What are Mycotoxins?
Under natural conditions, mold is a normal part of our environment. Mold and fungus help breakdown organic matter and play a large role in biodiversity. The problem arises when mold overgrows and/or pathogenic species produce mycotoxins.
Mycotoxins are the toxins given off by mold and fungal species as a self-defense mechanism. Mycotoxins are one of the most toxic substances on the planet. Mycotoxins, such as T-2, have been used as biological warfare agents along with Agent Orange in the Vietnam War. The following article details the health effects of mycotoxins and possible sources of exposure.
How Do Mycotoxins Affect Our Health?
Mycotoxins have systemic (widespread) affects on the human body. Here are some of the affects of chronic mycotoxin exposure:
- Increased Oxidative Stress: Mycotoxins increase free radicals in the body, which can damage organs and cells.
- Endocrine Disruptor: Certain mycotoxins act as xenoestrogens, which means they bind to estrogen receptors in the body and disrupt the normal hormonal state of the body.
- Toxic to Various Organs: Mycotoxins damage the membranes of cells and can displace the fats that make up the lining of our cells. Mycotoxins are classified as neurotoxins, which mean they are toxic to our nervous system. Specifically, mycotoxins can lead to damage of all organs in the body, including liver, kidneys, pancreas, GI tract, reproductive, thyroid, adrenals, and brain.
- Immunosuppression and Autoimmune Conditions: Mycotoxins alter many aspects of the immune system by suppressing the function of immune cells. Chronic exposure to mycotoxins can lead to autoimmune diseases, especially those of the GI tract, nervous system, blood, and liver.
- Cancer: Chronic exposure to specific mycotoxins can lead to genetic mutations and cancer by altering genetic expression.
- Birth Defects and Miscarriage: Developing fetuses exposed to certain mycotoxins in-utero can lead to various birth defects, including but not limited to microcephaly and spina bifida. In certain cases, mycotoxins can be a factor in miscarriages.
Symptoms of Mold Toxicity:
Every person, based on their genetics and unique detoxification pathways, process mycotoxins differently. Some people have the capacity to process mycotoxins better than others. That is why some people living in a moldy environment will present with symptoms, while others will not.
Every person builds up toxins in their body over the course of their lifetime, based on previous and current exposures. When the amount of toxins in the body exceeds what the body can handle, adverse symptoms arise. This is known as the Rain Barrel Effect. Think of the total amount of stressors, infections, and toxins in the body as the water in a rain barrel. As more and more stressors, infections, and toxins are added to the rain barrel, it fills and fills. If the rain barrel is not being effectively drained, the rain barrel overflows. When the rain barrel overflows, chronic symptoms set in.
Chronic mycotoxin exposure is just one of the many things that adds to our total toxic load in our bodies.
Possible symptoms of mold toxicity include:
- Chronic allergies
- Asthma
- Shortness of breath
- Chronic cough
- Chronic sinus issues
- Post nasal drip
- Skin rash
- Brain fog / memory loss
- Headaches / migraines
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Fatigue
- Insomnia
- Muscle weakness
- Muscle / joint pain
- Numbness / tingling / electric shock pain
- Dizziness / lightheadedness
- POTs / Dysautonomia
- Tremors
- Seizures
- Excessive sweating / night sweats
- Swelling
- GI conditions - constipation, abdominal pain
- Abnormal menses
- Decreased libido
- Liver conditions
- Kidney disease
- Frequent urination / Interstitial Cystitis
- Chest pain / palpitations
- Food sensitivities
- Chemical sensitivity
- Weight gain / inability to lose weight
- Increased appetite
*Note: Mold toxicity is commonly associated with chronic infections (including chronic Lyme disease), heavy metals, and the buildup of environmental toxins in the body. It is important to address all of the underlying hinderances to one’s health when addressing mold toxicity.
Why Is Mold More Prevalent In Today’s World?
Modern day living has come with many benefits; however, the use of herbicides and pesticides (including RoundUp) has altered the delicate microbiome of our soil. Researchers have found the application of herbicides and pesticides to decrease the amount of beneficial bacteria and fungal species in the soil, and has allowed the overgrowth of certain fungal species around plant root systems.
Another factor that is largely contributing to the spread of mold is man-made electromagnetic fields (EMFs), including wifi and 5G. Man-made electromagnetic fields expedite the growth of mold and also increase the amount of mycotoxins mold gives off. You can read more about EMFs here.
Sources of Mycotoxins:
- Ingestion through moldy food: Depending on how food is processed, certain food groups are more likely to be contaminated with mold. Common mycotoxins in our food supply include, aflatoxin B1, citrinin, fumonisin B1, gliotoxin, ochratoxin, patin, slaframine, trichothecenes, and zearalenone. The following is a list of foods commonly contaminated with mycotoxins:
- Grains (e.g. bread, rice, oats, corn, flour, other whole grains, etc.): commonly contaminated with aflatoxin B1, fumonisin B1, slaframine, and zearalenone
- Coffee
- Some nuts and seeds (e.g. cashews, macadamia nuts)
- Peanuts: commonly contaminated with aflatoxin B1
- Aged cheese
- Meat: contaminated by eating moldy feed
- Potatoes
- Onions
- Garlic
- Mushrooms
- Inhalation of mold spores or mycotoxins from the environment (e.g. home, workplace, school, etc.)
- Absorption through the skin
- Fungal infections: fungal infections inside the body or on the skin produces mycotoxins and can impact the function of other organs, while producing additional symptoms.
- Cardboard and paper products
- Everyday household items: recycling of moldy paper products has caused mycotoxins to be found in low concentrations in newly produced everyday household items. Please note that only very sensitive individuals react to this level of mycotoxin exposure.
If you would like to have your home, workplace, or school tested for mold, please contact our office at office@restorativemedicine.clinic for more information.
Healing from Mycotoxin and Mold Related Illness:
Dr. Miranda Hill has extensive clinical and personal experience working with mold-related illness. Healing from chronic mycotoxin exposure can be a daunting process. Dr. Miranda has identified unique therapies based on the specific mycotoxins identified.
Schedule an appointment here with Dr. Miranda for mycotoxin assessment and treatment.
