Turns out they’ve been plenty busy at BioBotanical doing some REALLY interesting work, both in-and-outside the gut. Here are a couple highlights:
• University of Binghamton: Biocidin shown effective at eliminating both single pathogen biofilms and multi-organism biofilms.
• University of Jyväskylä, Finland: Testing Biocidin on North American and European Borrelia burgdorferi species. The tests demonstrate efficacy against all life-cycle stages and biofilm.
Really interesting! Check out her blog below more details.
-Dr KF
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Botanical Strategies in Lyme Disease By Dr. Rachel Fresco
With the increasing incidence of tick-borne diseases, the need for safe, non-toxic, and effective methods for treatment is now more important than ever.
We have known for centuries that plants and herbs have the power to heal, but as clinicians we must be able to recommend products and protocols to our patients that are medically sound ― especially as more and more people seek out integrative and alternative approaches.
When it comes to Lyme disease, there has never been a greater desire for natural solutions. Both patients and practitioners are becoming more educated about treatment options, desiring new and effective ways to battle what can be a devastating illness with complicated co-infections.
Recent research from MyLymeData (a project of LymeDisease.org) presented at the ILADS conference in Boston this year showed that, among “alternative” Lyme disease treatment options, herbal protocols were the most popular.
We now know that biofilms play a critical role in chronic infections, including Lyme. They can not only foster and complicate the presence of co-infections, but they may also create antibiotic resistance that thwarts efforts to eradicate the presence of Lyme pathogens.
In 2013, recognizing the importance of addressing biofilms in chronic infection cases, we set out to assess the biofilm-disrupting ability of Biocidin®, the broad spectrum antimicrobial supplement, via a University of Binghamton research project.
The findings were significant. In all cases, the Biocidin® was able to break down both the biofilms and free-floating pathogens within 24 hours of exposure. This study confirmed what we had believed about the Biocidin® formula since we began to study it in the early 1990’s.
Marques, C. (2013). Preliminary Report on Activity of Biocidin against Multiple Species of Biofilms (Rep.). Binghamton University Biological Sciences Dept.
Over 28 years ago, we at Bio-Botanical Research began developing and using a botanical-based formula called Biocidin® to help patients heal from intestinal dysbiosis and other health challenges relating to pathogenic bacteria, yeast, parasites, and viruses.
In 1988, Great Smokies Diagnostic Laboratories (now called Genova) was sent a sample of Biocidin® by a physician. Great Smokies tested the sample for activity against various pathogens for six years. They found that Biocidin® was “the most powerful inhibitor of pathogenic organisms” that they had tested, and that it was “equal or more effective than traditional therapies.”
As more physicians were referred to the products, soon many practitioners across the country were reporting outstanding clinical results. Other major diagnostic labs and well-known clinicians (including Dr. Richard Horowitz, Dr. Jill Carnahan, Dr. Steven Bock, and of course Dr. Kara Fitzgerald) refer to the Biocidin® combination as one of the best herbal antimicrobial formulas, and often use it in biofilm-related conditions. To date, there are a large number of Lyme-literate doctors that are using Biocidin® and the other support formulas recommended. With positive feedback from patients and physicians, in 2015, our company began to formally engage in Lyme research.
Biocidin® Activity Against Borrelia burgdorferi
In 2015, Dr. Leona Gilbert, Ph.D., began the one-year study at the University of Jyväskylä, Finland, testing Biocidin® on North American and European Borrelia burgdorferi species. The tests included all life-cycle stages of Borrelia including Spirochetes, Round Bodies, Blebs, and Biofilms.
In this in-vitro study, the MIC (minimal inhibitory concentration), MBC, (minimum bactericidal concentration), Death Curve, Efflux Assay and Checkerboard Method to assay potential antibiotic synergy were all examined.
The results of the study were very exciting: it determined that all strains and life-cycle stages of Borrelia burgdorferi were eliminated, as well as biofilms, with the use of Biocidin®. And more good news ― the spirochetes did not morph into a persister form on exposure, which can happen as a threat response to antibiotic or other herbal preparations.
Intracellular uptake was also tested on both forms of Biocidin® (liquid and liposomal formulas) with intracellular uptake at a 4-times higher rate than the control using the Biocidin LSF® (liposomal delivery formula).
Also, the antibiotic resistance due to the efflux pump mechanism was also greatly reduced, which suggests there is a potential for botanical synergy with antibiotics. In fact, one antibiotic, Ceftriaxone, was shown to be effective at a lower dosage when combined with Biocidin®.
In general, the liposomal version of Biocidin® is favored for Lyme support as it has better intracellular penetration. It also has more of an affinity for neurological tissues, as the fatty lipid coating helps deliver the herbs to harder-to-reach areas of the nervous system. Besides use of Biocidin LSF®, the Olivirex® olive leaf combination is often recommended as additional nutritional support in cases of viral, Gram-negative bacterial, or archaebacterial coinfection.
Binding and removing the toxic by-products of biofilms is also key to having fewer Herxheimer-type reactions, so the use of G.I. Detox™ with pyrophyllite clay and activated charcoal is also part of the recommended support. These three formulas are the staple of the Lyme protocol.
Next Phase: Clinical Trials
This research does show great promise for the Biocidin® formulas, and now the next phase is putting them into clinical trials. We are hopeful that the new generation of high sensitivity tests, such as Tickplex from Tezted Labs, will help clinicians follow before and after usage more easily and at a lower cost.
If you’re interested in learning more about Biocidin®, or our research, you can visit www.biocidin.com. We also encourage qualified healthcare practitioners to take advantage of our complimentary 1-on-1 clinical applications online training available through www.biocidin.setmore.com.
**Please note that www.drkarafitzgerald.com supports the peer-reviewed publication of all research moving the FxMed paradigm forward. Thus, it is important that we inform you that the studies referenced in this blog have entered or are entering into the peer reviewed pipeline, but not yet published. We will keep you posted on their journey to publication.
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Dr. Rachel Fresco, L. Ac., Ph. D. is founder and President of Bio-Botanical Research. Dr. Fresco has been working for the past 30 years to create botanical formulas that are used as nutritional support by health professionals in challenging clinical presentations. Her focus has been on concerns relating to infection, and the digestive and immune systems. University-based research on her formulas includes studies on Lyme disease, biofilms and immune response. Informal clinical trials using the formulas are ongoing, examining activity against SIBO, H. Pylori, Dental Infections and Candida. Many noted authors, physicians and laboratories recommend the broad-spectrum formulations such as the Biocidin®, Olivirex®, and GI Detox® she developed along with her team of scientists and formulators.
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I am eternally grateful to our sponsors who, by blogging, podcasting and advertising with us, enable me and my team to devote energy and time to writing and publication. All the companies who sponsor us are companies that I trust for myself and my patients and use regularly in my clinical practice. Please check out their websites! – Dr. KF