Biofilms - a P.A.K. Approach
ABSTRACT: KEY INDEXING TERMS: WHAT ARE BIOFILMS?: Biofilms are
observed on most stable non-sterile surfaces in an aquatic environment. They are
found in natural environments such as hot springs, rivers and streams, lakes,
subterranean stromatolites, and tidal pools. They are
also in man-made and industrial environments such as water and drainage pipes,
sanitation systems, house-hold sinks, toilets, and showers, and even in the
water tanks of nuclear power plants. Dental plaque is an
example of a biofilm. The “plaque”
material that adheres to the teeth is made up of bacterial cells (mainly Streptococcus mutans
and Streptococcus sanguinis),
salivary polymers and bacterial extracellular products. A biofilm can be
comprised of multiple microbes; bacteria, virus, protozoa, parasites, and fungi
that cohabitate and engage in "quorum sensing", an evolutionarily old
form of bacterial communication. A Lyme disease researcher in New York also
demonstrated that Borrelia
species not only produce biofilm, but can live in the community in any form
(i.e., spirochete, L form, spheroblast, and
cyst). Additionally, other zoonotic
bacteria such as Babesia,
Bartonella, Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, and Mycoplasma species inhabit these
communities as well. The biofilm is used
to both protect the bacteria from the hosts' immune system, while also serving
as a nutritional reservoir in times of harsh environmental conditions. It's a very evolutionarily old and efficient
way to ensure that many bacteria and other microbes survive, thrive and
replicate. Biofilms are said
to be anchored at certain places by positively charged ions including: calcium,
magnesium, mercury, lead, etc. This may be one of the reasons why when a patient
undergoes heavy metal chelation, they often experience an exacerbation of
symptoms. Chelation of minerals and
metals essentially destabilizes the biofilm, rendering the inhabiting bacteria
more vulnerable to the hosts' immune system and antimicrobials. Biofilms have been
found to be involved in large percentages of all infections in the body. Chronic sinusitis patients undergoing surgery
present with biofilms most of the time. The NIH
estimates that 80% of all human infections have biofilm involvment.
Other infectious processes in which
biofilms have been implicated include common problems such as urinary tract
infections, catheter infections, middle-ear infections, endocarditis,
infections in cystic fibrosis, and infections of permanent indwelling devices
such as joint prostheses and heart valves.
More recently it has been noted that bacterial biofilms may impair
cutaneous wound healing and reduce topical antibacterial efficiency in healing
or treating infected skin wounds.
Biofilms can also be formed on the inert surfaces of implanted devices
such as catheters, prosthetic cardiac valves and intrauterine devices. Research has shown
that sub-therapeutic levels of β-lactam antibiotics induce biofilm formation
in Staphylococcus aureus.
This sub-therapeutic level of antibiotic may result from the use of antibiotics
as growth promoters in agriculture, or during the normal course of antibiotic
therapy. The most prevalent fungal biofilm-forming pathogen is Candida albicans,
which can cause both superficial and systemic infections. Humans are host to
various "friendly" bacteria, we carry them around with us in tissues
and biofilms and they normally exist in balance within our bodies. The number
of bacteria living within the body of the average healthy adult human is
estimated to outnumber human cells 10 to 1. We need bacteria to create enzymes
for various body processes, communicate with the immune system, prevent the
growth of harmful species, produce vitamins (such as biotin and vitamin K), and
produce needed hormones. It is not realistic to remove all the biofilms from
the body. We are designed to live in harmony with one another, unless infection
and other problems create an imbalance.
Humans are "symbiotes" with various
organisms. It is when
Spirochetes/parasites/protozoa and strong antibiotics enter the picture that
the normal, symbiotic biofilm arrangement in the body can most likely be tipped
over the edge into more pathogenic ("bad") biofilm communities. The goal then, is
to re-establish the healthy balance and symbiotic relationship to the natural
biofilms and organisms in the body. CAUTIONS One of the authors
of this paper postulates that he ended up in the hospital with infection
induced pulmonary emboli by degrading biofilms with certain proteolytic
enzymes thus unknowingly releasing microbes that caused a hypercoagulable
state. It is our belief that biofilms should only be treated with substances
that not only degrade the biofilm but also have broad spectrum anti-microbial
effects. At the same time the patient should be monitored to see if they are
releasing any “new” microbes or toxic metals as a result of the degradation and
these should be treated concurrently. With the advent of
new test kits, it is possible to screen for Biofilms with Applied Kinesiology.
Positive findings are very common in patients we have already cleared of dysbiosis
as eliminating the dysbiosis may be a “false” negative as pathogens remain in
“hiding” behind biofilms. 1. See if the
Biofilm vial (Supreme Nutrition 1-800-922-1744) causes either a “strong muscle” to
“weaken” or become “hypertonic”. If it does, it is a positive test. 2. See if the
positive vials are negated by any of the following and supplement as indicated:
BFB-1 and/or BFB-2 (Supreme Nutrition 1-800-922-1744). These have been
developed by one of the authors as a result of academic research coupled with
clinical investigation with AK. a) BFB1- 1 drop
3x/day (start with one drop daily topically) b) BFB2 - 1 drop
3x/day (start with one drop daily topically) Be aware that some
patients with massive biofilm formations may undergo Herxheimer
reactions from this and need to have some detoxification protocols added. Prevention/
Lifestyle and Treatment Considerations 1.
Limit oils from diet, Oils/Fats have been felt to
increase biofilm formation in some patients. 2.
On some patients giving magnesium and B vitamins may
encourage biofilm formation and they should be contraindicated when treating
biofilms 3.
Don’t neglect to clear dysbiosis, toxins, metals and food
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communication 2013
Biofilms are a new discovery in treating the chronically
ill patient. An Applied Kinesiology (AK) screening procedure is now available
to help discern if they are an issue with your patients. Dietary modification along
with ingestion or topical application of certain nutritional substances can
help facilitate biofilm degradation thus exposing the pathogens which can then also can be eradicated with the appropriate
remedies.
Biofilms
A biofilm is a negatively charged group of sticky cells which produce a matrix
of extracellular polymeric substances. Biofilms, also referred to as “bacterial
slime”, are generally composed of extracellular DNA, proteins, polysaccharides,
microbes, minerals, and heavy metals. AK Application
CONCLUSION:
It is
the authors opinions that screening for biofilms should routinely be done on
chronic patients as well as screening for dysbiosis, food reactions, toxic
metals and chemicals, nutrient deficiencies etc. The few minutes of time it
takes is well worth the information you will elicit and will positively
influence the clinical outcomeREFERENCES: