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Live Blood Analysis and Darkfield Microscopy: Your Journey into Cellular Health with Dr. Haile Michaelson

I first learned about live blood analysis (LBA) and darkfield microscopy (DFM) when I graduated as a new doctor 14 years ago. As naturopathic doctors, we are trained and devoted to (and obsessed with) diving deep into the root levels of imbalance for patients and treating these deeper levels first. This is common sense once you have learned about the healing order of the body, and like anything, if the root levels are not treated, the symptom levels on the top often are only temporarily fixed before the root level affects them again. The digestive tract is often a first area of focus, because without gut health, nutrients needed for every other system can be deficient, and bad bacteria or parasites may be hindering function, AND of course, there may be gaps in the tight junctions between cells that have opened up due to inflammation and irritation over time, often called leaky-gut, which can lead to up-regulated immunity and autoimmune conditions.


My own love of gut healing and devotion to dive into the deeper levels had me always on the hunt to find tools and test kits that could identify gut healing blocks.

I had noticed early on that in order to heal the gut, organisms needed to be killed FIRST. If I used food elimination and healers without checking for the presence of 'bad' bacteria, parasites and yeast, the healers would sometimes help but not always fully work.


When I first learned about microscopic live blood analysis I knew it was going to be a helpful tool in assessing a patient's overall gut health, and general cellular health, and instead of costing 600$ for a comprehensive gut test, it was a nice simple in-clinic tool to get the lay of the land within the patient's body. It is important to note that it is not 'diagnostic' as it only shows signs and general indications. That being said, it also can clearly displays on the microscopes display screen parasites, advanced bacterial forms, concavity in the red blood cells indicating low nutrients like iron and b12, and a plethora of other signs. The more blood I looked at the more I could see how the clients symptoms, and past history matched their live blood.


The experience is truly a journey into your cellular health. From one drop of blood we can look through millions of cells! Also the cells are LIVE so we can watch the movement of bacteria, the phagocytosis of white blood cells eating particles in the blood, and the matrix around the cells.


I will place a drop of blood from your fingertip on a slide and mount it on a darkfiled microscope set up and connected to a screen for you to view your cells. A darkfield condenser is used to illuminate the cells agains a dark background enhancing the visibility of cellular structures without the need for staining. I can see the size, shape, and movement of red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and other components of the blood. This illumination set up lights up the blood sample with a specific type of light that causes the cells to appear bright against a dark background. This technique enhances the contrast between cellular structures, making it easier to detect abnormalities such as the aforementioned microbial organisms, parasites, and immune cell responses.



Dr. Enderlein and Pleomorphic Findings

The pioneering work of Dr. Gunther Enderlein in the early 20th century laid the foundation for the concept of pleomorphism, which posits that microorganisms can change shape and form in response to environmental conditions. Enderlein's research, particularly his observations of pleomorphic changes in blood samples using darkfield microscopy, sparked a renewed interest in the relationship between microorganisms and disease.


The Importance of Detecting and Eliminating Pathogens

Detecting and eliminating bacteria, fungi, and other pathogens in the bloodstream is crucial for maintaining overall health. Microbial infections can lead to a wide range of health complications, and overgrowth of pathogenic bacteria places stress on the immune system and has been linked to auto-immunity when there is chronic dysbiosis Fungal infections, including those caused by Candida species, can affect various parts of the body, including the skin, nails, and mucous membranes, leading to symptoms such as itching, redness, and inflammation.


According to Enderlein's theory, certain microorganisms undergo pleomorphic transformations within the body, transitioning between different morphological states depending on factors such as pH, oxygen levels, and nutrient availability. For example, he proposed that bacteria initially present in the blood as small, filterable forms (protits) could develop into larger, more complex structures (bacteria) under favorable conditions.

These 'conditions' refer to the area around the cells. Like the water in a fish bowl, the medium surrounding the fish is vital to the health of the fish. The terrain around the cells is vital to the health of the cells. It brings up the question, 'Why wouldn't we want to look at the medium around the cells when we are investigating health?'


Exploring the Research

Anomalies in red blood cell shape and aggregation patterns have been linked to cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and autoimmune disorders. In a study by Smith and O'Halloran (2020), published in the Journal of Microscopy and Ultrastructure, researchers examined the utility of darkfield microscopy in identifying microbial infections in blood samples. The findings suggested that DFM could accurately detect the presence of bacteria, fungi, and other pathogens, offering a valuable tool for uncovering microbe load. Furthermore, DFM can assess nutritional deficiencies and evaluate the effects of dietary and functional medicine interventions by looking at the sample before the intervention and after.



Curious about your cells and the conditions they live in?

Darkfield microscopy offers a glimpse into the intricate world of cellular health. The session will uncover valuable insights into levels of bacteria, parasites, fungus, physiological dynamics, nutrient status, and the conditions of your body's terrain (the water of your fishbowl) 😊


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