Patient Library / Infections / Lyme Disease
Lyme Disease
Lyme disease, especially in its chronic form, is one of the most contested and underdiagnosed conditions in medicine. A thorough investigation matters.
Lyme disease is one of the most underdiagnosed infections in Canada, standard two-tier testing misses 30–50% of cases in early disease, and chronic Lyme remains poorly understood by most conventional practitioners. A naturopathic approach combines targeted specialty testing, herbal antimicrobial protocols with evidence for Borrelia activity, and comprehensive immune support for patients who have been failed by the standard approach.
Standard Testing Misses It
The standard two-tier ELISA + Western blot test has documented false negative rates of 30–50% in early Lyme and is even less sensitive in chronic disease. Specialty testing through laboratories like IGeneX is significantly more sensitive.
Co-Infections Are Common
Ticks frequently carry multiple pathogens alongside Borrelia: Babesia, Bartonella, Ehrlichia, and Anaplasma are common co-infections that complicate the clinical picture and require their own treatment considerations.
Herbal Protocols Have Evidence
Japanese knotweed (resveratrol), cat's claw, and Andrographis have documented activity against Borrelia in research settings and are central to the herbal antimicrobial protocols used in chronic Lyme management.
What You Need to Know
Frequently Asked Questions
References & Further Reading
This article is for education and is not a substitute for individual medical advice. For background reading, these independent health authorities offer evidence-based information:
- Common Cold — U.S. National Library of Medicine (MedlinePlus)
- Urinary Tract Infections — U.S. National Library of Medicine (MedlinePlus)
- Herbs at a Glance — NIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health
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