Could a Simple Lyme Disease Test Uncover Mystery Illnesses?

Lyme disease is one of the most overlooked conditions in the US. Why? The main reason is that early Lyme disease symptoms are extremely similar to that of the common cold. This makes it very easy for doctors who are not very well versed in Lyme disease to miss it or disregard it as a cold.

Untreated Lyme disease (pharmaceutically or naturally) can continue to promote dysfunctions and chronic illness. In many cases, the only way for patients to get tested is to order a Lyme disease test themselves. I’ll show you how to do this.

Lyme Disease Symptoms

Lyme disease is caused by the bacteria borrelia burgdorferi. Borrelia is transmitted to us mainly by ticks, however, it is important to know that ticks in their nymphal stage (new born) is most likely to transmit the bacteria. They’re really small so there may not be any evidence of a tick or a tick bite.

Acute Lyme Disease Symptoms

Most people infected by borrelia will express symptoms even though about 7% will be totally asymptomatic (no symptoms). Common acute Lyme disease symptoms include:

• A bull’s-eye looking rash surrounding the bit site. This is common but may not be bull’s-eye looking at all or even absent (the reason why it’s rarely tested for); The incubation period (time between bite and symptoms) can be 3-30 days so one may not attribute the rash to a tick bite at all.
• Common cold symptoms: fever, fatigue, muscle soreness etc.

Chronic Lyme Disease Symptoms

Many cases of Lyme disease are missed because it was mistaken for another illness such as the common cold. After the symptoms of the acute infection subside, the bacteria can continue to negatively influence health. Chronic Lyme disease symptoms can vary greatly, however, some text books symptoms may include:

• Memory loss
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Fibromyaligia (widespread pain with unknown cause)
• Bipolar Disorder
• Arthritis
• Autoimmunity

Lyme Disease Testing

Lyme disease tests are seldom run because in many cases, the sings of the acute infection are gone by the time the doctor examines the patient. The patient may then be forced to do his/her own research and order Lyme disease tests themselves. If this is you, here’s how you order Lyme disease blood tests yourself without it ever getting reported to the insurance companies. 

Lyme Disease Antibody Test

When we get exposed to foreign bacteria, our bodies produce a form of white blood cells called antibodies. These antibodies help the immune system not only effectively attack foreign bacteria but also helps it to be ready for future exposures. The Lyme disease test can give insight to whether or not you have been exposed to the borrelia bacteria.

Confirming Lyme Disease- Western Blot Test

To minimize false negative/positives, the Lyme disease western blot test can be ordered to help confirm the presence of high borrelia bacteria antibodies. 

CD57 Test- Natural Killer Cells

Natural killer cells (nk cells or CD57 cells) are white blood cells that help our bodies fight infections. Lyme disease seems to decrease the number of natural killer cells, thus keeping the Lyme diseases active . The CD57 test is extremely important because it helps monitor improvements of the natural killer cells as treatment progresses.

What Do I Do If I have Chronic Lyme Disease?

Finding the right doctor, one that is versed in Lyme disease, is extremely important. Whether if you are seeking pharmaceutical or natural treatment options, it is possible to greatly improve your health and possibly recover from Lyme disease. You can find a doctor here.

Tell us your story. Did our standard healthcare system help you or a loved one with Lyme diseases?

Thyroid problems such as hypothyroidism, Graves’ disease, and Hashimoto’s are reaching pandemic levels in the USA. Many studies show that environmental exposure to certain chemicals triggers and promotes thyroid disease 1. In this article we are going to discuss 3 of the biggest chemicals that promote these thyroid problems. They are Bisphenol A (BPA), Triclosan, and Nonylphenol.

BPA and the Thyroid

BPA is a chemical found in many of the plastic products we use including water bottles (recycling numbers 3 and 7), plastic containers, and thermal paper receipts. BPA coats the inside of these containers and are leached out where it is then consumed or absorbed through our skin. Heat, like leaving your water bottle in your hot car, and microwaves can dramatically increase the leaching rate.

Studies show that BPA disrupts thyroid function by not allowing the active thyroid hormone, T3, to reach the DNA 1. This may be, in part, the explanation why so many people continue to have thyroid symptoms even when lab tests are normal.

Due to our current model of standard healthcare, most doctor are never taught to administer BPA testing. As patients become better educated on the other factors that promote their thyroid problems, they will run tests, like BPA, themselves.

Triclosan and the Thyroid

Triclosan is found in personal care products like toothpaste, shaving cream, and hand soaps. It effects on thyroid function is very similar to the way BPA where the ability for the active thyroid hormone, T3, to influence DNA is shut down 2.

Nonylophenol and the Thyroid

Nonylophenol, found in dry cleaning chemicals, pesticides, paper manufacturing, paints/coatings, household cleaners, as well as PVC food packaging mimics estrogen in the body. Theses xenoestrogens are well known to promote thyroid problems as well as infertility 3.

Testing for BPA, Triclosan, and Nonylophenol

If we are all exposed to these chemicals to some extent the why doesn’t everyone have thyroid or other health problems? The answer is- You can run but you can hide. We will get exposed, however, the body is extremely resilient. We have the ability to breakdown and get rid of these harmful chemicals, but not if we get overwhelmed or don’t have the nutrition necessary to get ride of BPA, Triclosan and Nonylophenol.

Nutrition? Yes. The P450 enzyme in the liver that detoxifies these chemicals is DEPENDENT on our nutritional status. Yes, food DOES matter.

The only way to know if these chemical are playing apart in your thyroid problems is to run a BPH / Triclosan / Nonylophenol urine test. If these chemicals are in fact building up in your body, aggressive steps can be made to avoid and detoxify these chemicals giving your thyroid a fighting chance to recover. Thyroid testing should always be considered along with chemical toxicity testing.

Feel free to leave a comment and tell us your story.

Wishing you the best of health,

Dr. Brady Hurst

References:

1 J Clin Endocrinol Metab, November 2002, 87(11):5185–519

2 Clayton EM, Todd M, Dowd JB, Aiello AE. The Impact of Bisphenol A and Triclosan on Immune Parameters in the US Population, NHANES 2003-2006. Environmental health perspectives. Nov 9 2010

3 Endocrinology. 2009 Jun;150(6):2964-73. Epub 2009 Feb 19.

I wanted to remind you that I now have Facebook group page where you can come and ask me your health questions, share your health tips with others, and meet people who have the same health concerns.

Just click the FB join button. It FREE! 

To Your Health,

Dr. Brady
TrueHealthLabs.com

New Gluten Intolerence Tests from Cyrex Labs Give Deeper Insight into Gluten Intolerance.

Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley. Gluten gives bread its fluffiness and chewiness. Research has shown gluten to be connected to manydiseases such as celiac and several autoimmune diseases including a thyroid condition known as Hashimoto’s.

Until recently, testing for gluten intolerance has been extremely limited. Cyrex Labs has developed new groundbreaking technology in gluten intolerance testing and has the ability to accurately determine whether gluten is damaging your health. The public can now order Cyrex tests online.

Issues with old gluten intolerance testing

The main issue with standard gluten intolerance blood testing is that it only looks at antibodies to one component of gluten called alpha gliadin. The literature shows that there are many different components of gluten that one can be sensitive to. This is problematic because if gluten is in fact destroying someone’s health and he or she does not test positive for alpha gliadin but is in fact sensitive to the other components (for example Gluteomorphin), then that person who should avoid gluten, would be cleared to eat gluten containing foods.

Another extreme downfall in gluten intolerant testing is the fact that food proteins other than gluten can react in the exact same way as gluten. Researchers have identified the most common foods that have this gluten mimicking reaction. New testing is available to detect sensitivities to these foods.

A prime example of the importance of having these foods tested is in the case of those suffering from celiac disease. Those patients are instructed to eliminate gluten containing foods from their diet so they switch to gluten free quinoa, for example. Quinoa is one of the foods that have the potential to react like gluten. Knowing this information is invaluable to those with known gluten intolerance.

Cyrex Lab Test Arrays

Cyrex Labs Test 1- Gluten Sensitivity Screen

This saliva test is the best way to detect gluten sensitivities early. Standard blood testing for gluten intolerance typically tests positive only after their has been extensive damage to the gut or other tissues. Since autoimmune conditions such as celiac disease and Hashimoto’s have gluten and genetic components, this test would be of use for those with a family history of autoimmune disease. Taking a saliva sample is also easy to collect in the case of children who are suspected of being gluten intolerant. Learn more about Cyrex Lab’s Gluten Intolerance Test.

Cyrex Labs Test 2- Intestinal Permeability “Leaky Gut” Screen

The gut of those who are gluten intolerant can be damaged by gluten intake. This damage can lead to what many call “leaky gut syndrome”. This means that things like large food proteins and bacteria that are meant to stay within the lumen of the gut now enters into the blood. The body’s immune then reacts to naturalize the “foreign invaders”. This reaction creates inflammation, which if allowed to continue, can damage organs and lead to other chronic diseases. Testing for intestinal permeability is important in the recovery from long-term gluten exposure. Learn more about Cyrex Lab’s leaky gut test.

Cyrex Test 3- 12 Component Gluten Intolerance Test with Autoimmune Screen

Research has shown that components other than alpha gliadin can cause damage. As mentioned earlier, standard testing for gluten intolerance only tests for antibodies to one component of gluten, alpha gliadin. This test looks at the 12 most common reactive components of gluten. This is important because not all who are gluten intolerant test positive for alpha gliadin. Since gluten intolerance is highly associated with celiac disease, markers for autoimmune celiac is included with this test. This test is also referred as “Array 3- Wheat/Gluten Proteome Reactivity & Autoimmunity Profile”. Learn more about Cyrex Lab’s 12 component gluten intolerance test.

Cyrex Test 4- Gluten Cross-Reactive Foods

Gluten has received the majority of the attention because it is the the most researched. It is extremely important to understand that other foods (even gluten-free foods) can react in the same manner as gluten. Many foods can cross-react like this, however, this test looks at the 24 most common foods that cross-react with gluten. Some common cross-reactive foods are corn, rice, coffee, and chocolate. This test can help doctors and patients develop a clear and effective lifestyle plan. Learn more about Cyrex Lab’s gluten cross-reactive foods test.

Complete Immune Testing: Th1/Th2 and CD4/CD8 Ratio Testing

When understanding autoimmune conditions such as celiac disease or Hashimoto’s, one must realize that it all starts with an underlying immune dysfunction. Th1/Th2 cytokine testing and CD4/CD8 ratio testing are powerful tools when understanding the root immune dysfunction. You and your doctor can use the results from these tests along with the Cyrex Lab tests to develop a course of action to improve the underlying immune dysfunction and create a better quality of life.

Dr. Brady Hurst DC, CCCN

Looking to purchase Cyrex Lab tests or other lab tests? Take our very short survey for a 5% discount.

If there were ever were to be a terror plot to effect all of society, it would be the recommended 6-11 servings of processed carbohydrates recommended on the USA’s Food Pyramid. If you asked a room full of doctors that were nutrition experts if they would recommend the food pyramid to their patients, you will most likely see zero hands go up. Here are a few reasons why:

• Process grains are stripped of their husk, the shell that contains most of the nutrients. This is one of the reasons why the FDA recommended fortifying breads with vitamins and minerals.
• The husk breaks down quickly at room temperature. This means bad news for grain company’s profits and even worse news for you…
• The husk is dense which allows slow digestion of the carbohydrate center. Since almost all bread companies have removed the husk, the carbohydrates break down very fast. This fast break down causes blood sugar to spike upward. ‘So what’? you ask?. As blood sugar levels rise, insulin is released from the pancreas to shove that sugar into your cells for energy. The higher the sugar level, the higher the insulin levels. Like any hormone, when too much gets produced the body becomes resistant to it as a self-protective measure.
• High insulin levels can lead to:
  • Diabetes
  • Metabolic Syndrome
  • Increase testosterone in women–> Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)–> greater insulin resistance–> increased testosterone… see the cycle (see blood tests for PCOS)?
  • In men- Increased conversion of testosterone into estrogen–>Erectile dysfunction, low libido, sperm mutation (infertility), depression, cardiovascular issues, insulin resistance, diabetes, prostate cancer (see the 10 most important blood tests for men)
  • Increased cholesterol production by the liver. If the cholesterol becomes oxidized (which it will for those on the SAD diet (Standard American Diet)) it will increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and can create hormone problems (most hormones are made from cholesterol…see the new VAP cholesterol test).
  • Increased cortisol production. Prolonged cortisol exposure can shut down the immune system, further promote insulin resistance, break down muscle tissue, and promote cortical atrophy (death of brain cells, especially in the area of memory).
• Most processed grains contain a protein called gluten. Gluten makes dough sticky if you will. Outside of breads, gluten is found in many other products like ketchup, ice-cream, salad dressing, toothpaste, and instant coffee (see entire list).
• Since most people are constantly bombarded with gluten, their immune system may start to sift to an abnormal state and begin to overreact. Gluten is a major factor in Celiac Disease, Autism, autoimmune diseases like Rheumatoid Arthritis, Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, Lupus, Sjogren’s Syndrome, and many other conditions (see related tests for autoimmunity).

The good news is that not everyone is gluten sensitive. Since most food sensitivities and allergies are delayed reactions (e.g. if you ate the offending food on Monday, you may not show any signs/symptoms until Wednesday), it makes it hard to pinpoint the problem. IgG food allergy testing is used to identity these foods which then allows you to change your dietary habits and thus greatly lessen the massive burden of  food sensitivities. IgG food allergy testing is avaliable through out website. You may also contact our office for more information.

I hope this helped heighten your knowledge of true health. Feel free to follow me on Facebook where I post very helpful articles and health tips. You can also click on the “RSS Feed” button to get notified every time I post a new article. This site is packed full of useful information so make sure you share it. To paste one of my links in a health forum is simple and could help hundreds of people.

Dr. Brady Hurst
Clinic Director for:
True Health Center for Functional Medicine
TrueHelathLabs.com (Lab Tests Online)

Why Sugar is Bad for You?

On the contrary, sugar is actually good for you. It’s the over consumption is why sugar is bad for you. We need sugar. In

fact, most of what we eat getsconverted into sugar, even fats.

The over consumption of sugar will cause the body to release large amounts of  a hormone called insulin. Insulin’s job is to get the sugar from the blood stream into the cells so cells can produce energy. The more sugar you eat, the more insulin is released and like any other hormone, the more that is present, the more resistant our cells become to it.

This is typically known as pre-diabetes. New pre-diabetes testing can give pin-point insight into how well our bodies are responding to sugar. If you are one of the millions of Americans who consume too much sugar then the following list will be an eye opener for you. The public can get these pre-diabetes lab tests online.

Too much…

1. Sugar can suppress the immune system.
2. Sugar upsets the mineral relationships in the body.
3. Sugar can cause hyperactivity, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, and crankiness in children.
4. Sugar can produce a significant rise in triglycerides.
5. Sugar contributes to the reduction in defense against bacterial infection (infectious diseases).
6. Sugar causes a loss of tissue elasticity and function, the more sugar you eat the more elasticity and function you loose.
7. Sugar reduces high density lipoproteins.
8. Sugar leads to chromium deficiency.
9. Sugar leads to cancer of the breast, ovaries, prostate, and rectum.
10. Sugar can increase fasting levels of glucose.
11. Sugar causes copper deficiency.
12. Sugar interferes with absorption of calcium and magnesium.
13. Sugar can weaken eyesight.
14. Sugar raises the level of neurotransmitters: dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine.
15. Sugar can cause hypoglycemia.
16. Sugar can produce an acidic digestive tract.
17. Sugar can cause a rapid rise of adrenaline levels in children.
18. Sugar malabsorption is frequent in patients with functional bowel disease.
19. Sugar can cause premature aging.
20. Sugar can lead to alcoholism.
21. Sugar can cause tooth decay.
22. Sugar contributes to obesity.
23. High intake of sugar increases the risk of Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis.
24. Sugar can cause changes frequently found in person with gastric or duodenal ulcers.
25. Sugar can cause arthritis.
26. Sugar can cause asthma.
27. Sugar greatly assists the uncontrolled growth of Candida Albicans (yeast infections).
28. Sugar can cause gallstones.
29. Sugar can cause heart disease.
30. Sugar can cause appendicitis.
31. Sugar can cause multiple sclerosis.
32. Sugar can cause hemorrhoids.
33. Sugar can cause varicose veins.
34. Sugar can elevate glucose and insulin responses in oral contraceptive users.
35. Sugar can lead to periodontal disease.
36. Sugar can contribute to osteoporosis.
37. Sugar contributes to saliva acidity.
38. Sugar can cause a decrease in insulin sensitivity.
39. Sugar can lower the amount of Vitamin E in the blood.
40. Sugar can decrease growth hormone.
41. Sugar can increase cholesterol.
42. Sugar can increase the systolic blood pressure.
43. Sugar can cause drowsiness and decreased activity in children.
44. High sugar intake increases advanced glycation end products (AGEs) (Sugar bound non-enzymatically to protein)
45. Sugar can interfere with the absorption of protein.
46. Sugar causes food allergies.
47. Sugar can contribute to diabetes.
48. Sugar can cause toxemia during pregnancy.
49. Sugar can contribute to eczema in children.
50. Sugar can cause cardiovascular disease.
51. Sugar can impair the structure of DNA
52. Sugar can change the structure of protein.
53. Sugar can make our skin age by changing the structure of collagen.
54. Sugar can cause cataracts.
55. Sugar can cause emphysema.
56. Sugar can cause atherosclerosis.
57. Sugar can promote an elevation of low density lipoproteins (LDL).
58. High sugar intake can impair the physiological homeostasis of many systems in the body.
59. Sugar lowers the enzymes ability to function.
60. Sugar intake is higher in people with Parkinson’s disease.
61. Sugar can cause a permanent altering the way the proteins act in the body.
62. Sugar can enlarge the liver by making the liver cells divide.
63. Sugar can increase the amount of liver fat.
64. Sugar can enlarge the kidney and produce pathological changes in it.
65. Sugar can damage the pancreas.
66. Sugar can increase the body’s fluid retention.
67. Sugar is enemy #1 of the bowel movement.
68. Sugar can cause myopia (nearsightedness).
69. Sugar can compromise the lining of the capillaries.
70. Sugar can make the tendons more brittle.
71. Sugar can cause headaches, including migraine.
72. Sugar plays a role in pancreatic cancer in women.
73. Sugar can adversely affect school children’s grades and cause learning disorders.
74. Sugar can cause an increase in delta, alpha, and theta brain waves.
75. Sugar can cause depression.
76. Sugar increases the risk of gastric cancer.
77. Sugar and cause dyspepsia (indigestion).
78. Sugar can increase your risk of getting gout.
79. Sugar can increase the levels of glucose in an oral glucose tolerance test over the ingestion of complex carbohydrates.
80. Sugar can increase the insulin responses in humans consuming high-sugar diets compared to low sugar diets.
81 High refined sugar diet reduces learning capacity.
82. Sugar can cause less effective functioning of two blood proteins, albumin, and lipoproteins, which may reduce the body’s ability to handle fat and cholesterol.
83. Sugar can contribute to Alzheimer’s disease.
84. Sugar can cause platelet adhesiveness.
85. Sugar can cause hormonal imbalance; some hormones become under active and others become overactive.
86. Sugar can lead to the formation of kidney stones.
87. Sugar can lead to the hypothalamus to become highly sensitive to a large variety of stimuli.
88. Sugar can lead to dizziness.
89. Diets high in sugar can cause free radicals and oxidative stress.
90. High sucrose diets of subjects with peripheral vascular disease significantly increase platelet adhesion.
91. High sugar diet can lead to biliary tract cancer.
92. Sugar feeds cancer.
93. High sugar consumption of pregnant adolescents is associated with a twofold increased risk for delivering a small-for-gestational-age (SGA) infant.
94. High sugar consumption can lead to substantial decrease in gestation duration among adolescents.
95. Sugar slows food’s travel time through the gastrointestinal tract.
96. Sugar increases the concentration of bile acids in stools and bacterial enzymes in the colon. This can modify bile to produce cancer- causing compounds and colon cancer.
97. Sugar increases estradiol (the most potent form of naturally occurring estrogen) in men.
98. Sugar combines and destroys phosphatase, an enzyme, which makes the process of digestion more difficult.
99. Sugar can be a risk factor of gallbladder cancer.
100. Sugar is an addictive substance.
101. Sugar can be intoxicating, similar to alcohol.
102. Sugar can exacerbate PMS.
103. Sugar given to premature babies can affect the amount of carbon dioxide they produce.
104. Decrease in sugar intake can increase emotional stability.
105. The body changes sugar into 2 to 5 times more fat in the bloodstream than it does starch.
106. The rapid absorption of sugar promotes excessive food intake in obese subjects.
107. Sugar can worsen the symptoms of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
108. Sugar adversely affects urinary electrolyte composition.
109. Sugar can slow down the ability of the adrenal glands to function.
110. Sugar has the potential of inducing abnormal metabolic processes in a normal healthy individual and to promote chronic degenerative diseases.
111..IVs (intravenous feedings) of sugar water can cut off oxygen to the brain.
112. High sucrose intake could be an important risk factor in lung cancer.
113. Sugar increases the risk of polio.
114. High sugar intake can cause epileptic seizures.
115. Sugar causes high blood pressure in obese people.
116. In Intensive Care Units: Limiting sugar saves lives.
117. Sugar may induce cell death.
118. Sugar may impair the physiological homeostasis of many systems in living organisms.
119. In juvenile rehabilitation camps, when children were put on a low sugar diet, there was a 44% drop in antisocial behavior.
120. Sugar can cause gastric cancer.
121. Sugar dehydrates newborns.
122. Sugar can cause gum disease.
123. Sugar increases the estradiol in young men.
124. Sugar can cause low birth-weight babies.

List copies from Rawfoodinfo.com

Dr. Brady Hurst
Clinic Director for:
True Health Center for Functional Medicine
TrueHelathLabs.com (Lab Tests Online)

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This is one of the very few pharmaceutical drugs that I agree with.

One of the main characteristics we see in cancer cells is that they lose their ability to produce energy from oxygen. Most cancer cells become what is call anaerobic (“without oxygen”). Energy can not be produced efficiently this way so the cells lose the energy needed to repair and protect it’s DNA. Dichloroacetic acid (DCA) helps forces aerobic respiration (“with oxygen”) on these cells, ramping up it’s energy and thus promoting (not creating, only natural medicine can create) normal function. This drug along with aggressive nutritional intervention may just be the answer, however, you won’t ever see the drug.  Some have beaten their cancer with natural medicine alone (these 30 people did it in Wellness Against all Odds).

When will the value of a human life be worth more than a dollar?

To Your Health,

Dr. Brady Hurst
Clinic Director for:
True Health Center for Functional Medicine
TrueHelathLabs.com (Lab Tests Online)

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Dr. Brady Hurst
True Health: Functional Medicine + Chiropractic.
www.TrueHealthDC.com