In this groundbreaking conversation, Dr. Micah Yu speaks with retired rheumatologist Dr. Alfred Miller, who spent 40 years in practice and training at the Mayo Clinic. Dr. Miller shares his personal journey of discovering how Borrelia infections (often mislabeled as Lyme disease) may underlie many neurological and autoimmune conditions.

From misdiagnosis in academic institutions to overlooked testing protocols, he reveals why conventional approaches often miss the mark — and how proper testing, treatment, and even unconventional therapies like bee venom and stem cells can change lives.

Key Takeaways

• Why Borrelia infection is a “great imitator,” often misdiagnosed as ALS, MS, dementia, and other chronic diseases
• The flaws in current Lyme disease testing — and why omitting bands 31 & 34 on the Western blot leads to false negatives
• How Borrelia’s 28-day reproductive cycle makes short-term antibiotic treatment ineffective
• The role of cyst-busting medications and pulsed antibiotic protocols in treatment
• Case studies: how Dr. Miller’s daughter-in-law lived seven years beyond a 4-month ALS prognosis after proper treatment
• Why Dr. Miller believes autoimmune disease is a mislabel, and many cases are driven by Borrelia
• Fascinating integrative therapies, including bee venom’s ability to eradicate Borrelia and stem cell use in repairing neurodegenerative damage
• The importance of specialized labs like IGeneX (U.S.) and ArminLabs (Europe) for accurate tick-borne disease testing

The link between Borrelia infections, which cause Lyme disease, and autoimmune disorders is a complex and evolving area of medical research. A Borrelia infection can trigger autoimmune responses in genetically predisposed individuals through several mechanisms, including molecular mimicry and the induction of chronic inflammation.

The resulting immune dysfunction can lead to the development of specific autoimmune conditions, or it can produce symptoms that closely mimic those of autoimmune diseases.

If you’ve ever wondered about the root causes of autoimmune disease, dementia, ALS, or rheumatoid arthritis, this episode will open your eyes to a different paradigm of medicine.

About Your Hosts:

Micah Yu, MD, MHA, MS, ABOIM, DipABLM, IFMCP
Dr. Micah Yu is a triple board-certified integrative rheumatologist who blends conventional medicine with holistic, nutrition-based healing to treat autoimmune and chronic inflammatory conditions. A patient himself, Dr. Yu brings a deeply personal perspective to his work, having reversed his own autoimmune arthritis through lifestyle and integrative medicine. He is certified in internal medicine, rheumatology, integrative medicine, lifestyle medicine, and functional medicine. As the founder of MyAutoimmuneMD and co-founder of Dr. Lifestyle Clinic, Dr. Yu empowers patients to address the root causes of illness and reclaim their health from the inside out.

Melissa Mondala, MD, MHA, MS, DipABLM
Dr. Melissa Mondala is a dual board-certified physician in Family and Lifestyle Medicine, with advanced training in Integrative Psychiatry and Integrative Medicine. As President of Dr. Lifestyle Clinic in Newport Beach—recognized by UC Irvine as a Public Health Site of Excellence—she pioneers a holistic, patient-centered approach to chronic disease. Dr. Mondala is a nationally recognized Lifestyle Medicine Intensivist, core faculty at Loma Linda University’s Preventive Medicine Department, and a passionate advocate for plant-based nutrition, mental health, and women’s wellness. A sought-after speaker and educator, she combines cutting-edge science with deep compassion to empower lasting healing, especially for those silently suffering from autoimmune, mental health, and long COVID conditions. She shares practical inspiration for healthy living and cooking at @drmelissaskitchen.

For more information, please visit https://myautoimmunemd.com.