Mold Toxicity

Mystifying Health Issues? Mold Could be the Culprit!

Over the past 25 years, our practice has seen an increasing number of patients suffering from mold. Here are a few of their stories (with pseudonyms):

Lisa presented with labs showing a sudden, unexplained shift into diabetes. During her intake, we learned she’d recently moved to an apartment with a moldy bathroom. When she moved out of that apartment and detoxified the mold from her system, Lisa’s labs returned to normal!

Jason purchased a home and did a high-end renovation before moving in. Two years later, his cholesterol began climbing. After confirming mold toxins in his urine, we recommended a mold inspection that revealed an attic full of mold from improper flashing of the vents. After remediation and detoxification, you guessed it - Jason’s labs returned to normal!

Sharon suffered from severe sinus congestion, headaches and anxiety, which were noticeably worse while at her job working in a greenhouse. After changing her job and detoxifying the mold, her symptoms are greatly improved.

Patsy struggles with asthma and sinus congestion, and notices that when away from home, these symptoms completely clear up. A mold inspection revealed a high mold count in her basement, which is frequently wet following heavy rains. She is currently working to resolve clogged downspouts and a roof leak before moving into the remediation phase.

Despite healthy diets and exercise, Mary and her two athletic boys all have elevated hemoglobin A1C, indicating a puzzling trend toward diabetes. They’re in the midst of remediating black mold (Stachybotrys) growing behind drywall in one of the rooms of their home.

Mold is Becoming more Prevalent in Ohio. Here’s Why:

Since the early 1900’s, precipitation has increased 5-15% in Ohio, with the largest increase seen in north central Ohio. The wettest decade on record was 2010-2020! Higher rainfall increases the likelihood water will find its way into your home, and when it encounters organic material (such as wood, fabric, cardboard, carpet), it secretes enzymes that begin to digest it, leading to the production of spores, and in some cases, mycotoxins.

Common Causes of Mold

• Faulty flashing around windows, vents or skylights

• Plumbing leaks

• Flooding

• Roof leaks

• Moisture buildup in the basement

If you SEE or SMELL mold, it’s THERE! Even if you can’t see or smell it, mold can still be lurking, quietly putting out spores and mycotoxins. You definitely have it if:

• There is a musty smell anywhere in your home.

• You see raised, fuzzy or bumpy patches (sometimes with a powdery texture) on surfaces.

• Visible small, black spots are present, growing outward

• Shower grout has recurrent black growth after cleaning.

What are the Symptoms of Mold Toxicity?

There are many different types of mold, each with its own health effects. Some molds only produce spores, while others also produce harmful metabolic byproducts called mycotoxins. These biotoxins can cause immediate symptoms or lead to prolonged health issues such as immune system impairment that can result in cancer, autoimmunity or other conditions.

Some of the MANY symptoms that can be caused by mold:

• numbness, tingling, tremors, vertigo

• shortness of breath, asthma

• allergy-like symptoms (persistent coughing, rash, runny nose, sneezing, red and teary eyes)

• light sensitivity, blurred vision

• uncontrolled blood sugar levels, A1C elevation

• mental disorders (anxiety, depression, psychosis, brain fog/confusion, word-searching, etc.)

• hair loss

• joint pain/stiffness

• digestive issues (especially diarrhea, abdominal pain)

• unexplained shaking and breathlessness

• inability to clot (can look like Von Willebrand)

• chronic nosebleeds

• headaches/migraines

• unexplained weight gain

• fatigue, weakness

• muscle or joint aches, cramps, unusual pains

• morning stiffness

• night sweats

• increased urination

• metallic taste

The list could go on. The point is: mold can affect a LOT of systems in the body, depending on the type/s of mold present, and the health (and gender!) of the person being exposed.

Women are more Often Affected by Mold than Men!

In our practice, a common scenario we encounter with patients suffering from mold exposure often involves a female patient seeking assistance while her husband is skeptical mold is the culprit. Indeed, in an analysis of women and men in moldy environments, women were more likely to experience more symptoms. While we aren’t clear on all the reasons for this, here are a few:

• Certain molds exhibit estrogenic effects on the body, while others directly interact with estrogen and progesterone receptor sites. Additionally, some molds can impede the detoxification process of these hormones, resulting in an accumulation of hormones or partially metabolized hormonal byproducts. While men can also experience adverse effects, some research indicates that testosterone may offer protective benefits.

• Proportionally more women are exposed to toxic cleaning products, in part because cleaning occupations are a femaledominated industry. A build-up of any toxins impairs liver pathways responsible for clearing mycotoxins.

• According to EGW.org, women apply on average 12 personal care products per day that contain a whopping 168 chemicals - twice the exposure of the average man.

• Mycotoxins are fat soluble and women have more adipose tissue than men, leading to more bio-accumulation.

Children are also more likely than adults to experience mold toxicity, due at least in part to their developing immune systems and smaller size.

How Do I Determine if I have Mold Illness?

In some cases, it makes sense to start with a urine test that can detect the presence of mold spores. If positive, the next step is a mold inspection. If the mold inspection shows water infiltration anywhere in the home, an ambient and disturbed air test is recommended, and should be compared to the air outside the home. This identifies the type/s and spore count of molds present. (Some degree of mold is considered normal.) If several family members struggle with similar persistent health issues, or there is strong reason to believe there is mold in the home, a mold inspection may be the place to start.

But I’ve Tested my Home and there is no Mold!

In Ohio, due to a lack of licensing and regulation, anyone can legally claim to be a “mold inspector” even though they may not even offer mold testing! Keep in mind that a thorough mold inspection should include the use of thermal imaging and a meter that detects moisture levels. In our area, several functional medicine providers preferentially refer to Mold Mentor for mold inspections. Let’s meet Zach Duffey, the owner and founder of Mold Mentor. Zach started the company when he realized he was working for an unethical “mold inspection” group that was in the business of selling (often unnecessary) mold remediation projects. Below is his practical advice for mold prevention. Zach’s TOP Mold Prevention Strategies In a recent interview, Zach Duffey, owner of Mold Mentor, shared these general guidelines:

• All Ohio basements, particularly if finished, should have a working sump pump and dehumidifier.

• Soil should be graded away from the foundation, starting one inch below the bottom edge of the siding.

• Gutters should be checked regularly to ensure flow, and should slant toward the downspouts.

• Downspouts should be checked regularly to ensure they haven’t clogged with debris, causing water to back up around the foundation.

• Organic materials, such as cardboard boxes, suitcases, clothes, wood furniture, etc., should be kept off the concrete floor in unfinished basements. (Place on plastic or metal shelving.)

• Use a hygrometer to measure the relative humidity (RH), particularly in a basement. Smart hygrometers connect to WiFi and can alert your phone when RH levels go above optimal levels of 30% to 55% (60% is conducive to mold growth.)

How do I Detox from Mold?

Once mold is eliminated, the next step is detoxification. Detoxification may have little to no impact if the patient is still being exposed to mold spores and mycotoxins. Once remediation is complete, we guide patients through the detox process using a combination of binders (such as charcoal and clay), homeopathic remedies and nutritional support for the liver’s detox pathways.

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