Mold Toxin Exposure: Signs, Lab Tests, And Treatments

Whether you see it growing on the wall or catch a whiff of its musty smell, mold exposure may be contributing to your ongoing health concerns.  

There are millions of types of fungi in the world. Many of these are harmless. Some are beneficial, such as penicillin or edible mushrooms. Yet, others can be harmful, like certain molds.

Just as mold lurks in dark places, mold-related health issues can be difficult to recognize and are not always quickly identified by healthcare practitioners. Its symptoms are general and vague, and mold exposure often goes overlooked and misunderstood.    

Functional medicine practitioners recognize the potential impact it may have on health. Functional labs and a root cause approach can help support the whole body in maintaining health and provide steps to manage mold in the living space.

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What is Mold Exposure?

Different types of mold are around us all the time, but some may pose more risks than others. Mold exposure occurs when we live and work indoors where these molds have been given a chance to grow, detected or undetected. Mold exposure can become problematic when a person can't effectively eliminate the mycotoxins from their bodies. When the body struggles to rid itself of mycotoxins, it may lead to health issues affecting multiple bodily systems. This is sometimes referred to as "mold illness" and CIRS (Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome).

The CDC states that molds are widespread in buildings and homes. The most likely mold species found indoors are:

• Aspergillus
• Cladosporium
• Penicillium
• Alternaria
• Stachybotrys
  

Who's at Risk for Mold Exposure?

Mold produces tiny particles called spores. Much like pollen, spores and mycotoxins are lightweight and travel easily through the air. Both spores and mycotoxins can come into contact with our skin, respiratory tract, and GI tract.  

While we all experience exposure to mold spores and mycotoxins, not everyone experiences health issues. Those more likely to face health challenges include:

• Family history of allergies or asthma. 1 in 5 people have environmental allergies (mold included). If allergies or asthma run in the family, you may be more likely to react to mold.
• Respiratory conditions like asthma or COPD. Already compromised airways may be more likely to worsen when exposed to mold.
• Workplace exposure. Working environments such as farming, baking, millwork, carpentry, and greenhouse work may have higher exposure to mold.
• Living in a space with high humidity. Mold is more likely to grow when indoor humidity is above 50%.
• Working or living in a building that has been exposed to high moisture.
• Poor ventilation. Damp areas, such as the bathroom, are prone to housing mold. Tight seals on windows and doors also trap moisture and block proper ventilation.
• Genetics. According to the research of Dr. Ritchie Shoemaker, 24% of the population he studied showed a type of HLA gene that may not effectively detoxify mold or other biotoxins.

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What Are the Symptoms of Mold Exposure?

Mold exposure symptoms often overlap with other conditions and can be challenging to identify. Common symptoms include:

• Coughing
• Wheezing
• Shortness of breath
• Sore throat
• Runny nose
• Watery eyes
• Sinus congestion
• Skin rashes
• Nosebleeds
• Asthma attacks
  

Immune-compromised individuals may experience more severe symptoms:

• Fatigue
• Brain Fog
• Body aches
• Changes in mood
• Headaches
• Memory loss
• Liver and kidney issues
• Digestive issues
  

Not only do mold exposure symptoms overlap with other conditions, but it is not always apparent when and where mold exposure occurred. This both adds to the mysterious, elusive nature of mold exposure and to the challenges faced by doctors and patients trying to determine the cause.

How Does Mold Exposure Affect Your Health?

Mold can have an effect on many areas of your health - notably affecting the conditions below:

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)

Research has found a potential connection between patients experiencing chronic fatigue syndrome and mold exposure. In this 2013 study, 93% of patients with a prior CFS diagnosis showed the presence of at least one mycotoxin in their urine.

Neurological and Cognitive Impairment

Most mold toxins are fat-soluble. With fat covering much of the brain and nerves, the nervous system may be particularly vulnerable to mold exposure. A 2011 study showed children to have a significant decline in IQ scores when exposed to indoor mold for more extended periods. Other studies suggest those exposed to mold may experience loss of motor control, reaction time, memory loss, and verbal recall.

Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS)

MCAS is a host of symptoms caused by the overactivation of a part of our immune system, which causes the release of inflammatory chemicals into our system. MCAS may be triggered by exposure to toxins, including those from mold.

Eczema

Eczema disrupts the skin's ability to be a protective barrier to pathogens. This study found mold to potentially facilitate the process. Several species of mold have been found to be associated with the most common form of eczema, also called atopic dermatitis.

Asthma

Asthma is an inflammation-driven process and carries a genetic component. This study found asthma to be more prevalent in children with the rs7216389 T allele when exposed to mold. Also, research suggests that 2 out of 3 adult-onset asthma cases may be associated with mold exposure.

How to Spot Mold In Your Home

Typically, you can see or smell larger mold infestations. Smaller ones and areas you are seldom in (i.e., crawl spaces, attics) are more difficult to spot.

Signs to look for:

• Areas where water pools or condenses (bathrooms, under sinks, water leaks). Mold can only grow where there is a source of moisture.
• Staining on the walls that seep out even after cleaning.
• Musty, mildewy smells, especially after an area gets wet.

Functional Medicine Labs to Test for Mold Exposure

The following tests can be ordered by functional medicine practitioners to help identify mold exposure:

Inflammation

If mold exposure is a concern, then inflammation may be a factor, too. When mycotoxins are prevalent indoors, they can act as pro-inflammatory mediators, potentially leading to health issues (especially respiratory concerns).

According to reports from the US Government Accountability Office and the World Health Organization, increased levels of cytokines (interleukins and C4a, in particular) may be connected to mold exposure.

Mycotoxin Test

One way to assess mold exposure is to look for mycotoxins in the urine. Great Plains Laboratory, and RealTime Laboratories all provide urine lab tests to screen for the presence of mold toxins within the body.

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Genetic Testing

The MTHFR polymorphisms may share a connection to proper biotoxin elimination capabilities, and a genetic profile can help determine its presence.

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Functional Medicine Support for Mold Exposure

A root cause approach to support the body involves supporting the immune, inflammatory, and detox pathways, allowing for proper drainage. It doesn't matter what toxin we need to manage; the organs of elimination must be supported to reduce the toxin load. This means regular bowel movements, sweating, and maintaining good hydration. To do this, integrative practitioners may focus on reducing exposure and then focusing on nutritional, supplemental, and lifestyle factors to help the body gently detox.

Reduce Mold Exposure

The functional medicine approach begins with reducing exposure to mold toxins. Here are some ways to address mold in your home:

• Identify and manage the source. Repairing leaks, improving water drainage, fixing ventilation, and eliminating moisture can help manage mold growth.
• Clean-up through remediation professionals can help adequately and safely address the mold-contaminated area.
• Dust sample testing. Testing dust samples may provide insight if you suspect mold and don't have a visual on the source. The ERMI test is EPA-approved and will identify and quantify the indoor mold burden of a building.
• Maintain proper humidity levels. Monitor the humidity level in your home, especially in humid climates and summertime. It is generally advisable to keep levels below 50%.

Nutrition for Detox

In Functional Medicine, diet is often used as the first line of support for managing toxic overload. Many practitioners follow a medical-based detox program that combines a whole food, a low inflammatory, elimination diet. This includes a simplified list of foods to eat, foods to exclude, and supplements that support all levels of detox. Fiber is crucial to proper elimination as it binds to toxins and helps usher them out of the body through the gastrointestinal tract.

Supplements for Detox

Increasing specific nutrients and supplements may help support the body's natural detoxification pathways.

Binders

Also called sequestering agents, these are nonabsorbable materials that can bind toxins and help eliminate them through the GI tract. A common binder found to be effective for multiple mycotoxins is activated charcoal.

‍Glutathione

‍We can't discuss detox without discussing Glutathione (The Master Antioxidant). Glutathione plays a role in phase II of liver detox. It functions as an antioxidant, which helps reduce oxidative stress and manage free radicals generated during detoxification. Research suggests that mycotoxins may decrease the formation of glutathione due to reduced gene expression of the enzymes needed to form glutathione.

‍N-acetylcysteine (NAC)

‍NAC may stimulate glutathione biosynthesis, promote detoxification, and act directly as a scavenger of free radicals. Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a naturally occurring food-borne mycotoxin in various agricultural products worldwide. It has been suggested that the toxicity of OTA could be decreased by maintaining glutathione production with N-acetyl cysteine (NAC).

Garlic

The compound allicin found in garlic has been shown to both inhibit fungal growth and manage fungal cells.

Green Tea

The polyphenol components of green tea may play a role in the induction of phase 2 detoxification enzymes. This study showed that 500mg of green tea polyphenol daily increased the ability to manage the mycotoxin, aflatoxin B1.

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Summary

Our ability to manage and eliminate toxic chemicals, including mycotoxins, is an important component of health. Though mold won't be behind every chronic condition, it does deserve consideration. If you are struggling with your health, you may need to ask some important questions. Do you spend time in a damp or water-damaged building? Is mold contamination evident in your home or workplace? Do you experience chronic fatigue or immune issues? If these answers are yes, mold exposure could be a contributing factor. A functional medicine approach provides comprehensive testing and strategies to manage mold in your home, support the body's detox processes, and promote overall health.