Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Chronic Lyme: The PK Protocol + Paleo Pizza Frittata

We are all different.

Regardless of if you struggle with health issues or not, you know that when it comes to finding a solution for any problem, everything/everyone differs. Years ago, scientists were able to confirm that God made every person's DNA unique.  Yet, most doctors today, still fail to realize this means that every person reacts differently to supplements/drugs/treatment etc...
In treating my Chronic Lyme, along with its various complications, I can honestly say I have tried pretty much everything to heal and feel better.
Homeopathic supplements, IVIG infusions, antibiotics, surgery, and so on and so forth...
As a whole, these things have helped in my everyday coping, however, none have been able to fully address the mysterious underlying problem.
This fact has led me to devote a post on my newest form of treatment called the PK Protocol.


What is the PK Protocol? 

Well, to put it simply, the PK Protocol is to fix my non-functioning cells that, due to untreated Lyme, have slowly become increasingly damaged and toxic.
Pretty much, it is to make the supplements and wholesome food I have been ingesting my entire life, actually do their job.  Until my cells are healed, my body will stay in the circular state of never healing that it is.


From a more scientific definition, the PK Protocol addresses the bodies cells from the membrane standpoint.  Through blood work at John Hopkins Medical Hospital, doctors look at the red cell lipids, and identify the motion of chemicals, pesticides, microbials (bacteria, viruses, parasites, spirochetes, and fungus), and metals in the DNA. 

This inability to rid the body of these toxins has been shown to be linked to Autism, Multiple Sclerosis, Epilepsy, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, as well as the effects of Chronic Lyme Disease. As time goes on, the accumulation of very long chain fatty acids (VLCFAs), are seen to hang around in the body of each cell.  These lipid rafts are a stress on the patients body, and cause cell membrane derangement.  Not only does the cell become increasingly disorganized, but the membrane phospholipids become abnormal and impaired.
As a result, they can not do their job as a cell, which is to provide the bodies structure, take in nutrients from food, convert those nutrients to energy, and carry out specialized functions.  Therefore, the more VLCFAs "hanging around" in your cell, the more exposure your body has to these "bad guy," fat soluble, neurotoxins.
Once your body has had enough of these neurotoxins, and the expression of the bodies DNA becomes significantly altered, it simultaneously loses its ability to methylate properly. A cell's methylation process is also known as its way of functioning. Again, the ability to "carry out specialized functions" becomes impaired. 


So, if you are still with me, after that somewhat simplified definition, you will see why this protocol is vital in my healing.  Main point?

My cells are damaged to the point that they can not function, and because of this, are full of various toxins that inhibit my body from healing itself. 


The IV and oral lipids that I will be given, as well as phenylbutyrate, will slowly give back the integrity of my cells, while also helping the beta-oxidization process of eliminating the unwanted VLCFAs.

In addition to the supplement protocol, I will also have to eat a certain way based on my blood work. Regardless of if a food is "healthy" or not does not matter.  Certain foods like spinach, carrot, and sweet potatoes, activate certain enzymes in my body that can counteract the bodies process of healing.
Thankfully, I have been following a Paleo diet for a few years now, so switching to a practically complete Ketogenic protocol should not be an issue!


For those of you wondering when I begin this treatment, my blood work is being examined at John Hopkins in Maryland as we speak.  This process can take up to three weeks, however, my family and I are praying that it will be acknowledged and read surprisingly quick!



For the second part of this post, I wanted to share with you a quick and simple recipe, that can be made for any meal of the day!  This dish passes even the pickiest of eaters (Aka my 14 year old brother), who claims he hates, "all forms of squash and greens."  The key is dicing everything small, while adding fresh basil, in which you can hide the fact that there are additional leafy greens.
Paleo Pizza Frittata
Ingredients
  • 6-8 eggs
  • 1 medium zucchini
  • 1 small onion
  • 1 heirloom tomato
  • Crumbled goat chevre
  • 8-10 oz ground meat (I used pork sausage.)
  • 2 cups of greens of your choice (I used Olivia's Organic Saute Blend.)
  • Fresh sage, basil, and chive to taste (I used a few tablespoons of each.)
  • 1/2-1 tsp Real Salt (The quantity is up to your taste buds. Salt that is not iodized is an essential ingredient for your body, so don't be afraid of it!)
  • Pepper to taste 
  • Olive Oil
Process:  
  • Heat a skillet to a medium flame.
  • Once the skillet is warm, add the ground meat of choice and allow to cook through.
  • After the meat is done, place it into a separate bowl for later.
  • Putting your skillet back over the heat, add a couple tablespoons of EVOO.
  • Once the oil has begun to sizzle, add the diced zucchini and onion, letting cook until partially softened.
  • Next, chop and add your greens and fresh herbs, and allow to wilt to your likeness.
  • Adding to the bowl with your cooked meat, mix the 6-8 eggs, pepper, and salt together.  (I used half duck eggs, therefore I only needed 6.  However, if you are using all chicken eggs, you will most likely need 8 eggs.  The more eggs you add, the thicker your frittata will be, and the more "camouflage" the hidden veggies become.)
  • Pour the egg and meat mixture over your veggies on the skillet, while making sure it is distributed evenly throughout the pan. 
  • Lightly place as many tomato slices as you are able to fit on the surface of your mixture.
  • Next, drop crumbled goat cheese chevre on top of the tomato slices.                                            
  • Let the frittata cook until the bottom has browned, and the top has begun to set (Mine took around 8 minutes, but the time will depend on how strong your stove is.)
  • Preheat oven broiler (I set mine on high) and position your rack to the highest shelf.
  • Once the frittata has lost its "gooey" egg appeal, place the skillet under your broiler. 
  • Note that the amount of time the frittata spends under the broiler may vary depending on the thickness and strength of your oven. Ultimately, you want the top to become brown around the edges, and fully set throughout the middle. (Mine took around 10 minutes total. Staying in close proximity to your kitchen is important in making sure your frittata does not get over-cooked and burnt on top. Closing the oven door is an option, just make sure to be extra careful when removing the pan from the shelf!)
  • Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly before slicing into like a deep dish pizza, enjoy!!!
Recipe Notes 
Alternatively, you can top your frittata with any chopped or shredded cheese of your choice (Blue, cheddar, mozzarella, gouda, brie, pecorino).
Depending on what produce you have stocked in your fridge can also determine what veggies you use, do not let my recipe limit your imagination! As always, the possibilities are endless, let your taste buds guide your work!





If you are curious as to further information of the PK Protocol, as well as the Dr. administering the treatment, you can visit the following websites:
http://www.pkprotocol.com/
http://www.neurolipid.org/our-focus/pk-protocol-membrane-stabilizing-therapy/
http://hudsonvalleyfunctionalmedicine.org/about-us/sheryl-leventhal-md/sheryl-leventhal-md












Ephesians 2:10 "For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

1 comment:

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