While acute mycotoxin poisoning is more evident through noticeable symptoms, chronic toxicity is more common and has long-term repercussions. Mycotoxin molds grow on different crops and food items like nuts, cereals, spices, dried fruits, apples, etc., under humid conditions. If you suspect mycotoxin poisoning, do seek immediate treatment.
Full Answer
When should I be concerned about mycotoxins?
When someone has numerous symptoms that are not improving, often with tests that show no abnormalities, it is important to consider mycotoxins as a potential contributor.
How are patients with mycotoxin-induced disease treated?
The treatment of patients with mycotoxin-induced disease Twenty-eight incapacitated individuals (average 43 years old, 7 males, 21 females, range 12-70) exposed to molds and mycotoxins were studied and treated with a protocol of cleaning up or changing their environment to be mold free.
Which mycotoxin test should I use?
I highly recommend this Mycotoxin test I use for my patients regularly. This Mycotoxin test looks at every GPL-Mycotox markers, including Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1), Ochratoxin A (OTA), Sterigmatocystin (STG), Roridin E, Verrucarin A, Enniatin B1, Zearalenone (ZEA). It also tests for molds, such as Aspergillus, Penicillium, Stachybotrys, and Fusarium.
How long should I fast before mycotoxins are tested?
Unless you are not running this test in combination with other urine tests, I recommend that you fast for 12 hours before testing to increase the excretion of mycotoxins from the adipose tissue.
Is mold a mycotoxin?
Can mycotoxins be inhaled?
Can mycotoxins be harmful?
About this website
When should you see a doctor for mold exposure?
Symptoms of mold exposure are not usually an emergency, but in some instances, you should seek immediate medical treatment. Go directly to the nearest emergency room or call 911 if you: Have significant trouble breathing. Have an asthma attack that doesn't respond to your usual medication or seems worse than usual.
How long does it take for mycotoxins to leave the body?
Those who process toxins well can see their symptoms disappear as quickly as a few days. Others who eliminate toxins slowly can experience symptoms for much longer. They could be ill for months or even years after the source of mold is eliminated.
How long after mold exposure do you get sick?
These symptoms usually first appear 2 to 9 hours after exposure and last for 1 to 3 days. Other affected persons have progressive shortness of breath and cough, as well as weight loss. Work-relatedness may only become apparent over long holidays if symptoms resolve and then recur on return to work.
What should you do if you are exposed to mold?
TreatmentNasal corticosteroids. These nasal sprays help prevent and treat the inflammation caused by an upper respiratory mold allergy. ... Antihistamines. These medications can help with itching, sneezing and runny nose. ... Oral decongestants. ... Decongestant nasal sprays. ... Montelukast.
How do you get mycotoxins out of your body?
Importantly, even those without genetic susceptibility may need to detox if they've had a serious mold exposure. Ideally, mycotoxins should be filtered out by the liver and then escorted out through urine or stool.
How do you detox from mold toxicity?
Some proponents of mold detoxes claim activated charcoal will bind to mycotoxins, allowing you to detox after exposure to toxic mold. While doctors do use activated charcoal to treat cases of poisoning, no research currently backs up the claim that charcoal helps with the effects of mold exposure.
Can a doctor test for mold exposure?
But your doctor may check for mold allergies by reviewing your symptoms and performing one of the following tests: Blood test. Your doctor takes a blood sample and then sends it to a laboratory to measure the number of certain antibodies, which can indicate your immune system's sensitivity to different mold species.
What are the signs of mold toxicity?
In general, symptoms include:sinus and nasal congestion.nasal irritation.itchy, watery eyes.red eyes.blurry vision.wheezing.trouble breathing.coughing.More items...•
What are the symptoms of long term mold exposure?
Toxic mold exposure is also connected to more serious, long-term effects like insomnia, memory loss, trouble concentrating and confusion. Mold exposure contributes to depression and anxiety. It can even lead to muscle cramps, numbness in extremities, weight gain, light sensitivity and hair loss.
How do I know if I have mold in my lungs?
Exposure to Aspergillus fumigatus mold can cause an infection/reaction called aspergillosis in some people. Symptoms include wheezing, coughing, chest pain and fever....If the disease progresses, symptoms may include:Coughing, sometimes accompanied by mucus or blood.Wheezing.Fever.Chest pain.Difficulty breathing.
What are mycotoxins?
Final Thoughts. Mycotoxins are some of the most common and dangerous toxins in our environment. They can be found in some of your food and hidden in your home. Mycotoxins may lead to uncomfortable acute and chronic symptoms, a compromised immune system, and serious health problems.
What is the next step in mycotoxin detoxification?
The next step of mycotoxin detoxification is controlling mold growth in your home. Mold detection starts with the smell. Mold generally has a damp and musty smell which is caused by microbial volatile organic compounds (mVOCs) produced by substances made by mold.
Why is it important to detoxify your body?
Because they may lead to uncomfortable acute and chronic symptoms, a compromised immune system, and serious health problems, it is absolutely crucial that you detoxify your body from mycotoxins and control mycotoxins exposure in your life. In this article, you will learn what mycotoxins are, how they affect your immune system, ...
What is ochratoxin A?
Ochratoxin A is produced by Penicillium and Aspergillus. It’s a common mycotoxin that may be found in contaminated foods, including dry vine fruits, wine, grape juice, coffee, cereal, licorice, and spices. It may lead to negative effects on your immune system, kidneys, and fetal development (1).
What are some examples of mycotoxins?
Alcoholic beverages, such as beer, wine, cider, rum, gin, brandy, and whiskey. Most types of coffee and chocolate. Seeds such as quinoa, flax, hemp, pumpkin, chia. Grain fed meats, because the animals are typically ingesting grains that are full of mycotoxins.
Can mycotoxins cause cancer?
According to the World Health Organization, mycotoxins may cause acute symptoms of severe illness after the consumption of contaminated food products. They also warn that mycotoxins, especially in foods have been linked to serious, long-term health issues, including immune deficiency and cancer (1, 3, 4).
Can you test for mycotoxins?
Testing For Mycotoxin Exposure. If you notice any symptoms of mycotoxins exposure or you suspect that you’ve been exposed to mycotoxins , it is a good idea to get tested in order to find the right treatment and solve your symptoms once and for all. I highly recommend this Mycotoxin test I use for my patients regularly.
Step 1: Mycotoxin Illness Questionnaire
This is a list of the most common mycotoxin-associated symptoms. Each symptom is rated 0 to 3, in terms of frequency and severity. At the end, tally up your points to determine the degree of potential mycotoxin-illness.
Step 2: Initial steps to take if you suspect mold exposure
This is a step-by-step guide for testing the home and work environment for the presence of mycotoxin spores. This testing includes links to remediation options. In addition, there is a section on how to prepare the body for "detoxification," if the symptom questionnaire indicates a moderate to severe likelihood of mycotoxin illness.
What are the symptoms of mold?
When these cause problems, there are two general categories to be aware of: Immune reaction to mold, which involves allergy-like symptoms such as sinus issues, runny nose, itchy skin/eyes, asthma, shortness of breath, and more.
Is mycotoxin a mainstream medicine?
Richie Shoemaker. Unfortunately it is not yet recognized by mainstream medicine in America, primari ly because there are limited research studies.
Is mycotoxins neurotoxins?
The brain is composed of nerves, and mycotoxins are neurotoxins (i.e. they affect how the brain controls the rest of the body). There are many other tools we can use in treatment, but the above are what I recommend to all my patients with suspected mycotoxin-induced illness. Anything else needs to be customized.
Can mycotoxin cause multiple sclerosis?
The symptoms of mycotoxin-induced illness vary and have no pattern, and they are not unique to this illness. They can look like other diseases, and thus be diagnosed as such (e.g. multiple sclerosis, psychosis, migraines, food allergies, etc).
Is there a universal diagnosis for mycotoxin?
At the time of writing this article, there are no universal guidelines on what constitutes a “diagnosis” of mycotoxin -induced illness , which makes it difficult to treat. Thus, I typically give a tentative diagnosis when a patient has the following:
Is there bias in mycotoxins?
In other words, there is often bias that almost every symptom has mycotoxins as a common trigger. There is a lot of information found online on this illness, which generates mostly fear and can lead to a significant expenditure of money and emotional turmoil.
Is mold a problem in Austin?
Mold is part of our world (especially in Austin, TX!). It is inconvenient when we find it on our food. It is irritating when it causes allergies. It can be lifesaving when it creates an antibiotic. But of the more than 50,000 species of mold, around 200 are known to potentially cause serious illness in humans by releasing microscopic molecules ...
Where Are Mycotoxins Found?
Mycotoxins are an umbrella group of toxins that can grow on the following:
What Do Mycotoxins Do To Humans?
Coffee mold exposure symptoms or mold exposure symptoms generally may be grouped in several ways. First, there are two different kinds of exposure — acute and chronic.
How Do I Avoid Mycotoxins?
Mycotoxins can grow on the surface of foods as well as penetrate deep within the food. However, mycotoxins rarely grow on properly stored food that is dry and clean.
What is the best binder for ochratoxin?
If ochratoxin is the major toxin, cholestyramine (or welchol) is the best binder. If aflatoxins or tricothecenes are prominent, activated charcoal and/or bentonite clay work best. All can be used concurrently if all toxins are present on testing.
Can mold be used as a screening?
This means home, office, and places you spend a fair amount of time. You can use mold plates as an inexpensive screening, or ERMI testing or use the services of a reputable environmental engineer.
How to eliminate mycotoxins?
Eliminating mycotoxins from your body, once you have eliminated them from your environment is individualized. It typically involves optimizing organs of elimination including bowels, liver, kidneys, skin/lymph and lungs. Depending on the mycotoxins present and your body’s ability to tolerate treatment, I will recommend a combination of binders like clay, charcoal, chlorella, zeolite, cilantro, citrus pectin and cholesteramine or welchol. I also recommend liver detox support like glutathione, NAC, milk thistle, minerals, vitamin C and the B vitamins. Sweating via exercise or a sauna is another great way to reduce mycotoxin levels in the body.
How to reduce mycotoxins in body?
Sweating via exercise or a sauna is another great way to reduce mycotoxin levels in the body. Although air filters in the home can drastically reduce the level of mycotoxins, they are not a permanent fix. I recommend the IQ Air GC MultiGas. Image credit: NordhornerII [ CC BY-SA 4.0 ], via Wikimedia Commons.
What is mycotoxins?
Mycotoxins are certain toxins that are naturally produced by mold and other kinds of fungi. Humans may be exposed to mycotoxins through the air in mold-affected buildings or homes and through certain kinds of foods. Mycotoxin exposure can lead to illness, the symptoms and severity of which vary significantly from person to person [ 1, 2 ].
How does blood test tell you how your body is reacting to mycotoxins?
Pros: Blood tests can tell you how your body is currently reacting to mycotoxins by measuring markers of immune system reactivity. Cons: Research is limited when it comes to the accuracy or relevance of serum mycotoxin testing. Serum testing also can’t show you how much you’re excreting or eliminating.
What is the difference between mold and mycotoxin?
First, let’s distinguish between mold and mycotoxin testing. Mold testing generally refers to environmental testing (for the presence of mold in a home or building), while mycotoxin testing refers to tests that look at the presence or effects of mycotoxins in the body.
How to get rid of mold in gut?
Making changes to diet and lifestyle can resolve some or all symptoms, potentially eliminating the need for mycotoxin testing.
Is mycotoxin testing validated?
Mycotoxin research is still in its infancy and testing is not well validated. Misinterpreting or putting too much weight on test results may distract from identifying other important health issues. Before considering mycotoxin testing, it’s essential to explore other factors that may be responsible for your symptoms.
Is there a test for mold and mycotoxin?
Research on all mold and mycotoxin testing is limited, and there is no perfect test [ 3 ]. There are currently no FDA-approved laboratory tests for mycotoxins. Keep in mind that two people may have similar levels of exposure to toxins but very different capacities to detoxify from them.
Can mold show up on a test?
Mold may also show up on environmental tests even when levels are likely not high enough to be harmful , which can lead to unnecessary panic. Who it’s best for: Environmental testing might be a good idea if you suspect that mold exposure is a current problem in your home and want to know the degree of the problem.
Is mold a mycotoxin?
Understanding Mycotoxin Testing and Interpretation. While the science regarding mold exposures is uncertain, the need to protect human health is not. Mycotoxins are poisonous compounds made by various fungi (molds) as secondary metabolites. It is believed that one of their primary functions is to give mold a competitive advantage ...
Can mycotoxins be inhaled?
Exposure in this setting is usually chronic and by inhalation, as opposed to the acute ingestion exposures that occur in agriculture. The real controversy right now is whether chronic exposure to mycotoxins through inhalation has a negative effect on human health.
Can mycotoxins be harmful?
If not careful, people can go beyond the bounds of scientific knowledge and use one of the viewpoints listed earlier to promote their own agenda. Claiming that mycotoxins have no health effect or that they are dangerous in indoor environments are both positions that have not been scientifically validated. The bottom line is that one cannot say there is or is not a health effect associated with mycotoxins from contaminated indoor environments. However, since there could be a potential health effect, proper precautions to protect people must be taken.
Is mold a mycotoxin?
Understanding Mycotoxin Testing and Interpretation. While the science regarding mold exposures is uncertain, the need to protect human health is not. Mycotoxins are poisonous compounds made by various fungi (molds) as secondary metabolites. It is believed that one of their primary functions is to give mold a competitive advantage ...
Can mycotoxins be inhaled?
Exposure in this setting is usually chronic and by inhalation, as opposed to the acute ingestion exposures that occur in agriculture. The real controversy right now is whether chronic exposure to mycotoxins through inhalation has a negative effect on human health.
Can mycotoxins be harmful?
If not careful, people can go beyond the bounds of scientific knowledge and use one of the viewpoints listed earlier to promote their own agenda. Claiming that mycotoxins have no health effect or that they are dangerous in indoor environments are both positions that have not been scientifically validated. The bottom line is that one cannot say there is or is not a health effect associated with mycotoxins from contaminated indoor environments. However, since there could be a potential health effect, proper precautions to protect people must be taken.
