Molds And Mycotoxins

Definition: Molds are very common in buildings and homes. Mold will grow in places with a lot of moisture, such as around leaks in roofs, windows, or pipes, or where there has been flooding. Mold grows well on paper products, cardboard, ceiling tiles, and wood products. Mold can also grow in food, dust, paints, wallpaper, insulation, drywall, carpet, fabric, and upholstery. The most common indoor molds are Cladosporium, Penicillium, and Aspergillus.

The most common and problematic toxin-producing molds are the black mold Stachybotrys, Aspergillus, Penicillium, Fusarium, Chaetomium, Alternaria, and Wallemia. These trigger the Cell Danger Response (CDR), which causes the immune overdrive.

Other facts about molds

  • Mod exposure can trigger an allergic reaction but also a toxic reaction from the mycotoxins they produce. Some Individuals will have allergy-based symptoms due to immune sensitivity, and others will have symptoms that are due to inflammation triggered by mycotoxins.
  • Fungal metabolites (mycotoxins) that pose a health hazard to humans and animals have long been known to be associated with mold-contaminated food and feed.
  • The principal mycotoxins that contaminate food and feed are aflatoxins, fumonisins, ochratoxin A, deoxynivalenol, and zearalenone.
  • Remember that most molds are not visible to the human eye.
  • We will always be exposed to some form of mold.

Types Of Mycotoxins

Aflatoxin

Gliotoxin

Citrinin

Ergot alkaloids

Fumonisins

Ochratoxin A

Patulin

Trichothecenes

Zearalenone

Symptoms

  • Mood changes (e.g. new onset anxiety/depression)
  • Neurological issues (e.g. neuropathy, migraines, pain)
  • Digestive issues (e.g. reacting to many foods, abdominal pain)
  • When someone has numerous symptoms that are not improving, often with tests that show no abnormalities, it is important to consider mycotoxins as a potential contributor.

Diagnosis:

  • Symptoms and history that align with mycotoxin-induced illness (at least one of these has to be cognitive or neurological in nature) and/or
  • Test results that show excretion of mycotoxins (especially if these are the same mycotoxins found in an environmental-based test).

Treatment:

  • initial phase treatment should be focused on addressing the indoor environment, including:
  • Address the environment first (with evaluation, remediation, moving, change jobs if mold is in the workplace, etc). 
  • Use an IEP to assess the building (and interpret building test results!)
  • ERMI test is the best way to self test for mold in the house
  • Contained remediation is key, and is best done by someone that is certified to do so safely.
  • Keep indoor humidity below 50%.  
  • Use a good quality air filter after remediation (indoor air is often dirtier than outdoor air, thanks to all the materials our personal belongings are made of!).
  • Do HVAC system maintenance and always hit “drain” in an “eco-friendly” dishwasher!

 

  • Second Phase Treatment:
  • Consume a low-mold diet and high-antioxidant foods.  
  • Avoid mold containing foods e.g. anything stored in large containers such as peanuts, grains, cereals, spices, coffee, alcohol; apples,  Mushrooms; Vinegar and foods containing vinegar; Sour cream, sour milk, and buttermilk Bread and other food made with yeast, Jarred jams, and jellies, Aged/cured/pickled foods, Dried fruits, Canned juices and Leftovers that are more than 3 or 4 days old.  Add these back in slowly when ready.
  • Consume plants that have antioxidant content (i.e. plants that are colorful from the skin to the middle), until your symptoms improve.
  •  Use a high quality air filter (such as IQ Air or Enviroklenz) in areas where you spend the most time.

Final phase Treatment

This treatment phase combines medications and supplements to treat and eliminate the mycotoxins

 

To schedule an appointment please contact us

Carolina Integrative Clinic

254 Towne Village Dr, Cary, NC 27513, United States

Email: office@ciclinic.com

Tel: (919) 869-6661

Fax: (919) 301-9349