Suppose you have been struggling with mysterious symptoms like unexplained chronic fatigue, brain fog, and digestive or sinus issues that don't seem to go away even after doing some gut-healing protocols. Maybe you have tried every single SIBO protocol without success. In this case, there might be a not-so-obvious reason for having those chronic symptoms, and the culprit might be toxic mold exposure, as was in my case.

Mold is not fun. It can (literally) eat you up and make your life miserable. I felt pretty well after healing my gut from SIBO, but I still couldn't shake off the deliberating fatigue and brain fog I had on most days. During that time, we also encountered water damage in our apartment – water dripped from the ceiling because a pipeline was broken behind the wall. At first, I didn't realize how serious this could be, but later a light bulb turned on in my mind, what if there is mold?

Mold Toxicity: The Invisible Intruder

What the heck is mold?

Mold (or mould) is a natural part of the environment, a type of fungi that can grow on many indoor and outdoor surfaces, requiring oxygen and moisture to start growing. Mold releases tiny spores in the air to spread. There are many different species of mold, and many of them are not even identified.

Unfortunately, mold is a widespread problem nowadays in buildings. We need to talk about it since we spend too much time indoors, and health risks are associated with mold that grows indoors that may have been exposed to water damage. But it can also happen if there is no proper ventilation installed in the building and the air humidity gets too high.

Foods like nuts, dried fruits, apples, coffee, and cereals, can also be contaminated with mold (more about them later) that we may ingest.

What about mycotoxins?

These toxins are present in mold fragments and spores released into the air. They can enter our body through inhalation, the skin, or even by ingesting mold-contaminated foods, creating havoc on the body.

Mycotoxins can have a negative impact on many bodily functions. Many people may have heard that it can lead to respiratory issues (asthma, sneezing, runny nose, breathing issues), but mold toxins may affect more than just that. It can impact the gastrointestinal tract, nervous system, immune function, and many other organs. Mold toxins can lead to the condition called: Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS).

The most common mycotoxins are:

• Trichothecenes
• Fumonisins
• Ochratoxins
• Aflatoxins

What are the typical signs of mold toxicity?

• Fatigue and weakness
• Headaches, light sensitivity
• Insomnia
• Poor memory, difficult word finding
• Difficulty concentration, brain fog
• Morning stiffness, joint pain
• Unusual skin sensations, tingling, and numbness
• Shortness of breath, sinus congestion, or a chronic cough
• Appetite swings, body temperature regulation,
• Increased urinary frequency or increased thirst
• Red eyes, blurred vision, sweats, mood swings, sharp pains
• Abdominal pain, diarrhea, bloating, food sensitivities
• Tearing, disorientation, metallic taste in your mouth
• Static shocks
• Vertigo, feeling lightheaded

There is also a phenomenon that even though a family of 4 live in a water-damaged building, it can happen that only one member of the family will show the symptoms. Why? First of all, each of us is built differently, and some people can clear out toxins better than others, but there is another explanation. Around 25% of the population has the DLA-DR gene meaning that these people are more susceptible to mold toxins than those without that gene. These people have difficulty clearing mold toxins even after getting out of the exposure.

Why should you care about mold toxicity if you have SIBO or gut issues?

What is SIBO?

Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) is a condition in which an excessive number of bacteria accumulate in the small intestine. SIBO can cause a wide range of gastrointestinal symptoms, such as bloating, gas, abdominal pain, constipation, and/or diarrhea. The overgrowth of bacteria can also interfere with nutrient absorption, leading to deficiencies and further health complications. 

Mold Toxicity and SIBO Connection

Mold toxins can disrupt the function of the Migrating Motor Complex (MMC) by interfering with the chemical signaling that would activate the MMC.

MMC is responsible for sweeping the remaining bacteria and food particles from your small intestine toward the colon between meals. A well-functioning MMC is crucial in preventing SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth).

They can also damage the intestinal wall (causing a Leaky gut and intolerances), hindering nutrient absorption.

Also, mold toxins can suppress the immune system, and cause systematic inflammation, by altering the gut microbiome (disrupting the balance between beneficial and pathogenic gut bacteria). The consequence is that Candida or other pathogens (bacterial, viral, parasitic infections) can start growing out of control.

To recover from SIBO, you also need a well-functioning immune system that may be depleted due to fighting mold and other bacterial toxins all the time.

How to know if you are affected by mold toxicity?

Test your home/workspaces

If you live in the US, you can hire local inspectors to assess your home, workplace, and car. Another option is an ERMI mold test is also a good option. Still, you need to locate the mold and that can be challenging. That's where a mold dog comes in. They are a very valuable asset in this case.

Where can mold hide?

Mold can hide in many places in your home, but it mostly loves warm, dark, and moist environments. But other areas like your workspace and car can also house mold.

• Basements, attic area
• Carpets, rugs
• Behind furniture
• Window sills
• Air conditioning, Air ducts
• Seals, coils, and drip pans on electronic devices like front-load washing machines, tumblers, refrigerators, dishwashers
• Books, paper, documents
• Beneath the wallpaper
• Kitchen, and bathroom area, sills, sink, plumbing, etc.
• Water filtration systems
• Boilers and Water Heaters
• Plants

ARTICLE LINK: https://seekingguthealth.com/mold-toxicity-and-sibo/