Treating Parasites With Papaya Seeds

My Lyme Literate Medical Dr or LLMD turned me on to an easy and affordable way to treat parasites with papaya seeds.  I've had good success with it and I get a lot of questions about it.  In this blog post I'll share some info about the use of papaya seeds for treating parasites, describe how my doctor recommended I use the seeds and offer up some sources for more information.  Please remember that this is just information, I am not a doctor, and that you should always check with your physician before starting any new treatment. 

The seeds from papaya fruit have anti-helminthic and anti-amoebic properties, which means they can kill intestinal worms and other parasites in our digestive system.  Studies are showing that children in Nigeria who are treated with papaya seeds are 75% clear from the buggers after just 7 days of treatment.  Papaya seeds are a successful method of treating intestinal parasites with little to no side effects at an affordable price.  My LLMD says that this is so easy, affordable, safe, and effective that everyone should do this 1-2 times a year as part of a wellness program.

There are lots of ways papaya seeds can be ingested.  They can be snacked on, used in cooking, blended into smoothies, and ground into powder.  Here is how I prefer to take mine. 

1. Buy a non-gmo papaya
2. scoop out the seeds 
3. rinse the seeds and remove any bits of fruit
4. spread onto a cookie sheet that has been covered with paper towels
5. Let dry in a warm place for as many days as necessary.  I have a window box that is perfect for this part of the process.
6. Measure out 1Tablespoon of seeds and grind them in a spice grinder
7. Carefully put the powder into gel caps. I have a 1/8 teaspoon that helps with this step.  I usually get about 15 caps, but it depends on the size you use and how full you pack them.
8. On an empty stomach right before bed I take all of the pills I filled at once.
9. Repeat again on the full moon.

Here are some websites with more info on how to use papaya seeds to treat parasites and some recipes for smoothies.  Just an FYI the seeds taste like black pepper.  It's totally okay to just eat them or put them int your food, but keep in mind they are quite peppery.  That's why I use the gel caps, I don't really care to taste them.
  
Info and smoothie recipe:
http://superfoodprofiles.com/papaya-seeds-parasites

Info on the standard honey and papaya seed method:
http://voices.yahoo.com/a-natural-cure-parasites-study-confirms-honey-6988304.html

Dr. Oz segment on parasite treatment:

My New Protocol for Lyme and MTHFR

Here is my updated protocol for treating Lyme related infections and addressing the MTHFR genetic mutation I have that causes me to be vitamin deficient and have difficulty processing folic acid, all of which results in difficulty with detoxing. 

Morning

2 drops MC-BAB-1

1/2 tsp. Neuro-Antitox II Basic
- Apple Cider Vinegar formula

Pekana Basic Detoxification & Drainage Kit 
-18 drop each apo-Hepat, Itires, and Renelix

2 Ashwagandha 400mg

3 IsoCourt

1 B6 Pyridoxal 5'-Phosphate

1 ActiFolate from Metagenix

1/2 tsp Ferrum phos homeopathic remedy
in 1/4 C. water then take 1 tsp. under tongue each night, save mixture and use again in AM


Afternoon

2 Food Based Multi Vits

3 IsoCourt

Night

2  Melatonin SR 3 mg.

1 Low Dose Naltrexone 4.5mg

1 Dr. Ohhira Probiotic

12 tablets of Chlorella Mana

2 drops MC-BAB-1

Pekana Basic Detoxification & Drainage Kit 
-18 drop each apo-Hepat, Itires, and Renelix

1/2 tsp. Neuro-Antitox II Basic
- Apple Cider Vinegar formula

1/2 tsp Ferrum phos homeopathic remedy
in 1/4 C. water then take 1 tsp. under tongue each night, save mixture and use again every AM
once a week take 12 pellets instead


Over time I will be adding in these additional items.  I am choosing to add one at a time because I want to see how each supplement effects me.  I am also being careful about not opening up my detox pathways to quickly out of concern that I will dump a bunch of toxins and metals at once and feel really sick for a while.  Slow and steady is the trick here.

2 Zinc Picolinate
2 ProEPA Fish Oil
1 dropper 3 x per day Jernigan Yeast Ease
5 sprays ACZ nano
Increase Cholrella Mana to 12 tabs 2 x per day
7 sprays each side of nose 3 X per day Argentyn 23 silver spray
2 3 X per day Para-Gard

Muscle Testing and Biofeedback Confirmation

Last week I had an appointment with my LLMD and I told him all about my visit with the naturopath and what she uncovered with her biofeedback testing.  He was really intrigued and listened closely while I explained what she had uncovered.  He ran me through his normal list of muscle testing for me and added in a few things to explore this new info.  I was really excited when their testing was in synch with each other.  It's always so validating when two different practitioners with very different testing methods come up with pretty much the same results. These are the results from my muscle testing.

This is on a scale from 1-5 then 0.
Remember that 1= really bad problem  3= active and needs work 5= barely detectable 0= not present
In other words, the higher the number the healthier I am, but the ultimate goal is all zeros.


Test                    Dec '11      1/12       4/12          5/12      7/5     7/31    9/12

Lyme                   4                 4            2               1            0       0          0 

Babesia               3                 2            2                3           5       3           0

Bartonella           3                 2            2                3            0      3           0

Parasites             0                 1            5                0            0       3           4

Viruses               4                 3            3                4            4                    4

Mycoplasma      4                 4            4                4            5       5           4

Yeast/mold/fungi  3              3            4                4            3       3           3

Bacteria             3                 2            3                4            2       2            4

Neurotoxins       4                4                              4            3       2            3

Metals                4                4                               4           3                     3



Interpretation:

AWESOME!  He didn't find ANY signs of active infections of Lyme, Bartonella, OR Babesia!  This is great.  It doesn't mean that they are totally gone, just that they aren't active right now.  If the naturopath was right then it's possible that I really don't have bartonella any more and I just have eggs of the Lyme and Babesia.  When I asked my LLMD if I should be on something to kill them if they do hatch he said that if there are still eggs they will only hatch if the environment if favorable for them and that it's possible they will never hatch.  I like that idea, but I like the idea of being rid of them even better.  I think this is one of those times where the only option is to wait and see if my testing stays at zeros for a long while.  This is the first time I have tested negative for Babesia and the first time I have tested negative for all 3 infections.  This is progress.

In addition, this is also the first time that my highest number is a 3.  Remember 1 = #1 problem, big deal, bad news.  SO right now my worst issues are probably parasites, toxins, and mold.  Each of those is substantial enough to make some one really sick.  I've still got a bit of work to do, but I'm coming along and making progress.

What I was most curious about was the naturopath's discovery of a genetic mutation that effects the way my body metabolizes folic acid.  The mutation is called MTHFR and is probably more common then most people think.  The key thing about this mutation, for me, is that it causes blockages in the detox pathways.  I'm beginning to suspect that a lot of the reason I still have such severe neurological symptoms is because I'm not properly detoxing.  Expensive lab tests are required to confirm exactly which mutation I have and the complexities of how it is effecting my body.  This MTHFR issue causes lots of deficiencies in vitamins and minerals.  These showed up in my biofeedback testing and again in my muscle testing.  My body really wanted B vitamins, folic acid, fatty acids, zinc, etc to address this problem and the associated imbalances.  For now that's all the confirmation I get on this issue.  I have started the protocol for treating this detox issue and I hope it will help me to feel better.  I suspect that I will be doing some lab work soon to get more info because this is a really complex health issue.  I'll do a separate post soon that goes into detail on this mutation and it's significance.

For now, I'm trying to recover from an episode of pretty bad neurological symptoms and twitching.  I'm starting a new protocol that focuses on MTHFR and detoxing and I'll be looking into figuring out where there could be mold in our house and buying an ionizer to help clear the air.  I'm optimistic that we have finally found the piece of the puzzle that will make all the other pieces fall into place.  This MTHFR thing is something I'm going to have to attend to for a long time, possibly for ever, but taking a few vitamins and some folic acid are no biggie if it means I can finally start feeling good and get back to living life.

I hope all of you are finding what you need to live happy and healthy lives.  Thank you for being with me on this journey. 

Questions, comments, and words of encouragement are always welcome.

Is there a cure for Lyme Disease?

What's taking you so long to to get better?  Isn't there a CURE for Lyme Disease?  
Those of us with Chronic Lyme get asked questions like this all the time.  In this blog post I share my thoughts on why treatment is a long process and why we there isn't a magic pill that will cure us.

When we hear the word cure we tend to think about illnesses where we get easily diagnosed, the course of action is known and the results are predictable, like if someone gets pink eye, or pneumonia, or ringworm or some other such thing.  In those cases there is a clear cut diagnosis, treatment plan and a high success rate therefore we think of them as having a "cure".  Because each case of Lyme Disease is so different, it's still be researched, is only barely understood and it is so very complex, there is not one treatment plan that works almost all of the time for almost all of the people, therefore no "cure".

Most of us with Lyme believe that after it has become chronic it is impossible to get rid of every single borellia bacterium in the body, but that's not required in order to be better and get your life back.  What we are seeking, in most cases, is a lessening of infection and a strengthening of our immune system until we reach a point where our body can handle and take care of any small amount of infection that may have been hiding out.  This is one more reason the Lyme community will say there is no "cure".

There is however every reason to believe you can and will get your health and your life back.  I know two people who have rid themselves of the lyme and co.  One of them is very high functioning and you would never know she was sick if you met her now.  The other is still working on other heath issues that she likely would have had even without the Lyme.

Lyme has become an umbrella term and we must deal with the entire puzzle in order to achieve total wellness.  When someone has chronic Lyme what they really have is a random assortment of tick-born infections, opportunistic infections like yeast, parasites, and MarCons, as well as heavy metals, high levels of toxins, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, and a laundry list of conditions, like adrenal fatigue, that have resulted from every single bodily system being affected by this illness.  The complexity of this disease, the unique ways it presents in each person, are part of the reason treatment takes so long why there isn't a cure. 

I am getting myself very close to being able to say that I no longer harbor any tick infections, but I am still dealing with the havoc that it has caused in my body.  I am VERY toxic and still fighting off several other infections that were opportunistic after the lyme weakened my immune system.  My test results are getting better and my good days are improving, but there is still a lot of work to be done and I often feel similar to how I did when I had high levels of tick infections.  I will likely always need to maintain a restricted diet, take a few supplements, and treat my body extra well in order to be sure that I never end up here again.  But for now, I can say that there are days where I think I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.  Keep fighting the good fight everyone.

Questions, comments, and words of encouragement are always welcome.

On the Verge Of a Big Breakthrough

About two weeks ago I went to visit my naturopath to get a full biofeedback work up.  I tend to see her about once a year so she can use her nifty computer based machine to test me and help me understand what is currently happening in my body.  I got some really good/helpful/interesting information from her and I wan to share it with you all.  I'm excited about what it means for my health and I hope that my sharing can help one of you reading this to find the missing puzzle pieces in your health.

Warning:  This is a LONG blog post, full of medical info.

The first piece of information I got was really exciting!  She said she couldn't find any tick-born infections (TBIs)!!!  I was really excited about that, but also a tad suspicious because I had just been muscle tested a week before and was still coming up slightly positive for Bartonella and had a substantial case of Babesia.  I was really hoping her test would confirm my LLMD's (Lyme Literate Medical Doctor) muscle testing which has been saying that I don't have borellia aka Lyme and it did!  The naturopath said that my test results were fluctuating as she went further and tested me for molds.  I learned that mold illness can mimic Lyme and even effect the test results.  She felt like she was missing something and wanted to be really really sure when she told me that she couldn't find any more TBIs so she kept checking and tweeking things in her biofeedback system until we finally figured it out. 

According to her, I no longer have Bartonella at all!  That's amazing since I'm not directly treating for it right now (unless there is something in the Bab-1 formula that also works against bart).  She also said that I don't have any adult organisms for Babesia or Lyme, just eggs waiting to hatch.  This is really exciting news because I am already treating for babs and when the eggs hatch they I will already have the meds in my system to kill them.  I'm just one life cycle away form getting rid of babs :-)  The bonus is that the life cycle is pretty short and she said it should happen in the next few weeks.  I think it's happening right now because I'm feeling quite toxic and a bit herxy.  The Lyme buggers have a longer less predictable life cycle and so I'm just hoping that they won't hatch until after I get something to kill them into my system.  I'm just afraid t odo that right now because I'm so sensitive and I keep twitching every time I add a killing agent to my protocol.  I'll see my LLMD later this week and confirm these findings with him and get something added to my protocol to make sure we kill the baby spirochetes as soon as they hatch.  I can't believe that I'm just one life cycle away from really being rid of these fracking infections.  I guess this explains why my LLMD hasn't been able to find the Lyme but wasn't ready to say I'm cured quite yet. 

I couldn't help but wonder if I'm making such great progress why do I still have so many symptoms and what the heck is up with the neurological dysfunction and involuntary movements or twitching?  It seems like if I'm almost all better I shouldn't have such dramatic symptoms.  That's the thing about Chronic Lyme, it weakens your immune system and causes damage through the body resulting in a long list of symptoms and other issues some of which are worse them the Lyme itself.  That's why when Lyme is left untreated for years it becomes really hard to treat and people get so sick for so long.  Lyme Disease really has become an umbrella term for a whole bunch of conditions that tend to come along with the Lyme bacteria.

So back to my test results...  She dug around and found that I have some hormone imbalances.  My Thyroid is a little low ( not surprising as several people in my family take thyroid meds). my adrenals are low (I knew that), my progesterone level is low and I think I might be a bit estrogen dominate because of that ( maybe that's part of why I can get my skin to clear up?) and there are some imbalances with epinephrine and hydrocortisone.  None of this surprised me at all, I have even been told some of it before.  It makes sense with my family history, it fits with being chronically fatigued and easily exhausted, and I know that Lyme tends to attack or affect the HPA axis which controls the Hypothalamus, Pituitary, and Adrenal glands.

In addition, I am still fighting some other infections and exposures like heavy metals, an intestinal parasite, the MarCons staph infection in my sinuses, candida, and I've got a mild case of leaky gut.  None of this surprised me either.  I knew about all of these infections and have done a lot of work on each of them at some point.  It is useful to know that pretty much everything is hanging around a really low levels.  Now I know what I still need to treat and I suspect that if I could get my immune system to work it might be able to take care of some of these bitty bits of infection.

I mentioned mold earlier, well it turns out I'm being exposed to water damage molds, several species, and it's a toxic burden my body it having a hard time handling.  I have got to figure out where in this new house there might be mold and talk to the landlord about getting an inspection or something.  This is a potential nightmare I'm just not ready to face quite yet.  I'll see what happens at my net apt and go from there.  Hopefully we can do something to reduce the exposure and help my body to deal with it without having to get into any rental property issues.  I thought we were done with mold when we moved into a warm, dry, newer home.  ARG!

Now here's the really interesting part of the assessment results.  We figured out that I have some vitamin and mineral deficiencies and part of the reason is because I have a genetic mutation that reduces my body's ability to convert folate into a useable form.  It's called MTHFR.  This is new information for me.  I had been told before that my x-rays showed a mild cause of spinabifida and that it meant I inherited an issue with folic acid, but what I didn't know is that the folate has a relationship with iron, B vits, zinc, magnesium, and glutathione and that these things are key pieces to a properly functioning detox pathway.  AH HA!  Finally, it is all starting to make sense.  I think that most of my symptoms, especially the neurological ones are simply an issue of having a broken detox pathway because of this genetic folate issue.  Check out the list of conditions this mutation can cause. Read about how blockages in the detox pathway can effect the body.

There is a lot of interesting science behind all of this and I'll do additional blog posts on it later, but for now, to keep it simple, I'll just say that I think this is the missing piece to the puzzle.  I think this explains why I am one of the lucky people who is more susceptible to getting a chronic illness, why it is taking forever to treat it, why I feel sooo bad even after making so much progress, and why I am so sensitive to so very many things.  It could also explain things like exercise intolerance, seasonal and food allergies, digestion issues, sleep disturbances, weak teeth, and might possibly be a major player in every single symptom I still experience.  In fact I think that this is one important factor in why each person's journey with Lyme is so different, we all have different genes that make us more or less likely to manifest certain kinds of symptoms.

This may sound like a horrible thing, OMG you've got a genetic defect!  But really I'm so glad I know.  It's not something that is going to kill me, it's really pretty easy to treat with a knowledgeable DR.'s help, it is probably linked to most of my symptoms and therefor I should feel a ton better once I start treatment.  I'm also really glad to have found this out now so that I can take really good care of myself if we ever try to get pregnant.  In fact I'm thrilled to find this out.  I have this really strong feeling that getting this under control is going to create a lot of relief for my body, things will start to repair themselves and fall into place, I should start detoxing properly and get rid of the toxins and metals, and my immune system should bounce back and start taking care of the last few little infections.  I really think that I'm on the verge of a BIG breakthrough and I'm excited because I think this is going to be the thing that brings me back to being ME.

I know that was a lot, thank you for taking the time to read it all.  I so very much appreciate those of you who stick with me through the nitty gritty of this illness.  I'll be seeing my LLMD on Wednesday night and I'm going to share this info with him, ask for his input, see what the muscle testing says and ask for some lab work to confirm it.  Although I've simplified it to simply a folic acid problem, it is actually a complex chemistry equation and I want to make sure that we use this opportunity to really get a hold of all the little pieces and put me back together once and for all.

If you have any suggestions on tests I should request or questions I should ask my Dr. please let me know.  I want to go to my apt as prepared as possible.  As always, questions, comments, and support are always welcome.  Thanks for being beside me on this journey.  HUGS!

Gluten Free Scones

I just whipped up a batch of gluten free scones.  I've been craving them for weeks now and finally I pulled out my 1,000 Gluten-Free Recipes cook book and got to work.

I had to use what was available in my kitchen and I modified a recipe, but what I came up with was super delicious.

Sour Cherry and Lemon Gluten Free Scones

Ingredients:
1/3 C. butter or Earth Balance (I used Earth Balance)
1 T. grated lemon zest
1 large egg room temp.
1/3 C. of sugar
1/2 C. milk or milk substitute (I used rice milk)
1 1/2 C. flour blend * see below
1/2 C. Tapioca flour
1T. Baking powder
1 1/2 tsp. Xanthan gum
1tsp. guar gum
1tsp. salt
handful of dried sour cherries

** Make a batch of Carol's Sorghum Blend.  This can be used in place of all purpose flour in many recipes.  It is used a lot in this cook book so I often make double batches to have it ready when I want to bake.

• 1 1/2 C sorghum flour
• 1 1/2 C potato/corn starch
• 1 C tapioca flour 

1. Preheat oven to 375
2. grease a cookie sheet or line with parchment paper
3. in food processor (I used a stand mixer) process butter, zest, egg, and sugar until blended
4. Mix together all dry ingredients
5. Add milk, and all dry ingredients to wet ones and mix until just blended.  Dough will be very sticky.
6. Add in dried cherries to your hearts content.
7. Use a wet rubber spatula to spread the dough onto the cookie sheet until it's about 3/4" thick.  Make the edges straight if possible.
8. optional: brush the top with 2T of cream and sprinkle with 1T sugar (I skipped this)
9. Bake for 20 minutes
10. use a firm spatula to cut the dough into 8-10 pieces, spread across baking sheet and continue baking for 10 more minutes
11. Optional: glaze with 1C powdered sugar and 2T lemon juice mixed together (I also skipped this and mine were plenty sweet)

I ate mine piping hot and topped with Earth Balance and two jellies, apricot fruit spread from Santa Cruz Organic and a homemade cherry strawberry from Happy Girl Kitchen Co.  I try to limit the amount of sugar I consume so I skipped adding and extra to the top and they were plenty sweet for me.  My husband declared them as his new favorite pastry.

Now go and make some scones and them come back and tell me how your turned out and what changes you made to accomidate your diet and the flavors you had laying around your kitchen.

ENJOY!