Immune Boosting Vitamins and Lyme Disease

Lyme disease is caused by the bite of a tick. The first symptoms may appear like a flu, or there may be swelling at the site of the bite. The ticks are carried by deer and populate New England, but the disease is found around the world, including Europe and Asia. Treatment with antibiotics is usually curative, but the use of immune boosting vitamins can speed recovery and help reduce symptoms.

Immune Boosting Vitamins

• Many vitamins have been shown to boost immunity and help cure disease. Vitamin C, vitamin D, B12, and glutathione have all been shown to help sufferers of Lyme disease.

Vitamin C

• According to Gary Null, vitamin C is a "wonder worker." Its main function is to ward off foreign cells and eliminate toxins in the body. Vitamin C is a component of most cells in the body, including blood, skin and the nervous system. It helps heal Lyme disease by strengthening the nervous system and helping the body to rid itself of toxins.

Vitamin B12

• According to Dr. Ken SIngleton, many Lyme disease patients have a Vitamin B12 deficiency. Vitamin B12 is not easy to absorb and must be taken under the tongue or by injection. He recommends methylcobalamin or oxycobalamin preparations over cyanocobalamin. Dosage for the sublingual B12 is 1,000 to 2,000 mgs per day and the injection dose is 1,000 mgs a week.

Vitamin B6

• Dr. Singleton also suggested adding vitamin B6 in doses of 50 to 100 mgs per day. Also called pyridoxine, Vitamin B6 is part of many metabolic processes in the body and adding it to the diet helps speed healing for Lyme disease patients. The test of vitamin B6 deficiency is a blood test that looks for elevated homocysteine.

Diet

• According to natural health expert Dr. Merola, diet is the best way to add immune supporting vitamins to your diet. He suggests adding propolis from bees, green tea, garlic and licorice to help strengthen the immune system.

Warning

• Consult with a medical expert if you think you have symptoms of Lyme disease.