Great explanation of how LDI works-Hortolf Medical Group

Since there has been a lot of chatter around this subject, here is a great explanation of how this works.

How does LDI work?

LDI works by helping the immune system restore proper balance by reducing inflammation caused by foreign invaders (LDI) or allergens (LDA). LDI brings the immune system more in balance, helping it to fight pathogens more effectively.

With a number of infections, the body’s immune system is able to kill the majority of pathogens, but a small amount of pathogens are able to evade the immune system. The small amount of remaining pathogens continue to stimulate a maladaptive inflammatory response that leads to chronic illness, including chronic Lyme disease, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia and a wide variety of autoimmune diseases.

We know that Lyme-related bacteria can be difficult to completely eliminate from the body due to the bacteria’s ability to mutate and hide within the body. But even if the bacteria are almost completely destroyed by antibiotic therapy, this may not turn off the immune response that is causing most of the symptoms. In this case, chronic Lyme is more like an autoimmune disease.

Most autoimmune diseases are triggered by an initial infection. As the immune system fights the infection, it may begin to confuse the body’s own proteins with proteins made by foreign invaders such as bacteria and viruses. Even after the bacteria have been eliminated, the immune system remains activated, and an autoimmune reaction triggered by the bacteria has been launched.

What is in an LDI dose?
LDI combines specific antigens (bacteria, toxins, or other foreign substances that induce an immune response in the body) with an enzyme called beta-glucuronidase. This enzyme attracts T cells, which are specialized white blood cells involved in the immune response and tells the T cells to pay attention to whatever antigens are included with the enzyme. Then the enzyme causes the down-regulation, or desensitization of TH2, the part of the immune system that was over-reacting to the included antigens. When the over-activated TH2 portion of the immune system is reduced, the depressed TH1 immunity is enhanced, which can effectively destroy intracellular infections.

So, for example, let’s say that the patient’s LDI dose included antigens to Lyme bacteria. By combining the beta-glucuronidase enzyme with Lyme antigens, the LDI diminishes the abnormally activated TH2 immune system, which is the major cause of symptoms in chronic Lyme disease, but allows the TH1 to take over and effectively attack the Lyme bacteria in the cells.

Interesting, Krimpet. Thank you for posting this. Do you have a link to this, or is it from your own understanding? I ask because if it's from a site, I'd like to bookmark it.

This is great, thank you for sharing it! Is there a reason why it is not part of standard treatment? What I mean is, is it something ALL chronic Lyme patients should pursue or is it a last line of treatment? Seems like it would be more beneficial to have it done as early as possible.

The first bit of advice I received after diagnosis was from a family member who was trying to help; he said that his friend swore LDI saved his life. I've always had that in the back of my mind.

Thanks for posting that, Krimpet!