Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) is a complex and under-recognised condition that affects millions worldwide—yet remains poorly understood, even by many doctors. Often misdiagnosed as anxiety, POTS is now known to stem from dysfunction in the autonomic nervous system, which governs key bodily functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, and temperature control.
POTS is commonly triggered by infections (such as Lyme disease or Epstein-Barr virus), mould, heavy metals or environmental toxicity, cervical instability, and autoimmune or mitochondrial disorders. More recently, cases have surged following COVID-19 and certain vaccines. Despite these known associations, many patients experience years of misdiagnosis, often being dismissed with psychiatric labels.
Why POTS Is More Than Just a Fast Heartbeat: A Deeper Look at Symptoms and Root Causes
Symptoms vary but commonly include a rapid heart rate when standing, dizziness, chest pain, nausea, headaches, brain fog, digestive issues, and poor temperature regulation. In severe cases, POTS can be debilitating—leaving up to 25% of patients unable to attend work or school.
Conventional treatment relies heavily on medications like beta blockers or SSRIs, but these often cause side effects and may worsen the condition if the root cause is ignored. Instead, addressing underlying drivers such as toxicity, chronic infections, inflammation, and nutrient deficiencies is proving more effective.
🌿 Lifestyle Strategies for POTS Supporting Recovery
🍽️ Nourish Your Body
- Eat a healing diet rich in whole, unprocessed, nutrient dense foods
- Include healthy fats like olive oil, coconut oil & grass-fed butter
- Enjoy fermented foods & low-glycaemic fruits and vegetables
- Focus on blood sugar regulation, avoid high carbohydrate foods
💧 Support Hydration & Circulation
- Stay well-hydrated throughout the day
- Increase salt intake (as advised) to support blood volume and adrenal health
- Take a top quality adrenal support product, like GaAdrenal.
🧹 Reduce the Toxic Load
- Follow a structured detoxification program that supports drainage first (liver, lymph, gut)
- Clear parasites and toxins before targeting deeper infections
- Choose clean personal care, household products & distilled water to reduce daily exposures
- Reduce glyphosate exposure by choosing organic produce when possible and avoiding herbicide-treated foods
🏃♀️ Move Mindfully
- Start with gentle, graded exercise appropriate for your energy levels
- Promote bowel regularity with quality fat, hydration, and abdominal massage
- Stimulate the vagus nerve through humming, gargling, or red light therapy
🧘♀️ Regulate the Nervous System
- Practise deep breathing and relaxation exercises daily
- Reduce stress with mindfulness, journaling, or spending time in nature
- Prioritise restorative movement like stretching or yoga to calm the body
Importantly, POTS is not “just in your head”—though many are told otherwise. The overlap with anxiety symptoms has led to high rates of misdiagnosis, particularly in women. However, research confirms a strong biological basis, including inflammation, nervous system damage, and toxic burden.
POTS demands a personalised, root-cause-focused approach. With proper care—including detoxification, nutritional support, and nervous system regulation—many individuals can experience significant relief or remission. Early diagnosis, compassionate care, and a shift from symptom suppression to true healing are essential steps forward.
Personalised, Holistic Support for POTS Recovery
At Esther Hills Nutrition, we search for the root causes of your illness. Often, there are several contributing factors that only surface when your body is ready to excrete them. We help guide you toward improvement—and in many cases, full recovery from POTS.
Our personalised approach is tailored to your body, recognising that no two people are the same. By using a holistic framework, we provide your body with what it needs to return to balance. When that balance is restored, your immune system, gut, and brain can function optimally again—eliminating symptoms naturally.
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References POTS:
1. Vagus Nerve Stimulation as a Treatment for POTS
- Study: University of Oklahoma College of Medicine
- Summary: Non-invasive ear-clip vagus nerve stimulation reduced POTS symptoms by modulating autonomic nervous system activity.
- Link: ou.edu
2. Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation (tVNS) for POTS
- Study: Journal of the American College of Cardiology: Clinical Electrophysiology
- Summary: tVNS improved autonomic function and reduced inflammation and immune markers in POTS patients over two months.
- Link: neurologyadvisor.com, sciencedirect.com
3. Mold Exposure and Its Neurological Effects Related to POTS
- Study: International Journal of Molecular Sciences
- Summary: Mold exposure was significantly associated with neurological disorders like POTS and ME/CFS, supporting an environmental trigger theory.
- Link: agemed.org, drtoddmaderis.com, drjessmd.com
4. Mold Exposure and POTS: A Clinical Perspective
- Study: Article by Dr. Becky Campbell
- Summary: Mycotoxins from indoor mold can lead to immune activation and autonomic dysfunction, contributing to POTS symptoms.
- Link: drbeckycampbell.com
5. COVID-19 Vaccination and the Onset of POTS
- Study: Cedars-Sinai’s Smidt Heart Institute
- Summary: Some patients developed POTS after receiving COVID-19 mRNA vaccines, highlighting a need for research into post-vaccine autonomic issues.
- Link: cedars-sinai.org
6. Toxic Effects of Glyphosate on the Nervous System: A Systematic Review
Summary: Glyphosate exposure causes oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and mitochondrial dysfunction, potentially contributing to POTS
7. Glyphosate Infiltrates the Brain and Increases Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines
- Summary: Animal studies show glyphosate crosses the blood-brain barrier and elevates inflammatory markers, potentially affecting the autonomic system.
8. Glyphosate Can Have ‘Persistent, Damaging’ Effects on Brain Health
- Glyphosate Infiltrates the Brain and Increases Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines
- Summary: Even low glyphosate doses can cause lasting brain inflammation and increase the risk of autonomic dysfunction and neurodegeneration.
9. Dysautonomia Following Lyme Disease (2024)
- Study: Frontiers in Neurology
- Summary: PTLDS can involve dysautonomia, including POTS, due to lingering immune and neurological disruptions post-Lyme infection.
10. Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome Following Lyme Disease (2011)
- Study: Cardiology Journal
- Summary: Case series showed POTS development post-Lyme, with symptoms like dizziness, fatigue, and cognitive issues.
11. Understanding the Relationship Between Dysautonomia and Lyme Disease
- Study: Project Lyme
- Summary: Lyme disease and POTS share symptoms, and Lyme may trigger autonomic dysfunction via immune and nervous system involvement.
12. The Lyme + POTS Connection
- Study: RawlsMD
- Summary: Describes how chronic infections from Lyme can lead to POTS and outlines treatment strategies addressing both.
13. POTS and Lyme Disease Patients
- Study: Dr. Daniel Cameron
- Summary: Several cases show POTS emerging after Lyme, urging better clinician awareness to avoid misdiagnosis.
14. Exploring the Overlap Between Dysautonomia and Lyme Disease
- Study: Project Lyme
- Summary: Lyme patients should be screened for POTS symptoms, especially when presenting with unexplained fatigue or tachycardia.
15. Lyme Disease and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome
- Study: Dr. Tania Dempsey
- Summary: GI symptoms are common in POTS/Lyme overlap; treating infections often improves autonomic issues.
16. POTS & Lyme Disease: Is There a Link?
- Study: MyHeart.net
- Summary: Case review of five patients showed temporal and symptomatic correlation between Lyme and POTS onset.
17. Coping with POTS in Conjunction with Chronic Lyme Disease
- Study: LymeDisease.org
- Summary: Describes common challenges and treatment approaches for those with both Lyme disease and POTS.
22. Dietary Interventions in Managing POTS Symptoms
- Study: Standing Up To POTS
- Summary: A gluten-free diet led to a 45% reduction in symptoms in POTS patients over four weeks.
24. POTS: A Frequently Missed Diagnosis
- Study: The Nurse Practitioner journal
- Summary: Many providers are unaware of POTS, leading to delayed or incorrect diagnosis and treatment.
25. Dysautonomia International – POTS Summary
- Summary: Highlights multiple causes of POTS, including heavy metal toxicity, trauma, chemo, and autoimmunity.
26. AHA Journals – Circulation Review on POTS
- Summary: A review covering causes, including toxic exposure, and emphasising thorough patient evaluation.
27. MedLink Neurology – POTS Overview
- Summary: Identifies heavy metal toxicity as a possible secondary cause and stresses comprehensive care.
28. MyBioHack – POTS and Heavy Metal Toxicity
- Summary: Explains how environmental toxins like mercury can lead to oxidative stress and autonomic instability.
