Starting the Marshall Protocol

Used in the context of the Marshall Protocol (MP), a therapeutic probe refers to a brief trial of the MP, in which patients take regular doses of olmesartan (Benicar) with pulsed, low doses of antibiotics and restrict consumption of vitamin D. The presence of a positive treatment response is taken as an indication that a patient is sick with Th1 disease and that the MP is a treatment option for that disease. Although there are other factors and variables, which can strongly suggest the presence of Th1 disease, the therapeutic probe is currently the best method for determining if the MP may be suitable for a patient.

In the context of the therapeutic probe, there are at least three responses or types of responses which indicate that continued treatment with the MP is warranted:

• photosensitivity – Even if patients have never been light sensitive before, they may find lights to be too bright for comfort. Patients are cautioned that photosensitivity (and other symptoms) can occur in response to a withdrawal of typical levels of light exposure, even before the use of olmesartan is commenced.
• noticeable spike in symptoms – An activator of the innate immune response, Benicar works with minocycline to kill pathogenic bacteria. The effect of a strengthened immune system response is called immunopathology. Immunopathology feels bad because the killing of bacteria generates cytokines, endotoxins, and nitric oxide.
• noticeable relief in symptoms – As an ARB, Benicar has profound anti-inflammatory effects, which manifest in a reduction in pain, fatigue, and other symptoms of Th1 disease.

Symptoms which wax and wane in tandem with the every-other-day administration of antibiotics are an especially strong indication of Th1 disease.

It is expected that the way a patient responds to the MP will change over time.