Lyme disease is an infectious disease caused by multiple bacterial, parasitic, and viral pathogenic organisms, such as Borrelia burgdorferi, Babesia, and Bartonella, transmitted to humans via ticks and other biting insects. According to the Centers for Disease Control, it’s the fastest-growing epidemic disease in the United States, with an estimated 300,000 or more new cases every year.
Many cases of Lyme become chronic, causing long-term neurological and cardiac conditions, with symptoms that can mimic diseases such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, lupus, and arthritis. Chronic Lyme causes profound fatigue, cardiac and nervous system abnormalities, joint, nerve, and muscle pain, depression, insomnia, and severe cognitive dysfunction.
Cognitive dysfunction occurs for many reasons, including the presence of Lyme neurotoxins in the brain, ammonia, which causes inflammation and destruction of neurons, damage to brain and other nervous system tissue, hormone and neurotransmitter dysfunction, reduced blood flow and oxygen to the brain, nutritional deficiencies, food allergies, blood-sugar imbalances, and more.
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These problems are often caused directly or indirectly by Lyme disease-related infections, such as Borrelia, Babesia, and Bartonella, as well as by common Lyme disease co-conditions, such as mold and yeast infections, and heavy metal toxicity.
Fortunately, there are ways to mitigate symptoms of cognitive dysfunction.
In addition to using nutrients, there are other strategies that may help improve cognitive function in chronic Lyme disease, such as balancing hormones, restoring the health of the gastrointestinal tract, oxygenating and increasing blood flow to the brain with exercise and other strategies, and stabilizing blood sugar levels in the brain by eating frequently and maintaining a high-fat, moderate-protein, and low-carbohydrate diet.
People with chronic Lyme disease often have many biochemical imbalances, and many Lyme-literate doctors believe that an anti-inflammatory, blood-sugar stabilizing diet, along with supplements to support the health of the gut and brain, are essential for proper brain function.
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Incorporating these strategies into a daily regimen can go a long way toward mitigating the symptoms of cognitive dysfunction in chronic Lyme disease and restoring optimal function to the mind and body.
It is essential to experiment and test to find what works best for each individual, as what works for one person may not work for another.
Chronic Lyme disease is a complex condition that requires a full approach to treatment, including the use of nutrients, dietary changes, and other strategies to support cognitive function and overall health.
