Thread by @organichemusic

SERRAPEPTASE, LACTOFERRIN, & THE POWER OF BIOFILM BUSTERS?⚔️🦠🤺

My surveys suggest serrapeptase added to NK or LK may improve #longcovid symptoms moreso than LK or NK alone.

Why?

One important factor may involve biofilm degradation.🧵
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/P…

Per NIH, 65% & 80% of all microbial and chronic infections, respectively, are associated with biofilms. Biofilms are microorganisms surrounded & protected by an external matrix. They help microbes hide out & evade the immune system. frontiersin.org/articles/10.33…

There’s also no denying that SARS-CoV-2 reactivates latent infections like EBV, HHV-6, CMV, et al. This “great awakening” could be another source of #LongCovid symptoms.

Biofilms are not limited to bacteria but can also be utilized by viruses. Some viruses can come into contact w/ pre-existing biofilms & colonize. Prelim evidence even suggests that SARS-CoV-2 virions may aggregate together into biofilm-like complexes!
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24184317/

This preprint examined microscopic images of coronaviruses and found “clues pointing towards the occurrence of (possibly transient) SARS-Cov-2 aggregates, in which virions tend to be amassed in multiparticular complexes…that resemble bacterial biofilms.” preprints.org/manuscript/202…

Authors found that when SARS-CoV-2 particles stuck together, this induced a 3D conformational change that facilitated much tighter packing and ability to fit more virions into a given space.

Serrapeptase is an intriguing proteolytic enzyme w/ a diverse range of activity including improved microcirculation, anti-inflammatory effects & biofilm degradation. Multiple studies suggest SP supplementation improves antibiotic efficacy. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3525882/

This 👆🏼human trial found that SP significantly increased antibiotic concentration in desired tissues when compared to antibiotic monotherapy. Authors concluded, “the combined use of [antibiotic] & serrapeptase should stimulate permeation of the antibiotic into tissues"

Similarly, lactoferrin has also demonstrated the ability to improve antibiotic efficacy via anti-biofilm activity. In this study, lactoferrin also enhanced the dispersion of matured biofilms!
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34454095/

Among other things, lactoferrin may also:
1) leach iron--an essential nutrient for microbes--from biofilms
2) enhance natural kill cell cytotoxicity, which has been shown to be impaired in both ME/CFS & Covid.
frontiersin.org/articles/10.33…

It's possible SARS-CoV-2 could be persisting in its own biofilm-like clumps, colonizing pre-existing biofilms, or activating latent infections.

Degrading these biofilms could release bad microbes from hiding so they are more vulnerable to attack, binding & removal.

Serrapeptase Dosing:
Human studies range from 20,000 SPU to 120,000 SPU total daily dose, with smaller doses at more frequent intervals preferred (i.e., 40,000 SPU three times daily on empty stomach). Enteric coating may improve efficacy.

Lactoferrin Dosing:
100-1000 mg typical range; up to 4.5 g w/ no apparent toxicity
32 mg 6 times daily of a special liposomal formulation + zinc showed efficacy in one small Covid study.
Jarrow Formulas 250 mg QD on empty stomach may be good starting dose.
ijrhs.org/article/2020/8…

NOTE:
With biofilm or amyloid clot breakdown may come a release of pro-inflammatory fragments or toxins ➡️ adverse effects ("Herxheimer"-like reaction). Concurrent supplementation w/ monolaurin, baicalin, EGCG, et al may help vanquish harmful debris & lesson side effects.

Binders like activated charcoal, bentonite, & chlorella may help detoxify further. An added benefit is heavy metal binding & removal--especially important when taking multiple supplements. Binders must be taken mindfully--separated from meds/food--and warrant their own thread.

TL;DR
1) Biofilms may play a role in Long Covid or post-viral ME.
2) Anti-biofilm supplements like serrapeptase and lactoferrin may help release microbes/toxins from hiding.
3) This release may facilitate ⬆️ efficacy of other supplements.
4) Side effects/"herxing" possible

This RCT evaluated the efficacy of two supplements in #LongCovid.
1) ImmunoSEB: enteric-coated serrapep, lactoferrin, bromelain, amylase, lysozyme, peptidase, catalase, papain, glucoamylase
2) ProbioSEB: Bacillus coagulans/subtilis/clausii ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/P…

n=200 (100/100)
14-day trial
ImmunoSEB/placebo 2 caps BID daily, empty stomach
2 capsules ProbioSEB/placebo QD w/ lunch
Unfortunately authors used Chalder Fatigue Scale which is prone to skewing results.

Authors concluded the supplements "significantly reduces the burden of both physical & mental fatigue [in early covid recovery]...many of whom continue to experience severe fatigue including muscle weakness and “brain fog” several months after initial infection."

While I am not impressed w Chalder scale, I do think the active ingredients in ImmunoSEB make sense. Note the ImmunoSEB included not only serrapeptase & lactoferrin but also bromelain, which shows anticoagulant, antiplatelet & immunomodulatory effects. ✅

The pair of supplements studied in the👆🏼RCT is available for purchase. While I don't typically start off with combo supplements--I prefer building monotherapies one-by-one to see how each affects me alone first--this looking intriguing.
(No affiliation)
amazon.com/ImmunoSEB-caps…

The trial serves as a reminder that when supplementing aggressively with proteolytic enzymes, biofilm busters +/- binders, probiotics are warranted to encourage & retain a healthy microbiome.