Seven Things You Can Do If You Suffer From Lyme Disease

Lyme Disease can take it’s toll on your immune system. That’s why it’s so important to take good care of yourself. Here are seven things that everyone who suffers from Lyme Disease should consider. Incorporating into their daily routine. Always be sure to consult your healthcare practitioner before taking any supplements.

• Sleep: Be sure to get 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night on a regular basis. Too little sleep will impair your immune system’s ability to fight Lyme Disease and other illnesses. The quality of your sleep is also extremely important. Here are a few tips to help you get a good night’s sleep:
• Make sure your bedroom temperature is not too warm. Cooler sleeping environments tend to promote restful sleep.
• Avoid drinking coffee or other caffeine-laden drinks in the afternoon.
• Avoid those frequent nighttime visits to the bathroom by drinking the majority of your water and other beverages earlier in the day.
• Block the blue light on the gadgets you use at night. The blue llight emitted from electronic devices has been shown to adversely affect the production of melatonin, the hormone that helps you fall asleep. Orange glasses and various apps for blue light filters are available.
• Go to bed at the same time on a regular basis. Staying on a sleep schedule promotes good sleep, so don’t sleep in too long on the weekend.
• Probiotics: Probiotics have many functions. They enhance the digestion and absorption of nutrients, aid in the production of certain vitamins, help keep the lining of your gut healthy, influence the functioning of your immune system, and decrease the severity of diarrhea.
• Multivitamin: Even if you eat a healthy diet, you may still fall short when it comes to getting all the vitamins and minerals your body needs. A good multivitamin can help you safeguard against nutritional deficiencies. For individuals infected with Borrelia – the bacteria that causes Lyme Disease – it is particularly important get adequate amounts of B vitamins.
• CoQ10- CoQ10 is an antioxidant that helps with the production of energy inside your cells, affecting stamina as well as neurologic and cardiovascular health. Natural food sources of CoQ10 include: fish, meat , poultry, nuts and seeds. Do not take CoQ10 you are pregnant or nursing, take blood thinners or are on atovaquone (Malarone, Mepron).
• Magnesium: Lyme disease patients have some of the lowest levels of magnesium. -Magnesium is a mineral that is necessary for hundreds of biochemical reactions which occur in your body, affecting both your mental and physical health. Food sources include dark chocolate, dark leafy greens, buckwheat, pumpkin seeds.
• Alpha lipoic acid: Alpha lipoic acid is an antioxidant that helps regenerate other antioxidants like vitamin C and vitamin E and acts as an important cofactor in various cellular functions, including helping transport of CoQ10 into the mitochondria of cells. Food sources include broccoli and spinach
• Essential Fatty Acids: Proper amounts of omega 3 fatty acids help to reduce inflammation, improve cholesterol levels, fight fatigue, and lessen depression. Food sources of omega 3 fatty acids include fish and flaxseeds.

Along with proper nutrition and adequate rest, regular physical activity is an important part of recovering from Lyme Disease. Exercise should be undertaken in consultation with and under the supervision of a healthcare professional.

The contents of this blog are intended for educational purposes only. The information presented here is not a substitute for proper medical attention, diagnosis, or treatment by a qualified healthcare professional. Always seek the advice of your healthcare provider before starting or making any changes to an existing treatment plan, exercise program or dietary regimen and before using nutritional supplements.