Caring for the Lyme patient is complex and multi-faceted. We need the infinite knowledge and wisdom of Mother Nature, which makes Naturopathic medicine well suited for those with Lyme.

What exactly is Lyme disease?

It is a disease caused by spiral-shaped bacteria (spirochete). Bacteria are microorganisms that come in three main shapes, which include spherical, rod-shaped, or spiral (corkscrew) shape.

What benefits do bacteria gain from being different shapes?

It has to do with its increased virulence and is important for pathogenicity. What scientific research makes clear is that bacteria have very firm reasons for being the shapes they are, and the twisty-shaped ones (think of a coiled spring) are serious pathogens for humans and animals. Once the Lyme Borrelia burgdorferi bacterium spirochete is in the body, it starts to change its form by altering the proteins on its outer cell wall, effectively hiding itself from the immune system and cloaking itself in an undetectable covering called a “biofilm”. While the immune system is looking for a specific cell-wall protein, the Lyme bacteria no longer wear that protein, so it can’t be found. By sending immune cells to fight the now-disguised pathogen, this immune response wreaks havoc throughout the body in sensitive places such as the skin, brain, nerves and joints.

How is Lyme disease treated?

Unless Lyme disease is diagnosed and treated early, the Lyme spirochete can spread, and can go into hiding in the body, causing health problems months or even years after the infection occurs. This may be why there is so much confusion and difficulty in getting the proper diagnosis and treatment for Lyme disease. Many people are infected but don’t know it, so how are they supposed to get early treatment? Like me, they never saw a tick or got a rash! Unless a Lyme disease infection is caught immediately, even several weeks of antibiotics often will not kill the infection.

What to do?

It is clear in chronic Lyme that simply trying to kill bugs with antibiotics and medication is rarely enough. Some patients do not tolerate conventional treatments such as antibiotics, or are opposed to using them long-term. They can benefit greatly with naturopathic medicine alone. Others may choose to use naturopathic support to offset side effects of medications which will allow them to tolerate conventional medical treatment better.

Here are some of the multiple areas needed to be addressed with Lyme disease:

• Primary infection
• Co-infections (i.e. EBV, Herpes, syphilis)
• Nutritional deficiencies and food sensitivities/intolerance
• General detoxification
• Immune dysfunction (autoimmune)
• Systemic inflammation and pain
• GI infections
• Viral infections
• Yeast overgrowth
• Heavy metal toxicity
• Mold toxicity
• Hormone imbalances
• Sleep issues
• Imbalance in brain chemistry/neurotransmitters
• Depression & Anxiety

You’re not built to feel bad.

Every cell in your body is programmed to restore and maintain health if you provide the right conditions and instructions. That includes your brain cells and your gut, which is called your “second brain”. The newest research on anxiety, depression, and brain health is showing better results by treating nutritional deficiencies, digestive function and inflammation and not just antidepressants and anti-anxiety meds. Currently, anti-depressants are prescribed at the rate of 400 times what they were 20 years ago.

You may be searching for answers to symptoms of anxiety or depression that you’ve had for years, even decades. Maybe you went to see a talk-therapist to discuss your unstable mood, negative thoughts, or debilitating sadness that is depleting your life of joy and happiness. After all you’ve been through, you might find it incredulous and unbelievable if I tell you that there are ways to banish these symptoms and recover once and for all.

Many find that their symptoms of anxiety, depression, mood swings, PTSD, ADHD, and mind-racing, can be positively affected by the proper diet that corrects nutritional deficiencies and chemical imbalances, plus small changes in lifestyle, such as exercise and meditation. Food intolerances can also strongly affect our emotions. The bottom line is that many people do not realize the importance of the concept that our emotional and physical health depends on having the proper concentration of the natural substances the human body needs to sustain life and normal emotional balance. Fast food restaurants want you to believe that “French fries” are the only vegetables your body truly needs! The fact is that innumerable natural vitamins, minerals, amino acids, essential fatty acids, enzymes, endorphins and neurotransmitters are needed for sanity and well-being.

JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association) reports a study done in October 2009 in which the abstract context was whether adherence to the Mediterranean Dietary Pattern (MDP) is thought to reduce inflammatory, vascular, and metabolic processes that may be involved in the risk of clinical depression. Conclusions: “Our results suggest a potential protective role of the MDP with regard to the prevention of depressive disorders….”

(Almudena Sánchez-Villegas, BPharm, PhD; Miguel Delgado-Rodríguez, MD, PhD, MPH; Alvaro Alonso, MD, PhD; et al Javier Schlatter, MD, PhD; Francisca Lahortiga, BA, PhD; Lluis Serra Majem, MD, PhD; Miguel Angel Martínez-González, MD, PhD, MPH) (Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2009;66(10):1090-1098. doi:10.1001/archgenpsychiatry.2009.129)

Here at Mind Your Body Therapy, Dr. Elle offers new insights and understanding into the interface between your body and mind; the influence of thought, perception, nutrition, and subconscious awareness on the expression of one’s healing potential. Dr. Elle’s approach is focused on Micronutrient Therapy for Mental Wellness, Nutrition and Lifestyle Counseling, Environmental Concerns including Lyme disease, Epstein – Barr virus, and other viral and bacterial brain invaders, Comprehensive Assessment, and other Non-Pharmaceutical Therapies, to help identify and heal root cause(s) of mental wellness issues.

Take control. Prevent the suffering and stop the misery. I can help.

“Every day, think as you wake up, today I am fortunate to be alive, I have a precious human life, and I am not going to waste it. I am going to use all my energies to develop myself, to expand my heart out to others; to achieve enlightenment for the benefit of all beings. I am going to have kind thoughts towards myself and others, I am not going to get angry or think badly about others. I am going to benefit others as much as I can.”

— The Dalai Lama

To work with me, fill out the contact form.

You may be wondering what Essential Oils are and how they can help to support and lift mood, reduce sad and anxious feelings, calm emotions, or soothe away tensions and irritability.

If you have ever enjoyed the scent of a rose, you’ve experienced the aromatic qualities of essential oils. These naturally occurring, volatile aromatic compounds are found in the seeds, bark, stems, roots, flowers, and other parts of plants. They can be both beautifully and powerfully fragrant. Essential oils give plants their distinctive smells, essential oils protect plants and play a role in plant pollination. In addition to their intrinsic benefits to plants and their beautiful fragrance, essential oils have long been used for food preparation, beauty treatment, and health-care practices.

But what exactly is a volatile aromatic compound? In short, these compounds are small organic molecules that tend to change quickly from their solid or liquid state to a gas at room temperature. They are called volatile because they change state quickly. When you first open a bottle of essential oil, you instantly notice that the aroma is potent and you can smell it typically even from some distance. The physical and chemical properties of the volatile aromatic compounds that compose essential oils allow them to quickly move through the air and directly interact with the olfactory sensors in the nose. Such unique properties make essential oils ideal for applications inclusion in aromatherapy – using these compounds from plants to help maintain a healthy mind and body – as well as other applications. The type of volatile aromatic compounds present in an essential oil determines both the oil’s aroma and the benefits it offers.

Over 3,000 varieties of volatile aromatic compounds have been identified to date. The nature of an essential oil varies from plant to plant, within botanical families, and from species to species. The delicate ratio of aromatic constituents found in any given essential oil is what make it unique and give it specific benefits.

Essential oils can be used for a wide range of emotional and physical wellness applications. They can be used as single essential oils or in complex essential oil blends depending on user experience and desired benefit.

Traditionally, certain essential oil application methods have been preferred or used exclusively. However, as the research surrounding essential oils continues to develop, a greater understanding of application methods is now understood. All application methods are safe when used appropriately, including aromatic, topical, and internal methods. One or multiple application methods can be used for a wide range of emotional and physical wellness applications.

They can be used as single oil at a time or in complex blends in one of three methods:

(1) Aromatic

The sense of smell is a tool that can elicit powerful physiologic, mental, and emotional responses. Essential oils are quickly absorbed by the smell receptors, which have a direct link to the limbic system by way of the olfactory nerve. The limbic system is part of the brain that supports a variety of functions including smell, emotions, behavior, and memory. For this reason, essential oils have an especially powerful effect via aromatic application. Some essential oils induce uplifting or invigorating effects, while others are more calming.

(2) Topical

Topical application is a very effective method for applying essential oils. Because essential oils have low molecular weights and are lipid soluble, they easily penetrate the skin. Once absorbed, they stay in the applied area for a localized benefit.

(3) Internal

Certain essential oils have a rich culinary history and can be used as dietary supplements supporting a variety of healthy conditions. When you sprinkle cinnamon on your oatmeal, sip a mug of peppermint tea, or add fresh basil leaves to your spaghetti, you are actually consuming some volatile aromatic essential oil compounds.

Essential oil contributes many health benefits as well as flavoring and aroma properties to foods. When in their concentrated form, essential oils can be used as dietary supplements for more targeted and potent health benefits. Internal use is a very safe and effective method of application because of the sophisticated physiologic processes of our bodies.

When ingested, essential oils directly enter the blood stream via the gastrointestinal tract, where they are transported throughout the rest of the body. Essential oils are lipid soluble so they are readily transported to all organs of the body, including the brain. Then, like all things we consume, essential oils are metabolized by the liver and other organs and are then excreted.

The composition of essential oils is highly complex. Each constituent possesses a unique set of biochemical properties that react with cells and organs in different ways. Although these mechanisms of action are not completely understood, the positive end results have been demonstrated. However, the body is only equipped to handle appropriate doses of essential oils.

Proper dosing according to labeling recommendations and other professional guidelines should be strictly followed to avoid toxicity.

For further information please visit my store.

Dr. Elle Guastella (Mind Your Body, LLC) is a Wellness Advocate of dōTERRA International, and receives bonuses and commissions from the Company. doTERRA® is the registered trademark of dōTERRA Holdings, LLC.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease.

If you’re interested in learning more about how essential oils can support you on your healing journey, fill out the contact form.

Hippocrates is considered to be the Father of Modern Medicine. He said, “Leave your drugs in the chemist’s pot and heal the patient with food. Let food be thy medicine and thy medicine be thy food.” He knew that food did more than just keep us alive. It also keeps us healthy and happy.

What if your food is making you sick though?

Many people have food intolerances or allergies to what they’re eating, and don’t know it. Food intolerances may not be as noticeable as full-blown allergic reactions, but nevertheless cause inflammation in our bodies. That inflammation can cause depression and anxiety, pain, fibromyalgia, headaches, heart disease, and other debilitating symptoms.

Nutritional counseling through Mind Your Body Therapy can teach you about the right diet for your individual needs and can show you how improving your nutrition will change your life. Using a combination of Eastern and Western nutrition essentials, I create custom personal plans that can optimize and support self-healing.

Nutrition affects hormones and hormones affect emotions. It is really that simple. Depression, anxiety, mood swings, ADHD, may actually be less of a disease and more of a nutritional deficiency. Many people with anxiety, depression, or ADHD, may see remarkable improvement in less than a month once their individual nutritional needs are met.

Once someone realizes that food is information for our cells, either nourishing or poisoning them, they might think twice about grabbing fast food for the kids or knocking back a couple sodas after Johnny’s soccer game.

Every time we eat something, we are either feeding disease or fueling health.

To learn more about healing through food and work with me, fill out the contact form.