Lately, people are finding themselves suddenly getting sick, despite living a healthy lifestyle. They might be eating right, exercising regularly, staying hydrated, getting enough sleep, and even making sure they’re getting enough protein, yet they fall ill. Symptoms can range from random allergies to unexplained fatigue or discomfort. The worst part? The symptoms seem to disappear temporarily after visiting doctors and getting medications, only to resurface once the medication stops. This leaves people questioning their lifestyle choices, wondering why they’re still getting sick.

One pressing question that comes to everybody’s mind is- what is really going on?  The answer to this is many may be dealing with mycotoxin poisoning - a problem that’s not widely known but is becoming increasingly common. In this blog, we’ll dive into what mycotoxin poisoning is, its symptoms, and why a root cause approach is crucial to fully understand and address this issue.

What is Mycotoxin Poisoning?

Mycotoxin poisoning, or mycotoxin toxicity, occurs when a person is exposed to toxic chemicals produced by certain types of mold. Molds produce these toxins, known as mycotoxins, in damp and poorly ventilated environments. The symptoms of mycotoxin poisoning can be hard to pinpoint, but they often mimic other conditions, such as allergies, autoimmune diseases, or chronic fatigue.

Some common molds that produce mycotoxins include Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Stachybotrys (black mold). The most common source of mycotoxins is contaminated food. Apart from this, molds can grow in homes and workplaces as well. They usually grow in moist environments. Hence, places must be kept dry.  When these toxins enter the body, they can disrupt various organs and systems, causing symptoms that range from mild discomfort to severe illness. Long-term exposure can also lead to cancer.

The Common Trifecta: How Mycotoxin Poisoning, SIBO, and Mold Illness Interact?

Three conditions that often go hand-in-hand with mycotoxin poisoning are Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO), mold illness, and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS). Let’s take a closer look at each.

1. SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth)

In normal states, the large intestine contains more bacteria than the small intestine. However, due to unhealthy eating habits and other underlying causes, the number of bacteria in the small intestine increases. This overgrowth leads to many digestive issues like bloating, gas, constipation, and diarrhea. Now, if the body is exposed to mycotoxins, the bacterial overgrowth increases, since the toxins weaken the gut. This makes it more difficult to treat both diseases since both worsen each other.

2. Mold Allergy

Mold illness is a condition that results from long-term exposure to molds. It includes many symptoms, from respiratory issues to neurological problems like brain fog, memory loss, and headaches. People with mold illness often struggle with constant fatigue and even skin rashes. When someone with mold illness is exposed to mycotoxins, the toxins increase the already-present symptoms.

3. Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS)

Mast cells are a type of immune cell in the body that play a role in allergic reactions. The function of these cells is to fight against any foreign materials entering the body. In MCAS, these cells become hyperactive and release excessive amounts of histamine and other chemicals. This causes inflammation in the body, further leading to symptoms like itching, rashes, digestive problems, and even difficulty breathing. Prolonged exposure to mycotoxins can also cause chronic conditions and cancer. The chances of autoimmune conditions also increase due to inflammation. Mycotoxins can trigger mast cell activation, making the symptoms of MCAS much worse.

How These Conditions Work Together?

When one of these conditions - SIBO, mold illness, or MCAS - becomes worse, it often triggers or worsens the others. For example, mycotoxin exposure can trigger inflammation in the body, which weakens the immune system, leading to the overgrowth of harmful bacteria (SIBO). The mold illness increases the inflammatory response, and in turn, the mast cells become overactivated, causing even more symptoms. This connection between the diseases acts as a ripple effect. This makes it even harder for people to find lasting relief unless they address all the underlying factors.

Mycotoxins and Cancer

Studies have shown that prolonged mycotoxin exposure can lead to cancer. No doubt the cancer risks are increasing amongst people that otherwise appear healthy. Many keep wondering how a seemingly healthy person can get cancer. Lately, cases where people get last-stage cancers all of a sudden have increased. People often wonder what went wrong. Many factors can contribute to this, however, the possibility of mycotoxin poisoning causing cancer cannot be denied. 

Why a Root Cause Approach Is Important

Traditional treatments focus on masking symptoms - prescribing medications to deal with allergies, digestive issues, or fatigue. While these may provide temporary relief, they often don’t address the root causes of the illness. Moreover, the symptoms of mycotoxin poisoning are often mistaken for some other diseases. Hence, if a person goes to a healthcare professional, he/she will get medicines only for the visible symptoms. However, once the medication is stopped, the symptoms might go away, but the toxins are still there; meaning the root cause, which is mycotoxin poisoning is not targeted. This increases the chances of symptom relapse. The body is still not getting detoxed. Instead, it still gets exposed to mycotoxins, further worsening the condition. Due to this, a root cause approach is extremely important. 

Tips for Mycotoxin Poisoning Detox

If you think you might be suffering from mycotoxin poisoning, there are several steps you can take to help detox and heal your body. Here are some helpful tips:

1. Repaint Your House: If there is a mold infestation in your house, repainting with mold-resistant paint can help reduce exposure.
2. Wash  Fruits and Vegetables with Activated Charcoal: Certain foods, like peanuts, nuts, grains, and fruits (especially berries), can harbor mycotoxins. Washing fruits and veggies with a mixture of activated charcoal can help reduce the toxins on their surface. 
3. Activated Charcoal Supplement: This powerful detoxifier can bind to mycotoxins in the digestive system and help flush them from the body. It can be taken as a supplement to get rid of toxins in the body.
4. Avoid Alcohol and Smoking: Both alcohol and smoking can weaken the immune system, making it harder for your body to detox from mycotoxins.
5. Glutathione: Glutathione is an important antioxidant that helps your body detoxify and fight oxidative stress. A good glutathione supplement can help in the detoxification process.
6. Antioxidants: Antioxidants help to reduce oxidative stress in the body, thus reducing inflammation. Foods rich in antioxidants are orange, lemon, Indian gooseberry, papaya, bell pepper, apple, and berries.
7. Infrared Sauna and Steam Sauna: Sweating through heat therapies like infrared saunas and steam rooms helps remove toxins at a cellular level.
8. Indoor Air Purifiers: Using air purifiers in your home can help remove mycotoxins from the air and improve air quality.
9. Indoor plants: Certain plants, like Snake Plants, Spider Plants, Peace Lilies, Boston Fern, Golden Pothos, and Aloe Vera, can help reduce the moisture in the air, thus curbing mold growth. 
10. Avoid plastic and wooden chopping boards: There are higher chances of mold growth on plastic and wooden materials. They should be avoided. Instead, stainless steel boards are a better option. To avoid cross-contaminating your food, make sure to use separate chopping boards for vegetables and meat.

Mycotoxin poisoning, though not widely understood, is a growing concern that can lead to a variety of unexplained symptoms. By adopting a root cause approach and focusing on detoxification and overall health, the impact of mycotoxins on health can be reduced. 

If you suspect you have mycotoxin poisoning or related conditions, it’s crucial to adopt a holistic approach rather than just managing symptoms.