Suppose you have been struggling with mysterious symptoms like unexplained chronic fatigue, brain fog, and digestive or sinus issues that don't seem to go away even after doing some gut-healing protocols. Maybe you have tried every single SIBO protocol without success. In this case, there might be a not-so-obvious reason for having those chronic symptoms, and the culprit might be toxic mold exposure, as was in my case.
Mold is not fun. It can (literally) eat you up and make your life miserable. I felt pretty well after healing my gut from SIBO, but I still couldn't shake off the deliberating fatigue and brain fog I had on most days. During that time, we also encountered water damage in our apartment – water dripped from the ceiling because a pipeline was broken behind the wall. At first, I didn't realize how serious this could be, but later a light bulb turned on in my mind, what if there is mold?
Mold Toxicity: The Invisible Intruder
What the heck is mold?
Mold (or mould) is a natural part of the environment, a type of fungi that can grow on many indoor and outdoor surfaces, requiring oxygen and moisture to start growing. Mold releases tiny spores in the air to spread. There are many different species of mold, and many of them are not even identified.
Unfortunately, mold is a widespread problem nowadays in buildings. We need to talk about it since we spend too much time indoors, and health risks are associated with mold that grows indoors that may have been exposed to water damage. But it can also happen if there is no proper ventilation installed in the building and the air humidity gets too high.
Foods like nuts, dried fruits, apples, coffee, and cereals, can also be contaminated with mold (more about them later) that we may ingest.
What about mycotoxins?
These toxins are present in mold fragments and spores released into the air. They can enter our body through inhalation, the skin, or even by ingesting mold-contaminated foods, creating havoc on the body.
Mycotoxins can have a negative impact on many bodily functions. Many people may have heard that it can lead to respiratory issues (asthma, sneezing, runny nose, breathing issues), but mold toxins may affect more than just that. It can impact the gastrointestinal tract, nervous system, immune function, and many other organs. Mold toxins can lead to the condition called: Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS).
The most common mycotoxins are:
- Trichothecenes
- Fumonisins
- Ochratoxins
- Aflatoxins
What are the typical signs of mold toxicity?
- Fatigue and weakness
- Headaches, light sensitivity
- Insomnia
- Poor memory, difficult word finding
- Difficulty concentration, brain fog
- Morning stiffness, joint pain
- Unusual skin sensations, tingling, and numbness
- Shortness of breath, sinus congestion, or a chronic cough
- Appetite swings, body temperature regulation,
- Increased urinary frequency or increased thirst
- Red eyes, blurred vision, sweats, mood swings, sharp pains
- Abdominal pain, diarrhea, bloating, food sensitivities
- Tearing, disorientation, metallic taste in your mouth
- Static shocks
- Vertigo, feeling lightheaded
There is also a phenomenon that even though a family of 4 live in a water-damaged building, it can happen that only one member of the family will show the symptoms. Why? First of all, each of us is built differently, and some people can clear out toxins better than others, but there is another explanation. Around 25% of the population has the DLA-DR gene meaning that these people are more susceptible to mold toxins than those without that gene. These people have difficulty clearing mold toxins even after getting out of the exposure.
Why should you care about mold toxicity if you have SIBO or gut issues?
What is SIBO?
Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) is a condition in which an excessive number of bacteria accumulate in the small intestine. SIBO can cause a wide range of gastrointestinal symptoms, such as bloating, gas, abdominal pain, constipation, and/or diarrhea. The overgrowth of bacteria can also interfere with nutrient absorption, leading to deficiencies and further health complications. Read about the SIBO types here.
Imagine taking back control of your body and living bloat-free. Download your free guide and learn the 5 MISTAKES you need to AVOID TO PREVENT SMALL INTESTINAL BACTERIAL OVERGROWTH RELAPSE.
Grab your copy today!
Mold Toxicity and SIBO Connection
Mold toxins can disrupt the function of the Migrating Motor Complex (MMC) by interfering with the chemical signaling that would activate the MMC.
MMC is responsible for sweeping the remaining bacteria and food particles from your small intestine toward the colon between meals. A well-functioning MMC is crucial in preventing SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth).
They can also damage the intestinal wall (causing a Leaky gut and intolerances), hindering nutrient absorption.
Also, mold toxins can suppress the immune system, and cause systematic inflammation, by altering the gut microbiome (disrupting the balance between beneficial and pathogenic gut bacteria). The consequence is that Candida or other pathogens (bacterial, viral, parasitic infections) can start growing out of control.
To recover from SIBO, you also need a well-functioning immune system that may be depleted due to fighting mold and other bacterial toxins all the time.
How to know if you are affected by mold toxicity?
Test your home/workspaces
If you live in the US, you can hire local inspectors to assess your home, workplace, and car. ERMI mold test completed by a trusted inspector is one of the best.
Where can mold hide?
Mold can hide in many places in your home, but it mostly loves warm, dark, and moist environments. But other areas like your workspace and car can also house mold.
- Basements, attic area
- Carpets, rugs
- Behind furniture
- Window sills
- Air conditioning, Air ducts
- Seals, coils, and drip pans on electronic devices like front-load washing machines, tumblers, refrigerators, dishwashers
- Books, paper, documents
- Beneath the wallpaper
- Kitchen, and bathroom area, sills, sink, plumbing, etc.
- Water filtration systems
- Boilers and Water Heaters
- Plants
Test your body
Testing is essential, but it's not perfect. You can use various testing methods to see what is going on.
- Urine Mycotoxin Testing (from Great Plains Laboratory) - measures the levels of mold metabolites in a urine sample; it tests for 11 different mycotoxins
- Organic Acid Test checks for 76 markers providing information about abnormalities in the person's chemical pathways. It can also detect if mold, bacterial or fungal overgrowth can be an issue
- Visual Contrast Sensitivity Testing (VCS) - measures some neurological functions. It checks your ability to see details at low contrast levels
- Blood test - measures antibodies for mycotoxins
If you also have gut-related symptoms, stool testing is advisable to see if other infections or pathogens are lurking in your gut.
First steps to deal with mold toxicity
Control your environment
The first step is to get out of the mold exposure. It is tough to heal your body if constantly exposed to mold.
You cannot heal in the same environment that made you sick.
You either need to invest in getting complete remediation, or you need to move to another place.
Moving can be one of the most complex decisions. We also decided to move to a new apartment after living in our previous flat for more than 8 years, and we loved living there, so this was not an easy decision. But health comes first, always!
You can also improve the indoor air quality by using an air purifier or dehumidifier to keep humidity low and filter the air for mold particles + using a ventilation fan in the bathroom.
Open your detoxification pathways
Incorporating lifestyle changes that support your body's detoxification is crucial for eliminating toxins like mold.
- Daily pooping – is super important to get rid of waste and toxins daily. (avoid constipation at all costs!)
- Hydration – Drinking 8-10 glasses of water (or herbal teas, broths, and veggie juices) can help improve bowel movements and detoxification.
- Sweating – Improving detox pathways, in this case, the skin to release toxins can be helpful. Exercise or a sauna are great ways.
- Soaking in Epsom salt baths – can help remove toxins and reduce inflammation. Add a few cups of Epsom salt to your bath or a few tablespoons of Epsom salt to a foot bath.
- Liposomal glutathione – is an antioxidant compound synthesized in the liver detoxification cycles, and it helps eliminate toxins from the body. Exposure to mycotoxins can deplete glutathione levels, leading to mitochondrial damage.
Use binders
Binders aid in absorbing metals, toxins, and compounds throughout any detox process, minimizing detox symptoms. Without binders, you can't complete any detox regimen!
Choosing a suitable binder is vital depending on the type of mold toxicity you have.
Zeolite is a powerful binder. Zeolite is a silica-based volcanic ash (sand-like mineral) that forms over time when ash and lava from volcanoes chemically react with seawater. Zeolite binds to radioactive poisons, mildew/mold, chemicals, heavy metal toxins like mercury, VOCs (volatile organic compounds—what carpets and furniture emit—and free radicals). All of the positively charged (+) toxins bind to the naturally negative (-) charge that zeolite bears.
But other potent binding agents such as Cholestyramine, activated charcoal, and bentonite clay can reduce the mycotoxin levels in the gut.
Be aware of taking binders 1 or 2 hours away from medications, supplements, and foods; some may cause constipation!
Get on a low-mold diet
Mold can grow on plant foods because of climate (hot, humid environment), improper food storage, transportation, etc. Since you can also be exposed to mold through food, avoiding or reducing mold-containing foods can be essential for a while.
The low-mold diet can mean eliminating or reducing:
- sugar, alcohol, and processed foods,
- cheese,
- dried fruits (apricot, figs, dates, etc.),
- store-bought fruit juices,
- mushrooms,
- sauces, spices,
- grain-fed animal products, including cured and smoked meats,
- most (gluten-containing) grains, especially wheat, barley, rye, corn, rice,
- peanuts, and other nuts (pistachios, cashews, and Brazil nuts),
- coffee (choose a mold-free coffee if you are a coffee lover like me!).
You can still enjoy the following:
- grass-fed, pasture-raised animal products; organic eggs
- wild-caught fish and seafood
- fresh, organic vegetables (the more colorful they are, the better!);
- low-sugar fruits: Berries, apples, pears, peaches, avocadoes
- healthy oils and fats (extra virgin olive oil, coconut milk, coconut oil, ghee, avocado, organic grass-fed butter)
- seeds: Sunflower, pumpkin, flax, chia, sesame seeds
- legumes: lentils, beans
- gluten-free grains: quinoa, buckwheat, millet, teff
- quality herbs and spices
- toxin-free coffee such as Bulletproof
It is also crucial to carefully inspect the foods you buy or store in the fridge and discard anything that you find to be infected to be mold. Check the surrounding foods, as mold can quickly spread.
The bottom line
Mold toxicity is an invisible threat that can severely impact gut health, contributing to the development of Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO). Understanding this connection is crucial in safeguarding your gut health and overall well-being. By taking appropriate measures to address mold toxicity, you can protect your gut and reduce your risk of SIBO, ensuring a healthier, happier you.
This post is only for informational purposes and is not meant to diagnose, treat or cure any disease. I recommend consulting with your healthcare practitioner always before trying any treatment or dietary changes.
SIBO:
Dukowicz, A. C., Lacy, B. E., & Levine, G. M. (2007). Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth: a comprehensive review. Gastroenterology & hepatology, 3(2), 112–122.
Bures, J., Cyrany, J., Kohoutova, D., Förstl, M., Rejchrt, S., Kvetina, J., Vorisek, V., & Kopacova, M. (2010). Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth syndrome. World journal of gastroenterology, 16(24), 2978–2990. https://doi.org/10.3748/wjg.v16.i24.2978
Mold:
Rosenblum Lichtenstein, J. H., Hsu, Y. H., Gavin, I. M., Donaghey, T. C., Molina, R. M., Thompson, K. J., Chi, C. L., Gillis, B. S., & Brain, J. D. (2015). Environmental mold and mycotoxin exposures elicit specific cytokine and chemokine responses. PloS one, 10(5), e0126926. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0126926
Brewer, Joseph H., Jack D. Thrasher, David C. Straus, Roberta A. Madison, and Dennis Hooper. 2013. "Detection of Mycotoxins in Patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome" Toxins 5, no. 4: 605-617. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins5040605
Front. Cell. Infect. Microbiol., 26 February 2018. Sec. Microbiome in Health and Disease. Volume 8 - 2018 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2018.00060
Aarane M. Ratnaseelan, Irene Tsilioni, Theoharis C. Theoharides 2018. Effects of Mycotoxins on Neuropsychiatric Symptoms and Immune Processes. Clinical Therapeutics/Volume 40, Number 6. https://www.clinicaltherapeutics.com/article/S0149-2918(18)30229-7/pdf
https://www.survivingmold.com/resources-for-patients/mold-symptoms/what-is-a-water-damaged-building
J.W. Bennett, M. Klich. Mycotoxins. Encyclopedia of Microbiology (Third Edition). Academic Press. 2009, Pages 559-565. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-012373944-5.00333-3
Newberne, P. M. (1974). Mycotoxins: Toxicity, Carcinogenicity, and the Influence of Various Nutritional Conditions. Environmental Health Perspectives, 9, 1–32. https://doi.org/10.2307/3428255
Marin, S., Ramos, A. J., Cano-Sancho, G., & Sanchis, V. (2013). Mycotoxins: occurrence, toxicology, and exposure assessment. Food and chemical toxicology: an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association, 60, 218–237. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fct.2013.07.047
Drusch, S., & Ragab, W. (2003). Mycotoxins in fruits, fruit juices, and dried fruits. Journal of food protection, 66(8), 1514–1527. https://doi.org/10.4315/0362-028x-66.8.1514
Wu, H. J., & Wu, E. (2012). The role of gut microbiota in immune homeostasis and autoimmunity. Gut microbes, 3(1), 4–14. https://doi.org/10.4161/gmic.19320
Marta Tola & Bedaso Kebede | Fatih Yildiz (Reviewing Editor) (2016) Occurrence, importance and control of mycotoxins: A review, Cogent Food & Agriculture, 2:1, DOI: 10.1080/23311932.2016.1191103 https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/23311932.2016.1191103
Agriopoulou, Sofia, Eygenia Stamatelopoulou, and Theodoros Varzakas. 2020. "Advances in Occurrence, Importance, and Mycotoxin Control Strategies: Prevention and Detoxification in Foods" Foods 9, no. 2: 137. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods9020137
Liew, W. P., & Mohd-Redzwan, S. (2018). Mycotoxin: Its Impact on Gut Health and Microbiota. Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology, 8, 60. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2018.00060
Alexandra is a Functional Medicine Certified Health Coach & Holistic Nutritionist specializing in IBS, SIBO, and Gut Health. She helps her clients identify the root causes of their chronic gut issues with functional testing, supporting their bodies holistically and implementing the necessary lifestyle changes long-term to regain control of their bodies and enjoy food freedom. Book your FREE SIBO Assessment call now >>>
