Mold and Gut Health
If you’ve tried everything for your gut health and haven’t been able to improve your symptoms (i.e. bloating, weight gain, IBS), the culprit might be mold toxicity.
With 85% of buildings in America being water damaged and 25% of the world's crops being contaminated, mold exposure is becoming a more and more common culprit for GI symptoms in the patients I work with. It can stick around in your body for decades if left untreated, making it difficult to pinpoint. It might seem obvious that exposure to mold can cause respiratory and sinuses issues, but it can also seriously hurt your gut health.
How Mold + Mycotoxins Affect your Gut Health
Digestive Disruption: Mycotoxins (the toxic byproducts of mold) can alter the gut microbiome, leading to an imbalance of beneficial and harmful bacteria (depleting good bacteria vs. increasing bad bacteria). This dysbiosis can manifest as digestive issues, including bloating, gas, and diarrhea.
Inflammation: Exposure to mold and mycotoxins can trigger an inflammatory response in the gut, contributing to conditions like leaky gut syndrome. Specific mycotoxins interfere with the protein that links epithelial cells together, weakening your gut barrier. This increased intestinal permeability can allow toxins and undigested food particles to enter the bloodstream, leading to further health complications.
Immune System Impact: A healthy gut is crucial for a robust immune system. Mold exposure can weaken immune responses, making the body more susceptible to bacterial, viral and parasitic infections and chronic diseases.
Recognizing Symptoms
It’s essential to be aware of potential symptoms related to mold exposure, including:
Digestive discomfort (bloating, constipation, diarrhea)
Fatigue, brain fog, cognitive issues
Sinus and allergic reactions (sneezing, rashes, bloody noses)
Prevention and Action Steps
1. Mold Awareness: Regularly check your home for signs of mold, particularly in damp areas like bathrooms and basements. If you find mold, address it promptly.
2. Dietary Choices: Eating a diet rich in fiber, prebiotics, and probiotics can help support a healthy gut microbiome and mitigate the effects of mycotoxins.
3. Testing: If you suspect mold exposure, consider testing yourself or your home.
For more support through identifying the root cause of your health symptoms or specialty testing or walking through a mold detoxification, set up a free call with me here.
Sources:
* https://www.indianjournals.com/ijor.aspx?target=ijor:als&volume=5&issue=10&article=010
** https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5834427/#B114
*** https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23430606/