Our Take on Treating Lyme Disease

Dr. Pete Hilgartner’s Lyme Protocol

A Brief Overview

(Revised July, 2010)

Introduction

This protocol can be used as a stand-alone holistic, natural method for combating Lyme’s disease, or it can be used in conjunction with medical intervention. I do, however, recommend a 30 day course of Doxycycline for an acute case of Lyme’s. This just provides a good “head-start.” Talk to your family practitioner about the proper dosage. I also recommend using a good broad spectrum probiotics throughout the entire protocol. The concept used here to eradicate Lyme’s Disease, along with the various co-infections, is metaphorically modeled after the Marine Corps doctrine for Counter-insurgency Warfare. The similarities between Lyme’s Disease and an insurgency are too obvious to the observer trained in both to ignore. Lyme’s disease is known as the great imitator for its ability to present as a myriad of varied symptoms, often leading physicians down the wrong path of diagnostic thinking. It is also extremely difficult to quantify using the current laboratory tests available. The following is an approach that I developed in order to handle my own case of Borialis Burgdorferii and Babesia infection. I also used it to rid my son of an acute case of Lyme’s. I have also helped a number of patients overcome their own case of Lyme’s and, at the very least, improve the condition of many more who are dealing with severe, chronic cases of the condition. I do not claim this to be THE answer to Lyme’s Disease, nor do I claim to have conducted any random controlled clinical trials to validate any of the protocol. I have simply applied reason and a strong understanding in the basic clinical sciences to a problem I personally faced and that many of my patients are currently dealing with…with no substantial benefit. Using the Counter-insurgency model as my guide, I reasoned that the invasion of the Spirochete is similar to that of insurgents in Iraq. In the right environment, they will proliferate unchecked and wreak havoc on the body by taking up residence in various tissues, spilling toxic waste into the body, recruit other cells to get in on the game (by sharing it’s DNA with that of the host) and generally bring chaos to an otherwise, fairly orderly “ecosystem.” In order to contain an insurgency, the focus must be to make the environment untenable by the insurgents. In this case, the Bacteria and gang of various viruses that like to tag along for the ride. This is quite simply done by eliminating its resources, (food, water, currency, recruits, etc.) and by selectively seeking it out and destroying it. Note the key word “selectively”… Antibiotics, the most popular approach used, is like Napalm. It will kill the enemy but it may just kill you too. Anti-biotic literally means “Anti-Life”. That means it kills living cells…the bugs AND yours! There is definitely a time and a place for the use of antibiotics. However, they are used so rampantly that many of the bacteria have become extremely resistant to them. (The bugs associated with Lyme’s especially. In fact, some of the latest research is showing that the spirochete may even be using some of the antibiotics as a food source.) Much like a counter-insurgency operation, things don’t go so well when there is a lot of collateral damage associated with the campaign to eradicate the “enemy.” (NOTE: The following protocol can be used as a stand-alone treatment OR as an adjunct to antibiotic therapy. Though it is always best, in my opinion, to limit the need for antibiotics, in many cases, they are essential for proper resolution of the problem.

Priorities

1.  Obviously, the number one priority is to the kill the offending bug!

In order to do this, I use Essential Oils by Young Living, (www.youngliving.com/hilgartners) and Teasel Root. (Many times it is necessary to precede this protocol with a 30 day course of strong antibiotics, such as Doxycyline...discuss this with your medical doctor.) The formula for Essential Oils that I found to be most effective follows:         

The best way to ingest these is using 00 veggie caps and filling them with the various oils, in the appropriate dosage. To make things A LOT easier, you can get a 60 or 80 ml brown bottle with an eye dropper and pour the oils in together. (For the oils requiring 4 drops, buy the 15 ml bottles and the 5 ml bottles for the smaller dosages. Split them each into half for proper dosage into the larger bottle.) Care must be taken to keep the oils out of direct sunlight and in a cool, dry location. Teasel Root can be purchased from Dr. Phillip Fritchy at www.HISgoodherbs.com or by going to http://stores.ebay.com/Herb-Works. The proper dosage for the Teasel Root is 3-5 DROPS (not droppers) TID (Three times a day.) (See attached article by Dr. Philip Fritchy.) If you feel really lousy after a couple of days of taking the drops, cut back to only one drop per day for a few days and incrementally work your way back to 3-5 drops. I have had a few people who could only tolerate one drop every other day for a few weeks before they could increase their dosage

2. Proper Digestion and elimination must be established. This ensures the removal of the debris caused by the battle being waged inside your body. It also reduces the stress on the immune system by properly eliminating the toxins associated with normal metabolism.

The proper use on both digestive AND systemic enzymes is essential. By taking some digestive enzymes prior to each meal will assist in proper digestion and assimilation of nutrients. An inexpensive and easy way to assist digestion is to take 1-3 table spoons of Braggs Raw Apple Cider Vinegar in warm water about 10 minutes before you eat. If you travel or eat out a lot, you can get capsules. Take 2-4 capsules before a meal. (Be sure to only use RAW apple cider vinegar…pasteurized vinegar won’t work.) Eating some raw fermented food with each meal, such as sauerkraut, Kimchee, or the like, will also help. (See Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon or go to www.Westonaprice.com, for more information.) Systemic enzymes MUST be taken at least one hour before eating or at least 1 ½ hours after. The full description of the benefits of systemic enzymes would require its own book. Suffice it to say that, for Lyme’s Disease, systemic enzymes will help break down the Biofilm that surrounds and protects bacteria and viruses…much like a suit of armor. One of the problems plaguing medicine currently is infection of prosthetic substances placed in the body (prosthetic hips, knees, heart valves. etc.) These infected prosthetic parts often need to be replaced, as their infection cannot be eliminated. Bacteria are able to create a biofilm that prevents antibiotic drugs from reaching and killing them. This is particularly true in Lyme’s Disease. A similar problem exists in heart valve infections, where frequently an emergency replacement of an infected valve leaflet becomes the only way to save the patient’s life. If you have been labeled with the diagnosis of Lyme’s Desease AND have had any joints replaced or have been diagnosed with Mitral Valve Prolapse, this protocol will be considered mandatory. The proteolytic enzyme serrapeptase, one of the many ingredients in Vitalzyme Gel Caps and Zymessence, has been shown to enhance the killing activity of the antibiotic Ofloxin in cultures and to prevent the formation of biofilms. This prevention of biofilms could become very valuable in treating problem infections. There are a number of other products on the market. The idea is to use a broad spectrum systemic enzyme. Not only will they destroy the Biofilm of bacteria, but they break down scar tissue, and help clear cellular debris from you blood stream, lymphatic system and organs.

3. Ongoing cellular detoxification is also essential.

This can best be accomplished by using Kangen Water. (If in Northern Virginia, contact Pat Cassidy at Eco-Solutions, LLC, www.waterforbalance.com, or 571-246-1500, for more information. Tell him you are following Dr. Pete’s Lyme’s Protocol.) The use of this specific water system will ensure the best and proper elimination of toxins on a cellular level, AND set your body up to maintain the optimal Ph balance. Proper Ph balance is essential for creating a disease resistant environment in your body. The use of Castor Oil packs over your liver (right upper quadrant of your stomach and lower right rib cage), Nightly Epsom Salt baths and Far Infra-red Saunas will also aid in detoxification. Another great aid to elimination of toxins is the use of Diatomaceous Earth, www.earthworkshealth.com. The benefit for the Lyme’s patient is that it will clean the lining of your intestines thoroughly over time. This is a favorite hiding place for the Lyme bacteria. Begin by taking ½ teaspoon a day and over a period of 2 weeks, work your way up to 3 teaspoons a day. It is best when stirred into juice and swallowed quickly. It’s a bit chalky but the benefits far outweigh the weird texture.

4. Immune Support is also critical.

Along with the Kangen Water, it is essential that you avoid exposure to toxins and other stressors which can inhibit the proper function of your nervous system, digestive system, and immune system. These include physical, chemical, emotional and even spiritual stressors. In order to help you with this, we may evaluate you for postural stressors, food intolerances, mineral imbalances, heavy metal exposure, hormone imbalances and a number of other functional tests that help us determine you actual health status, rather than simply quantify your state of disease.

5. Finally, you need to ensure proper repair and regeneration of your body on a cellular level.

The only way to do this is by supplying your body with “Genuine Replacement Parts.” This can ONLY be done by focusing on a diet congruent with the human genome, a Paleolithic-type diet, and ensuring that you eat foods in their natural, unadulterated state. (This means free of pesticides, hormones, colorings, additives and chemicals…yes, that means you will have to, most likely, change your eating habits.)

Resourses

Books:

• The Paleo Diet by Dr. Loren Cordain
• Primal Body-Primal Mind by Nora Gedgaudas
• The Omnivores Dilemma by Michael Pollen
• Healing Lyme by Stephen H. Buhner
• Cure Unknown by Pamela Wientraub
• Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon

DVD’s:

• Under Your Skin www.underyourskin.com Fresh! Food Inc.

Websites:

• www.earthworkshealth.com For Diatomaceous Earth
• www.HISgoodherbs.com For Teasel Root
• www.thenaturalvet.net/drhilgartner Buy a product called “Finally Something That Really Works”. This is used to prevent ticks from biting. This reduces the risk of re-infection and exacerbation.
• www.youngliving.com/hilgartners For the Essential Oils. (There are MANY different oils on the market. We have found these to be the highest quality and the most potent. I have used this formula very successfully with a number of patients who have suffered for years with chronic, treatment resistant cases of Lyme’s disease. Stay tuned, however, as I perfect the formula over time. Dr. Gary Young is constantly introducing more potent formulations. As I learn about them, I tend to test them on my toughest cases. This formula is what I have found to be the most potent, so far.)
• www.waterforbalance.com For the best Alkaline water on the market. These units ARE expensive, but VERY effective.
• www.Westonaprice.com For GREAT information about proper nutrition and healthy living. There is SO MUCH more information to help you handle this complicated problem that I am working on a more comprehensive book on the topic. In my experience, there is a LOT that you can do from a natural, drugless perspective to handle this problem. I hope that this hand out has, at the very least, given you some options to consider and resources to explore. All any doctor can do is aid, assist, advise, encourage, support, and share their opinion and experience. The HEALING is ALL up to you. And, yes sadly, true healing takes time, effort, planning energy and money. But the other option is MUCH bleaker! I wish you True Health! 

Dr. Pete Hilgartner www.drshilgartner.com