Toxins
|
September 19, 2023

Struggling With Mystery Symptoms? Toxic Mold Might be the Culprit - Part II

Medically Reviewed by
Updated On
September 17, 2024

Dealing with Mold Toxicity and CIRS? 6 Tips to Help You Thrive

It’s estimated that at least 45 million buildings in the United States have unhealthy levels of mold.1 And spending time in these mold-harboring buildings can have some serious consequences for your health. 

But the good news is, even if you’ve been exposed to toxic levels of mold and have been battling mold-related symptoms (like CIRS), there’s hope for not only healing – but flourishing. Here are 5 tips to help you combat and bounce back from mold toxicity and CIRS.

[signup]

So, What Is Mold Toxicity and CIRS?

Mold toxicity occurs when you’ve been exposed to mold and its toxic metabolites, known as mycotoxins. Some level of mold exposure is inevitable, but when exposure is elevated or prolonged, the tiny toxins within mold can covertly make their way into your body and begin causing damage. And one way these mycotoxins can incite damage is by triggering what’s known as CIRS or Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome.

The widespread and ongoing inflammation seen in CIRS can affect virtually any organ system of your body, and if left unaddressed, it can become debilitating – leading to a whole host of unpleasant symptoms that can encompass things like:

  • Brain fog and memory issues
  • Difficulty regulating body temperature
  • Digestive issues
  • Fatigue
  • Headaches and sensitivity to light
  • Joint aches and pains
  • And more

But the good news is, we’ve come a long way in our understanding of mold toxicity and CIRS, and there are some powerful steps you can take to ensure you’re not only surviving after mold exposure – but thriving.

6 Powerful Tips to Help You Thrive With Mold Toxicity and CIRS

Living with a chronic condition and recovering from toxic mold exposure does mean you’ll have to make some adjustments and lifestyle changes. But with a little upfront effort, these simple lifestyle tweaks can go a long way in helping you restore your vitality and get you back to feeling like you again.

You’ll notice that many of these tips have to do with avoiding mold and mycotoxins. This is because addressing your exposure at the source is hands down one of the most important ways to combat mold toxicity. You see, it can be helpful to imagine your mold toxicity and CIRS as a bucket – with each exposure and toxin we remove from your bucket, the lighter and easier your life will be. And on the flip side, when your bucket fills to overflowing, illness will follow.

So the path to healing and wellness is all about decreasing total toxic load – or in other words, bailing water out of your bucket! So without further ado, here are 6 of the very best tips for living and thriving with mold toxicity and CIRS.

1. Check Your Home and Office For Mold

It’s estimated that about 50% of homes contain mold. Pair that with the fact that we now spend about 90% of our time indoors, and you’ve got a perfect recipe for mold toxicity and CIRS. That’s why having your home and/or workplace inspected for any signs of hidden mold is one of the most important steps when it comes to recovering from toxic mold exposure. 

Ideally, you should have an Environmental Relative Moldiness Index (ERMI) test completed by a trusted inspector to determine the level of mold contamination within a building. If you find your home or office contains mold spores, the next step is to pinpoint the source and hire a certified specialist to properly remediate.  

If your home or building does require mold remediation, it's of the utmost importance to temporarily remove yourself from the environment until remediation is complete. While the thought of uprooting your life for mold remediation can feel daunting and overwhelming, it’s essential if you want a full, healthy life. Regaining your health is well worth the hassle of temporarily relocating while remediation is conducted.

2. Clean Up Your Air

Did you know that most indoor air is actually more polluted than outside air? And considering the fact on average, you’re likely in your home between 8 to 12 hours each day and in your office between 6 to 10 hours – that means you spend most of your life breathing in highly polluted air!

But it’s not just mold you have to worry about. There are tons of other indoor air contaminants worth worrying about, including volatile organic compounds, bacteria, endotoxins, microbial particulates, and much more. And each of these contaminants adds to your “toxin bucket” – making it harder and harder for your body to maintain equilibrium.

So, it can be immensely helpful to clean up your indoor air by investing in a quality air filtration system that can filter and trap these ultra-tiny particles contaminating your air.

3. Get On A Low-Mold Diet

Adopting what’s known as a low-mold diet means reducing your exposure to inflammation-causing and mold-tainted foods. In general, the low-mold diet means avoiding:

  • Gluten and grains
  • Mold and yeast-containing foods – cheese, alcohol, condiments, fungi, cured and smoked meats, dried fruits
  • Mold-contaminated coffee
  • Processed foods – canned, boxed, bottled, etc
  • Sugar in all forms

While on the low-mold diet, you can freely enjoy:

  • Organic, pasture-raised animal products
  • Low carbohydrate vegetables – broccoli, cauliflower, chard, cabbage, arugula, peppers, tomato (fresh only), cucumber, onion, kale, asparagus, spinach, leeks, garlic, artichokes, etc
  • Raw nuts and seeds –  sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, flax seeds, chia seeds, almonds, and other low mold nuts (No peanuts, cashews, walnuts, pecans, brazil nuts)
  • Healthy Fats – extra virgin olive oil, coconut milk, coconut oil, ghee, avocado, organic butter.

Check out the full details surrounding the low-mold diet by clicking right here.

4. Use Detox Binders

Detox binders (like charcoal and bentonite clay) work like sponges – drawing in toxins from the gut and trapping them within their porous surfaces. Once toxins are trapped, they can no longer be recirculated and can be effectively eliminated from the body for good. 

By incorporating detox binders, you can help reduce the buildup of toxins, heavy metals, and other chemicals – thus helping to empty your “toxin bucket”.

5. Incorporate Detoxifying Techniques

There are some additional strategies that can support detoxification and combat inflammation. These techniques not only help empty your “toxin bucket” and improve your health, but many of them will leave you feeling refreshed and reinvigorated.

Detox support can include:

  • Infrared sauna therapy
  • IV detoxification support (Meyer’s cocktails, IV glutathione, NAD, PC)
  • Supplementation such as:
  • Liposomal glutathione
  • N-acetylcysteine
  • Milk thistle
  • Calcium-d-glucarate
  • Alpha lipoic acid
  • Glycine
  • Glutamine
  • Taurine
  • Cruciferous vegetables
  • Dry brushing
  • Epsom Salt baths
  • Mineral or alkaline waters
  • Reducing chemical exposures – think plastics, cosmetics, cookware, and cleaning products
  • Reducing EMF exposure
  • Filtering drinking water

CIRS and mold toxicity is a war of attrition – meaning it requires consistent, small-scale actions to lower your exposure to health-disrupting toxins. Over time, these efforts add up in a big way. The less you fill your toxin bucket, the less you feed the inflammatory pathways, and the more you amplify detoxification – the better off you’re going to be.

6. Follow A Short-Term Mold Detox Protocol

A short-term detoxification protocol specifically aimed at assisting your body in transporting any toxic mold out of your tissues can help jumpstart your path to healing. And my 30-day Miracle Mold Detox Box is designed to do exactly that. This unique protocol is strategically crafted to:

  • Upregulate your body's natural detoxification cycle
  • Boost your cell’s ability to release stored mycotoxins
  • Magnetize and bind to mycotoxins so they can be properly excreted
  • Support cellular energy production
  • Reduce inflammation triggered by exposure to toxic mold
  • Promote cellular recovery and mitochondrial health
  • Assist in remineralization to support healthy electrolyte balance

When combined with an overall healthy lifestyle and some of the other suggestions outlined in this article, my Miracle Mold Detox Box can dramatically cut down on the time it takes to start seeing results when you’re combating mold toxicity and CIRS. Click here to learn more about my Miracle Mold Detox Box and see if this protocol is right for you.

[signup]

Summary

Mold toxicity and CIRS can be frustrating, life-altering, and in some cases, downright devastating. But as our understanding of these complex conditions expands, so does our arsenal of weapons in fighting back against them.

It’s these tiny, bite-sized lifestyle adjustments that make all the difference when it comes to not just surviving mold exposure and CIRS but creating a vibrant, flourishing life despite these conditions.

Want To Catch Up With Other Articles From This Series?

Dealing with Mold Exposure and CIRS? 6 Tips to Help You Thrive

It’s estimated that at least 45 million buildings in the United States have unhealthy levels of mold.1 Spending time in these mold-harboring buildings may have some consequences for your health. 

The good news is, even if you’ve been exposed to mold and have been experiencing mold-related symptoms (like CIRS), there are ways to support your well-being. Here are 5 tips that may help you manage and recover from mold exposure and CIRS.

[signup]

So, What Is Mold Exposure and CIRS?

Mold exposure occurs when you’ve been in contact with mold and its metabolites, known as mycotoxins. Some level of mold exposure is inevitable, but when exposure is elevated or prolonged, the tiny particles within mold can enter your body and may contribute to health issues. One way these mycotoxins may affect health is by triggering what’s known as CIRS or Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome.

The inflammation seen in CIRS can affect various systems of your body, and if left unaddressed, it may lead to a range of symptoms such as:

  • Brain fog and memory issues
  • Difficulty regulating body temperature
  • Digestive issues
  • Fatigue
  • Headaches and sensitivity to light
  • Joint aches and pains
  • And more

Fortunately, our understanding of mold exposure and CIRS has improved, and there are steps you can take to support your health and well-being.

6 Tips to Help You Thrive With Mold Exposure and CIRS

Living with a chronic condition and recovering from mold exposure may require some adjustments and lifestyle changes. With some effort, these lifestyle tweaks can support your vitality and help you feel like yourself again.

Many of these tips focus on reducing mold and mycotoxin exposure. Addressing exposure at the source is one of the most important ways to manage mold exposure. Imagine your mold exposure and CIRS as a bucket – with each exposure and toxin removed, life may become easier. Conversely, when your bucket fills to overflowing, health issues may follow.

The path to wellness involves decreasing total toxic load – or in other words, reducing the contents of your bucket! Here are 6 tips for living and thriving with mold exposure and CIRS.

1. Check Your Home and Office For Mold

It’s estimated that about 50% of homes contain mold. Considering that we spend about 90% of our time indoors, it’s important to have your home and/or workplace inspected for any signs of hidden mold as a step towards managing mold exposure. 

An Environmental Relative Moldiness Index (ERMI) test conducted by a trusted inspector can help determine the level of mold contamination within a building. If mold is found, the next step is to identify the source and hire a certified specialist to address it.  

If your home or building requires mold remediation, it may be important to temporarily remove yourself from the environment until remediation is complete. While this can feel daunting, it may be essential for supporting your health. Regaining your health can be worth the temporary inconvenience.

2. Clean Up Your Air

Did you know that most indoor air can be more polluted than outside air? Considering the time spent indoors, it’s important to address indoor air quality.

In addition to mold, there are other indoor air contaminants, including volatile organic compounds, bacteria, endotoxins, and microbial particulates. Each of these contaminants adds to your “toxin bucket” – making it harder for your body to maintain balance.

Investing in a quality air filtration system may help filter and trap these tiny particles, supporting cleaner indoor air.

3. Consider a Low-Mold Diet

Adopting a low-mold diet involves reducing exposure to certain foods. In general, this diet involves avoiding:

  • Gluten and grains
  • Mold and yeast-containing foods – cheese, alcohol, condiments, fungi, cured and smoked meats, dried fruits
  • Mold-contaminated coffee
  • Processed foods – canned, boxed, bottled, etc
  • Sugar in all forms

While on the low-mold diet, you may enjoy:

  • Organic, pasture-raised animal products
  • Low carbohydrate vegetables – broccoli, cauliflower, chard, cabbage, arugula, peppers, tomato (fresh only), cucumber, onion, kale, asparagus, spinach, leeks, garlic, artichokes, etc
  • Raw nuts and seeds –  sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, flax seeds, chia seeds, almonds, and other low mold nuts (No peanuts, cashews, walnuts, pecans, brazil nuts)
  • Healthy Fats – extra virgin olive oil, coconut milk, coconut oil, ghee, avocado, organic butter.

Check out the full details surrounding the low-mold diet by clicking right here.

4. Explore Detox Binders

Detox binders (like charcoal and bentonite clay) may help by drawing in substances from the gut and trapping them. Once trapped, these substances can be eliminated from the body. 

By incorporating detox binders, you may help reduce the buildup of certain substances, thus helping to manage your “toxin bucket”.

5. Incorporate Detoxifying Techniques

There are additional strategies that may support detoxification and help manage inflammation. These techniques may help improve your health and leave you feeling refreshed.

Detox support can include:

  • Infrared sauna therapy
  • IV detoxification support (Meyer’s cocktails, IV glutathione, NAD, PC)
  • Supplementation such as:
  • Liposomal glutathione
  • N-acetylcysteine
  • Milk thistle
  • Calcium-d-glucarate
  • Alpha lipoic acid
  • Glycine
  • Glutamine
  • Taurine
  • Cruciferous vegetables
  • Dry brushing
  • Epsom Salt baths
  • Mineral or alkaline waters
  • Reducing chemical exposures – think plastics, cosmetics, cookware, and cleaning products
  • Reducing EMF exposure
  • Filtering drinking water

CIRS and mold exposure management requires consistent, small-scale actions to lower your exposure to potential health-disrupting substances. Over time, these efforts may add up significantly. The less you fill your toxin bucket, the less you may trigger inflammatory pathways, and the more you may support detoxification – the better off you may be.

6. Consider a Short-Term Mold Detox Protocol

A short-term detoxification protocol specifically aimed at assisting your body in managing mold exposure may help support your path to wellness. My 30-day Miracle Mold Detox Box is designed to support this process. This unique protocol is crafted to:

  • Support your body's natural detoxification cycle
  • Assist your cells in managing stored mycotoxins
  • Help bind to mycotoxins for proper excretion
  • Support cellular energy production
  • Help manage inflammation triggered by mold exposure
  • Promote cellular recovery and mitochondrial health
  • Assist in remineralization to support healthy electrolyte balance

When combined with an overall healthy lifestyle and some of the other suggestions outlined in this article, my Miracle Mold Detox Box may help reduce the time it takes to start seeing improvements when managing mold exposure and CIRS. Click here to learn more about my Miracle Mold Detox Box and see if this protocol is right for you.

[signup]

Summary

Mold exposure and CIRS can be challenging and, in some cases, significantly impact daily life. However, as our understanding of these conditions expands, so do the strategies available to support health and well-being.

It’s the small, consistent lifestyle adjustments that can make a difference when it comes to not just managing mold exposure and CIRS but creating a vibrant, fulfilling life despite these challenges.

Want To Catch Up With Other Articles From This Series?

The information provided is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult with your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider before taking any dietary supplement or making any changes to your diet or exercise routine.

Learn more

No items found.

Lab Tests in This Article

No lab tests!
Order from 30+ labs in 20 seconds (DUTCH, Mosaic, Genova & More!)
We make ordering quick and painless — and best of all, it's free for practitioners.

Latest Articles

View more on Toxins
Subscribe to the Magazine for free
Subscribe for free to keep reading! If you are already subscribed, enter your email address to log back in.
Thanks for subscribing!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Are you a healthcare practitioner?
Thanks for subscribing!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Subscribe to the Magazine for free to keep reading!
Subscribe for free to keep reading, If you are already subscribed, enter your email address to log back in.
Thanks for subscribing!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Are you a healthcare practitioner?
Thanks for subscribing!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Trusted Source
Rupa Health
Medical Education Platform
Visit Source
Visit Source
American Cancer Society
Foundation for Cancer Research
Visit Source
Visit Source
National Library of Medicine
Government Authority
Visit Source
Visit Source
Journal of The American College of Radiology
Peer Reviewed Journal
Visit Source
Visit Source
National Cancer Institute
Government Authority
Visit Source
Visit Source
World Health Organization (WHO)
Government Authority
Visit Source
Visit Source
The Journal of Pediatrics
Peer Reviewed Journal
Visit Source
Visit Source
CDC
Government Authority
Visit Source
Visit Source
Office of Dietary Supplements
Government Authority
Visit Source
Visit Source
National Heart Lung and Blood Institute
Government Authority
Visit Source
Visit Source
National Institutes of Health
Government Authority
Visit Source
Visit Source
Clinical Infectious Diseases
Peer Reviewed Journal
Visit Source
Visit Source
Brain
Peer Reviewed Journal
Visit Source
Visit Source
The Journal of Rheumatology
Peer Reviewed Journal
Visit Source
Visit Source
Journal of the National Cancer Institute (JNCI)
Peer Reviewed Journal
Visit Source
Visit Source
Journal of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance
Peer Reviewed Journal
Visit Source
Visit Source
Hepatology
Peer Reviewed Journal
Visit Source
Visit Source
The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
Peer Reviewed Journal
Visit Source
Visit Source
The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery
Peer Reviewed Journal
Visit Source
Visit Source
Kidney International
Peer Reviewed Journal
Visit Source
Visit Source
The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
Peer Reviewed Journal
Visit Source
Visit Source
Annals of Surgery
Peer Reviewed Journal
Visit Source
Visit Source
Chest
Peer Reviewed Journal
Visit Source
Visit Source
The Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry
Peer Reviewed Journal
Visit Source
Visit Source
Blood
Peer Reviewed Journal
Visit Source
Visit Source
Gastroenterology
Peer Reviewed Journal
Visit Source
Visit Source
The American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine
Peer Reviewed Journal
Visit Source
Visit Source
The American Journal of Psychiatry
Peer Reviewed Journal
Visit Source
Visit Source
Diabetes Care
Peer Reviewed Journal
Visit Source
Visit Source
The Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC)
Peer Reviewed Journal
Visit Source
Visit Source
The Journal of Clinical Oncology (JCO)
Peer Reviewed Journal
Visit Source
Visit Source
Journal of Clinical Investigation (JCI)
Peer Reviewed Journal
Visit Source
Visit Source
Circulation
Peer Reviewed Journal
Visit Source
Visit Source
JAMA Internal Medicine
Peer Reviewed Journal
Visit Source
Visit Source
PLOS Medicine
Peer Reviewed Journal
Visit Source
Visit Source
Annals of Internal Medicine
Peer Reviewed Journal
Visit Source
Visit Source
Nature Medicine
Peer Reviewed Journal
Visit Source
Visit Source
The BMJ (British Medical Journal)
Peer Reviewed Journal
Visit Source
Visit Source
The Lancet
Peer Reviewed Journal
Visit Source
Visit Source
Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA)
Peer Reviewed Journal
Visit Source
Visit Source
Pubmed
Comprehensive biomedical database
Visit Source
Visit Source
Harvard
Educational/Medical Institution
Visit Source
Visit Source
Cleveland Clinic
Educational/Medical Institution
Visit Source
Visit Source
Mayo Clinic
Educational/Medical Institution
Visit Source
Visit Source
The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM)
Peer Reviewed Journal
Visit Source
Visit Source
Johns Hopkins
Educational/Medical Institution
Visit Source
Visit Source

Hey Practitioners! Ready to become a world class gut health expert? Join Jeannie Gorman, MS, CCN, for a Free Live Class that dives into how popular diets impact the gut microbiome, the clinical dietary needs of your gut, biomarkers to test to analyze gut health, and gain a clear understanding of the Doctor’s Data GI360™ profile. Register here.