Mold Toxicity

When you hear the word mold, do you think of the leftovers in the back of your fridge? Maybe the consequences from a flooded basement? All of us come into contact with mold regularly, whether it is in our homes, schools, workplaces or consumed in cereal, beer, wine, coffee, chocolate, dried fruit or even peanut butter! Mold is a type of fungus that thrives in damp environments, and loves living in sheetrock, fiberboard, and gypsum board- all things that are currently used to construct houses and buildings, and may cause mold toxicity.

Research shows 50% of residential and work environments have water damage, so it’s no surprise that mold and mold toxicity is a growing problem. According to the World Health Organization, the primary indicators for mold in an environment- besides seeing or smelling it- is condensation on surfaces, water damage (especially leaky plumbing, basement flooding, and exterior leaks) and poor ventilation. Many people are allergic to mold, but you don’t have to have an allergy to experience symptoms of mold toxicity.

Because spores are airborne, initial symptoms are upper respiratory:

• sneezing
• itchy, red and watery eyes
• runny and stuffy nose
• Sinus congestion/sinus headache
• wheezing
• sore throat
• tightness in the chest (lungs are affected)
• general irritation of the ears, nose and throat.

As mycotoxins begin to replicate and go deeper, other symptoms can ensue:

• Abdominal discomfort
• Changes in bowel movement
• Skin rashes
• Changes in vision or eye strain
• Hypersensitivity to your environment (lights, sounds, textures)
• Hormone imbalance
• Chronic headache

For people with asthma, eczema, and chronic respiratory infections, mold can trigger these conditions or make them worse. In 25% of the population who have trouble clearing biotoxins, it can cause toxicity with both physical and psychological effects. Given the wide range of symptoms and underdiagnosis in the medical community, the number of people who unknowingly suffer from mold toxicity is substantial.

For those with mold sensitivity, any kind- not just black mold- can trigger symptoms and be potentially debilitating. In the 75% of people who do not have a mold sensitivity, large quantities of mold or the presence of black mold (Stachybotrys chartarum/ S. chartarum/ Stachybotrys atra.) will still cause illness. Mold can produce toxic substances called mycotoxins, which are secondary metabolites that can trigger pro-inflammatory cytokines, as well as microbial growth.

This releases spores, endotoxins, β-glucans and volatile organic compounds that once breathed in, travel from the respiratory passages to the rest of the body and induce inflammation. This creates an immune dysregulation that drives symptoms by triggering neural cytokine release.  There are significant changes that can be seen in MRIs, showing volumetric abnormalities in the brain and in increased inflammatory markers in lab tests. In fact, neurologists could not differentiate between people with repeated exposure to moldy buildings and people with mild to moderate traumatic brain injury! Yikes!

When exposed to molds and mycotoxins, people can develop symptoms affecting multiple organs, including the lungs, musculoskeletal system, as well as the central and peripheral nervous systems. If you have certain conditions such as immune disorders, chronic inflammatory issues or other fungal infections, mold that would be otherwise harmless to you can become destructive. In lab studies, both nontoxic and toxic spores caused immune activation, with toxic spores producing stronger effects.

The most important thing is to find and remove mold from your body and your environment. At Meeting Point Health, we can help with such treatments as IV therapy, nebulizer treatments, prescription and herbal medicines, nasal sprays and infrared saunas. If you think you are experiencing mold toxicity, there are tests that Meeting Point Health can order for you which will not only tell you if you have this condition, but also what types you are being exposed to. We will develop a personalized plan to help you detoxify your body and strengthen your immune system. Recovering from mold toxicity is possible, and we’re here to help! 

Here’s a brief summary of symptoms and treatments if you are just starting your healing journey:

Physical symptoms of Mold Toxicity:

• Asthma
• Bronchitis
• Congestion
• Coughing
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Gut issues
• Headache
• Hormonal changes
• Joint pain
• Muscle pain
• Numbness, zipping or tingling sensations
• Poor concentration
• Rashes like hives, eczema, etc…
• Restless leg syndrome
• Ringing in the ears
• Sleeping problems
• Frequent urination
• Vision problems
• Weight gain/ loss
• Wheezing
• Chest tightness

Psychological symptoms of Mold Toxicity:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Brain Fog
• Attention problems
• Poor memory
• Insomnia

Ways to support your body:

• Binders such as charcoal, bentonite clay, silica, humic and dulcimer acids, chlorella
• Dehumidifier in spaces with no venting
• Infrared Sauna therapy
• Nebulizer treatments with Quinton
• Ozone therapy
• Parasite cleansing
• Spending time outdoors – at least one hour of sunlight daily
• Vagus nerve stimulation
• Low glutamate diet or Anticandidal Diet

Ways to support your environment:

• Abatement- finding and removing all mold
• Cleaning with vinegar, essential oils, and a hepa air vacuum
• Washing laundry with E3C, a spore cleaner
• Controlling moisture, add proper ventilation
• HEPA Air Purifier, especially at your bedside!

References

EPA. (n.d.). A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home. EPA. Retrieved August 7, 2022, from https://www.epa.gov/mold/brief-guide-mold-moisture-and-your-home#:~:text=Molds%20reproduce%20by%20means%20of,grow%20without%20water%20or%20moisture.

Harding, C. F., Pytte, C. L., Page, K. G., Ryberg, K. J., Normand, E., Remigio, G. J., DeStefano, R. A., Morris, D. B., Voronina, J., Lopez, A., Stalbow, L. A., Williams, E. P., & Abreu, N. (2020). Mold inhalation causes innate immune activation, neural, cognitive and emotional dysfunction. Brain, behavior, and immunity, 87, 218–228. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbi.2019.11.006

Ladd, T. B., Johnson, J. A., Jr, Mumaw, C. L., Greve, H. J., Xuei, X., Simpson, E., Barnes, M. A., Green, B. J., Croston, T. L., Ahmed, C., Lemons, A., Beezhold, D. H., & Block, M. L. (2021). Aspergillus versicolor Inhalation Triggers Neuroimmune, Glial, and Neuropeptide Transcriptional Changes. ASN neuro, 13, 17590914211019886. https://doi.org/10.1177/17590914211019886

Pizzorno J. (2016). Is Mold Toxicity Really a Problem for Our Patients? Part I-Respiratory Conditions. Integrative medicine (Encinitas, Calif.), 15(2), 6–10.

Pizzorno, J., & Shippy, A. (2016). Is Mold Toxicity Really a Problem for Our Patients? Part 2-Nonrespiratory Conditions. Integrative medicine (Encinitas, Calif.), 15(3), 8–14.

Ratnaseelan, A. M., Tsilioni, I., & Theoharides, T. C. (2018). Effects of Mycotoxins on Neuropsychiatric Symptoms and Immune Processes. Clinical therapeutics, 40(6), 903–917. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinthera.2018.05.004

Shoemaker, R. C., House, D., & Ryan, J. C. (2014). Structural brain abnormalities in patients with inflammatory illness acquired following exposure to water-damaged buildings: a volumetric MRI study using NeuroQuant®. Neurotoxicology and teratology, 45, 18–26. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ntt.2014.06.004