According to Dr. Andrew Heyman, an internationally recognized integrative medicine expert, approximately 50% of buildings in the US have a problem with toxic mold. Because mold secretes toxins, known as mycotoxins, this presents enormous potential for health problems. Living in a building with mold is the foremost source of exposure, although ingestion of moldy foods (common in nuts, legumes, coffee, and grains) can worsen pre-existing symptoms of mold illness. One of the most common conditions I see in my practice is health conditions associated with mold. The symptoms mold can create are extensive and include:
General Symptoms:
Fatigue
Headaches
Pain
Fevers, Chills, & Night Sweats
Temperature Sensitivity
Weight Gain
Low Blood Pressure
Frequent Urination
Histamine Intolerance
Respiratory Symptoms:
Shortness of breath
Cough
Sinus Problems
Blurred vision
Red Eyes
Photosensitivity
Neurological Symptoms:
Dizziness
Disruptions in concentration
Nerve pain, shocks, or tingling
Mood Swings
Insomnia
Tremors
Integumentary Symptoms:
Muscle aching or cramping
Skin Pain
Hives
Gastrointestinal Symptoms:
Abdominal Pain
Changes in stool frequency
Other Effects:
Severe mold exposures have also been linked to kidney damage and liver cancer.
NOW WHAT?
Because mold has such extensive effects on the body, treatment is complex and takes time. The treatment approach to mold is different for each individual and is dependent on the types of mold most elevated for you and whether a chronic inflammatory immune response is present. However, here are some key components that are foundational to any mold protocol.
Remove environmental sources of mold. Recovery does not happen until the trigger is removed. Identifying the source of mold in your living environment is essential. This can be accomplished with an ERMI test here. Some doctors also recommend a plate test from hypoair.com with code CHELSEA10.
Once you have identitied the mold, professional remediation is essential. (Learn what to look for in mold remediation by downloading your guide to choosing a mold remediator.) Mold spores are capable of infiltrating fabrics in clothing, furniture, and mattresses as well as other soft materials such as the paper in books. Spores are difficult to remove with cleaning products. Depending on the severity of your illness, assessing these as sources of potential illness may be important.
Finally, removing food sources that are high in mycotoxins such as grains, legumes, and coffee and replacing them with mycotoxin free options is an important step to recovery.
Identify & Bind the Toxin
When healing from mold, binding mycotoxins is essential but different types of mycotoxins respond best to different types of binders. Urine testing helps identify your personal elevated mycotoxins so that an appropriate binder can be selected. Often, I use multiple binders. Common mold binders are:
Prescription Cholestyramine
Activated Carbon*
Humic & Fulvic Acids*
Activated Charcoal
Bentonite Clay
Glucomannan
Probiotics
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