Biofilm
The bacterial fortress. Biofilms are slimy, protective structures that bacteria and fungi create to shield themselves from antibiotics and immune attack. They're a major reason chronic infections persist. Disrupting biofilms is often necessary for treatment success.
What Is Biofilm?
Extracellular Matrix
Polysaccharides, proteins, DNA. Creates protective slime. Glues bacteria together.
Community Living
Bacteria communicate via quorum sensing. Coordinate behavior. Share resources.
Surfaces
Attach to surfaces: gut lining, teeth, implants, catheters. Hard to dislodge.
Why Biofilms Are Problematic
Antibiotic Resistance
1000x more resistant than planktonic bacteria. Antibiotics can't penetrate.
Immune Evasion
Immune cells can't access. Chronic, smoldering inflammation. Never fully clears.
Persister Cells
Dormant bacteria within biofilm. Resistant to antibiotics. Reactivate later.
Chronic Infections
SIBO, Candida, Lyme, UTIs, sinusitis. Keep coming back. Hard to eradicate.
Heavy Metals
Biofilms concentrate metals. Lead, mercury trapped. Released when disrupted.
Dental Plaque
Classic biofilm example. Must mechanically disrupt. Brushing, flossing.
Disrupting Biofilms
NAC (N-Acetyl Cysteine)
Breaks disulfide bonds. Mucolytic. 600-1800mg. Well-studied biofilm disruptor.
Enzymes
Serrapeptase, nattokinase, lumbrokinase. Digest biofilm matrix. Between meals.
EDTA
Chelates calcium in biofilm. Destabilizes structure. Used in protocols.
Essential Oils
Oregano, thyme, clove penetrate biofilms. Antimicrobial once inside.
Lactoferrin
Iron-binding protein. Starves biofilm bacteria of iron. From colostrum.
Timing Matters
Disrupt biofilm first. Then antimicrobials. Sequential approach often needed.