More than 300,000 cases of Lyme disease are reported each year, according to the CDC. However, this number may be even higher due to a few reasons including:

1. Lyme disease can go undiagnosed for a long time. Many individuals do not get a bulls eye rash and don’t have strong enough symptoms that would warrant a doctor or hospital visit.

2. Lyme disease can mask itself as many other conditions and autoimmune disorders, making it difficult to diagnose. Because of this, misdiagnosis is common.

Lyme disease is a systemic illness that affects the whole body. It impacts the nervous system, intestinal tract, heart, immune system, and connective tissue like joints and muscles. Basically, inflammation occurs at the cellular level within the entire body. Just like any other condition, if you don’t take care of yourself, symptoms can worsen.

With Lyme disease, a proper diet can make a tremendous difference in your quality of life. Western diets typically leave our bodies very acidic. It is overloaded in poor fats, over consumption of protein, not enough fiber and too much sugar and caffeine. When the body becomes too acidic, it leads to inflammation and an increased risk for other diseases and disorders.

An alkalizing diet helps to balance your pH level, ultimately reducing acidity. The pH level at which your body works best is around 7.4. (This can be measured with pH strips purchased at most health food stores). When you have a more alkaline environment your body is able to function at optimal levels. Alkalinity can aid in the reduction of inflammation and also mitigate chronic conditions like Lyme disease.

Alkaline foods to include in your diet:

Leafy green vegetables
Most fresh  fruit
Fermented foods such as kimchi & sauerkraut
Plant based protein sources
Cauliflower, broccoli and brussels sprouts
Raw nuts and seeds
Herbs
Lemons
Beans
Peas
Spinach
Tomatoes
Radishes
Beets
Cucumbers
Garlic
Avocados
Olive oil
Alkaline water
Carrots
Celery
Green tea

In addition to alleviating inflammation, an alkalizing diet also inhibits the growth of yeast and bad bacteria which can coincide with Lyme disease. This also allows for better detoxification in general.

I have found many of my patients flourish when following the proper alkalizing diet and detoxification protocol. This reflects a lifestyle change that can make life significantly better, especially when dealing with Lyme. It is also important to identify specific food allergies or sensitivities that may also trigger symptoms.

Chronic Lyme disease can be a serious challenge and I have experienced it firsthand. With proper treatment, you can still lead a very rich life. While there is no single treatment that helps everyone with Lyme disease, following a healthy, alkalinizing diet helps the majority of patients I treat. It’s not a difficult diet to follow and may be the next step for you in getting your health back!