Biofilms, Yeasts and Pathogens

“Stress will cause declines in bifido bacteria populations. Some toxigenic E. coli are able to perceive that the host is stressed and in response to that they activate genes that make the toxins,” says Dr. Stephen Olmstead.

Olmstead is an M.D. and says, “Someone who is not stressed and consumes a pathogenic ecoli just fine where somebody who’s stressed consumes it and the E.coli makes a toxin, the person gets sick.”

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Bifido bacteria is one of the most beneficial and important good bacteria species in the intestinal tract. Yet, they are highly sensitive to stress.

When the healthy bacteria is compromised pathogenic strains propagate. One of the most common pathogens to propagate is the pathogenic yeast candida. When the pathogens are advanced the resulting disease is more chronic. When disease is chronic it is accompanied with pathogens encased in a clear layer of biofilm.

Olmstead says, “There’s increasing evidence showing chronic reoccurring sinus infections, chronic recurring otis media (ear infection) are in fact biofilm problems. There’s a great enzyme, serratia peptidase, that has very broad antibiofilm activities. It works against gram positive organisms like staph. It works against gram negative organisms, fungi and it’s well absorbed. You can use high doses, you can swallow it and it’ll go where it needs to be to make an effect.”

Serratia peptidase is made from a bacteria in silk worms and enables them to escape their cocoon to turn into a butterfly.

He recommends taking 4 tablets twice a day to eradicate biofilms.

Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride, author of GAPS, says pathogens are the root source of illness. Pathogens in biofilm are flushed out through nourishing foods and probiotics both in food form and therapeutic grade probiotic capsules. 

Donna Gates, author of Body Ecology Diet sees fermented foods like sauerkraut, kim chi, kraut juice and others have the ability to break up biofilms.

People who have cavities, oral infections, hip replacements, breast implants, yeast, pathogen overgrowth, worms in any form including pin worms and rope worms have biofilms which encase pathogens which will not flush out of the body unless they are actively removed. Everyone has biofilm at any given time. Biofilms grow on our teeth between brushing. The problematic biofilms are those protecting pathogens in various forms.

Actual activity and speculation on bacteria, pathogens, biofilm and life cycles is still undergoing discovery. They do not survive freely in flasks and on agar plates yet in biofilms, within the body, they are hearty. 

On February 26, 2009, Olmstead lectured on gastrointestinal biofilm at a Physicians’ Roundtable meeting where he said, “Microbes within biofilms communicate with each other, display metabolic specialization, and even sometimes appear to undergo apoptotic programmed cell death so as to benefit the greater biofilm community.”

He went on to say, “Depending on the species and antibiotic, biofilm phenotypes are from 10 to over 1000 times more resistant to antibiotics than their planktonic comrades. The mechanisms of antibiotic resistance are not well understood. In some organisms such as Candida albicans, surface adhesion and biofilm formation activate expression of genes mediating classical antimicrobial resistance. All of these mechanisms combine to provide biofilm communities with a multifaceted defense system.”

Microbes encased within the biofilm are protected.

These microbes are able to sense the metabolic status and stress levels of the host, adapting and thriving in a weak environment.

This is the reason people who suffer from chronic issues such as the ear infections or sinus infections have recurring issues.

Olmstead says, “Candida species ubiquitously form biofilm communities, and most manifestations of candidiasis are associated with biofilm formation. Beta-glucan secreted by Candida cells within biofilms significantly increases the organisms’ resistance to antifungals, and enzymatic breakdown of beta-glucan can make Candida more susceptible to treatment.”

He goes on to say, “The use of cellulase is critical to an antibiofilm enzyme preparation, as cellulose is found in most biofilms. Much of the ability of probiotics to interfere with pathogen adhesion and displace them may be due to specific antibiofilm activities.”

Oil of oregano and berberine are effective and common forms of breaking down the protective biofilm layers. Following the GAPS protocol is least invasive and most natural method. Many people say they see biofilms after proper coffee enemas. 

 Olmstead says, “A combination of hydrolytic enzymes represent a viable approach to degrading pathogenic biofilms by lysing biofilm exopolymers. Hydrolytic enzymes may be combined with chelating agents for a synergistic antibiofilm effect. It is essential to administer enzymes and chelators together with antimicrobial agents, but apart from food to ensure pathogen destruction as biofilm is degraded. Probiotics support the healthy intestinal microflora, displace pathogens, and disrupt pathogenic biofilm.”

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*Nourishing Plot is written by a mom whose son has been delivered from the effects of autism (Asperger’s syndrome), ADHD, bipolar disorder/manic depression, hypoglycemia and dyslexia through food. This is not a news article published by a paper trying to make money. This blog is put out by a mom who sees first hand the effects of nourishing food vs food-ish items. No company pays her for writing these blogs, she considers this a form of missionary work. It is her desire to scream it from the rooftops so that others don’t suffer from the damaging effect of today’s “food”.