NAC Reduces Biofilm Formation

Germ gangs, otherwise known as biofilms, indicate that a “call to war” is linking bacteria together in a hostile mode that attacks the human host.  A new study shows that NAC (N-acetyl-cysteine)¹ can reduce biofilm formation by 62% - a rather astounding finding for a nutrient.

The researchers tested NAC against a wide variety of problematic bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli, Klebseilla pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Proteus vulgaris.  Once these organisms form biofilms they are often resistance to antibiotics and very difficult to get rid of.  Too bad NAC wasn’t tested against Candida albicans biofilms, as I bet it works on them too.

The precise mechanism of how NAC works its anti-biofilm magic is unknown.  NAC is an important antioxidant that fuels the production of cellular glutathione.  NAC is known to dissolve mucous and is an excellent respiratory support nutrient.  Low levels of NAC reduce the functionality of immune troops that patrol mucosal surfaces.  However, to dissolve a biofilm there must be a direct communication into the germ gang that fools its defense shield.  Right now we don’t know how it works – we just know it works.