Probiotics for chronic Lyme disease
Probiotic means "for life," and are friendly bacteria that maintain the health of your gastrointestinal tract (small and large intestine).
Probiotics are an essential supplement for anyone with an illness, especially chronic Lyme disease, as two-thirds of our immune system resides in our gastrointestinal tract. If your gut is unhealthy, you will be unhealthy. (Check out Gut and Psychology Syndrome or GAPS Diet by Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride)
Probiotics support immune function, activate the immune system, improve white blood cell function, and maintain a good balance of microorganisms in our GI tract.
Antibiotics, although sometimes necessary for treating Lyme Disease and its associated illnesses, kill off the normal, beneficial bacteria (referred to as flora) in your gut. When this occurs, it is easier for harmful bacteria to move in and cause problems. Yeast overgrowth, or Candida albicans, is a likely suspect. This will also cause a disruption in your immune function, and that is the last thing anyone needs when dealing with a chronic illness.
Sometimes antibiotics can cause such an overgrowth of harmful bacteria, they cause diarrhea. Probiotics, especially Saccharomyces boulardii, are essential to correct this problem.
It is possible to take too many probiotics, and experience a Herx die-off reaction. Take it slow when first incorporating probiotics.
Natural sources of probiotics include fermented foods such as yogurt, kombucha, tempeh, raw sauerkraut, and kefir. Be sure to include these in your daily routine.