Join Dr. James Odell for Season 2 of the Science of Self-Healing Podcast! He's the Medical and Executive Director for BRMI, as well as a practicing naturopathic doctor for over 35 years, and he's here to share with you his extensive knowledge of medicine from a different perspective.
Ever heard of biofilms? They're microscopic communities living right inside your body that can be either your best friend or your worst enemy.
In this eye-opening episode, join Dr. Odell for an exploration into the fascinating world of these tiny bacterial networks. Learn how biofilms influence everything from gut health to chronic infections, and explore natural strategies to keep them in check. From oregano oil to hyperbaric oxygen therapy, we'll uncover surprising ways to support your body's delicate microbial balance.
Tune in to learn more about these mysterious microorganisms and take control of your health!
Transcript: Disrupting Biofilms With Natural Remedies
Welcome to the Science of Self-Healing Podcast where we explore health and wellness from a different perspective. Produced by the Bioregulatory Medicine Institute, that's BRMI. We provide valuable insights on how to naturally support your body's ability to self regulate, adapt, regenerate, and self heal.
I'm Dr. James Odell, your host and the executive and medical director of BRMI with over 35 years experience as a naturopathic doctor. Please note that this podcast is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for personalized medical care.
Before we start today's podcast, I invite you to join us for BMI's extraordinary conference retreat. It's entitled Charting Your Course to Optimal Health. From May 10th through the 18th, 2025, this eight night cruise on Celebrity Cruises will take you through the stunning ABC islands that's Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao. Departing from Fort Lauderdale, our event welcomes anyone passionate about health and longevity. Whether you're a practitioner, inventor, vendor or simply just curious about healthier living, please join us. Enjoy a perfect mix of learning and relaxation while deepening your understanding of bioregulatory medicine. For more details, please visit this page.
All About Biofilms: What They Are and Why They Matter
In today’s episode, we’ll be talking about the incredibly fascinating and important topic of biofilms. You may have heard the term before, but you might not know exactly what they are, how they form, or why they matter. I’ll take you through the important things to know about biofilms, including their role in both health and disease, and how to treat biofilms naturally. Let’s get started!
Let’s start with what biofilms are.
Basically, a biofilm is simply a thin layer of microorganisms—like bacteria, fungi, or algae—that stick to a surface and become encased in a protective, slimy film made up of sugars, proteins, and other substances. These microorganisms form what we call a "community" within the biofilm, where they are often far more resilient than they would be on their own in the open environment.
This slimy film can form anywhere: on medical devices, mucosal surfaces in the gastrointestinal tract, lungs, skin wounds, teeth and other tissues. What makes biofilms unique is that the microorganisms within them are far more resistant (re-zil-yent) to antibiotics and other treatments compared to their free-floating counterparts. This makes biofilms a major challenge in medicine.
What’s really interesting about biofilms is that most people harbor them within their bodies. While they are often linked to chronic infections, biofilms are not inherently harmful. In fact, in healthy individuals, they can serve as a crucial line of defense in the body. For example, in the gut microbiome, where trillions of bacteria coexist, they can help maintain a balanced microbiome and act as a barrier against pathogens, preventing infections and inflammation. Another example of this protective function is with dental plaque—a form of biofilm— which contains beneficial bacteria that competes with harmful microbes, reducing the risk of cavities.
However, whether a biofilm becomes a problem or not all depends on whether or not the biofilm consists of healthy, non-pathogenic bacteria or problematic pathogenic bacteria such as Escherichia coli or Staphylococcus aureus or healthy bacteria such as Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium.
So let’s talk briefly about how biofilms form?
Biofilm formation is a multi-step process. First, microorganisms start by adhering to a surface—this could be a wound, or even your tooth enamel. Once they’ve stuck to that surface, they start to multiply, creating a colony. As they grow, they start producing a sticky substance made of polysaccharides (a type of sugar) and proteins that form the extracellular matrix. This matrix is essentially the "glue" that holds the whole biofilm together and makes it sticky and slimy.
Over time, the biofilm can grow thicker, and as it matures, the microorganisms within it can become organized into clusters or layers, with different types of bacteria or fungi often occupying different areas of the biofilm. This organization helps them survive harsh conditions, like changes in temperature, pH, and the presence of antibiotics or disinfectants.
Interestingly, studies have shown that biofilms are not just random clusters of microbes—they actually have a very specific structure that helps them perform better as a community. Research published in Nature Reviews Microbiology has demonstrated that biofilms are highly dynamic, with microorganisms communicating with each other through a process called quorum sensing. This means they can coordinate their behavior, like producing toxins or releasing enzymes to break down nutrients, in response to changes in their environment.
Why are biofilms important in medicine?
When it comes to human health, biofilms are incredibly significant. They play a major role in chronic infections. For example, a biofilm can form on the surface of medical devices like catheters, heart valves, or joint replacements. These biofilms are tough to treat because the microorganisms are protected by that slimy matrix. Even if you try to treat an infection with antibiotics, the biofilm often keeps the drugs from reaching the bacteria within. In addition, the bacteria in biofilms can exchange genetic material, including genes that make them resistant to drugs. Lastly, biofilms have been found to be a key factor in why some wounds won’t heal, because the biofilm acts as a barrier to the immune system.
The scary part is that research has shown that bacteria in biofilms can be up to 1,000 times more resistant to antibiotics compared to bacteria that are free-floating in the bloodstream. This makes infections harder to treat, and superbugs—bacteria that are resistant to multiple types of antibiotics—are often associated with biofilm formation.
For example, Staphylococcus aureus, a common bacterium, can form biofilms on skin wounds. Some strains of this bacterium are resistant to methicillin (known as MRSA), making biofilm-related infections even more dangerous and difficult to treat. According to research published in Clinical Microbiology Reviews, biofilm-related infections are one of the main drivers of hospital-acquired infections.
So, you might be wondering how you determine whether you have a harmful biofilm or a helpful biofilm…
This can be challenging, as these structures often form a protective barrier around infections, making them difficult to detect and treat. Common signs that may indicate the presence of a harmful biofilm include persistent infections that do not respond to standard treatments, such as antibiotics or antimicrobials. If you have a laboratory-verified infection that has been resistant to treatment, it is likely that a biofilm is involved, as approximately 80% of gastrointestinal infections are associated with biofilm-producing microbes.
Symptoms suggesting the presence of a harmful biofilm may include conditions such as chronic sinusitis, chronic urinary tract infections (UTIs), or chronic skin infections that just won’t heal. Additionally, if you have been experiencing symptoms for over a year without improvement, or if your symptoms temporarily improve with treatment but then return after stopping medication, this could indicate an underlying biofilm. In many cases, standard diagnostic methods like cultures may yield negative results because bacteria within biofilms are often shielded from detection.
So let’s talk now about what you can do to treat biofilms naturally.
When it comes to treating biofilms naturally, researchers are exploring a variety of options to traditional treatments. These approaches utilize enzymes, plant extracts, essential oils, herbs, specific foods, and other techniques to disrupt biofilms effectively.
Enzymes are particularly showing promising results at breaking down the extracellular matrix of biofilms, making microorganisms more vulnerable to antibiotics and the immune system. Serrapeptase, an anti-inflammatory enzyme that limits biofilm development and targets antibiotic-resistant bacteria; and polysaccharide-digesting enzymes like nattokinase and bromelain, which help break down biofilm components also appear to be helpful.
Natural compounds from plants and essential oils have also shown promise in disrupting biofilms. For instance, oregano oil contains carvacrol, which inhibits antibiotic-resistant bacteria and reduces biofilm growth. Essential oils such as oregano, tea-tree, peppermint, and clove are effective due to their antimicrobial properties and ability to penetrate the protective matrices that shield bacteria.
Specific phytochemicals found in herbs further demonstrate anti-biofilm properties. Curcumin, the active component of turmeric, is known for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects; epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), found in green tea, disrupts the peptidoglycan matrix of biofilms; and quercetin interrupts quorum sensing, the communication mechanism bacteria use to coordinate biofilm formation. Additionally, berberine, present in various medicinal plants, exhibits antimicrobial properties that help reduce biofilm formation.
Garlic is another powerful herb recognized for its antimicrobial effects, containing organosulfur compounds that disrupt biofilms while promoting a healthy gut microbiome. Cruciferous vegetables like kale also play a significant role; they contain isothiocyanates that damage microbial cell membranes and inhibit biofilm growth. Certain foods act as natural disruptors of biofilms as well. Apple cider vinegar contains acetic acid that helps break down biofilms when consumed diluted in water, while Lauricidin, derived from coconut oil, acts as a natural surfactant that inhibits biofilm development.
Let’s get into the specifics for a moment…and keep in mind that you can refer to our show notes – located on our website under podcasts.
One of the most affected areas for the presence of biofilms is the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, where they can lead to conditions such as Crohn's disease, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and ulcerative colitis. Biofilms are common here because the GI tract provides a nutrient-rich environment that supports their formation. What typically happens is that harmful biofilms thrive, when the gut microbiome is imbalanced, resulting in symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, fatigue, brain fog, joint pain, and skin problems like rashes and eczema. Additionally, they can contribute to nutrient malabsorption and have been associated with systemic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
You can try addressing this problem with supplements, trying ONE at a time for 4-7 days. Consider trying 2000 FUs of Nattokinase twice daily between meals, 500mg of Berberine 2-3 times daily with meals, or Interfase Plus or similar biofilm dissolving enzymes: Take these as directed and away from food. Other helpful supplements include: 600 mg of allicin from garlic, 1-2 drops of oil of oregano in water before meals, 1 tsp. of black cumin seed oil twice daily, 2-3 cups of ginger or green tea daily, 1 tbsp of apple cider vinegar in water before meals, or 1 tsp of colloidal silver 2-3 times daily – but remember to only try one at a time. It’s also recommended to make some dietary adjustments such as reducing sugar and refined carbs, including fermented foods, adding antimicrobial herbs to cooking, consuming kale, and staying well hydrated.
These natural agents not only target harmful bacteria but also support a balanced gut microbiome, which is crucial for preventing further biofilm formation. By integrating these natural treatments into your routine, you can support combating unhealthy gut biofilms and promote overall health.
Let’s move onto the respiratory system.
Another critical area is the respiratory system, where biofilms are implicated in chronic conditions like cystic fibrosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and even acute respiratory infections. In these cases, biofilms can harbor pathogens that resist treatment, leading to persistent infections and exacerbated symptoms. You can try a steam inhalation method by adding 3-5 drops of essential oils such as oregano, thyme, clove, or eucalyptus to hot water and inhaling for 5-10 minutes, 2-3 times per day. Another option to target respiratory biofilms is to try any ONE of these oral supplements (not all of them) such as 600mg of NAC twice daily (this thins mucus), 120,000 SPU of serrapeptase on an empty stomach, 500-1000mg of bromelain, between meals, or 500mg of quercetin twice daily. Saltwater nasal rinses, or a propolis throat spray, and even 1-2 drops of oregano oil as a gargle are helpful options.
For wound biofilms…
Consider trying topical applications of Manuka honey –applied for 15-20 minutes, colloidal silver spray applied 2-3 times daily, tea tree oil diluted in carrier oil (1:4 ratio), or apple cider vinegar diluted wash (1:4 ratio). Supporting treatments may include salt water soaks or clay masks with oregano oil (1-2 drops per tablespoon).
For urinary tract biofilms...
Additionally, biofilms can develop in the urinary tract, often leading to chronic urinary tract infections (UTIs) that are difficult to treat due to their resistance to antibiotics.
When addressing biofilm in UTIs, it's essential to combine multiple natural approaches for the most effective treatment. The core supplementation strategy typically includes D-Mannose (1500-2000mg taken 2-3 times daily), which helps prevent bacterial adhesion to the urinary tract walls, along with biofilm-disrupting enzymes like nattokinase (2000FU twice daily on empty stomach) or NAC (600mg twice daily). These can be complemented with powerful herbal supports including Uva Ursi, berberine, and oil of oregano, which work synergistically to break down biofilm and fight infection. Cranberry extract and probiotics, particularly L. rhamnosus, provide additional support by promoting healthy urinary tract flora and preventing bacterial adhesion.
Hydration also plays a crucial role in treatment, requiring a minimum of 2-3 liters of water daily, ideally starting each morning with warm lemon water. Therapeutic drinks like diluted apple cider vinegar, unsweetened cranberry juice, and green tea can be incorporated throughout the day. Lifestyle measures are equally important, including proper hygiene practices such as wiping front to back, urinating after intimacy, and wearing breathable cotton underwear. Dietary adjustments should focus on reducing sugar and refined carbohydrates while increasing alkaline foods and incorporating fermented foods for probiotic support.
The treatment typically follows two phases: an acute phase lasting 5-7 days where D-Mannose is taken every 2-3 hours along with intensive biofilm disruptors, followed by a maintenance phase of 2-4 weeks with standard dosing. It's important to note some precautions: monitor for die-off reactions, start slowly with biofilm disruptors, and be aware that certain herbs like Uva Ursi should not be used long-term. Professional healthcare guidance should be sought if symptoms worsen, fever develops, or if you're pregnant, nursing, taking medications, or have a history of kidney issues.
For cardiovascular and implant biofilms...
Cardiovascular and implant biofilms are particularly challenging because of their location and potential serious health impacts. Natural interventions can be supportive but should never replace appropriate medical care, especially with implanted devices.
For cardiovascular biofilms, systemic enzyme therapy often forms the foundation of natural treatment. This typically includes: nattokinase serrapeptase, or lumbrokinase. These enzymes help break down fibrin and support healthy blood flow, but because of their serious nature, it’s important to get individual care.
I want to mention two other promising treatments for disrupting biofilms - especially chronic ones…
The first one is hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). By delivering high concentrations of oxygen, HBOT creates an aerobic environment that can significantly impact biofilm bacteria, which often thrive in low-oxygen conditions. This increased oxygen level restores metabolic activity in bacteria within biofilms, making them more susceptible to antibiotics.
Research has shown that HBOT can reduce bacterial load in biofilms, both in laboratory studies and clinical settings. Patients receiving HBOT for chronic wounds have demonstrated shorter healing times and lower bacterial counts compared to those not treated with HBOT. Additionally, the therapy helps reactivate dormant bacteria, enhancing their vulnerability to antimicrobial agents.
The second one is dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), which has been shown to effectively disrupt biofilms, particularly those formed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Research indicates that DMSO concentrations ranging from 0.03% to 25% can significantly inhibit biofilm formation, while lower concentrations (<1%) may enhance the effectiveness of standard antibiotics. However, it's important to note that intermediate concentrations of DMSO (around 6%) can promote biofilm growth, highlighting the need for careful concentration management in therapeutic applications.
DMSO works by altering the permeability of bacterial cell membranes and disrupting the extracellular matrix that protects biofilms. Studies have demonstrated that DMSO can act synergistically with antibiotics, potentially increasing their efficacy against biofilm-related infections.
So, here are some last thoughts…
It's important to note that while these natural substances show promise in laboratory settings, more research is needed to fully understand their efficacy and safety in clinical applications. And keep in mind that using these natural compounds in conjunction with conventional treatments may enhance overall efficacy.
The key is to understand that not all biofilms are bad, and in fact, biofilm formation is often a natural and protective response of the body to safeguard against invading pathogens or environmental threats – that’s the body’s way of self-regulating - a key bioregulatory principle.
The exciting development in biofilm research is its rapid evolution, which provides new insights into their roles in health and disease. Even more promising is the emergence of treatments that utilize the amazing healing properties of natural substances.
In closing, if you are aware of any other natural compounds we may have missed, considering that this is an evolving field, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. We’d love to hear from you! Be well.
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