LymeNet Flash: Does freezing kill the lyme bugs?

This is topic Does freezing kill the lyme bugs? in forum Medical Questions at LymeNet Flash.

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Posted by EllenB (Member # 5764) on :

Hello all:
Does anyone know if freezing kills the lyme bacteria and it's associated parasites?

I have breastmilk that's been frozen in our full size freezer for a few months now and I'm wondering if it would be safe to use. I'm not sure what the temperature in there has been.

Thanks,
Ellen

Posted by david1097 (Member # 3662) on :

Hi

My guess is probably not. When the bacteria lives in the ticks, they are at enviromental temp. Ticks can survive the winter and freeze in the process. Since they can infect after the winter, the bacteria must still be alive.

I would also guess that prolonged heat is a better way to kill the things. I don't know what temperature/time is needed maybe someone else here has an idea.

Posted by danq (Member # 2126) on :

No, freezing does not reliably kill bacteria, in general.

Dan

Posted by Gabrielle (Member # 5329) on :

I'd also vote for "No" - freezing will not kill them.

But I think boiling should kill the Borrelia. I remember reading somewhere that we could kill the keets if we could raise our body temperatures to over 42 degrees Celsius (don't know how much that is in Fahrenheit - but it is the temperature when you die). Boiling the milk would be at a far higher temperature (around 100 degrees).

I've never been good in natural sciences so it's just a guess that boiling should kill the keets.

Gabrielle

Posted by EllenB (Member # 5764) on :

Thanks very much for your answers - I don't think i'll be using it then.
ellen

Posted by Marnie (Member # 773) on :

I vote no...cyst forms are very resistant. Very.

Heating destroys minerals.

This is why cooking eggs "over easy" or poaching is best.

Eggs contain protein. But in the yolk, selenium...ahhh...a great balance of electomagnetic charges! Lot of neg. charges, a little positive. Perfect. Makes hydrogen.

But cooking the yolk, destroys the selenium in the yolk.

Microwaves...any additional heat (negative charges) destroys/depletes the metals.

This is why raw foods are best...next, steaming, then boiling (save the water to add to soup).

This is why when making homemade veg. soup (I still do)...add a soup bone...tomatoes, acidic, pull the calcium out of the bones and "balance" the soup.

Breast milk contains a LOT of good things, but I wouldn't take a chance.

Help from a Lamaze group? Donating their milk?

[This message has been edited by Marnie (edited 13 June 2004).]