air and are then breathed in where there is then no barrier in the lungs to prevent them from entering the body.
Aluminum was 94 times more prevalent than any other toxin in blood testing done after apheresis.
Mercury is a cofactor in Lyme and a factor in Alzheimer's. We need metal-free teeth, careful consumption of fish, avoidance of mercury in vaccines, and a detoxification program.
The symptoms of Lyme and the symptoms of mercury toxicity are virtually identical.
Biological treatment of metal toxicity includes: cilantro with ionic foot bath, chlorella, charcoal, zeolite, laser detox, homeopathy, Linda Lancaster detox baths, etc.
Cilantro tincture should not be used if one still has metal amalgams in their mouth.
It is best to push toxins over the gut surface than out through the kidneys.
One study suggested that it can take 7 years to accomplish a level of metal detox that can be done in 39 days with cilantro.
Cilantro increases the urinary excretion of everything toxic.
In children with autism, the footbath combined with cilantro have emerged as the primary treatment.
When doing a foobath, the most significant amount of metals come out in the urine on the 3rd day.
Detox for aluminum and mercury may include: cilantro, chlorella, zeolite, IonCleanse footbath, colon hydrotherapy, lymph massage, neural therapy, and some IV nutrient therapies: vitamin C, alpha lipoic acid, glutathione.
Explore to EMR/EMF blocks the body's ability to detoxify and makes pathogens more virulent.
Mentioned a study from a long-time LLMD that looked at 100 patients that had recovered and were symptom free for 2 years. These people detoxified, took antimicrobials, and implemented biophysics tools (such as the footbath).
Exposure to cell phones leads to a reduction in melatonin.
Treatment for EMR may include removal of WiFi, protective clothing, no alarms/baby monitors/cordless phones, and switching off fuses at night. Computers and cell phones should not be used after dark (limit light exposure). Use a sleep sanctuary, Stetzer filters, blocking paints, window screens. For internal protection, propolis and rosemary tinctures.
There is a direct link between glyphosate and most symptoms and diseases. It is important to eat organically to lessen exposure.
Removal of glyphosate, pesticides, phtalates, BPA, and other chemicals includes: rosehips, C, E, Glycine, Selenium, Zinc, B6, homeopathic autourine therapy, homeopathic glyphosate, zeolite, sauna, laser detox.
More Information: Klinghardt Institute

Valerie Obsomer, PhD lectured on "Roll Back Borrelia: A Strategic Action Plan" and shared:

Go for zero tick bites.
Reduce tick bites in high risk areas.
In one study, 28% of cattle were seropositive for Borrelia.

Marlene Kunold, HCP spoke on "When The Body's Shock Absorbers Are Worn Out” and shared:

Blood pH has a very sensitive range of 7.35 to 7.45. We cannot neglect our pH.
They body has a buffer system to keep pH levels in check.
Lactate and acidity in the tissues lead to soreness.
Baking soda can be used to akalinize.
Gut bugs produce ammonia which leads to brain fog.
Baking soda can be used on the skin instead of deodorant.
Things that produce acid in the body include stress, toxins, infections, radiation, inflammation, foods, and disturbed metabolism.
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda may be used in the morning.
The stomach keeps food and drink separate so using baking soda is not a major concern in terms of digestion. Baking soda does not negatively impact digestion.
Reverse Osmosis and distilled water have a pH of 5.5 and are oxygen thieves.
Using baking soda in the shower can help to remove acids from the tissues.

Joseph Burrascano, MD lectured on "Treating Borrelia Persisters" and shared:

There is a 4 week cycle with Borrelia; if the cycle is still present, the patient still has Lyme. With Relapsing Fever Borrelia, the cycle is 2 weeks.
Is Post Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome Real?
- There is nothing to support that it is autoimmune.
- Permanent damage theory does not stand up with migratory symptoms that come and go.
- While there may be some neuropsych symptoms, there are also physical symptoms.
- Persistent infection definitely occurs and can be proven.
In looking at Post Lyme Syndrome, if the major symptoms of Lyme resolve, it is said that the Lyme is cured. Major symptoms include Bell's Palsy and carditis which improve anyway with the natural progression of untreated disease. So this is not valid thinking.
It is not autoimmune, but rather, the bugs are still present. There is no proof of autoimmune whatsoever.
Borrelia culture is more sensitive than the PCR; PCR is 30% or less sensitive.
For the culture test, it is best to draw the blood in the early afternoon as that is when there are more Borrelia in the bloodstream.
If C6 ELISA is negative but a culture or PCR is positive, this is a clue to the presence of persisters. Culture and PCR are able to detect persisters.
For treating persisters, cycle therapy may be used. This is the use of conventional Lyme antibiotics in on and off cycles. The goal is to hit Borrelia only when in a growth phase and then stop treatment. This may look like full dose treatment for 4-6 weeks followed by no treatment for 3-5 weeks until symptoms start to return and then back to the full treatment. This is repeated; on average for four cycles.
Cubicin (Daptomycin) is one option that may impact persister cells. This is usually used with other antibiotics in combination.
Daptomycin disrupts cell membranes of all forms of Borrelia.
Side effects of Daptomycin can be worse when one is on a statin drug; statins increase muscle inflammation.
People are starting to admit that there is persistence of Lyme even after treatment.
Treating Lyme with antibiotics should be done with full doses; lower doses allow for resistance to be created to the antibiotic.
Doxycycline is not a great drug for Lyme as he has observed high failure rates and the levels needed for it to work are often difficult to tolerate. It was shown not to be effective for Borrelia persisters.
Doxycycline is bacteriostatic but not bactericidal.
Combinations of antibiotics are needed. Daptomycin is a tool that may be used as part of those combinations.
Treatment is continued until there are no 4-week cycle symptom flares. C4a and T-cell responses may be followed. CD57+ evaluated prior to ending treatment.
In 60 patients with prior Lyme treatment that still had symptoms, Daptomycin was used with other antibiotics and all but four had a successful outcome. Of the four, a second round was given, and all but two were then in remission.
Another medication called Dapsone may be helpful for some with persistent Lyme; may also help those with Babesia.
Exercise is critical in recovering from Lyme. His specific program of exercise was created to improve T-cell function. It is not aerobic exercise but rather has a focus on toning and strengthening. It uses light weights with many repetitions. It is done intermittently with days of rest in between. The full details are available in his guidelines.
If you don't exercise, you won't get well.
It is best to avoid high-dose antioxidants as the Borrelia culture with with Advanced Labs has shown that these are required to get Borrelia to grow.
Borrelia do not like oxygen so oxidative therapies may be considered. HBOT may also make antibiotics work better.
Heat such as a hot tub or exercise may help improve the effectiveness of the antibiotic therapy.
May use probiotics, multivitamin/minerals, CoQ10 (unless on Mepron or Malarone), NT Factor, B vitamins, D, Magnesium, essential fatty acids. He prefers liquid EFAs over capsules as it is easier to identify when they have become rancid. Some patients feel a quantum leap in energy after two weeks on NT Factor.
Sleep is critical. No caffeine as it may impact sleep. No alcohol or smoking. Diet must be high quality with quality proteins and high fiber. Best to be low in fat and simple carbs.
Those that believe chronic Lyme is real and is often a persistent infection have been proven to be correct.
"Persistent Lyme" may be a better term than "Chronic Lyme".

Panel Discussions were held during the event and some of the items I found of interest were:

Dr. Burrascano: Persistent Lyme is generally defined as having the infection for 1 year or longer.
Dr. Klinghardt: The vagus nerve is one of the most infected nerves. Can be impacted by Borreia, Bartonella, EBV, and others.
Dr. Klinghardt: Parkinson's Disease is a symptom of Lyme disease. Not one patient with Parkinson's has been found not to have Lyme.
Dr. Klinghardt: In the past, it has been stated that one should take a break from artemisinin as it may not get absorbed after about 3 weeks of continued use. While true, this is not a problem with liposomal formulations.
A question was asked about the possibility that autoimmunity does not exist and that it is always driven by a pathogen. The panel seemed to concur with the idea that a pathogen is commonly the core issue in "autoimmunity".
Cilantro should not be used if one still has metal amalgams present.
Dr. Corson: A good source of information on mold is Mold Control on a Budget and Create Your Healthy Home.
Dr. Klinghardt: High protein diets benefit Clostridia. High protein is not a great option for those with Lyme. He advocates for a plant-based diet.
Marlene Kunold: Was asked if lemon water would be good to alkalinize. Her response was that lemon water is better if you add baking soda. :)

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.

Was this helpful? If you found this information helpful, I would very much appreciate your support in keeping the site going. If you would like to donate to my work, I thank you in advance and send you my gratitude.

BetterHealthGuy.com is intended to share my personal experience in recovering from my own chronic illness. Information presented is based on my journey working with my doctors and other practitioners as well as things I have learned from conferences and other helpful resources. As always, any medical decisions should be made only with the guidance of your own personal medical authority. Everyone is unique and what may be right for me may not be right for others.