Over the past few years, we’ve seen an increase in patients with headaches, chronic fatigue, insomnia, anxiety and depression. One of the main culprits for these conditions is mycotoxins from mold exposure.

Signs of mycotoxins in the body are often misdiagnosed or go unrecognized by conventional medicine. Our team at Infinity Wellness Center takes the time to understand your unique medical history and the variety of symptoms that may be caused by mold. 

Our team of functional medicine doctors identifies mold toxicity using The Infinity Way™, our proven three-stage process. We begin by digging deep into your health history, including your habits and environment, to determine the root cause of your symptoms and create a custom support plan.   

We’re here to support you and help eliminate mold from your system so you can regain your energy and live symptom free! Start your wellness journey and become a patient here. 

Mold Exposure Symptoms 

Diseases and symptoms linked to mold exposure vary. Virtually every neurological disease has been associated with the presence of mycotoxins in the body: Autism, Alzheimer’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson’s disease.  

There is a strong association between mycotoxin exposure and cancers, especially liver and kidney cancers. Mold toxicity can also aggravate or worsen preexisting conditions such as allergies, asthma, fatigue, skin issues and vision changes.  

A study of patients with chronic fatigue found that all the patients had high levels of mycotoxins in the urine. Beyond chronic fatigue, other symptoms include: 

• Fatigue
• Brain Fog / Cognitive Impairment
• Anxiety
• Insomnia
• Mimics Lyme Disease Symptoms 
• Leaky Gut 
• Weight Gain 
• Fever and pneumonia-like symptoms 
• Headaches
• Heart disease 
• Rheumatic disease 
• Sinusitis, runny nose and nose bleeds 
• Cancer 
• Memory loss 
• Vision loss 
• Skin irritation/rashes 
• Depression, ADHD and anxiety 
• Liver damage 
• Watery/itchy eyes 
• Coughing/wheezing 
• Fever 
• Asthma/difficulty breathing 

Different Types of Mold and Their Impact  

It’s important to note that mold exposure doesn’t mean mold is inside your body. Mold creates mycotoxins which are the toxins that cause symptoms. There are various types of mold that can impact your health differently.  

Aspergillus – This type is most prevalent in the environment. The most common route of infection is through respiratory system and can cause severe asthma when colonizes in the lungs. Its main target is the liver.  

Penicillium – Often found indoors, this mold can cause many allergic reactions. The most common mycotoxin (mold toxin) it produces is Ochratoxin, which damages the kidneys and is carcinogenic. 

Stachybotrys – This mold produces mycotoxins that act as immunosuppressors which lowers immune system function.  

Fusarium – Mycotoxins produced by this group can cause abdominal distress, malaise, diarrhea, emesis, reproductive disorders and, in extreme cases, death.  

Some people can detox mycotoxins from these types of mold easily, while others may have a harder time with mold detox because of genetic defects in methylation and/or blocked detox pathways.

Similarly, if your liver is congested with high loads of other toxins, then your body may not be able to remove these toxins on its own. That’s where we come in!  

Why Does Mold Cause Health Issues? 

Mold spores can build up as mycotoxins in your body and are then recognized as invaders to the immune system. Your body jumps into action to attack them. Antibodies are formed and can cause substances like histamine and cytokines to be produced, which lead to symptoms like watery eyes, a runny nose or sinusitis.  

With continuous exposure to these mold spores, the immune system can become overactive, confused, and begin to attack the body’s tissue (autoimmunity). Mycotoxins can cause neurological symptoms such as numbness and tingling in the extremities, headaches or changes in vision. 

Ochratoxin, in particular, depletes the brain of dopamine which can cause the destruction of neurons in the substantia nigra, striatum and hippocampus. Low levels of dopamine in these areas of the brain are commonly associated with Parkinson’s disease. 

Functional Medicine Solutions for Mold Toxicity  

As part of The Infinity Way™ process, we test for mold levels in your system. We use the Great Plains Laboratory MycoTOX profile to check the body for 40 different species of mold through a urine sample. Results are sent back to us, and then we address any lab markers that are in the abnormal ranges with a custom wellness plan for your specific case. 

It’s also important to evaluate your genetic predisposition to mycotoxicity, methylation and detox pathway activity. We use genetic testing to look for specific mutations in DNA that increase susceptibility to toxicity after exposure. Testing also evaluates if any detox pathways are blocked which could make it harder for the body to get rid of mycotoxins.  

How to Identify a Mold Problem in Your Environment and Stop the Spread 

Strange or unusual odors and worsening health symptoms may indicate the presence of mold in your house. Of course, if you see mold, especially near a known moisture source, be sure to have it properly remediated by a professional. 

It’s a smart idea to find moisture sensors that fit easily in your laundry room and under sinks to detect water leaks early. Quickly drying the area will prevent mold from growing.

The best way to determine if you have a mold problem in your home is to hire a certified mold inspector to run tests for mold spores. 

You can stop the spread of mold by identifying the cause – and the sooner, the better. Dry out the environment as soon as possible, especially after leaks, floods or spills. Adequate ventilation, proper humidity levels and reducing condensation are all important to stop mold from growing inside.  

 Regular housekeeping habits are also good ways to prevent mold from growing: 

• Vacuum rugs, carpets and furniture  
• Clean air ducts, vents and filters 
• Dust hard surfaces frequently
• Use bathroom fans to reduce humidity after showers/baths 

Our team is skilled in identifying and eliminating mold in your body through detox support, pathway drainage and recommending the best binders and antifungals for your symptoms. We’re here to support you and help rid mold from your system so you can regain your energy and live symptom-free! Start your wellness journey and become a patient here.