The other day, someone said to me, “Mold is the new Lyme.” While I don’t fully agree, it certainly gave me a little chuckle. I feel it’s important as a clinician to avoid having “mold goggles” on, but it’s also a very powerful factor that should always be considered or investigated when someone is experiencing unusual mast cell reactivity and/or dysautonomia. This post is part of a 3-part series on mold. Part two will cover testing (of buildings and human) and part 3 will cover considerations for building remediation. So, let’s dive right in!
Quick Facts on Mold:
- About 25% of the population are genetically unable to make antibodies to mold toxins, so the immune system is unable to tag and remove the toxins and they become “stuck” in the body, leading to chronic illness. This is why several people can be in the same workplace or home environment and not have symptoms. Some experts believe that even without a genetic variant, toxins produced by mold can be harmful, particularly in those who have other genetic single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs).
- Hundreds of mycotoxins exist. Harmful toxins are produced by microbes, with the most common offenders coming from molds such as Stachybotrys, Penicillium, Aspergillus, Fusarium, Chaetomium, Alternaria, and Wallemia. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are also released by molds.
- Mold is toxic to the kidneys, liver, skin, nervous system, lungs, sinuses, musculoskeletal system, immune system, and hematological system. Mycotoxins create genetic/DNA damage and are carcinogenic and estrogenic.
- In the gut, mycotoxins induce oxidative stress, reduce glutathione which plays a major role in detoxification, disrupt the function of enteric neurons, cause intestinal cell death, alter the intestinal epithelial barrier and gut microbiota, increase localized gut inflammation, alter protein and energy synthesis, and influence malabsorption.
- Common symptoms of mold illness include: fatigue, muscle weakness, headaches, severe anxiety and depression, brain fog, dizziness, weight gain, chest tightness and pain, numbness and tingling, insomnia, visual abnormalities, menorrhagia, body temperature dysregulation, mood swings, night sweats, nose bleeds, frequent urination, excessive thirst, sensitivity to light/touch/noise, a metallic taste in the mouth, asthma, skin rashes, sinus issues, and gastrointestinal problems. Some patients experience seizure-like events or strange tics or spasms. Some patients present with fractures that won’t heal or joint and muscle pain.
- Hallmark symptoms connected to mold can include the tendency to have frequent electric shocks, vibrating or pulsing sensations in the spine, and ice pick-like pains, though not all patients experience these symptoms. Brain fog is considered the number one symptom by most experts.
- Research has connected serious neurological conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, autism spectrum disorders and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) to mycotoxins. Mycotoxins can make many underlying problems worse in terms of whole-body inflammation.
- Inhaled spores are the most frequent way by which mold toxins enter the body. Mold can also be ingested. Peanuts and coffee are commonly contaminated with mold, and it can be present in other foods such as aged cheese, corn and grains, dried fruits, alcoholic beverages, cashews, dates, figs, and meat/animal products. Patulin is a type of mold toxin that can pose a major health risk when ingested from apple juice.
- Soy, oats, wheat, maize, barley, and certain types of grass are at higher risk. One study found that 76-100% of U.S. crops tested positive for mycotoxins, with 30 mycotoxins per sample on average. The U.S. is #2 on the list of countries most often rejected by European standards for mycotoxins in food imports.
- Mold can also be problematic when we consume animals that have eaten from a contaminated food supply. Cows, pigs and chicken have well recognized symptoms such as convulsions and thermoregulation issues alongside laboratory evidence of elevated mycotoxins from grain ingestion.
- Certain occupations (such as farmers/agricultural workers and construction workers) may increase exposure to mold.
- Primary common factors linked to chronic inflammation include mold toxicity and Bartonella infection. Mold illness is believed to be much more prevalent than acknowledged by the medical system.
- Mold can manifest itself in our pets and animal feed is often contaminated with mycotoxins. Skin lesions/growths and tumors are commonly noted in household pets and farm animals that have mycotoxin issues. Urinary mycotoxin testing can also be used for animals.
- Mold colonies can persist as a health problem even more than 10-20 years following a major exposure.
- Climate change and current construction practices contribute to the rise in mold issues. Pesticides and fungicides create more resistant/hardier mold variants.
Curious if mold may be a part of the puzzle for you? Stay tuned for part 2: Testing for Mycotoxins!
Interested in working with Amber? Visit www.originwellnesscolorado.com for more information.
