Dr. Trevor Miller and Jessica Miller, RN work on foundational health. Their expertise cover a wide birth of topics giving them the unique ability to recoginze unuasual patterns. This allows them to be able to pick out issues that others have missed or that previous treatments have uncovered.
Biofilms, like all living things, want to survive and prosper. So, as with all life, survival mechanisms have developed in these microorganisms to allow them to pass on their genetic material to the next generation. In the body, a biofilm is a community of microorganisms (like bacteria, fungi, and sometimes viruses) that adhere to surfaces within the body, such as tissues, mucous membranes, or medical implants. These microorganisms produce a sticky, protective layer known as the extracellular matrix, which helps them to stick together and resist attack by the immune system and antibiotics. Biofilms in the body can contribute to various chronic infections, inflammation, and other health issues, making them a significant challenge in both diagnosis and treatment.
Here are a couple of videos, the first one talks about the discovery of the concepts of biofilms and the second one is my lecture in Houston teaching doctors about biofilms:
Health impacts of biofilms in the body
Biofilms in the body are problematic because they:
Resist Antibiotics and Immune Responses: The biofilm’s matrix creates a barrier that makes it difficult for immune cells and antibiotics to penetrate, often leading to chronic, hard-to-treat infections. The biofilm’s covering is positively charged, and most medications are positively charged. In magnetism, we know that a positive pole and a positive pole repel; it is the opposites that attack.
Cause Persistent Inflammation: The immune system may continue to attack biofilms, leading to chronic inflammation and tissue damage. This keeps the immune system to be constantly engaged, which costs the body a lot of energy, leading to fatigue.
Contribute to Antibiotic Resistance: Within biofilms, bacteria can exchange genetic material, which sometimes includes genes for antibiotic resistance.
Symptoms associated with biofilms
1. Chronic and recurrent infections
Persistent infections that are difficult to treat, often with periods of apparent improvement followed by recurrence. An example of this is getting sick, taking antibiotics and getting better and then getting sick again 3-5 days later.
Commonly affected areas include the urinary tract, sinuses, lungs (especially in cystic fibrosis), and wounds.
2. Fatigue and malaise
3. Gastrointestinal issues
When biofilms are present in the gut, symptoms can include bloating, gas, diarrhea, constipation, leaky gut, and food intolerances.
4. Joint and muscle pain
Biofilms can lead to inflammatory responses, causing pain in joints and muscles, which may be mistaken for autoimmune conditions or arthritis.
5. Fever and chills
In cases where the immune system is fighting the infection, low-grade fevers and chills may be present, especially if there is a high bacterial load.
6. Brain fog and cognitive impairment
People with biofilm-associated infections sometimes report difficulty concentrating, memory problems, and a general sense of mental cloudiness.
7. Slow healing wounds
Biofilms in wounds can delay healing, leading to chronic sores that don’t seem to improve despite treatment.
Because biofilms protect bacteria from antibiotics, infections are often more resistant to typical treatments and may require alternative therapies, such as enzymes that disrupt the biofilm matrix.
These symptoms may not be unique to biofilms but are often persistent, recurrent, and resist conventional treatments, suggesting biofilm involvement.
What leads to biofilm formation in the body?
1. High-sugar and high-processed-carbohydrate diet
Diets high in sugar and refined carbs can feed pathogenic bacteria in the mouth and gut, promoting biofilm formation. In the mouth, sugar is a primary driver of dental plaque, a type of biofilm that can lead to cavities and gum disease.
In the gut, sugar can disrupt the balance of the microbiome, supporting biofilm-forming pathogens over beneficial bacteria.
Sound familiar? It is the standard American diet, no wonder we rank last in health among the advanced nations
2. Poor oral hygiene
Inadequate oral hygiene, such as infrequent brushing and flossing, allows biofilms (like plaque) to accumulate on teeth and gums, leading to dental issues and potentially contributing to systemic infections if bacteria enter the bloodstream.
Your mother was right, “Brush your teeth!”
3. Sedentary lifestyle
Lack of physical activity can weaken immune function, making the body less effective at fighting off infections, including those caused by biofilms. Exercise is known to support immune health, which is crucial for defending against biofilm-related infections.
The lack of movement in America is staggering. I was just listening to Dr. Peter Attia, M.D. discuss the longevity markers, guess what is way up there? VO2 max, which is almost completely under our control.
4. Poor sleep quality
Chronic sleep deprivation weakens immune function, making it harder for the body to clear pathogens before they can establish biofilms. Inadequate sleep can also increase inflammation, which can worsen biofilm-related conditions.
Sleep affects insulin sensitivity therefore insulin resistance, cognition, hormonal levels and healing just to mention a few things.
5. Chronic stress
Stress increases the release of cortisol and other stress hormones, which can weaken the immune system and disrupt the microbiome. When the immune system is compromised, pathogenic bacteria and fungi have a better chance of forming biofilms and creating chronic infections.
Chronic stress puts the body in a state of constant fight or flight. This doesn’t allow the body to rest and repair because it is always ready for something bad to happen.
6. Frequent or inappropriate antibiotic use
Repeated or unnecessary antibiotic use can disrupt the balance of healthy bacteria in the body, especially in the gut and on the skin. This imbalance can allow pathogenic bacteria and fungi to grow unchecked and form biofilms. Antibiotics can also induce biofilm formation in certain bacterial species as a survival mechanism.
Please use your antibiotics as prescribed and afterwards help repair your microbiome.
7. Excessive Alcohol Consumption
Alcohol can disrupt the gut microbiome, creating an environment where harmful bacteria can thrive and form biofilms. Additionally, alcohol weakens the immune system, making it harder for the body to fight off biofilm-forming pathogens.
There really isn’t anything redeeming about alcohol or soda. I put those two in the same category because High Fructose Corn Syrup goes through the liver just like alcohol. Here is the biochemistry of that: Sugar the Bitter Truth
8. Smoking
Smoking harms the immune system, damages mucosal linings, and disrupts respiratory tract cells, which makes it easier for bacteria to form biofilms in the lungs and airways. Chronic smokers are more prone to respiratory infections, partly due to the formation of resilient biofilms.
Do we really need to say any more about smoking?
9. Dehydration
Not drinking enough water can reduce mucus production and slow down the removal of pathogens from body surfaces (like in the respiratory tract). Adequate hydration helps keep body tissues lubricated, which aids in the clearance of bacteria and may prevent them from adhering and forming biofilms.
Drink half your body weight in ounces in Reverse Osmosis Water (a good counter top model that won’t break the bank is Aqua Tru) per day. Add some electrolytes to some of the water. The electrolytes that we use are LMNT, just add these to 30 oz of water and you are good to go.
10. Poor wound care and hygiene
Poor wound hygiene can create a perfect environment for biofilm formation. Biofilms are more likely to develop in open wounds that are not cleaned or dressed properly, leading to chronic infections, especially in individuals with compromised immune systems.
Keep your wounds clean and sterile, especially if diabetes is involved
11. Frequent use of medical devices
For people who use devices like catheters or have implants, poor maintenance of these devices can lead to biofilm development. Following appropriate cleaning procedures and ensuring regular medical check-ups for device maintenance can help minimize biofilm risks.
12. Lack of fiber and probiotic-rich foods
A diet low in fiber and probiotics can negatively affect gut health, weakening the beneficial bacteria that compete with pathogenic bacteria. Low fiber can also slow digestion, creating stagnant conditions in the gut where biofilm-forming bacteria may thrive.
Dr. Terry Wahls,M.D. opened my eyes to the power of fiber early in my career. Since my initial exposure to her work, the microbiome has come of age and now we know we have to have both soluble and insoluble fiber to feed the bacteria in our gut. Those bacteria form our short chain fatty acids, help in hormonal production as well as neurotransmitters.
13. Frequent exposure to contaminated surfaces or water sources
Spending time in environments with high bacteria levels, like contaminated pools, spas, or gym equipment that isn't properly sanitized, can increase exposure to biofilm-forming bacteria. Practicing good hygiene and avoiding contaminated sources reduces this risk.
This is why we say using reverse osmosis water is best. Start with clean water and then add back in the goodness that was taken out.
By improving these lifestyle factors—eating a balanced diet, maintaining hydration, exercising, getting adequate sleep, reducing stress, and practicing proper hygiene—you can help your body resist biofilm formation and support a healthier microbiome.
If you suspect that you have a biofilm or are curious if you have one, the best test is a stool test that looks for biofilm forming bacteria. Once identified a treatment plan to treat the biofilms can be created to help you live your best life. If you are interested in working with a certified functional medicine provider, like myself, you can find a local certified functional medicine provider at The Institute for Functional Medicine. We are here to help you heal from the inside out
Read more from Dr. Trevor Miller and Jessica Miller, RN
Dr. Trevor Miller and Jessica Miller, RN, Integrated Health of Indiana
Dr Miller and Nurse Jessica have dedicated their professional lives to helping people live their best lives. Concentrating on healing from the inside out, they use a program to comprehensively address problems with hormones, foundational gut health, the micrbiome and mitochondrial health. Realizing that these are all tied together and addressing them as a whole leads to happier and healthier pateints.
