Theory

Lyme as Metabolic Consequence

The infection doesn't cause the dysfunction. It colonizes it.

The Observation

Many chronic Lyme patients report feeling unwell for years before their tick bite. Muscle burning during minimal exertion. Brain fog. Crushing fatigue. Exercise intolerance. The classic symptoms of elevated lactate.

Then came the tick. The infection took hold, and everything got dramatically worse. But what if the terrain was already prepared?

Borrelia's Evolutionary Strategy

Borrelia burgdorferi has evolved a metabolism that specifically exploits metabolic dysfunction:

No Oxygen Required

Cannot perform oxidative phosphorylation - thrives in oxygen-poor environments

100% Glycolysis

Relies entirely on breaking down glucose to lactate for energy

Lactate Production

Converts all pyruvate to lactate via lactate dehydrogenase

Thrives on Dysfunction

Actually prefers high-lactate environments that harm the host

The Theory: Metabolic Priming for Infection

Chronic Lyme may not be primarily about tick exposure. It may be about pre-existing metabolic dysfunction that creates the perfect environment for Borrelia to thrive.

Nutritional deficiencies in thiamine, magnesium, riboflavin, and other B vitamins impair lactate clearance. This creates chronically elevated lactate levels - exactly what Borrelia evolved to exploit.

The infection doesn't randomly strike. It colonizes bodies that have already been metabolically compromised, where lactate accumulation signals "this host cannot efficiently clear us."

The Vicious Cycle

1. Pre-existing deficiencies

Thiamine, magnesium, B vitamins already low from poor diet, stress, toxins

2. Impaired lactate clearance

Cells cannot efficiently convert pyruvate to acetyl-CoA for mitochondrial energy

3. Chronic lactate elevation

Muscle burning, fatigue, brain fog develop years before infection

4. Tick exposure occurs

Borrelia enters a metabolically compromised host

5. Infection establishes

Bacteria thrive in high-lactate, low-oxygen environment

6. Nutrient depletion accelerates

Bacteria scavenge host nutrients; immune response further depletes reserves

7. Symptoms intensify

Both infection AND metabolic dysfunction worsen together

Why Some Recover and Others Don't

This theory explains the mystery of chronic Lyme: why identical infections produce wildly different outcomes.

✓

Strong Metabolic Health

Adequate B vitamins, minerals. Efficient lactate clearance. Infection clears with or without antibiotics.

✗

Compromised Metabolism

Pre-existing deficiencies. Poor lactate clearance. Ideal terrain for chronic infection despite antibiotic treatment.

The Implication

Antibiotics alone won't fix chronic Lyme if the underlying metabolic dysfunction remains.

Recovery requires restoring the metabolic terrain - fixing lactate clearance, replenishing depleted nutrients, supporting mitochondrial function. Make your body an inhospitable environment for chronic infection.