People with Lyme disease or any neuroinflammatory illness should follow a special diet, free of sugar, gluten and casein. I strictly follow such a diet for about a year now!
Here is the information I gathered and organized, based on my Doctor's instructions and Dr.Burrascano's guidelines (
http://www.lymediseaseassociation.org/BurrGuide200509.pdf)
UNRESTRICTED FOODS:
ALL PROTEIN FOODS, such as meat, cheese, eggs, tofu.
Fish, mussel and shrimps are strictly prohibited though, because of heavy metals.
NUTS WITH SHELLS - (walnut, hazelnut, pistachio, sunflower seed, cabbage seed, almond etc). They have rich amino acids and minerals (zinc, selenium, magnesium etc). 1-2 full-hand/s daily (25-50 gram) is very beneficial. They should be preferred as raw and low-salted.
FATS - Limitation of fats is harmful for the body. Contrary to known, foods with less fat but with high sugar levels, make people get much more hungry and fat.
OLIVE OIL - Perfect! Especially extra virgin olive oil should be preferred.
VEGETABLES AND GREEN LEAVES - Any kind can be eaten. They should mostly be consumed raw. Dark green leaves are rich in vitamin K, calcium and magnesium, in addition to omega 3 fatty acids. As greener as the vegetables are, they contain higher level chlorophyll, which means they can detoxify heavy metals and toxins. If urinary oxalate levels are high, limit the vegetables and fruits rich in oxalate (egg plant, spinach, unpeeled cucumber, blackberries, blueberries, kiwi, beets, green beans, parsley, green peppers, sweet potatoes etc.)
Avoid or limit starchy vegetables (potato, rice, beans, etc.). Fried potatoes should not be eaten at all. Small amount of potatoes can be added to vegetable meals (because of high sugar content).
SPICES - Because of their vitamin, mineral and antioxidants, they are very beneficial. Be careful they should not be molded.
PICKLES - They are quite beneficial and rich with probiotics. Because of high content of betain (DMG) beet pickle is very beneficial. Lessen the salt of pickles (while preparing the pickles use lemon salt, ascorbic acid or vinegar, instead of salt). Vinegar (especially extra grape vinegar, balsamic vinegar) is very beneficial.
WATER - Drink as much as water until color of your urine not dark. Do not drink cold water. First preference is natural springs water rich in some minerals. But they can contain some heavy metals. As usual, if you are not sure about ingredients of the water, then filter it with a help of quality filter. Do not drink water with meals, because it decreases the effects of digestive liquids by diluting them. Half an hour before and after meal you can drink water. It is advised to drink one or two glass/es of water before sleeping.
RESTRICTED FOODS:
FRUITS
Fruits may be a problem because they contain a large amount of sugars. However, if the fruit contains a lot of fiber, this may make up for the sugars to some degree. Thus:
• Fruits are only allowed at the end of a meal, and never on an empty stomach
• Only high fiber fruits are allowed
• Only very small amounts!
EXAMPLES:
ALLOWED IN GENEROUS AMOUNTS
Grapefruit, lemons, limes, tomatoes, avocado
ALLOWED IN SMALL AMOUNTS ONLY! (The high fiber content in these hard, crunchy fruits partially makes up for the carbohydrates)
Pears, apples, strawberries, cantaloupe, etc.
NOT ALLOWED (These soft fruits do not have enough fiber)
Oranges, watermelons, bananas, grapes, etc.
No fruit juices either!
MARGARINE: Strictly prohibited.
LIQUID SEED OILS (sun-flower, cotton, corn, soy and ext..): They should not be used or used very little. They destroy the ratio of omega-6/omega-3 to the benefit of Omega-6. These hot pressed produced oils have oxidative characteristics.
STARCHES
None!! If it is made from flour it is not allowed. (No breads, cereals, cake, etc.) Products made from gluten free flour can only be consumed. There are a lot of different brands with their different range of gluten-free products.
SWEETENERS
NOT ALLOWED
No sugars at all, and no fructose or corn syrup
ALLOWED (if tolerated)
Stevia (safest), honey, and Splenda. Saccharin products are not recommended. Especially aspartame (found at diet coke, sugar free gum and many diet foods) can cause many side effects, including depression.
DRINKS
ALLOWED
Water, seltzer, coffee and tea without sugar or caffeine, vegetable juices
NOT ALLOWED
Fruit juices, regular sodas, and any drinks sweetened with sugars or syrups
No Alcohol at all!!!!!!!
OTHER TIPS & HINTS
Do not skip any meals. At least three regular meals daily are needed; a better option is to eat very small portions but have between meal snacks to maintain blood sugar and insulin levels. Bedtime snacks, if taken, must be totally carbohydrate free!
Foods should be cooked with their own water slowly; traditional ways (steamed way) and oven with turbo can be used. This way does not harm their nutrition harmed too much.
Fast cooking ways (such as microwave) cause loss of nutrition, and can be carcinogenic.
Do not consume frozen foods too much.
If it is possible, do not consume preserved foods at all (except home made).
Do not wrap hot foods with aluminum foils.
For cooking prefer earthenware or glass pots. Enameled and steel pots are next preferences.
Teflon and aluminum types should never be used.
MERCURY SOURCES
Auto exhaust
Pesticides
Amalgam tooth fillings
Drinking waters
Felt
Ear and nose drops
Some vaccines (hepatit B, HiB, flue)
Contact lens lotions
Fabric softener
Seafood
Talk powder
Cosmetics
Wooden preservatives
Floor waxes and polishes
LEAD SOURCES
Auto Exhaust
Waters reaching home through lead pipes
Permanent lipsticks
Vinyl school bags
School materials
Paints
Textile colors
Toys
Drinking waters
ALUMINUM SOURCES
Cooking pans
Foils
Vaccines
Drinking waters
Antacids
Vaccines such as Pneumococus, Hepatitis A, HPV
