Here's What You Can Do To Prevent Lyme Disease and Other Tick-Born Illnesses From Spreading If You Find A Tick Attached To You.

With Covid-19 concerns still lingering for an undetermined amount of time, optimizing health is on everyone’s mind.

Time outside getting adequate sunshine/vitamin D, fresh air, and exercise are vital to immune function and overall well-being.

As we increase our outdoor activities, it is easy to forget about the need to protect ourselves and our families from a common but serious health threat: Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses.

As discussed in the previous article “Lyme Disease Prevention Part 1: How to Avoid Getting Bit”, there are practical and simple ways to reduce the chances of getting bit and subsequently contracting Lyme disease and other co-infections that can have damaging long-term effects.

So out we go where the ticks are waiting armed with natural tick prevention, preparations and strategies from our first article "Lyme Disease Prevention 1: How To Avoid Getting Bit".

But what do we do if preventative measures for Lyme fail and we suddenly find a tick embedded in our skin?

When Tick Bite Prevention Fails:
How to remove a tick PROPERLY to avoid Lyme and/or any other microbial transmission

If you do get bit, taking proactive measures to quickly address a potential or active infection can be done using proven natural methods, often in conjunction with more conventional approaches.  

This is important because there is a much better chance of avoiding acute and chronic Lyme disease if the tick is removed properly.

How To Properly Remove A Tick To Prevent Possible Lyme Disease

PROPER TICK REMOVAL IS CRITICAL!
The most important thing to keep in mind if you find an embedded tick on your skin is to avoid irritating, suffocating, or doing anything to causes the tick to pull its head out of your body.
If it does, it will regurgitate its contents -- including the Lyme-causing bacteria -- back into you.

Proper tick removal:

✅ When removing a tick correctly, you want to use flat tip tweezers.

✅ Firmly grasp the tick at the base of its head as close to the skin as possible.

✅ You want to take the edge of the tweezer and line it up parallel so that it's touching the skin and then gently pull with a gentle, steady force until the tick releases itself.

BAD, WRONG, DON'T DO IT OLD WIVES TALES tick removal:

1. 1. DO NOT put alcohol, fingernail polish or vasaline on the tick.
      
      
   2. DO NOT burn the tick with the head of a match.
      
      
   3. DO NOT use sharp pointed tweezers.
      
      
   4. DO NOT grab the tick in the center.
      
      
   5. DO NOT try to pop its bag.
      
      
   6. DO NOT twist or turn the tick.
      
      
   7. DO NOT use an apparatus to try to spin the tick out (like the cotton swab method going around the internet).
      
      
   8. DO NOT do anything that would irritate the tick & cause it to pull away!

*The longer you engage with the tick the more likely that it is going to regurgitate its contaminated contents back into your body, and the higher probability you have of contracting an infection.  

After removing the tick:
Once you've removed the tick, it is recommended to clean the area with hydrogen peroxide and use a topical product called After Bite, soaked in a cotton ball and applied with a Band-Aid. You can mix the After Bite with bentonite clay which has a detoxifying drawing action.

Testing the tick:
Testing is optional, but highly advised as it can offer peace of mind and inform you if you need to seek treatment from a qualified practitioner.

To get the tick tested, there are websites such as www.tickreport.com that provide accurate and quick results.

For this particular company, there is a basic panel or an expanded panel that tests for a wider array of pathogens.

1. 1. Place the tick into a Ziploc bag (alive, the way that it is).
   2. Fill out the online order form.
   3. Enter an all the standard identification for yourself
   4. Record the serial number on the plastic bag itself.

After the mailing process is completed, the lab will issue an identification number and perform an in-depth analysis of the tick (whether it is male or female, if it was partially engorged, etc.).

The results are securely delivered to you via email within 3 business days after the tick arrives at the lab. 

It is ideal to send the tick by FedEx overnight for the fastest service in order to receive the results back in 72 hours. This gives you the ability to go on doxycycline within that critical four-day treatment window.

EVEN BEFORE the pathogenic status of the tick is determined through testing, and symptoms are identified effectively within a critical time period after getting bit, proactive preventative measures can be taken. 

This approach can help to prevent an active infection and determine a treatment protocol should the tick contain the Lyme disease-causing bacterial spirochete, borrelia burgdorferi, and/or other co-infections. 

Natural Supplements To Take After A Tick Bite And Why This Step Is So Important!

Until a Lyme infection is verified by a reliable testing method, a suitable anti-biotic is not likely to be prescribed by your physician because the same antibiotics that are effective against Lyme (Borrelia burgdorferi) do not work against other co-infections such as Babesia. So your physician will not know what antibiotic to prescribe until your test come back to positively identify what infections exist if any.

To complicate the situation further, it takes a week for your body to build the anti-bodies that some test look for. So testing too early may result in a false negative. 

Apprehension of not knowing what antibiotics to prescribe and the desire to avoid overuse of antibiotics that render them less effective leave you in limbo as you wait for your Lyme disease test panel to come back.

This is why a proactive naturopathic approach after sustaining a tick bite using proven effective natural herbal supplements is so important.

In recent medical studies these 6 herbs were found to have good activity against Borrelia burgdorferi compared to the control antibiotics doxycycline and cefuroxime that are typically used in treating an acute Lyme infection.

• Cryptolepis (Cryptolepis Sanguinolenta)

• Japanese Knotweed (Polygonum Cuspidatum) 

• Sweet Wormwood (Artemisia Annua)

• Black Walnut (Juglans Nigra)

• Cat's Claw (Uncaria Tomentosa)

Among the herbs tested against the Lyme disease bacteria, B. burgdorferi, Cryptolepis sanguinolenta stood out as clearly more effective at eradicating Lyme bacteria in this study.

✅ In fact "compared to the control antibiotics doxycycline and cefuroxime"...0.5% Cryptolepis sanguinolenta extract still has strong activity and could almost eradicate the stationary phase B. burgdorferi cells."

✅ "...0.25% Cryptolepis sanguinolenta could eradicate or dissolve all the B. burgdorferi cells including aggregated forms as we found rare live and even dead cells with SYBR Green I/PI microscope observation."

✅ "By contrast, the clinically used antibiotics doxycycline and cefuroxime at clinically relevant concentration (5 μg/ml) could not sterilize the B. burgdorferi stationary phase culture, since spirochetes were visible after 21-day subculture." (Feng 2020)

Feng, J., Leone, J., Schweig, S., & Zhang, Y. (2020). Evaluation of Natural and Botanical Medicines for Activity Against Growing and Non-growing Forms of B. burgdorferi. Frontiers in medicine, 7, 6. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2020.00006

Additionally, you want to watch for visual signs of an active infection which include expanding of the redness around the bite and/or a classic bull’s eye or other forms of a rash, and any sort of heat in the area itself.

If you develop systemic symptoms such as fever, stiff neck, muscle or joint aches, fatigue, or headaches,  or if you receive positive results back from your tick analysis, it is advised to see a medical doctor to prescribe antibiotics.

It is important to seek care from a Lyme Literate Doctor who can create an individualized herbal protocol that complements and enhances traditional methods of treating tick-borne infections.

Using evidence-based, clinically effective, pharmaceutical-grade, anti-pathogenic herbs verified for potency and purity can greatly improve your chances of addressing Lyme disease and co-infections.  

Above all, try to remain calm and not panic. The hormone cortisol, which triggers the stress response, hinders your immune system's ability to function properly and fight infection. 

For questions about Lyme Disease and scheduling in-person or virtual appointments with a Lyme-Literate Physician, lab testing, and recommended supplements, please visit our intake form page or call 860.228.1287. 

The ideas and recommendations in this article are for informational purposes only. The contents are not intended to replace the advice of the reader’s own healthcare professional or physician. The treatments described in this article may have known and unknown side effects and health hazards. Each reader is solely responsible for his or her own healthcare choices and decisions. The author advises the reader to discuss these ideas with a healthcare professional or physician before trying them. The author does not accept any responsibility for any positive or adverse effects a person claims to experience, directly or indirectly, from the ideas and contents of this article.

Whether you’re a frontline worker or working from home while trying to homeschool three kids, it is more important than ever to stay healthy and operating on all cylinders. Botton line: your life needs you healthy. While there is no magic pill to ward off illness, there are a few tried-and-true ways to keep your immune system humming:

Eat More Fruits & Veggies

Your mother has been telling you to eat more fruits and veggies since you were too short to ride rollercoasters. As it turns out, there might have been some science behind all of mom’s nagging.

Whole foods like fruits, vegetables, seeds, nuts, and beans are nutrient-dense and rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants help decrease inflammation which has been linked to a myriad of chronic health conditions including heart disease, diabetes, cancer, arthritis, and obesity.⁵

Only 1 out of every 10 adults meet the daily recommended servings of fruits and vegetables.⁶  But when you have a busy life and a tight schedule, how do you manage to get healthier food on your plate?

1. Make a plan.  Keep track of how many fruits and veggies you currently eat in a day. Then make a plan to slowly increase that amount. Swap that afternoon chips & dip for celery and hummus. Or maybe instead of fries on the side, you opt for a side salad. Small changes add up over time. Most adults should aim for 2-3 cups of vegetables⁸ and 1-2 cups of fruit per day.⁷
2. Start with Breakfast: If you’re aiming to pack more nutrients into your day, it's worth starting the day off right. Try adding diced apples to your morning oatmeal or include mushrooms or tomatoes to your morning omelet for a savory breakfast.
3. Buy prepared: If all the chopping, peeling, and dicing is a bit too overwhelming, pick up some pre-cut or pre-washed options at your local grocery store. Bagged salads and pre-cut fruits are a much better option than takeout.
4. Spice it up: Most grocery stores have an entire aisle dedicated to adding more flavor to food. Every tried truffle salt? How about sesame butter? Don’t be afraid to experiment.
5. Top it off: Make your veggies pop with flavored oils, toasted nuts, or a sprinkle of cheese.
6. Soups & Smoothies: Soups and smoothies are a great way to sneak in extra nutrient-rich foods. Add a handful of spinach to a fruit smoothie for an energy boost, or sneak in puréed cauliflower to a soup to make it extra creamy. You won’t taste the difference, but your body will thank you!

Get Enough Sleep

Sleep and the immune system are closely connected. Consistent and quality sleep strengthens the immune system. The opposite is also true. Studies show that people who don’t get enough sleep are more likely to get sick if they are exposed to a virus, like the flu or common cold.¹

When you sleep, your body releases proteins called cytokines which help regulate the immune system. The body ramps up the production of cytokines when you are under stress or are combatting an infection or inflammation. Lack of sleep          decreases the production of these protective cytokines and dampens the body’s ability to fight off pathogens.² 

So how much sleep do you need to keep your immune system humming? The National Sleep Foundation³ recommends:

• Toddlers (1-2 years): 11-14 hours
• School-Aged Children (6-13 years): 9-11 hours
• Teenagers: 8-10 hours
• Adults: 7-9 hours

If you’re having trouble nodding off to dreamland, try going to bed at the same time every night, sleeping in a dark & cool room, exercising regularly, and eliminating screen time for an hour before bed.⁴

Hydrate

Water is essential for life. The human body is composed of 60% water.⁹  It is the major component of most body parts (the brain and lungs are 73% water), it flushes body waste, allows the body's cells to grow & reproduce, regulates body
temperature, delivers oxygen all over the body, and converts food to energy.⁹ So it is no surprise that drinking enough water throughout the day is vitally important to overall health.

The U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine is about 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) a day for women and 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) a day for men. Keep in mind that you may need more fluids if you live in a hot climate, work outside, or exercise intensely.¹⁰

Supplement When Needed

Although we all strive to get the majority of vitamins and minerals from nutrient-dense foods, supplements can play an important role in a well-rounded health plan.* When it comes to supporting your immunes system, some studies¹¹ show that supplements may help keep your body’s immune system in tip-top shape:

• Vitamin C 
• Vitamin D 
• Zinc 
• Elderberry 

Supplements are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) so getting accurate information on the quality or potency of a supplement can be difficult.  Labels on supplements often include misleading or outright false information. It can be hard to sift through misleading health claims, so it's important to do a little investigation into the supplement company.  Are their supplement formulated by medical professionals? Were they recommended by someone you trust? Do they have a good reputation?  Are they just another big-box company out to make a buck? Do they make any particular purity or potency guarantees? 

Although supplement ingredients are not regulated, the FDA does inspect the facilities where the supplements are produced. Therefore, it is crucial that any supplements you take are produced in a US FDA inspected Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) Compliant Facility.

Bottom Line

In addition to washing your hands regularly, some simple lifestyle and diet changes can help keep your immune system in optimal health. These are not revolutionary ideas. We all know what we should be doing to stay happy and healthy: drink water, move your body, get some sleep, and eat your veggies. Guess your parents were right all along (don’t worry, I won’t tell them).

Resources

1. Prather, Aric A et al. “Behaviorally Assessed Sleep and Susceptibility to the Common Cold.” Sleep vol. 38,9 1353-9. 1 Sep. 2015, doi:10.5665/sleep.4968
2. Irwin, Michael R. “Sleep and inflammation: partners in sickness and in health.” Nature reviews. Immunology vol. 19,11 (2019): 702-715. doi:10.1038/s41577-019-0190-z
3. Hirshkowitz, Max et al. “National Sleep Foundation's sleep time duration recommendations: methodology and results summary.” Sleep health vol. 1,1 (2015): 40-43. doi:10.1016/j.sleh.2014.12.010
4. https://www.cdc.gov/sleep/aboutsleep/sleephygiene.html
5. Serafini, Mauro, and Ilaria Peluso. “Functional Foods for Health: The Interrelated Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Role of Fruits, Vegetables, Herbs, Spices and Cocoa in Humans.” Current pharmaceutical design vol. 22,44 (2016): 6701-6715. doi:10.2174/1381612823666161123094235
6. Lee-Kwan SH, Moore LV, Blanck HM, Harris DM, Galuska D. Disparities in State-Specific Adult Fruit and Vegetable Consumption — United States, 2015. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2017;66:1241–1247. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6645a1
7. https://www.myplate.gov/eat-healthy/fruits
8. https://www.myplate.gov/eat-healthy/vegetables
9. https://www.usgs.gov/special-topic/water-science-school/science/water-you-water-and-human-body?qt-sciencecenterobjects=0#qt-sciencecenterobjects
10. www.nationalacademies.org/our-work/dietary-reference-intakes-for-electrolytes-and-water
11. • Vitamin C: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23440782/
    • Vitamin D: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29080635/
    • Zinc: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28515951/
    • Elderberry: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30670267/

*The products and statements made about specific products on this website have not been evaluated by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. All information provided on this website or any information contained on or in any product label or packaging is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from your physician or other health care professional. You should not use the information on this website for diagnosis or treatment of any health problem. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new vitamins, supplements, diet, or exercise program, before taking any medication, or if you have or suspect you might have a health problem. 

We all envision living a long and healthy life, symptom and disease-free. Yet the reality is that most of us suffer from some pervasive health issues or chronic illnesses. There is a solution, however. If you are like many people who are not seeing results using conventional medicine alone, consider naturopathic medicine.

How Are Naturopathic Doctors Different From Traditional Doctors?

Naturopaths are trained in all of the basic medical sciences that standard medical doctors are trained in. However, naturopathic physicians artfully blend modern, cutting-edge diagnostic, and therapeutic procedures with ancient methods.  They design individualized treatment plans integrating both traditional health care wisdom and the latest evidence-based research in order to restore, maintain, and optimize health naturally using a whole-person approach.

How Do Naturopaths Support Healing?

A naturopath designs a tailored treatment plan based on the understanding that health is determined mostly by food, environmental, and lifestyle factors – “epigenetics” that directly impact how our unique genetic predispositions towards certain diseases are expressed. This approach goes against conventional wisdom, underscoring the truth that we are not “doomed” according to family history.  Instead, the patient is empowered to take control of his or her health as a lifelong practice. Fostering education and sustainable changes in the person’s lifestyle habits are seen as essential to the process of healing and cultivating wellbeing.

Determining lifestyle factors that positively impact treatment outcomes allows naturopaths to effectively identify imbalances that are the underlying root causes of disease to restore function and rebuild health using a systems-biology approach, as seen in the modern functional medicine and psycho-endo-neuro-immunology (PENI) medicine paradigms. Similarly, naturopathy acknowledges that everything is ultimately connected and interdependent. Reflecting this, naturopathic medicine incorporates diversified diagnostic and treatment tools that utilize integrative therapies and emotional/spiritual techniques to rebalance the whole person, which include techniques such as labs, nutrition, supplementation, stress reduction, botanicals, and more.   

In addition, scientifically-backed and clinically proven anti-aging, regenerative medicine, and innovative techniques are showing promising results in the latest healing research:

The collective use of these diverse treatment methods in naturopathic medicine focuses on targeted ways to recalibrate the body systemically.  

Implementing lifestyle modifications such as optimizing sleep, exercise, stress reduction/stress management, cultivating healthy relationships and social networks, and improving mindset further promote healing and emphasize the whole-person approach to healing.

Let Food Be Thy Medicine And Medicine Be Thy Food

Foundational to the practice of naturopathic medicine is using food as a form of medicine to support emotional, mental, and physical health. Optimal nutrition allows the body to function, heal, and age optimally. What we consume on a daily basis is essentially a potent drug that acts either like poison or medicine in your body and is the #1 way to change our genetic expression and to prevent, mitigate, and even reverse chronic illness.

What Kinds of Conditions Can Naturopathic Medicine Help to Resolve?

The naturopathic approach is known to successfully treat patients with conditions that range from acne and allergies to obesity and metabolic imbalances, autoimmune disease, digestive disorders, reproductive and hormonal imbalances, mood and emotional dysregulation, cognitive impairment, autism, ADHD, chronic fatigue, and persistent infections like Lyme Disease. Most diseases are merely a label for myriad underlying root causes that can be addressed.

Naturopathic Medicine is Lifestyle Medicine

Most chronic conditions are NOT the inevitable consequences of the aging process. Research shows that up to 70% of doctor visits have a predominantly lifestyle-based cause, and that “Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes”, also known as Lifestyle Medicine, can resolve them.

This is validated by numerous national health organizations and associations, such as the National Institute of Health, American Cancer Society, and the American Heart Association. They recommend lifestyle behavior modification as the “first line of treatment” for conditions most doctors see every day.

Bottom line: naturopathic medicine does not treat disease – it treats the cause of the disease. It is designed to prime the body for healing using integrative methods and lifestyle medicine. This empowering approach improves the quality of healthspan and lifespan for its patients.

Tao Vitality in Hebron, CT offers cutting edge naturopathic and integrative health services. For more information and to schedule in-person or telehealth appointments, lab testing, and to purchase supplements, please visit www.TaoVitality.com or call 860.228.1287. We expressly deny that the information being provided is intended to assist in the curing, diagnosis, prevention, or treatment of disease. You should always talk with your personal medical professional to discuss what treatments are safe and effective for your own medical needs

Parents are used to juggling it all -- personal commitments, work schedules, their kid’s school, and social schedules, helping with homework and preparing meals that hopefully support their children’s learning.

Although it’s a different world now with hybrid learning, limited social engagements to manage, parents are feeling a different kind of stress in having to navigate safety precautions and manage their child’s education in a new way (especially if they have to go back to work this fall).  

Even more, safety concerns are prevalent for many parents who worry about their child being exposed to viral threats or potentially acting as a carrier, possibly threatening those at home with dampened immune systems that are more at risk.

While managing stress and finding healthy coping mechanisms is a very important part of supporting a strong immune system (and making life less difficult), there are numerous nutritional strategies that can make a big difference.

The good news is that it also helps with learning capacity and focus for our kids – reducing many symptoms that often affect school performance, behavior issues, and ultimately dampen immune function by adding additional stress.

Some common issues that teachers tend to see from students at school and that parents may start to notice if their child is schooling from home include:  

• • • Fatigue and lethargy, yawning mid-morning
    • lack of focus and drive
    • skin issues
    • dark circles under the eyes
    • runny nose and symptoms of allergies
    • brain fog
    • lack of focus and easily distracted
    • inability to sit still
    • confrontational attitudes, “crankiness”
    • disruptive behavior

These tendencies can certainly create more difficulty in the home environment as already stressed parents have to conform to a new role, the Teacher – and the children are being forced to accept this new role.

It’s a lot to manage!  Parents don’t want to feel like they aren’t doing the best possible thing for their children or feel judged when most people are in psychological survival mode, overwhelmed by the impact of the pandemic (and life in general).

Add the pressure of parenting and teaching, and it can have downstream effects on stress and immune resilience.

So how can we support stress, immunity, and learning for our kids?

Food As Medicine

Naturopathic medicine relies on many key principles, and one of the most important and foundational is using food as medicine.

Cognitive function and behavior are highly reliant on the food our kids eat and how their bodies process the key nutrients that help their bodies and brains prepare for learning, provide energy, and support our healing mechanism and immune systems.

While we have seen many detrimental effects of the pandemic, it has also shed light on what is essential for our safety and resilience: strengthening our immune systems using natural approaches…such as nutrition and supplementation.

The time is ripe to address some of these issues. In fact, with many of our kids schooling from home, it might just be the perfect time to do a simple nutrition upgrade!

3 easy and satisfying ways to use food as medicine for your children (and yourself!)

#1 – Eat a healthy breakfast to boost mental and emotional balance

When our kids start their day and crash mid-morning, it could be from needing to eat (nutrient-dense food, of course).

Dehydration, lack of adequate nutrients, and going too long from their last meal can impact how they function, even if they claim they “aren’t hungry”. 

The overnight “fast” we experience while sleeping is necessary for proper digestion, to detoxify, to tap into our healing mechanisms, and to give the body a rest.

Yet breaking that fast is equally as important.

The drop in blood sugar that occurs with the fast leads to mood swings, exhaustion, and cravings and consumption of sweeter foods over the course of the day.

Skipping breakfast and not refueling properly leads to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) can cause a lack of focus, dips in energy, anxious behavior, and can make someone generally unpleasant to be around -- and teach in an academic setting!

Make sure to do the following:

• • • Drink a glass of water upon waking to cleanse and rehydrate the body
      
      
    • Make sure their morning meal (and yours!) has balanced nutrition:
      Fat, fiber, and protein. This powerful trio will supply steady energy for the brain and body.
      
      
    • Choose low glycemic, unprocessed, nutrient-dense, whole real foods such as:
      • eggs and sweet potatoes
      • oatmeal with nuts
      • fruit, and flax;
      • smoothies blended with nut milk, nuts or seed (or nut butter), protein powder, fruit, and greens;
      • chia puddings or nut milk yogurts (or organic unsweetened yogurt if you are not intolerant) topped with nuts, seeds, and fresh fruit.
        
        
    • avoid sugary, nutritionally devoid, inflammatory foods like:
      • bagels,
      • pastries,
      • pancakes,
      • donuts,
      • soda, etc.

These will only spike blood sugar and cause an immediate crash in energy and brainpower.

#2 – Eat healthy fat, an essential nutrient to fuel your brain:

Healthy fat is essential to brain, hormonal, and total body health.

Since the brain is 60% fat, our cells are made from fat, and our body uses fat to make hormones…we need to fuel it properly to function properly!

The brain actually uses dietary fat for cell membrane integrity, cell permeability, and building the brain at a structural level.

For your kids, brain function is essential to perform well on exams, to understand and process information, have a good memory, think critically, make social connections, and feel happy and less stressed.

The brain is a vulnerable organ affected instantaneously by nutritional deficits and imbalances. It needs good fat to perform at its best.

The good fats include:

• coconut oil
• organic butter from grass-fed cows (if no dairy intolerances)
• ghee (clarified butter)
• olive oil
• unrefined sesame oil
• flax oil (not for cooking)
• hempseed oil (not for cooking)

And fats from food such as:

• nuts and seeds (if no intolerances)
  
  
• fats from good quality organic and pastured eggs, animal protein, and full-fat dairy if no tolerances are present*organic is important because pesticides and toxins are stored in animal fat we consume.

Incorporating some of these good-quality fats for breakfast will boost your brainpower and energy.

#3 – Avoid sugar

Sugar the main food that contributes to inflammation, dysregulated mood, digestive problems, asthma, allergies, eczema, and behavioral challenges.  

Sugar is everywhere, and not just in obvious forms such as desserts, candy, and soda.

Sugar hides in unsuspecting foods lurking in green juices, sauces, cereals, and more.

It is also disguised under more than 60 different names in different places on the labeling

   Examples include:

• • • fructose
    • sucrose
    • cane juice
    • malt syrup
    • and the oh-so-problematic high fructose corn syrup.

Often times, we don’t realize how much we are consuming until we look at the label and investigate the total grams of sugar…which can sometimes be higher than sweets themselves!

Why is sugar a problem when it comes to brain health, learning, and immunity?

    Sugar consumption leads to:

• • • mineral depletion
    • immune system repression  
    • blood sugar and insulin imbalances
    • hormonal dysregulation
    • feeds infections and contributes to microbiome imbalances
    • brain function (including its inhibitory effects on serotonin production)
    • inflammation
    • heart disease
    • tooth decay

Sugar dysregulates the healthy function of multiple areas of the body. Reducing sugar intake could make a major impact on your child and family’s overall health.

We all wired to eat sweet food, but there are healthy to enjoy a treat without putting too much stress on your body. 

Start by reading labels for ingredients and making treats with some of the healthier options…but make sure not to use artificial sugar (they act as a neurotoxin in the body).

Fresh fruit, fruit and nut concoctions, energy balls, and smoothies can also act as a satisfying sweet treat.

Make sure to avoid certain kinds of sugar that are particularly inflammatory, and incorporate the more favorable kinds in moderation.

Remember too, that processed, refined quick carbohydrates (think bagels and waffles) are devoid of nutrients and processed like sugar in the body, spiking insulin and blood sugar the same way. Best to avoid those too!

Sugars to avoid:

• • • beet sugar
    • brown sugar
    • cane juice crystals
    • confectioner’s sugar
    • corn sweetener
    • corn syrup
    • evaporated cane juice
    • fruit juice concentrate
    • granulated sugar
    • high fructose corn syrup
    • invert sugar
    • powdered sugar
    • raw sugar
    • sugar cane
    • turbinado sugar
    • white sugar

Sugars to enjoy occasionally:

• • • raw honey (ideally local)
    • grade B organic maple syrup
    • coconut or palm sugar
    • brown rice syrup
    • stevia
    • fruit and dried fruits (dates make a great sweetener)
    • pure monk fruit extract (powdered form recommended)

These sweeteners have nutritional benefits and help to curb cravings and feelings of deprivation.

Many are whole foods that contain antimicrobial compounds as well as minerals and nutrients (dates, honey, and maple syrup); some are lower glycemic (like coconut sugar, brown rice syrup, and stevia).

Using them will allow you to satisfy your child’s sweet tooth without compromising their health (or yours!).

Cooking together can also be a therapeutic and connecting experience with your kids.

Try making overnight oats, layering chia pudding parfaits, cooking up some homemade granola, rolling up some energy date balls, or baking gluten-free cookies as a special treat.

Kids are more likely to be open to trying new things and actually enjoy them if they’ve participated in the process. Establishing new habits and trying out ways of incorporating healthy routines is more fun and sustainable if it’s a family affair. 

High Quality Natural Supplements

Lastly, supplementing with high-quality nutrients can help to support immune resilience, decrease inflammation, and facilitate improved brain function.

Key immune-enhancing supplements include:

• • • zinc,
    • vitamin C
    • vitamin D3
    • omega-3 fatty acids
    • and a foundational multivitamin-mineral for both kids and adults.

Along with a plant-rich, nutrient-dense, whole foods, anti-inflammatory, low glycemic way of eating, stress management practices, movement and exercise, hydration, adequate sleep, and relaxation...our immune system can get a much-needed natural boost to reduce the threat of infection. 

The ideas and recommendations in this article are for informational purposes only. The contents are not intended to replace the advice of the reader’s own healthcare professional or physician. The treatments described in this article may have known and unknown side effects and health hazards. Each reader is solely responsible for his or her own healthcare choices and decisions. The author advises the reader to discuss these ideas with a healthcare professional or physician before trying them. The author does not accept any responsibility for any positive or adverse effects a person claims to experience, directly or indirectly, from the ideas and contents of this article.

Spring is finally here!

While we all enjoy the warmth, sunshine, and blossoming trees and flowers, springtime also means allergy season is upon us. Especially in the wake of COVID-19, we may be extra cautious about symptoms of immune reactivity, as seen in allergic responses to environmental pollens. Thankfully, there are multiple ways to decrease inflammation at the root cause of bothersome seasonal allergies. Using simple, natural strategies can have a positive impact on your immune response overall for greater protection against viruses and other pathogenic infections, and for reducing allergies so many of us suffer from this time of year.

Immune System Health relies on Gut Health

All health begins in the gut — even that relating to allergies. Supporting proper GI function is essential to all inflammatory conditions, for boosting immune function, and decreasing reactive symptoms such as seasonal allergies. In fact, more than 70% of our immune system lies in our digestive tract.

How can we support our GI health?

Eliminating inflammatory and reactive foods, determining individual food sensitivities, allergies, and intolerances, including healing anti-inflammatory foods, supporting proper digestion and absorption, reducing environmental toxins from water, food, personal and home products, chemicals, etc., identifying hidden infections and pathogens, rebalancing a dysbiotic (unbalanced) microbiome, repairing the integrity, healing, and regeneration of the gut lining, and cultivating a healthy mindset and nervous system rebalancing to support our rest and digest function will all work synergistically to improve our gut health — and overall health, including resilience against things such as environmental pollens and other allergy-related factors.

If you are one of many people that suffer from seasonal allergies, you may be surprised to know that there are simple, natural ways to reduce the impact of your spring sneezes and sniffles without prescription medications. Basic strategies to support gut and immune function, along with sleep, exercise, healing foods, stress reduction, and targeted supplementation can help to relieve health problems such as allergies that were once thought of as a life-long issue.

Supplements to support allergy symptoms include:

• BIO-C
• Full Spectrum Flora
• GI Repair
• Aller QC
• Food Sensitivity Panel 

The ideas and recommendations in this article are for informational purposes only. The contents are not intended to replace the advice of the reader’s own healthcare professional or physician. The treatments described in this article may have known and unknown side effects and health hazards. Each reader is solely responsible for his or her own healthcare choices and decisions. The author advises the reader to discuss these ideas with a healthcare professional or physician before trying them. The author does not accept any responsibility for any positive or adverse effects a person claims to experience, directly or indirectly, from the ideas and contents of this article.

Resources:  

Patients with severe COVID-19 infection can develop fatal lung damage from a cytokine storm, a marked increase in pro-inflammatory cytokines such as Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), Interleukin-1 beta (ILB1), Interleukin-6 (IL6), Interleukin-8 (IL8) and other cytokines 

The following supplements can help to suppress the multiple pro-inflammatory cytokines that cause severe lung damage (ARDS) in patients with COVID-19 infection caused by coronavirus 2 or SARS-CoV-2.

NOTE: Sambucus Nigra (Elderberry):

There is evidence that elderberry inhibits replication and viral attachment of Human coronavirus NL63 (HCoV-NL63), different than COVID-19, but a member of the coronavirus family. (1). Sambucus appears most effective in the prevention or early stage of coronavirus infections. Sambucus significantly increases inflammatory cytokines, including IL-B1 so it should be discontinued with symptoms of infection (or a positive test) despite its ability to decrease TNF-alpha.

*See also “Will Elderberry Induce a Cytokine Storm?”

• IL8 inhibitors: Cordyceps, ECGC (from green tea), Isatis spp, NAC, Polygonum cuspidatum
• IL 8 (aka CXCL8): produced by macrophages and epithelial cells, airway smooth muscle cells, and endothelial cells. Induces the migration of neutrophils.
• IL Beta-1: produced by activated macrophages. Stimulates cell proliferation differentiation and apoptosis. Upregulates COX2 in CNS
• IL Beta-1 Inhibitors: Cordyceps, Eupatorium perfoliatum (boneset) Polygonum cuspidatum (Japanese knotweed), Salvia miltiorrhiza (red sage), Scutellaria baicalensis (skullcap).
• IL 6: crosses the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and stimulates the production of PGE2 in the hypothalamus altering the body’s temperature regulation process. Affects pituitary/adrenal/hypothalamus axis. It can cause damage to neurons in the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system. Common in Alzheimer’s, MS, depression, lupus, cognitive decline, progressive hearing loss, decreased hippocampal function, seizures, and stroke.
• Il 6 inhibitors: Andrographis paniculata, Salvia miltiorrhiza, Scutellaria baicalensis, Isatis spp
• TNF-alpha produced by macrophages, lymphocytes, NK cells, neutrophils, mast cells, eosinophils, and neurons. TNF-alpha tends to be elevated in Alzheimer’s, depression, inflammatory bowel disease, and cancer. It is synergistic with IL 1 and IL 6, with similar effects on the hypothalamic/pituitary/adrenal axis (HPA axis), temperature regulation, appetite, liver function, and insulin resistance. It causes heat, swelling, pain, and redness.
• TNF-alpha Inhibitors: Andrographis, Cannabis, Cordyceps, Eupatorium, Houttuynia, Sambucus, Scutellaria, Salvia, Zingiber off. (ginger)
• NLRP3 inflammasome Inhibitors: Melatonin

The ideas and recommendations in this article are for informational purposes only. The contents are not intended to replace the advice of the reader’s own healthcare professional or physician. The treatments described in this article may have known and unknown side effects and health hazards. Each reader is solely responsible for his or her own healthcare choices and decisions. The author advises the reader to discuss these ideas with a healthcare professional or physician before trying them. The author does not accept any responsibility for any positive or adverse effects a person claims to experience, directly or indirectly, from the ideas and contents of this article.

Resources: 

1.  Weng, Jing-Ru et al. “Antiviral activity of Sambucus FormosanaNakai ethanol extract and related phenolic acid constituents against human coronavirus NL63.” Virus research vol. 273 (2019): 197767. doi:10.1016/j.virusres.2019.197767

When Traditional Doctors Can't Find A Solution

It’s an all-too-common scenario. You’ve been suffering from a cocktail of vague and seemingly unrelated symptoms for months, even years now…fatigue, brain fog, aches and pains, memory loss, poor sleep, low libido, weight gain, food cravings, mood issues like anxiety or depression, skin rashes, hormone imbalances, headaches, or digestive problems. You finally make an appointment with your doctor to get some answers (that Dr. Google can’t provide), only to be given a mere 15 minutes to rattle off your laundry list of complaints, desperate for some validation. You’re given a prescription or two and sent home with the discomforting assessment that what you’re experiencing is “just a part of normal life” due to genetics or aging. You leave feeling defeated, hopeless, and frustrated. Perhaps you then go from doctor to doctor, only to be told that you’re fine, there’s nothing wrong, and even worse…it’s all in your head.

Or, perhaps you have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, IBS, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, pre-diabetes or type 2 diabetes, a reproductive issue, or an autoimmune disease. You are told the unsettling news that you can’t reverse the condition -- you simply have to take medication to manage it for the rest of your life and hope it doesn’t get worse.

NOW WHAT? What to do if you feel like you are out of options

While these kinds of predicaments are common, they don’t have to be “normal”. The good news is that while suffering from health issues seems isolating, you’re not alone. The better news is that there are solutions to identify and address the reasons why you’re suffering – because there are actual reasons.

The fact is, while conventional Western medicine is necessary for acute conditions, the methods used don’t address the myriad of chronic conditions plaguing so many individuals on a day-to-day basis. Thankfully, Naturopathic medicine is designed to do just this. The methods used not only prevent chronic conditions from developing in the first place, they effectively identify the root causes of symptoms and dis-ease, rebalance the body at the foundational level, and promote healing and resolution, even reversal of health conditions – many of which are thought to be untreatable through the lens of conventional medicine, regardless of what your genetic predispositions may be.

How does Naturopathic Medicine Compare to Conventional Medicine?

Many people are familiar with the terms “Naturopathic Doctor” or “Naturopath” but may not fully grasp the breadth of their practice or what distinguishes them from conventional medical physicians. According to the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP) and the Institute for Natural Medicine (INM), naturopathic medicine originated in the 1890s.

       .           

It has seen a recent surge in popularity due to a shift in consumer demand to resolve health issues holistically, drawing them towards naturopathy which uses prevention, wellness, and respect for nature's inherent healing ability to restore and maintain health and prevent further illness. Naturopathy minimizes standard medical treatments such as surgery and synthetic pharmaceuticals in lieu of natural approaches designed to resolve the underlying root causes of illness, without harsh side effects seen in conventional methods and using a personalized treatment plan.

Naturopathy minimizes standard medical treatments such as surgery and synthetic pharmaceuticals in lieu of natural approaches designed to resolve the underlying root causes of illness, without harsh side effects seen in conventional methods and using a personalized treatment plan.

The Core Principles of Naturopathic Medicine set it apart from the conventional medical paradigm in this manner and have contributed to its increasing demand:

1. The Healing Power Of Nature
2. Identify And Treat The Cause
3. First Do No Harm
4. Treat The Whole Person
5. The Physician As Teacher
6. Prevention is the Best Cure

Naturopathy identifies how a minor imbalance within the body can produce a biological snowball effect impacting overall physiological function. This eventually leads to poor health and chronic illness. Research shows that chronic diseases are caused by our daily lifestyle habits – what we eat, movement and exercise, sleep patterns, how we handle stress, work, our mindset, environment, and our relationships and social networks. Naturopathic medicine enlists evidence-based and clinically proven “Lifestyle Medicine” approaches to relieve symptoms, restore optimal function, and promote overall health by rebalancing the body.

As Dr. Myriah Hinchey ND, owner and Medical Director of TAO Vitality states:

“Diseases are just clusters of symptoms caused by some disruption in the body’s biochemistry. Once the cause is identified and this disruption is corrected the body will heal itself. I focus on assisting the body to function at its optimal potential for health. These diseases are your body’s way of telling you that you are doing something wrong. Either you are not getting enough of what your body needs to function properly or you are getting something that is acting as a poison in your body. It’s really that simple.”

If you are sick and tired of being sick and tired or feel like you aren't being given the attention or support you deserve from your current health practitioner, know that real solutions are available as an alternative to conventional band-aid treatments. If you are ready for lasting changes that can reverse conditions you thought you simply had to live with, consider working with a Naturopathic doctor and discover how to experience healing, wellness, and a better quality of life. 

To schedule in-person or telehealth appointments or lab testing and to purchase supplements, please access our new patient form or call 860.228.1287 for both in person and telehealth appointments.

The ideas and recommendations in this article are for informational purposes only. The contents are not intended to replace the advice of the reader’s own healthcare professional or physician. The treatments described in this article may have known and unknown side effects and health hazards. Each reader is solely responsible for his or her own healthcare choices and decisions. The author advises the reader to discuss these ideas with a healthcare professional or physician before trying them. The author does not accept any responsibility for any positive or adverse effects a person claims to experience, directly or indirectly, from the ideas and contents of this article.

Stress is simply part of being human. We all know what stress feels like -- but do we really understand what it does to our body? Or what to do about it?

Chances are, most of us are in denial, internalizing the cultural mantra to “just deal with it” or “push through”. While this does a lot to help our to-do list, it also does a lot to hurt our health. Statistics show that up to 80% of all doctor visits and 50% of all illnesses are stress-related.

In regard to health concerns amidst a pandemic, reducing stress and managing our perception of stress are powerful factors in immune resilience and influence how our body handles a viral threat. Hormones released during stress increase inflammation and suppress the immune system, leaving us more vulnerable to pathogens.

The bottom line: reducing stress is one of the most critical things we can do to support the body’s natural ability to heal, strengthen immune function, and increase health and life span.

If chronic stress goes unresolved, it will break the body down, create symptoms, and can lead to the development of numerous diseases and conditions – all of which are preventable.

WHY IS STRESS BAD?  

Our body is not designed to deal with chronic stress.  

The stress response has one fleeting job: to protect us from immediate danger and ensure survival. It starts in the HPA axis (hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal) and provokes our nervous system to initiate physiological responses that access limited resources to deal with emergencies.  

It is only meant to be a temporary adaptation.

When prolonged, the HPA axis cannot keep up with supply-in-demand and becomes overwhelmed and maladapted. This causes hormone imbalances, detoxification issues, thyroid issues, neurological problems, digestive disorders, systemic inflammation, immune suppression, etc., leading to widespread dysfunction of organ systems that ultimately manifest based on the individual’s underlying genetic weaknesses.

Our body is designed to function in a state of ease and access innate healing mechanisms as needed. Here’s the catch: it cannot incite the healing response when the stress response is activated – they are mutually exclusive.

Effectively managing hidden internal stressors and known external stressors collectively impact our nervous system to either promote or hinder natural recovery and overall health. The main culprit in blocking the healing capacity and provoking the downstream development of disease is…you guessed it, chronic stress, no matter where it comes from. The body doesn’t’ know the difference.

Types of Stress

• Mental and Emotional stress such as grief, fear, worry, anxiety, relationships, lack of purpose, poor attitude, sadness, and traumatic events all contribute to perceived stress. Though psychological in nature, it manifests physiologically by stimulating our sympathetic nervous system, releasing neurotransmitters and hormones that physically impact our body.

• Physical or Biomechanical Stress from physical trauma, obesity, under-exercise, surgery, spinal misalignments, etc. burdens our nervous system, bypassing the brain and directly impacting the HPA axis to initiate the stress response.

• Biochemical/Chemical Stress are hidden internal stressors that cumulatively present major health challenges. Inflammatory and toxic foods, blood sugar issues, nutrient deficiencies, poor food quality, EMFs, pesticides, and GMOs all create biochemical stress. Everyday stressors like medications, heavy metals, radiation, endocrine disruptors, and other environmental chemicals constantly bombard our detoxification system. Additionally, poor sleep, dental issues, pathogens, and hidden infections present a toxic load contributing to stress. 

HOW TO BOOST YOUR ABILITY TO HANDLE STRESS

There are many ways to avoid the harmful impact stress has on our bodies. Reducing sources of stress while fortifying nutritional demands during chronic stress can synergistically act as preventative medicine.

Resolving multiple stress burdens requires a whole-person approach for a sustainable solution. It is recommended to address personal external mental/ emotional/ lifestyle stressors while working with a practitioner to uncover and rebalance hidden internal biochemical and physical stressors. Several ways to do this include:

• Lifestyle adjustments like improving sleep quality, exercise, time in nature, healthy relationships, and incorporating mind-body relaxation techniques can mitigate the stress response by switching the body from fight-or-flight mode to healing mode.

• Relying on a plant-rich, nutrient-dense, whole foods, anti-inflammatory, low glycemic diet while supplementing with nutrients that get depleted under chronic stress supports immune resilience and improves health.

• Lastly, key stress supportive and immune-enhancing supplements* reinforce the stress capacity, such as:

• • • Adrenal support
    • Vitamin D3
    • Zinc
    • Vitamin C
    • Omega-3 fatty acids
    • Viral Support
    • Activate multivitamins
    • Children’s activated multivitamins
    • Immune & Healing Support
    • Magnesium
    • Activated B vitamins

A sustainable and effective approach to reducing the harmful effects of chronic stress relies on integrating lifestyle, nutritional, psychological, and supplementation therapies. With that, the body’s innate healing mechanism is optimized to support long-term health, longevity, and the quality of life you and your family deserve.   

*Save 10% on select supplements through September with the code SEPTEMBER 2020

This article is for educational purposes only. It is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and should never be relied upon for specific medical advice. To the extent that this article features the advice of physicians or medical practitioners, the views expressed are the views of the cited expert and do not necessarily represent the views of TAO Vitality or Lymecore Botanicals.

Viruses, bacteria, bugs, oh my…. pathogens that wreak havoc on our lives seems to be the topic on everyone’s mind these days. While we’re so busy dealing with COVID, it’s easy to forget about a major silent pandemic – tick-borne illnesses – that are having an increasing impact on our health.

Lyme disease, the most recognized and common tick-related infection caused by the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria, is acknowledged in the mainstream health conversation as a pervasive threat with nearly 30,000 reported cases annually and an incidence higher than breast cancer (5). Unfortunately, new findings indicated that not only do we have to worry about Lyme, we have to consider the other multiple co-infections can be transmitted alone or in addition to borrelia, which are also on the rise. Especially as people spend more time outdoors amidst months of quarantine, Lyme and various tick-related diseases have increased as well, also complicating coronavirus pandemic detection issues in some areas such as NY state and Michigan (5).

Is it COVID…or Lyme?

Lyme disease is a multisystem illness referred to as “the great imitator”, many times with a classic bullseye rash, flu-like symptoms, and myriad symptoms replicating conditions associated with numerous other diseases and health-impaired states, ranging from cardiac to neurological to rheumatic illnesses (5).  As if we don’t have enough to worry about with COVID, more less-known tick-associated diseases are not only confusing proper diagnoses related to vector-borne illnesses, they are actually mimicking COVID symptoms in many areas. Residents in various parts of the country (such as Michigan) are seeing a growing number of anaplasmosis infection cases increase, with flu-like symptoms that easily cause COVID concern.

According to the CDC (3), anaplasmosis, caused by the bacterium Anaplasma phagocytophilum and transmitted from the black-legged and the western black-legged tick, is one of the main Lyme and COVID mimickers. Symptoms are typically seen 1-5 days after being bit and can include typical symptoms such as(1).

• Skin rash
• Fatigue
• Fever, chills
• Severe headache
• Muscle aches
• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite

Early detection and prompt treatment are necessary to avoid severe illness that can lead to long-term debilitating damage to joints, the heart, and the nervous system, as well as death.

Like with COVID (or any other illness), having underlying health conditions, an already-compromised immune system, and being older can all increase the risk of illness severity (3).

Anaplasmosis cases have been slowly rising since the year 2000, with peak months in the summer and later fall, including October and November. Geographically, the northeast and upper midwestern regions of the US suffer from the most anaplasmosis cases, but it has also been documented in newer regions such as Michigan, New York, and Virginia, and throughout the country where the black-legged tick has spread (3).

Additionally, the other various ticks and insects that carry the Borrelia bacteria causing Lyme Disease and co-infections are important to be aware of as we look for ways to protect ourselves and our families from biological threats. 

Not Just Lyme Disease: Other Diseases Spread By Ticks 

There has been a 3-fold increase in insect-related disease in the United State, and while Lyme and anaplasmosis are the most common tick-borne illnesses, other serious tick-related infections caused by ticks that deserve attention. Like Lyme, these other ticks and the diseases they can carry will begin to spread to other regions across the US. According to the CDC, we are only treating one out of every ten cases of Lyme disease itself – never mind the other tick-borne infections-- so awareness is key (6).

The following information provided by the CDC shows some of the primary tick-related diseases in the US (4):

• Anaplasmosis is transmitted to humans by tick bites primarily from the black-legged tick (Ixodes scapularis) in the northeastern and upper midwestern U.S. and the western black-legged tick (Ixodes pacificus) along the Pacific coast.
• Babesiosis is caused by microscopic parasites that infect red blood cells. Most human cases of babesiosis in the U.S. are caused by Babesia microti. Babesia microti is transmitted by the black-legged tick (Ixodes scapularis) and is found primarily in the northeast and upper midwest.
• Borrelia mayonii infection has recently been described as a cause of illness in the upper midwestern United States. It has been found in black-legged ticks (Ixodes scapularis) in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Borrelia mayonii is a new species and is the only species besides B. burgdorferi known to cause Lyme disease in North America.
• Borrelia miyamotoi infection has recently been described as a cause of illness in the U.S. It is transmitted by the black-legged tick (Ixodes scapularis) and has a range similar to that of Lyme disease.
• Bourbon virus infection has been identified in a limited number of patients in the Midwest and the southern United States. At this time, we do not know if the virus might be found in other areas of the United States.
• Colorado tick fever is caused by a virus transmitted by the Rocky Mountain wood tick (Dermacentor andersoni). It occurs in the Rocky Mountain states at elevations of 4,000 to 10,500 feet.
• Ehrlichiosis is transmitted to humans by the lone star tick (Ambylomma americanum), found primarily in the southcentral and eastern U.S.
• Heartland virus cases have been identified in the Midwestern and southern United States. Studies suggest that Lone Star ticks can transmit the virus. It is unknown if the virus may be found in other areas of the U.S.
• Lyme disease is transmitted by the black-legged tick (Ixodes scapularis) in the northeastern U.S. and upper midwestern U.S. and the western black-legged tick (Ixodes pacificus) along the Pacific coast.
• Powassan disease is transmitted by the black-legged tick (Ixodes scapularis) and the groundhog tick (Ixodes cookei). Cases have been reported primarily from northeastern states and the Great Lakes region.
• Rickettsia parkeri rickettsiosis rickettsiosis is transmitted to humans by the Gulf Coast tick (Amblyomma maculatum).
• Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) is transmitted by the American dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis), Rocky Mountain wood tick (Dermacentor andersoni), and the brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sangunineus) in the U.S. The brown dog tick and other tick species are associated with RMSF in Central and South America.
• STARI (Southern tick-associated rash illness) is transmitted via bites from the lone star tick (Ambylomma americanum), found in the southeastern and eastern U.S.
• Tickborne relapsing fever (TBRF) is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected soft ticks. TBRF has been reported in 15 states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming and is associated with sleeping in rustic cabins and vacation homes.
• Tularemia is transmitted to humans by the dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis), the wood tick (Dermacentor andersoni), and the lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum). Tularemia occurs throughout the U.S.
• 364D rickettsiosis (Rickettsia phillipi, proposed) is transmitted to humans by the Pacific Coast tick (Dermacentor occidentalis ticks). This is a new disease that has been found in California.

According to current literature, there are other tick-borne diseases that we should be aware of, including (6):

• Cat Scratch Fever (Bartonella hensaelae)
• Rocky Mt Spotted Fever (Rickettsia rickettsii)
• Spotted fever rickettsiosis (Rickettsia parkeri)
• Human Monocytic Ehrlichiosis (Ehrilchia chaffeensis)
• Human Ewingii Ehrlichiosis (Ehrlichia ewingii)
• Q Fever (Coxiella burnetii)
• Powassan encephalitis (Flavivirus)

Is it COVID or a Tick-Borne Illness, and What Do I Do About it?

Determining if symptoms are possibly caused by COVID or stem from a tick-borne illness can be done initially by screening for symptoms specific to COVID. While the two illnesses share symptoms such as skin rash, headache, fatigue, fever, and, in some instances, long-term debilitating damage to joints, the heart, and the nervous system, COVID-specific symptoms such as loss of taste and smell can help to distinguish it from a tick-borne disease (1).

Although it can take weeks to form antibodies after getting bitten by an infected tick,  individuals with a known bite and who also suffer from symptoms should seek immediate antibiotic treatment. While lab testing for Lyme Disease can sometimes be controversial and unreliable, it is typically recommended that patients undergo a course of antibiotics such as doxycycline while they wait for testing results. For diagnosing other infections like anaplasmosis, a simple blood test can determine antibodies against the pathogens while patients begin their antibiotic treatment.

Get Proactive: Preventing All Tick-Borne Illnesses

While not all ticks cause disease, and not all bites will make you sick, tick-borne illnesses are becoming more common. Because of this, it has become more important to learn ways to prevent bites, how to remove a tick if you do get bit, and what to do if you think you might have contracted a tick-borne disease.

Time in nature is essential to our health, but when we are faced with the threat of infectious pathogens from bugs and insects outdoors, we need to be mindful of the risks and take precautions to protect ourselves and our families. There are simple measures people can take to stay safe and prevent a tick bite – and the numerous tick-borne infections -- in the first place. Refer to detailed information on how to avoid tick bites as outlined by Lyme Literate Doctor and Expert Myriah Hinchey, ND, and stick to the recommended basics listed below:

• Avoid areas outdoors: In tick-infested areas, your best protection is to avoid contact with soil, leaf litter, and vegetation. However, if you garden, hike, camp, hunt, work, or otherwise spend time in the outdoors, you can still protect yourself. Avoiding the most heavily populated tick habitats such as overgrown weeds, edges of trails, stone walls, tall grass, and bushy, heavily wooded areas (1).

• Tick repellent: Using an Environmental Protection Agency-registered tick repellent that has been tested for safety and effectiveness is the second line of defense (1). If you use insect repellents, follow label directions, and apply repellent carefully. Tick and Insect Repellent: Deciding on Their Use

• Repel with protective clothing: Other preventative methods include securing your clothing and not exposing skin, wearing closed shoes, keeping long hair secured, wearing light-colored clothing. Dress to Repel!

• Frequent checks: doing routine inspections during and after being outdoors. Showering promptly, check yourself, children, and pets thoroughly for ticks, and properly removing any embedded ticks will all help to eliminate the threat of contracting a tick-borne disease (1).

• Removing a tick properly: as soon as you find a tick, removing it will reduce the likelihood of contracting any pathogens a tick may be carrying. There is a much better chance of avoiding acute and chronic Lyme and other tick-borne diseases if the tick is removed properly, if the pathogenic status of the tick is determined through testing, and if preventative measures are taken and symptoms are identified effectively within a critical time period after getting bit. This approach can help to prevent an active infection and determine a treatment protocol if necessary.

 Now What? Tick-Borne Illness Treatment Protocols:

Treatment protocols, should you get bit and show signs of an active infection, include a recommended course of antibiotic therapy as well as adjunctive herbal remedies that are evidence-based and clinically proven to be effective.

Acute Lyme Disease Treatment:

Dr. Myriah Hinchey recommends treating acute Lyme and co-infections from a confirmed infected tick with the appropriate antibiotics (typically 21 days of doxycycline ) within a four-day window of the bite for the best results.* 

Natural Herbal Medicine Treatment Support:

When done appropriately, findings indicate that introducing herbs early on with the antibiotics or even before the antibiotics are prescribed, resulting in very few patients transitioning to chronic Lyme Disease, which is far more difficult to treat.

Using high-quality products and manufacturers who follow the FDA Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and are FDA cGMP Compliant is essential to guarantee potency, safety, purity, and effectiveness of herbal products.

In conclusion, prevention is always the best medicine for any threat to our health. Making sure we are living balanced lives that support immune health is foundationally essential to our ability to deal with infectious threats that should be we exposed. When all else fails, being prepared with proper diagnostic tools and an integrative treatment plan that targets the root cause of health imbalances will be our best defense against disease and support long-term health and recovery.

Become A Patient

 *This article is for educational purposes only. It is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and should never be relied upon for specific medical advice.

References:

(1) - Stitt, C. (n.d.). Tick disease with coronavirus-like symptoms is on a rise in Michigan. Detroit Free Press. Retrieved September 16, 2020, from https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2020/07/06/tick-disease-and-coronavirus-difficult-distinguish-year/5318549002/

(2) - Lyme Disease and Other Diseases Carried by Ticks. (n.d.). Retrieved September 16, 2020, from https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/lyme/

(3) - (2019, January 11). Anaplasmosis home | CDC. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/anaplasmosis/index.html

(4) - (2020, April 2). Tickborne diseases of the United States | CDC. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/diseases/index.html

(5) - Tick-borne disease with symptoms similar to COVID-19 on the rise in New York state. (2020, June 12). [Text.Articlehttps://www.fox6now.com/news/tick-borne-disease-with-symptoms-similar-to-covid-19-on-the-rise-in-new-york-state">https://www.fox6now.com/news/tick-borne-disease-with-symptoms-similar-to-covid-19-on-the-rise-in-new-york-state

(6) - https://www.une.edu/sites/default/files/tickborne_diseases_hubbell_2020.pdf

Most people don't think about sunshine or gut health when they are considering how to stay safe from contracting viral threats. As a lot continues to change in the health world, it’s also time to adapt our ways of thinking about how to optimize immune resilience.

 Surprisingly enough, our body internally manufactures one of the main nutrients to bolster our immune system -- Vitamin D.

With a new wave of Coronavirus cases and increased concerns for our safety as winter approaches, new research is indicating that supplementing with vitamin D may be a key factor in keeping us resilient and healthy.

 

Vitamin D Works To Target Infection By Reducing The Cytokine Storm

Medical experts state that having sufficient vitamin D levels can positively affect the risk of contracting coronavirus and lessen complications in a severe infection.  Vitamin D works to target infection by reducing the cytokine storm in response to viral and bacterial infections and enhances cellular innate immunity by inducing antimicrobial peptides.  

Current research indicates that: 

• 80 percent of research participants with COVID were deficient in vitamin D
• Those with COVID-19 and insufficient vitamin D also had increased inflammatory markers (such as ferritin and D-dimer) linked to poor COVID-19 outcomes
• COVID-19 patients with sufficient vitamin D markers had a 51.5% reduced risk of dying and less complications
• A brand new study of 190,000 patients conducted by a top Vitamin D researcher confirms that high levels of Vitamin D are protective against contracting COVID-19, regardless of age, sex, race, or latitude.

One of the published studies (1) shows the relationship between SARS-CoV-2 NAAT positivity rates and circulating 25(OH)D levels in the total population (see graph below). The inverse relationship between plasma vitamin D3 levels and SARS-Cov-2 positivity is highly significant and clear. The higher the level of 24(OH)D, the lower the risk of testing positive for Covid-19.  At a vitamin D level of 50-60 ng/mL, the curve flattened. 

image: doi: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0239252.g001

Vitamin D3 Recommend Dosage For People at risk for the flu and/or COVID-19  

Although individuals should consult with a licensed medical practitioner, the recommended dosages for Vitamin D3 supplementation were indicated in another recent study . Researchers recommend that people at risk for the flu and/or COVID-19 take 10,000 IU/day vitamin D3 as a loading dose to rapidly raise vitamin D levels, then maintain with 5,000 IU/day vitamin D3. Overall,target blood levels for 25(OH)D were aimed to be above 40-60 ng/ml.

This Study Shows Inverse Association With Higher Vitamin D Levels And COVID Deaths

An Indonesian study of 780 confirmed positive COVID cases shows how death was inversely associated with higher Vitamin D levels. The graph below indicates that:

• The majority of the COVID-19 cases with insufficient and deficient Vitamin D status died
• 95% of the COVID-19 cases with sufficient or greater Vitamin D status lived 
• The odds of death were higher in older and male cases with pre-existing conditions and below normal Vitamin D levels

Key New Research Positions Vitamin D As Important Beyond Bone Health

Overall, experts confirm that Vitamin D has important roles beyond its well-understood function in bone health. Its role in the innate and adaptive immune response with anti-microbial function, its correlation to decreased autoimmunity, and reduced susceptibility to infection has become clearer with updated research (4).  This new information certainly positions  Vitamin D as one of the most beneficial nutrients to consider adding to our daily vitamin intake.

Vitamin D Supplementation Is Not A Silver Bullet Quick-Fix Against Viral Threats

A key fact to bear in mind is that vitamin D supplementation is not a silver bullet quick-fix to protect us against viral threats and strengthen our immune system. The best approach is an integrative, comprehensive effort including specific nutrients like vitamin D used therapeutically in conjunction with other foundational health-supporting tools for whole-body support, with a targeted focus on supporting gut health.

Where does gut health come into play with vitamin D and immune support?

Surprisingly, research indicates that the majority of our immune system (70 +) is based in our digestive system (5). This is the first place we should be looking to boost resilience and enlist preventative measures against illness and for creating overall health, especially this time of year. 

Vitamin D Gut Health Benefits

 Vitamin D helps to rebuild the gut lining on a cellular level and helps to increase the integrity of the intestinal barrier, reducing problems with leaky gut. Additionally, it also promotes the interplay between the gut’s microbiome, intestinal epithelial cells, and immune cells, helping to regulate the immune response of the intestines.

 Aside from vitamin D supplementation, boosting gut health can be done by substituting allergenic, inflammatory, and processed foods with whole, nutrient-dense, plant-rich foods, addressing hidden infections, and reducing toxins and chemical exposures (3). These are all ways to collectively support not only our digestive systems, mood, and mental health, but our immune systems and overall resiliency.  Getting a grip on stress by implementing stress reduction practices is essential as well. Stress negatively impacts not only digestion and gut health, but total body health and our immune function directly. 

The takeaway is that a healthy way of life is the best preventative medicine. 

 It’s never too late to adopt various dietary and lifestyle practices to give our body the tools it needs to stay healthy and protect us from harmful infections. 

 Additionally, targeted nutritional therapy is a powerful, accessible, and affordable solution to help create resilience. 

 As research is showing, adequate vitamin D is essential for immune health, reduced risk of contracting COVID and COVID-related death. It is estimated that at least 41% of adults in the US are deficient in vitamin D. Many individuals are at a higher risk of deficiency such as those who are obese or have darker skin, or residents of specific geographic locations that do not get adequate sun. Since it is very difficult to meet the daily requirements for Vitamin D based on dietary sources alone,  it may be time to consider adding in Vitamin D supplementation to your daily self-care regimen (2). 

References:

 1- “SARS-CoV-2 Positivity Rates Associated with Circulating 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Levels.” PLOS ONE, vol. 15, no. 9, Sept. 2020, p. e0239252. PLoS Journals, doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0239252. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7498100/pdf/pone.0239252.pdf

2- Parva, Naveen R., et al. “Prevalence of Vitamin D Deficiency and Associated Risk Factors in the US Population (2011-2012).” Cureus, vol. 10, no. 6. PubMed Central, doi:10.7759/cureus.2741. Accessed 19 Nov. 2020. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6075634/

3- Rinninella, Emanuele, et al. “Food Components and Dietary Habits: Keys for a Healthy Gut Microbiota Composition.” Nutrients, vol. 11, no. 10, Oct. 2019. PubMed Central, doi:10.3390/nu11102393. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6835969/

4- Aranow, Cynthia. “Vitamin D and the Immune System.” Journal of Investigative Medicine : The Official Publication of the American Federation for Clinical Research, vol. 59, no. 6, Aug. 2011, pp. 881–86. PubMed Central, doi:10.231/JIM.0b013e31821b8755. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3166406/#:~:text=Vitamin%20D%20can%20modulate%20the,an%20increased%20susceptibility%20to%20infection.

5- Vighi, G., et al. “Allergy and the Gastrointestinal System.” Clinical and Experimental Immunology, vol. 153, no. Suppl 1, Sept. 2008, pp. 3–6. PubMed Central, doi:10.1111/j.1365-2249.2008.03713.x. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2515351/

6 - Prabowo Raharusuna*, Sadiah Priambada, Cahni Budiarti, Erdie Agung, Cipta Budi; Patterns of COVID-19 Mortality and Vitamin D: An Indonesian Study. April 26, 2020. Preliminary unpublished results.  Patterns of COVID-19 Mortality and Vitamin D An Indonesian Study.pdf