Amy Tan, the immune system and much research...

Did you know that the author of the Joy Luck Club has Lyme Disease?  Amy Tan has been fighting it for years and it is great to have someone with influence spread awareness and share their story about this disease.  I have her link below about her story so you can read it yourself.

https://www.amytan.net/lyme-disease.html

I feel as if I can relate to her story more than most, although every Lyme patient is different.  Some are asymptomatic for decades without knowing there is an underlying disease in the body, waiting for the right moment to flourish.  When a traumatic events occurs to the body your immune system is compromised and will lower in numbers.  For example:

1. Death of loved one

2. Car accident

3. Freezing temperatures

4. Child Birth

5. Loss of a job or major source of income
6. Divorce or separation
7. Strenuous Job

The physical and emotional stress, (see the list below,)  from these can cause Lyme to unleash and attack the body almost over night.  Symptoms can be debilitating and increase drastically as the Lyme bacteria continues to attack parts of the immune system allowing it to multiply and spread through out EVERY part of the body.  Although these stresses are common, there are other factors in disrupting the Immune System.  

Most highly ranked immune system distruptors are:

1. Oxidative Stress

2. Toxic Stress

3. Physical Stress

4. Emotional Stress

5. Radiation

6. Poor Nutrition.

Oxidative Stress has been brought up to me time and time again.  Many companies sell the stuff and I am a bit skeptical.  Keep reading to see what I have discovered about these "friendly foes."

What are free radicals, oxidative stress and antioxidants?

Merriam-Webster Defines

Free Radical :  an especially reactive atom or group of atoms that has one or more unpaired electrons; especially :  one that is produced in the body by natural biological processes or introduced from an outside source (as tobacco smoke, toxins, or pollutants) and that can damage cells, proteins, and DNA by altering their chemical structure

Oxidative Stress: physiological stress on the body that is caused by the cumulative damage done by free radicals inadequately neutralized by antioxidants and that is held to be associated with aging

Antioxidants: any of various substances (as beta-carotene, vitamin C, and alpha-tocopherol) that inhibit oxidation or reactions promoted by oxygen and peroxides and that include many held to protect the living body from the deleterious effects of free radicals

Damage to the Cells...

Antioxidants saving the day!

Internal Factors that create oxidative stress are:

1. During normal metabolism of fat, carbohydrates and proteins in the body.
2. The oxidization process that takes place within the cholesterol. 

3. Heavy metals in the body. They are mercury, calcium, aluminium, lead, chlorine, iron, cadmium, and sometimes copper.
4. The primary source of free radicals is from the body, during the process of energy production within the cells. However, 98% of the oxygen we breathe is used for the production of energy within our cells.  The ensuing effect of this energy producing activity is that a very small amount of unused oxygen loses electrons creating free radicals.

External factors that create oxidative stress are:

1. Stress

2. Poor Diet

3. Excessive Alcohol

4. Lack of Sleep

5. Obesity

6. Lack of Exercise

7. Medications

8. Lack of Hygiene

9. Radiation Exposure

10. Smoking

11. Dehydration

Positive Aspects:

Not all free radicals are entirely bad for health and they are indispensable for good health.  They are actually quite helpful in many of the body’s natural functions.

1. Free radicals, such as nitric oxide and superoxide, produced naturally within the body are utilized by the white blood cells to poison bacteria and virus-infected cells.

2. Free radicals are produced by the body to aid in the metabolic processes, such as digestion and the conversion of food into energy.

3. Free radicals control the flow of blood through the veins and arteries.

4. Free Radicals have the ability of keeping the mind sharp and focused thus preventing Alzheimer’s

5. Some free radicals have the ability to kill cancer cells.  In fact, the function of many cancer drugs is to increase the production of free radicals in the body for this very purpose.

6. Others are involved in producing vital hormones and activating enzymes that are needed for life.

So what do I gather from all of this?  I haven't a full clue!!  HA HA!  I am choosing to try Protandim for a month and will continue my research in the Lyme community concerning free radicals, oxidative stress and antioxidants.  It seems to be very important but even with PubMed's findings I am still not sure.  (Mostly because I cannot understand the reports...  I speak human not medical terminology!!!)  

I have lots more to research including diet, meditating, exercise, sleep, and many other things to promote a healthy Lyme Life-style.  Until then....!!!