Mold and mycotoxins: Are hidden toxins in your environment making you ill?
At a Glance:
- Mold is a leading cause of chronic health issues, yet this dangerous organism receives little attention, making its harmful effects known to few
- The purpose of mold in our ecosystem is to break down and recycle organic matter back into the environment. This essential function keeps the earth in balance
- Despite this important role, fragments of colonized mold, mold spores, and mycotoxins can be hazardous to human health by causing immune system reactions and systemic inflammation
- Mold spores and fragments of colonized mold can cause allergic reactions, while mycotoxins cause damage and toxicity by different mechanisms
- Mold can affect every organ and system of the body, including the lungs, immune and cardiovascular systems, mitochondria, kidneys liver, digestion, adrenals, thyroid, and more
- Acute mold exposure usually causes symptoms like sinus irritation, sore throat, shortness of breath, coughing, itchy eyes, headaches, and digestive upset
- Because mold and mycotoxins impact the entire body, the list of chronic symptoms and conditions associated with mold exposure is vast, see below!
- Remember, just because you don’t see it or smell it, doesn’t mean it’s not there. Click here to find out how to identify all the possible sources of mold exposure in Part II
- Want to skip ahead to solutions? Click here for Part III
- Do you suspect mold could be the root cause of your chronic health problems? To find out more about how we can help you identify and overcome mold toxicity, contact the Vagus Clinic team here, call or text at (416) 649-6489, or click here to schedule your free 20-minute discovery call!
What is mold?
Mold is a type of fungus that can grow on surfaces both indoor and outdoor with the right conditions (i.e. warmth and humidity). You can most likely conjure a picture and smell in your mind when you think of mold, such as that musty odor of stepping into an old house, a constantly overly-humid locker room, or watching mold grow on neglected dishes in your college dorm sink.
The purpose of mold and other fungi is to break down decaying organic matter and recycle it back into the environment. This is a very important role for keeping the earth in balance. However, over the ages mold has evolved many different mechanisms to spread and survive–sometimes too well.
While mold does serve an essential role, it is also one of the leading causes of chronic illness in human beings. Although you may not have ever heard of mold being a threat to your health, the World Health Organization (WHO) “estimated in a 2009 study that between 10% to 50% of indoor environments in Europe, North America, Australia, India, and Japan have clinically significant mold problems. The percentage is higher in river valleys and coastal areas”. [1]
In the following 4-part series, we will explore the role of mold in chronic and acute health problems in humans, as well as sources of exposure, solutions to overcome mold toxicity, and a focus on how mold can impact athletes and athletic performance.
How does mold cause illness in humans?
For something that is so essential to environmental balance, why would we need to investigate it as a source of chronic health problems?
Unfortunately, mold can be too good at its job. Every living thing has developed mechanisms to help protect itself from harm, including humans and mold species. In addition to evolving adaptations for harsh conditions and releasing spores to be carried away in the air as a mode of long-distance reproduction, specific species (not all) of mold have developed what are known as “mycotoxins”. These are mold byproducts that act as a chemical defense against other living beings like insects, animals, bacteria, other molds, and even humans!
Similarly, humans have developed complex immunological responses to mold exposure. Whether it is a broken-off fragment of colonized mold or a dormant spore floating through the air, the human immune system treats it as a foreign invader upon contact. This initiates a chain reaction of inflammation in an attempt to rid the body of the “invader”, which is an appropriate response to a one-time exposure. However, if exposure is chronic and ongoing, this inflammatory immune response may be as well. This sustained inflammation relates to many of the symptoms listed below.
What are mold spores? Spores are the single-celled reproductive unit of mold. They are released into the environment by colonized mold and carried away by air and water to further colonize elsewhere.
What are mold fragments? Mold fragments are pieces of colonized mold that break off and enter the air, where they settle on objects or end up in the lungs of humans and animals. Spores and fragments can cause allergic reactions.
What are mycotoxins? Mycotoxins are byproducts emitted by specific species of mold that act as protective “chemical defense” mechanisms for mold. Mycotoxins are extremely harmful to human health when inhaled, ingested, or absorbed through the skin, often causing inflammation, organ toxicity, and immune suppression.
Mold spores and fragments are capable of causing allergic reactions involving the immune system. The immune reaction to mold includes significant inflammation. Mold is capable of causing IgE antibody reactions, which are associated with acute symptoms like irritated airways, watering eyes, hives, chest tightness, and more. Mold can also cause chronic, low-grade inflammation in distant areas of the body if you are consistently exposed.
Mycotoxins are toxic to human health and the immune system by separate mechanisms. Most mycotoxins are so small, they are capable of penetrating into human cells and binding irreversibly to important structures in the cell. This disrupts important DNA protein synthesis processes including transcription, and translation, leading to “mutagenic” changes or mutations in genetic information, which may eventually contribute to cancer risk and other epigenetic changes.
To make the situation even more complex, mycotoxins have the ability to damage any organ or function of the body, and often specifically impact the immune system. Most mycotoxins are either immunostimulatory or immunosuppressant, depending on type and concentration. [2] Mycotoxins can also be carcinogenic (cancer-causing), cytotoxic (toxic to your cells), hepatotoxic (liver), nephrotoxic (kidneys), genotoxic or mutagenic (causes DNA damage and sometimes mutations), and more.
The liver and kidneys are responsible for detoxifying mycotoxins, and require huge amounts of antioxidant nutrients to process these toxins and excrete them from the body. If these nutrients are not available to assist in the detoxification process, mycotoxins will exert further damage in these essential organs. This is where many liver and kidney-related symptoms of mold toxicity arise from.
Mold and mycotoxins are capable of causing significant inflammation in the body by triggering inflammatory cytokine cascades. Cytokines signal cell-to-cell communication and promote cell migration to areas in need of repair, such as those affected by infections, inflammation, or physical trauma. While this is a helpful response to flush toxins out of the body, chronic ongoing exposure to mycotoxins can slowly break down the entire body system. Chronic inflammation, unrelated to an allergic IgE mediated response, is a hallmark of mold exposure in individuals diagnosed with “Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome” (CIRS).
How do mold and mycotoxins affect specific body systems?
At first your body may handle mold exposure like a champ, however, over time, the inflammation produced can damage any part of your body including (but not limited to) blood vessels, organs, lungs, and mitochondria–all of which are extremely important for athletic performance and overall vitality.
- Lungs – Inhaled mold fragments, spores, and mycotoxins trigger the protective epithelial cells that line the lungs and immune cells found within the lungs, such as dendritic cells, which causes an allergic response to rid the body of these toxins. Over time, this inflammatory reaction can cause major damage to the delicate structures of the lungs.
- Blood Vessels – Inflammation caused by the body’s response to mold increases pro-inflammatory cytokine levels, clot formation, and ultimately damages the blood vessels over time. This is bad news for the function of the heart and entire cardiovascular system.
- Immune System – Mold and mycotoxins can have complex and far-reaching impacts on the immune system. Mold causes the upregulation of Th2 helper cells, which release pro-inflammatory cytokines and cause systemic inflammation. Most mycotoxins have an immunosuppressant effect, though some are immunostimulant through diverse mechanisms. While the immune system is focused on addressing mold exposure, opportunistic viruses and bacterial infections may take hold, causing further immune dysregulation. Chronic inflammation due to mold toxicity is also associated with the presence of autoimmunity, creating a vicious cycle. The immune system was designed to effectively handle mold and mycotoxins, but not on a constant, ongoing basis.
- Mitochondria – Most mycotoxins are small enough to fit through cell membranes and disrupt the electrical gradient of the mitochondrial membrane. Mitochondria are the “powerhouse” of the cell, as well as immune signalers. When the mitochondria are being rapidly destroyed due to the presence of mycotoxin, severe symptoms arise including unrelenting fatigue, muscle pain and weakness, immune dysregulation, frequently feeling “under the weather”, and exercise intolerance, all of which involve the mitochondria. A 2013 study found that 93% of tested a small sample of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome patients (CFS) tested positive for at least 1 mycotoxin, while 30% tested positive for more than one, including ochratoxin, aflatoxin, and macrocyclic trichothecenes (see Part III). [3] CFS is a condition associated with mitochondrial impairment and reduced cellular energy production. The organs that do the most work in the body (brain, liver, muscles) contain the highest concentrations of mitochondria, and thus display dysfunction when the mitochondria begin to break down.
- Liver and Kidneys – The effects of mold and mycotoxins are especially problematic for the main detoxification organs of the body, the liver and kidneys. Many symptoms of chronic mold exposure relate to the liver and kidneys, such as low blood pressure, heart palpitations, frequent urination, insomnia, constipation, insulin resistance, etc. Glutathione is the body’s master antioxidant and is produced in large amounts by the liver to help it detoxify harmful substances like heavy metals and mold toxins. Glutathione stores are quickly depleted in the presence of mycotoxins, and huge amounts of antioxidant nutrients and cofactors are needed to aid the liver in effectively detoxifying free radical-producing mycotoxins.
- Digestive tract – Mold and mycotoxins can cause “leaky gut” by impairing the integrity of your gut lining, damaging tight junctions that control substances that are allowed to enter the bloodstream, and inducing cell death in the intestinal epithelium. This leads to digestive distress, malabsorption, food intolerances, and immune activation [4]. In fact, you may be avoiding foods you are intolerant to, but completely missing a mold issue. Mold and mycotoxins are capable of disrupting the balance and functions of the gut microbiome, and frequently lead to constipation, diarrhea, and other digestive disturbances.
- Brain and Nervous System – Inflammation of the brain has long been associated with mental and cognitive disturbances like anxiety, depression, brain fog, lack of focus or motivation, and suicidal ideation. Sleep is often greatly disrupted by the presence of mold and mycotoxins. Two studies [5, 6] have demonstrated higher levels of insomnia and difficulty feeling rested in individuals who had confirmed mold or excessive dampness in their indoor environment. Part of this sleep disruption arises from how mold negatively impacts feedback mechanisms in the brain that control the sleep-wake cycle and associated hormones, cortisol and melatonin. Mold and mycotoxins are capable of causing long-term neurological damage and symptoms such as lack of coordination, progressive loss of vision, migraines, and slow reflexes. In some cases, mold has been linked to neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s, MS, ALS, and Alzheimer’s disease [7] [8] [9] [10].
- Endocrine Glands/HPA Axis – Mold and mycotoxins can stress the adrenal glands, as well as the thyroid. These glands are very important for energy, stress coping capacity, dictating metabolic rate, mental health, and more. Due to the effects these toxins have on HPA axis regulation, important hormones like cortisol and melatonin can be thrown off. Cortisol is an anti-inflammatory stress hormone that the body releases in response to rampant inflammation caused by mold and mycotoxins. Unfortunately, this can deplete the adrenals over time, lead to weight gain (especially in the midsection), cause insomnia or feeling “wired-but-tired”, and an inability to effectively cope with life stress. Melatonin is necessary for sleep and immunity, unfortunately, mold and mycotoxins negatively impact the body’s ability to regulate melatonin.
- Muscles – Mold and mycotoxins are associated with muscle weakness, pain, aches, cramps and fatigue, as well as joint inflammation and exercise intolerance. Muscles contain large amounts of mitochondria which can be destroyed by mold. Mycotoxins can act as protein synthesis inhibitors, making it harder to recover after exercise.
- Skin – Allergic reactions to mold include dermatitis upon contact or inhalation for some sensitive individuals. Mold exposure may also be related to rosacea, eczema, hyperpigmentation, and other skin issues. Mold and mycotoxins negatively affect the gut microbiome, which plays an important role in skin health via the Gut-Skin Axis. Many mycotoxins are so small they are capable of crossing the skin barrier and damaging cells [11].
Most mycotoxins are mainly fat-soluble, meaning the body will store them in the fatty tissues and vital organs of the body such as the brain, liver, and adipose (fat) cells. This is one reason why mycotoxin exposure can relate to a variety of symptoms including stubborn weight gain, neurological problems, mental health issues like depression and anxiety, brain fog, insomnia, and lack of focus, thyroid and adrenal impairment, imbalanced hormones like cortisol and melatonin, as well as sex hormones.
Symptoms of mold exposure
Acute symptoms of mold exposure include:
- Irritation of airways
- Coughing, wheezing
- Shortness of breath
- Heavy chest
- Frequent sneezing
- Runny nose
- Irritated sinuses
- Itchy, watery eyes
- Blurry vision
- Headaches, migraines
- Skin problems like rashes
- Increased fatigue
Chronic symptoms include:
- Digestive problems like constipation or diarrhea
- Malabsorption of nutrients
- Food intolerances
- Immune system dysregulation (generally hypo, but also and hyper)
- Opportunistic infections
- Depression, lack of motivation
- Anxiety, suicidal ideation
- Unrelenting fatigue, never feeling rested
- Snoring, daytime tiredness
- Chronic sinusitis
- Muscle weakness and joint pain
- Insomnia and sleep disturbances
- Poor liver and kidney function
- Electrolyte disruptions
- Low blood pressure
- Blood sugar dysregulation
- Chronic dermatitis
- Frequent urination, feeling dehydrated
- Mitochondrial damage
- Hormone and endocrine imbalance
- Progressive loss of vision or coordination
- Neuropathy
- Impaired detoxification pathways
- Lymphatic stagnation, morning stiffness
Conditions associated with mold exposure:
- Fibromyalgia
- Asthma and respiratory disease
- Pulmonary Aspergillosis
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
- Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS)
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)
- (POTS)Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome
- Depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation
- Psychiatric conditions
- Lyme disease that does not improve with standard treatments
- Chemical sensitivity
- Interstitial Cystitis
- Biliary Cirrhosis
- High or low cholesterol
- Estrogen dominance
- “Leaky Gut” or intestinal hyperpermeability
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
- “Type 3” Alzheimers Disease [9]
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
- HPA Axis dysregulation
- “Sick Building Syndrome”
Conclusion of Part I
Symptoms associated with mold exposure are vast and vary greatly. This is due in part to how exposure to mold and mycotoxins affects not only the immune system, but all systems of the body including the liver, kidneys, brain, muscles, mitochondria, hormone regulation, fluid/electrolyte balance, endocrine organs, and more.
Regardless of the route of exposure–which we will explore in the next section–mycotoxins are systemically bioavailable once they are inside of the body. This means, even if they are taken in through digestion, mycotoxins can still cause harm in distant areas of the body including the lungs, liver, blood vessels, or any other structure of the body.
As you can see, mold and mycotoxins create a perfect storm of pro-inflammatory cytokines, organ damage, mitochondrial impairment, endocrine disruption, and immune activation that leads to debilitating symptoms like insomnia, allergies, and fatigue, or complex chronic illness like autoimmunity. Mold and mycotoxins in the environment are critical to be aware of due to the acute and chronic health impacts they can each cause.
In Part II of our series on mold toxicity, we will explore many possible sources of exposure. Now that you know the ins and outs of why it is so important for you to pay attention to mold and mycotoxins in your environment, read Part II: Identifying potential sources of health- harming mold and mycotoxin exposure!
Do these symptoms sound like you or someone you love? Your health can’t wait. For more information on how Dr. Steph Canestraro and the team can help you overcome mold illness, contact the Vagus Clinic team here, call or text at (416) 649-6489, or click here to schedule your free 20-minute discovery call.
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