Rachel – thank you for following this page. The Epstein Barr virus creates a latent infection in the body, where it lies dormant until the right time, when it reactivates and awakens. The reactivated virus has the potential to induce the production of thyroid antibodies and has been implicated in many debilitating autoimmune symptoms.Testing for viral reactivation may be done through your doctor. You need to be sure to ask for the Epstein Barr Virus Early Antigen test, as this is a test that will let us know if the virus is actively replicating. I’ve found that many of these people, with a history of EBV in adulthood, also have the gut infection Blastocystis hominis, which has recently been connected to irritable bowel syndrome, hives AND Hashimoto’s. Interestingly, EBV is fueled by the amino acid arginine, while arginine depletion can cause Blastocystis hominis to be more pathogenic. In the last few years, I’ve noticed that getting rid of the Blastocystis hominis infection can help people to get their Hashimoto’s into remission. Read more about it in my Blastocystis article.

THE COMMON ROOT CAUSE OF HASHIMOTO’S, HIVES AND IBS
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/the-common-root-cause-of-hashimotos-hives-and-ibs

Is Blasto Behind Your Hashimoto’s, Hives and IBS?

DR. IZABELLA WENTZ / JULY 26, 2018

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Blastocystis Hominis, H. Pylori, and Yeast Overgrowth

Note: A 2015 case study was submitted to a medical journal connecting Blastocystis hominis to Hashimoto’s! See reference #9 for the study. Here’s a link, so you can print it out and take it to your doctor.

When I first set out to figure out the root cause of my Hashimoto’s, I took an inventory of all of my symptoms to find an underlying connection. (I highly suggest that you make your health timeline to help guide you as well).

Here’s a brief overview of my health history:

My health troubles started during my freshman year in undergrad, after catching “mono,” a common viral infection that is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus. Prior to this infection, I was a bright-eyed, bushy-tailed and energetic young woman.
The summer before I started college, I would wake up at 5:30 am or 6 am each morning so that I could go to the gym, before starting work at 8 or 9 am in the pharmacy. I loved my job as a pharmacy technician, learning about the body and medications, and couldn’t wait to start my studies to become a pharmacist! I worked full time in the pharmacy and spent each evening studying for the pharmacy technician certification. I was proud to be the youngest person in Illinois to become a certified pharmacy technician, even before starting college. I loved learning and being out in the world!
But all of that changed during my second semester in college. I became chronically exhausted. I often slept through my morning classes, and sometimes even slept through lunch and dinner. I once even slept through a midterm exam. I found myself with a strange brain fog that made studying and even socializing a huge effort.
Needless to say, I didn’t do too well in college that semester. I came home the following summer feeling defeated. My parents were also really concerned as I was a shell of my former self. I slept until 2 pm each day, was moody, and lost so much weight; people suspected that I had an eating disorder.
After much rest, I got somewhat better at the end of the summer and went back to college. I focused all of my limited energy on my studies and was eventually able to improve my GPA to be accepted into a competitive doctor of pharmacy program. While I never returned to my previous levels of energy, I learned to how to be more efficient, how to compensate, and how to make sacrifices, which allowed me to succeed in all of my classes.
A few years later, while in my first year of pharmacy school, I developed irritable bowel syndrome. A few years after that, anxiety attacks, acid reflux, allergies, and hives. A year or so after, I began to experience acid brain fog, hair loss, and joint pain. The fatigue persisted. A year later, I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s.

Once I had the diagnosis, I began to spend a lot of time on research, as well as self-reflection and self-experimentation, to overcome Hashimoto’s. My symptoms and research kept leading me back to the gut…

I learned that I not only had food sensitivities and a lack of beneficial bacteria, but I also had gut infections: small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, H. pylori, yeast overgrowth, and Blastocystis hominis.

I’ve found that people with Hashimoto’s and chronic hives often have the gut protozoan parasite Blastocystis hominis, and that eradicating the protozoa can resolve hives, IBS, and even Hashimoto’s. Scientists in Bosnia first published this connection in 2015, though I’ve seen it clinically since 2013.

Many improvements in symptoms and a reduction in antibodies can happen after addressing a Blastocystis hominis infection, and I’d like to share just how you can do that. In this article, I’ll cover:

What are the symptoms of a “Blasto” infection?
The connection between Blastocystis and hives
Can Blastocystis cause IBS and gut issues?
Treatments that can address this infection
Common co-occurring infections

The Hashimoto’s, Hives, IBS and Blastocystis Connection

Did you know? People with Hashimoto’s are more likely to develop the skin condition chronic spontaneous urticaria, also known as chronic hives, which is manifested by widespread, itchy and swollen skin rashes. These hives can be very distressing, and they can seem to come up randomly. 42 scientific studies have linked Hashimoto’s with chronic hives!

People with Hashimoto’s are also more likely to develop irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a chronic condition that affects the large intestine and often shows up before one’s Hashimoto’s diagnosis. This condition can manifest as either diarrhea or constipation, or both, and may also cause excess gas, bloating, abdominal pain, and cramping that is often relieved after passing a bowel movement.

By far, the most common parasite I’ve found in people with Hashimoto’s is Blastocystis hominis, or “Blasto”, and it can contribute to both conditions mentioned above.

Many conventional physicians have regarded this parasite as a commensal organism (up to 20 percent of “healthy controls” may have Blasto without any symptoms), and will say that there is no need to treat it. However, multiple studies have found it to be implicated in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and chronic urticaria (hives), two conditions that are very commonly associated with Hashimoto’s.

Symptoms of Blastocystis hominis can include bloating, diarrhea, nausea, flatulence, variable bowel habits, abdominal pain, hives, and fatigue. Additionally, this pathogen is notorious for causing multiple food sensitivities. A true food sensitivity, like celiac disease, usually results in a resolution of symptoms once food is removed, but Blastocystis hominis-infected people will have multiple food sensitivities and will keep getting more.

In 2015, 35 percent of my clients tested positive for it. I have found this parasite in a large subset of my clients with Hashimoto’s, especially in those who develop Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) in adulthood, then are “never quite the same.” This could be because EBV and other herpes viruses feed on the amino acid arginine, and thus can cause a depletion of this amino acid which normally suppresses Blastocystis hominis.

The Blastocystis and Hives Connection

Blastocystis hominis is a common human intestinal parasite, and it may be present in up to 50 percent of people in developing countries. A study of 54 people in Egypt with chronic urticaria (hives) revealed that Blastocystis hominis was found in 61 percent of them, while only 8 percent of the healthy controls had the parasite.

This parasite has been found in some asymptomatic carriers, and researchers hypothesize that other factors can influence the pathogenicity of this parasite, such as the immune status of the host, parasite load, presence of gut imbalance or other factors that can influence the behavior of parasites.

Researchers have suggested that the amoeboid form of Blastocystis hominis is more infective that the protozoa form and that it can adhere better to gut cells. Interestingly, the Egyptian study found this form in 60.6 percent of the Blastocystis infected people with hives, while none of the Blastocystis infected controls had this form.

In a letter to the editors of the British Journal of Dermatology, Dr. Tilo Biedermann from the Ludwig-Maximillians University in Munich, Germany reported that urticaria and reactions to NSAIDs subsided after treating 10 subjects infected with Blastocystis with paromomycin 25 mg/kg for 10 days.

Another drug, called Alinia (nitazoxanide), is an FDA-approved antiprotozoal for treating other parasites, and has been helpful in eradicating Blastocystis hominis. The parasite has been shown to be highly resistant to Flagyl (metronidazole), the usual drug of choice.

A 2014 study found that almost 25 percent of people with chronic urticaria had Hashimoto’s, and thyroid suppression by levothyroxine can result in a clinical remission of hives. However, I wonder if the medication is just masking the symptoms of the parasite.

The Blastocystis and Gut Connection

Various studies, using many different methods for parasite identification, have found the prevalence rate of Blastocystis hominis to be between 13 to 73 percent of people with irritable bowel syndrome. As parasite detection methods are not 100 percent reliable (with many false negatives), these rates could be even higher.

Blasto has been shown to cause dysbiosis and leaky gut, which predisposes us to autoimmunity!

Much controversy is out about this protozoan. Some studies, namely from Thailand and Mexico, suggest that this is a commensal (harmless) organism. Thus, doctors may be told that there is no need to treat it. However, studies from Europe, Australia, and the mid-east have connected this pathogen to not just chronic hives, but also irritable bowel syndrome, both of which are very common manifestations in the early stages of Hashimoto’s.

Studies have found that Blastocystis species of protozoa do not invade the colonic mucosa, but they do lead to disturbances of the barrier function and increased intestinal permeability. Thus, Blastocystis has been shown to cause leaky gut. Blastocystis breaks down secretory IgA, the protective barrier and the immune system of its infected host.

Research has found that eradicating Blastocystis in urticaria and IBS often leads to the remission of both conditions. I’ve found that eradicating a Blastocystis infection in a person with Hashimoto’s often leads to a remission of Hashimoto’s, with an improvement in symptoms, a reduction in food sensitivities, and a reduction in thyroid antibodies. Eradicating this infection has also helped many of my clients reduce their joint pain, eliminate or reduce their IBS symptoms, and reduce their fatigue. I was super excited to learn that a new paper has been published in a medical journal, detailing the case of a person who saw a reduction in TSH and thyroid antibodies after the eradication of Blastocystis hominis.

Testing for Blasto

If you suspect you may have a Blasto infection, you may want to consider ordering a non-invasive functional medicine stool test. Tests that check for this infection include:

GI-MAP – This panel includes bacteria, viruses, opportunistic organisms, normal flora, parasites, and fungi. The DNA/PCR techniques that are employed by this assessment also measure one’s antibiotic resistance genes and virulence factors that contribute to pathogenicity.
GI Pathogen Screen with H. pylori Antigen – This panel screens for ova, parasites, bacteria, fungi, yeasts, and occult blood. It also checks for antigens to Helicobacter pylori, Entamoeba histolytica, Cryptosporidium parvum, and more.
GI Effects Comprehensive Profile – This panel from Genova Diagnostics uses DNA analysis to go beyond the standard parameters for identifying gastrointestinal disorders.
Comprehensive Stool Analysis (Doctor’s Data Kit) – The Comprehensive Stool Analysis evaluates the status of beneficial and imbalanced commensal bacteria, pathogenic bacteria, fungi, and yeast.

Treatment Options

According to the Blastocystis Research Foundation, “Some patients can manage symptoms with an extensive exclusion diet, which may include the exclusion of refined sugar, wheat, dairy products, rice, corn, carbonated drinks, tea, coffee, alcohol, and fruit.” Blastocystis can also cause carbohydrate intolerance. Sound familiar?

While diet can help to manage symptoms, it will not eradicate the pathogen. This parasite needs to be treated with antiprotozoal medications and/or herbs.

I have seen the following protocols for eradicating Blastocystis hominis to work effectively:

Medications

1) Triple therapy used in Australia: diloxanide furoate, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole and secnidazole*

2) Alinia for three days on, then off for two weeks, repeated twice*

*Keep in mind that antiprotozoal medications can lead to a yeast overgrowth, and treatment with anti-yeast herbs or a medication like Nystatin may be necessary to rebalance the gut.

Natural Treatment Options

3) The beneficial yeast Saccharomyces boulardii, taken twice per day for at least 30 days

4) The use of antiparasitic/anti-yeast herbs such as oil of oregano and berberine.

Tips

The key is to use these treatments long enough, or in a pulsed fashion, to fully eradicate Blasto. Blasto can take on four different forms during its lifecycle and some of the forms are resistant to treatment.

Removing food sensitivities and getting probiotics on board will also be very helpful for recovering from Blasto.

Co-occurring Infections to Consider

Often, Blastocystis co-occurs with H. pylori, another potential root cause and trigger of Hashimoto’s. Some professionals will go as far as to treat a person for both infections when one or the other is found. You can read more about H. pylori in my article here.

Next Steps

Addressing infections can make a dramatic difference on your health journey. However, some people may need to dig further and address their other root causes of their remaining symptoms. I always talk about how switching my diet was the best thing I ever did. It was my first step into the root cause approach to health. I went gluten and dairy free, and this lifestyle change completely eliminated my acid reflux, bloating and irritable bowel syndrome. Within 3 months, I no longer had symptoms of carpal tunnel and saw a reduction in my thyroid antibodies as well! You can read my articles about Hashimoto’s and acid reflux and Hashimoto’s and dairy.

Some people with Hashimoto’s can completely reverse their condition just by going gluten and dairy free, and some see no improvement at all. Gluten and dairy are common leaky gut triggers, but there are many others.

I cover steps on how to search for your root causes, as well as a Blastocystis hominis protocol, in my new book, Hashimoto’s Protocol.

I hope this information helps you on your journey!

P.S. Be sure to sign up to my email list to get a free book chapter, recipes, Thyroid Diet start guide and notifications about upcoming events and my weekly newsletter.

References

Sugiyama A, Nishie H, Takeuchi S, Yoshinari M, Furue M. Hashimoto’s disease is a frequent comorbidity and an exacerbating factor of chronic spontaneous urticaria. Allergologia et Immunopathologia. 2015;43(3):249-253. doi:10.1016/j.aller.2014.02.007.
Zuel-Fakkar N, Abdel Hameed D, Hassanin O. Study of Blastocystis hominis isolates in urticaria: a case-control study. Clinical and Experimental Dermatology. 2011;36(8):908-910. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2230.2011.04127.x.
Diagnosis | Blastocystis Research Foundation. Blastocystis Research Foundation. http://www.bhomcenter.org/info/diagnosis.htm. Accessed June 30, 2017.
Nagel R, Bielefeldt-Ohmann H, Traub R. Clinical pilot study: efficacy of triple antibiotic therapy in Blastocystis positive irritable bowel syndrome patients. Gut Pathogens. 2014;6:34. doi:10.1186/s13099-014-0034-0.
Poirier P, Wawrzyniak I, Vivarès C, Delbac F, El Alaoui H. New Insights into Blastocystis spp.: A Potential Link with Irritable Bowel Syndrome. PLoS Pathogens. 2012;8(3):e1002545. doi:10.1371/journal.ppat.1002545.
Biedermann T, Hartmann K, Przybilla B. Hypersensitivity to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and chronic urticaria cured by treatment of Blastocystis hominis infection. British Journal of Dermatology. 2002;146(6):1113-1114. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2133.2002.473212.x.
Dinleyici E, Eren M, Dogan N, Reyhanioglu S, Yargic Z, Vandenplas Y. Clinical efficacy of Saccharomyces boulardii or metronidazole in symptomatic children with Blastocystis hominis infection. Parasitology Research. 2010;108(3):541-545. doi:10.1007/s00436-010-2095-4.
Levy Y. Chronic urticaria: association with thyroid autoimmunity. Archives of Disease in Childhood. 2003;88(6):517-519. doi:10.1136/adc.88.6.517.
Rajič B, Arapović J, Raguž K, Bošković M, Babić S, Maslać S. Eradication of Blastocystis hominis prevents the development of symptomatic Hashimoto’s thyroiditis: a case report. The Journal of Infection in Developing Countries. 2015;9(07). doi:10.3855/jidc.4851.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/irritable-bowel-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20360016. Updated March 17, 2018. Accessed April 30, 2018.

Note: Originally published in September 2015, this article has been revised and updated for accuracy and thoroughness.

My Epstein-Barr Natural Treatment & Healing Protocol

source: https://www.elizabethrider.com/my-epstein-barr-treatment-natural-healing-protocol/

My Epstein-Barr Natural Treatment & Healing Protocol

Natural Epstein-Barr Treatments Elizabeth Rider FB1

This post wraps up my Reactivated Epstein-Barr series with a list of natural treatments I use to feel better.

First, thank you for ALL the kind words you on the blog comments, and my Instagram & Facebook posts. I love this community! If you’re new here, check out the comments and stories from women around the world in the comment sections on all three of the posts in this series—and add your own, too! We’d love to hear from you.

If you missed posts one and two, you may want to read them first:

Post #1: Is It Epstein-Barr Virus Reactivation?

In post #1, you can read my full story about non-stop strep as a kid, mono in high school, my mystery low thyroid diagnosis over the past 15 years, and how I never quite felt fully recovered from the mono.

Post #2: How to Get Tested for Reactivated Epstein-Barr

In post #2, you can read why EBV testing can be confusing and see the results from my last four tests. I also give you some pointers on what to ask for with your health practitioner.

In this third post, I want to share what I do to suppress—and hopefully reduce—the Epstein-Barr Virus in my system.

At first I was hesitant to share my protocol because every person is different. However, nothing here can harm you either way. If anything, these things will probably make you healthier overall anyway. As always though, check for possible contraindications before taking anything, and discuss your plan with your healthcare provider if you have a specific medical condition.

Remember that there is no one specific prescribed protocol for healing. I’m sharing what I do below in hopes that it helps you in some way.

The goal of these treatments:

You’ll notice that everything on this list is a natural treatment. There are no known prescribed treatments for Epstein-Barr, so my main goal has been to work with my practitioners on natural antiviral treatments that we hope will suppress the virus. Since EBV is a member of the herpes class of viruses, some practitioners use antiviral medication (acyclovir, valacyclovir, famciclovir) off-label to try to suppress the virus. After speaking with both my naturopath and functional medicine doctor, both agreed that the possible side effects outweighed the possible treatment for this in my case, so we decided against it. On one hand, I was willing to try anything to suppress the virus. On the other, I’m grateful they both decided against it because the side effects can create an entirely new set of issues.

Since modern medicine does not have any know treatments to fully treat EBV, the only way to know if this stuff works for you is to try it and see how you feel. You can request the EBV test that indicates titer numbers (my 4th test seen here) to see if the numbers have gone down, but even then, there isn’t any scientific evidence that shows that just because the numbers are more or less that the virus is gone.

In short, instead of just treating symptoms, your goal is to:

suppress and try to eliminate the virus from your body, and
create an environment in your body where the virus can’t thrive.

You have to experiment and see how you feel over time.

Another quick note: I buy almost everything else on Amazon, but I never buy supplements on Amazon because many of them are (unfortunately) counterfeit. Containers are emptied, filled with lesser-quality product, then resealed and sold. Those plastic sealing machines are cheap and easy to find. So, if it can be emptied and refilled, I only buy from the manufacturer or a trusted source, like the doctor’s office or a verified distributor. Even if it says “sold by” the company on Amazon, it could still be a shady third party.

And finally, I’m still on Levoxyl for my low-thyroid condition and work closely with my naturopath to monitory my thyroid levels and adjust when needed. I’d love to be off of it completely, but I still need it and I’m ok with that. It’s not on the list here because it’s not a treatment for EBV, but I wanted to mention that I take it as I’ve been talking about my low thyroid issues in this series.

With that, here is my natural Epstein-Barr Virus treatment protocol:

NATURAL ANTIVIRALS

1. LAURICIDIN

Lauricidin® is the brand name for monolaurin, a derivative of the lauric found in coconut oil. Scientifically, it’s pure sn-1 monolaurin (glycerol monolaurate), a natural, plant-based medium-chain fat derived from lauric acid.

Lauricidin is a natural antiviral and helps promote a healthy gut environment, too. I love this product because it not only can help clear any virus you may pick up, but naturally benefits your gut and we all need more of that.

I take one scoop in the morning and one in the evening. It is safe and effective for long-term use. Read the directions and information on their website before taking it. I am not affiliated with this company.

Generic monolaurin capsules are not the same as the original monolaurin. According to the Lauricidin website, “The usual 300 mg capsule contains in addition to 300 mg monolaurin, a base of inosine 7.5 mg and calcium-phosphate 106 mg with inert ingredients: dicalcium-phosphate, cellulose-powder and silicon-dioxide. Lauricidin, on the other hand, is the purest monolaurin commercially attainable and is without any fillers or allergens.”

If you’re wondering if you can just eat coconut oil instead of taking Lauricidin (and expect the same results), the answer is not really. Lauricidin is a high-potency extract derived from lauric acid, and the amount of coconut oil you would need to consume to get the same benefits would be unhealthy—and almost impossible to consume.

Again, I buy almost everything else on Amazon, but I never buy supplements on Amazon because many of them are (unfortunately) counterfeit. I buy this directly from my doctor, the Lauricidin website, or the Sanoviv Store (not an affiliate link, just sharing because I use it).

2. ECHINACEA & LEMON BALM ANTIVIRAL TINCTURE

Echinacea and lemon balm are both known natural antivirals that support the immune system. Anthony William also recommends them in his book, The Medical Medium (I discuss the book more below). I prefer the liquid tincture forms, as I already take so many supplements—but also because the dose is usually higher in tincture form.

I found a USDA organic tincture that contains both echinacea & lemon balm at Whole Foods called Virus Attack, and I take two dropperfulls twice per day.

Always dilute echinacea tinctures in one to two ounces of water because they are so strong that they can burn your tongue (yikes!). Echinacea can make your tongue feel a little numb for a bit, but that’s normal. Dilute it with more water if it’s uncomfortable. Different areas and different stores will have a—you guessed it—different variety of products, so just work with the person in charge and do some research on the company to find a good one. Echinacea is over-the-counter, but as with everything, look up potential contraindications on WebMD or another trusted platform before taking it.

BLOOD OZONE TREATMENTS

3. MAJOR AUTOHEMOTHERAPY

This treatment has the longest write-up on this post because it’s by far the one treatment that has helped me feel the best.

Blood ozone treatments, called major autohemotherapy, are an immune boosting therapy that’s performed in a medical setting. It’s extremely safe and effective. The cost will vary by location. I’ve seen it run anywhere between $120–$250/session, which is relatively inexpensive given the power of the treatment.

Remember, I’m not a doctor or scientist, so it’s best to do your own research and discuss this with your health practitioner. They will usually require a full exam or a referring doctor to schedule the treatment.

During major autohemotherapy, a licensed practitioner (usually a registered nurse or doctor) uses a special medical-grade ozone machine to extract medical-grade ozone gas into a syringe or special bag. They then extract some of your blood and mix it with the ozone gas. Ozone cannot be directly injected into your bloodstream as it’s a volatile gas. However, when your blood mixes with it in a safe environment, it purifies the blood on contact and kills any viruses, bacteria, or fungi that are present.

It also hyper-oxygenates the blood because it turns free radicals into oxygen (science is fun!). In super layman’s terms, if we think back to science class, the chemical formula for the ozone molecule is O3 (three oxygen atoms), and the chemical formula for oxygen is O2 (two oxygen atoms). A free radical is an unpaired electron looking for a home. One of the three oxygen atoms in the ozone matches up with a free radical in your blood, and together they create O2 (more oxygen). This is actually a form of oxidation, which we’re generally told is only bad. However, not all oxidation is bad. Some oxidative stress can actually be healing for the body—exercise creates another form of this (and we all know exercise is good for us!).

After the blood is mixed with the ozone for a few minutes, it’s passed through a UV filter, then put back into your system. The UV filter is generally just an extra bonus add-on to kill any (potential) additional viruses or bacteria.

This hyper-oxyenated blood from major autohemotherapy has three benefits:

The process of mixing your blood with ozone kills viruses in the mixed blood on contact, potentially decreasing the amount of the virus in your system.
The process of major autohemotherapy creates naturally formed hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in a healthy amount in your blood (which—fun fact—H2O2 is already naturally present in your blood) and further purifies it.
The treated blood almost acts as a natural vaccine of sorts to boost your immune system as it recirculates through your body. Scientists aren’t exactly sure how this works (and this is way above my blogger pay-grade ;)), but the fresh dose of this blood benefits your entire system as it recirculates, potentially killing more of the virus and giving tissues a fresh dose of oxygen.

The oxidation that occurs during major autohemotherapy is one of the reasons that treatments need to be spaced out, and high-doses of antioxidants (like a vitamin C IV drip) aren’t given on the same day because antioxidants combat oxidation. You still need your antioxidants, just not on the same day as major autohemotherapy. This is why it’s important that a practitioner who understands the treatment indicates the frequency of your treatment plan. I’ve had about 10 treatments over the last few years—some just a few days apart—and plan to continue with one treatment every few months for the foreseeable future.

You might be thinking, “Well, if this is so great, then why isn’t it more available?” Yeah. I feel the same way. It’s because major autohemotherapy is not indicated by the FDA in the U.S. to treat EBV, or anything for that matter, and it’s still an emerging in the U.S. It’s a very simple, effective technique that is safe when administered correctly and has been used in Europe and other parts of the world for decades. Since it doesn’t involve a drug, there is very little money in it, so it’s not approved as a medical treatment. Therefore, practitioners are very careful about how they talk about it and list it on their websites.

I started having this treatment at Sanoviv Medical Institute a few years ago, and I’ve only found one place where I live in Seattle that does it. Even then, the description is not listed on their website.

What’s important to note about this treatment is that it’s nearly impossible to test the exact benefits of it. In my case, I feel amazing after each treatment. It’s hard to explain, but for me it’s like feeling super clear, high in energy, and almost a little happy-tingly in the few days after I have it done. I told my doctor that and she was intrigued, because it’s obviously doing something, but she’s not exactly sure what. Since there aren’t any negative side effects when it’s done correctly and we know it can kill the virus, she recommends that I continue occasional treatments of it.

On a side note, major autohemotherapy is also used in some cancer treatment protocols, as cancer cells cannot survive in oxygenated environments.

But back to Natural EBV treatments…

FOOD & LIFESTYLE

The rest of the things on this list are what I consider important for your overall health. When healing from any chronic condition, your overall health is of the utmost importance. It’s important to create an environment in your body where your cells can heal.

4. FRUITS & VEGGIES

We all know that fruits and veggies are good for us. Eat more of them!

If you’ve heard that fruit has too much sugar, I think that’s bad health advice. The natural sugars in fruit come along with fiber, hydration, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that can’t be found anywhere else. Fruit comes from the earth and is naturally very healing. Much of the nutrition community is also misguided here, and recommend mass quantities of protein over fruit. But what they miss is that your body will turn excess protein into glucose, which can still spike your blood sugar. Don’t fear fruit. Five to six servings of veggies, and two to three servings of whole fruit per day will do wonders for your health! Read more about this in Thyroid Healing or The Medical Medium. (I talk more about these books below.)

5. LIMITED PROCESSED FOODS

Processed foods require a lot of attention from your system to process. They ruin your gut bacteria, bog down your liver, and don’t nourish your body. Consume as few processed foods as possible.

Check out my recipe archive for over 300 healthy recipes if you need some inspiration to cut back on highly processed foods.

6. SUPPLEMENTS

Supplements are tricky because while they absolutely do not replace a healthy lifestyle or healthy eating habit, they can definitely fill in gaps and boost your nutrient intake.

Take extra care when choosing which brand of supplement to take. I know and love USANA and have been taking their supplements for years. Whatever you take, do your research and get to know the company. Many supplements are not standardized and are filled with rice powder (and maybe a little bit of something helpful). You get what you pay for, so only buy good ones so you’re not throwing your money away.

Along with the antivirals above, this is what I take:

Multivitamin: Start with a good multivitamin instead of taking a bunch of one-off doses of vitamin D, B vitamins, or C. If you’re going to take one thing, take a high-quality multi. You’ll get more bang for your buck, and it’s more balanced for your health. I take the Cellsentials by USANA every day (full disclosure, I’ve been an independent distributor for USANA for the last 10 years). But if I could only take one thing forever, this would be it.

Extra vitamin D: If necessary, take extra vitamin D. A simple blood test from your doctor will reveal your vitamin D levels, and this is one of the easiest deficiencies to fix with a high-quality vitamin D3 supplement. Functional medicine specialists will want your vitamin D levels to be between 50–100 nanograms/milliliter on your lab results. If it’s lower, take an extra vitamin D3 supplement. I take USANA’s 2000 IU vitamin D. I usually skip this from May to August since I’m outside more, but then I go back to taking one from September through April or so.

Probiotic: A healthy gut is necessary for a healthy immune system. I eat fermented foods as much as I can and also take a probiotic with breakfast every morning. Rotate your probiotic every month or so to mix up the kinds of good bacteria you plant in you gut. I take the USANA probiotic and one from The Garden of Life that I get at the natural foods store.

Ashwagandha: Ashwagandha is an adaptogenic herb, meaning your cells can adapt its use to your needs. The Medical Medium book mentions ashwagandha as beneficial for people with high levels of EBV, and my doctor recommended it to help prevent adrenal fatigue. I take it right before bed because it seems to make me sleepy (Zzzz :)). I take Adrenal Response by Innate. I believe you can also get this one at the Sanoviv Store (not an affiliate link, just sharing because I use it).

Others: I also take one BiOmega fish oil per day for omega-3’s, one CoEnzymeQ10 (AKA CoQ10) capsule per day for cellular energy and skin health, and a reishi mushroom immune supplement (2/day) called Proglucamue to regulate my immune system.

To order any or all of the USANA recommendations above, click here to create your own free account to get 10% off retail. You can edit your cart as needed and still get the same discount using my distributor link. Again, don’t order any brand of supplements on Amazon. Only get them from authorized distributors.

SELF-CARE

Check in with yourself often, and stay mindful of creating a healthy internal and external environment for your body to thrive.

7. BETTER-QUALITY SLEEP

One of the strangest things about not feeling well is the phenomenon of feeling fatigued and tired, but not being able to sleep (the worst, amirite?!).

My natural inclination is that of a night owl, but I can wholeheartedly feel the difference in my energy and mood when I make a conscious effort to fall asleep early. I have to diligently stick to my nighttime routine in order to fall asleep, which includes finishing dinner by 6 pm (7 pm at the absolute latest)—as eating too close to bedtime tends to keep you up—1 mg of melatonin at 8 pm (I take USANA Pure Rest), a hot epsom salt bath (unless it’s hot out), dim lights, and reading for five minutes to chill out. I have to make a conscious effort to follow this, but it makes a huge difference in my quality of sleep and quality of health when I do.

Along with that, be gentle to yourself if you’re feeling tired and need a little more sleep. Schedule a day of self-care at home instead of saying yes to every single thing on your social agenda.

8. GENTLE EXERCISE

Exercising when you feel fatigued a lot can be tricky. Movement is important not just for your physical health, but even more so for your mental health. Even if it’s just a 20 minute walk, I make sure to get something in at least five days per week. I used to get really down on myself if every workout wasn’t all-out intense, but I’ve learned that even some gentle yoga and stretching has massive benefits. Even if you feel fatigued, try to go for a walk at the time of day when you have the most energy (work WITH your body, not against it!).

BOOKS

The potential for self-diagnosis via books is a tricky thing. On one hand, you have to advocate for your own health. You are the only one who lives in your body 24/7 and the only one who knows how you feel. Don’t allow “mystery symptoms” to be written off just because a test result or doctor doesn’t have an answer.

On the other hand, be mindful to not create a self-fulfilling prophecy. If you keep telling yourself that you’re sick and won’t ever heal, then guess what, you’ll stay sick and you won’t heal. Work with a practitioner to test and explore the root causes of your symptoms.

Read books and educate yourself, and stay open to healing. I spoke about my curiosity and initial hesitation towards The Medical Medium, but I find it a useful tool and recommend reading it.

9. THESE FOUR BOOKS HAVE REALLY HELPED ME:

The Medical Medium by Anthony William
If you have thyroid issues:
Medical Medium Thyroid Healing by Anthony William
Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis: Lifestyle Interventions for Finding and Treating the Root Cause by Izabella Wentz PharmD
If you need help jump-starting your real food lifestyle:
Whole30 by Melissa Hartwig and Dallas Hartwig

HOW TO TAKE ACTION:

1. Read the 1st and 2nd posts in this series for more information.

Post #1: Is It Epstein-Barr Virus Reactivation?
Post #2: How to Get Tested for Reactivated Epstein-Barr (EBV)NEW! Post #4: Update: Healing from Reactivated Epstein-Barr

2. If you feel they will help you, get any of the natural antivirals or supplements that I listed above. Also, read The Medical Medium or the other books I mentioned above if you want to learn more about natural healing.

3. Find a naturopath or functional medicine specialist in your area for specific treatment options.

4. Share your story with us in the comments below to help other people who are dealing with this. Have you tried any of these treatments? What helps you the most?

5. Stay on my email list for future updates, real food recipes, and healthy living inspiration. I share weekly-ish recipes, tips and notes with my VIP email community. You can grab your free starter recipe ebook and get the insider VIP updates here.

And finally, stay positive, and be kind to yourself. Healing is rarely linear. Life and health tend to come in cycles and seasons. Keep your thoughts positive and continue working towards feeling good.

Wishing you well,

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