In caring for so many patients with mold toxicity, we have learned over the years that there is more to restoring health than simply draining the toxic junk out of their bodies. The detox takes months, and we want to protect the body from ongoing harm during that waiting period. The article in focus today highlights the role of resveratrol in preventing zearalenone related damage until the toxin’s levels can be lowered.
Zearalenone is produced by a mold species known as Fusarium which is common in several grains and which can grow in water damaged buildings and HVAC systems. While it is most well-known for its hormonal effects as a xenoestrogen, it also causes problems through oxidative stress, changes in autophagy (controlled cell turnover), immune disruption, and adverse effects on mitochondria. These mechanisms can lead to liver disease, neurodegenerative conditions, cancer, and fertility issues in animals.
Removing a mold toxin like zearalenone requires careful planning to improve all three phases of detox, minimizing the ongoing effects of the toxin not yet exited. Patients with high exposure or poor detox mechanisms have a particularly difficult time. The mycotoxin stays around longer and accumulate up to concentrations more likely to trigger illness and pathology. Until the levels can be lowered, we must pay careful attention to oxidative stress and to ameliorating its harm.
We already use a few different therapies to insulate metabolic process and cell structures from mycotoxins, but with this research, it looks like resveratrol will be another addition to our toolbox. We have already used supplements like omega 3’s, curcumin, and sulfurophane to protect our patients during detox. Now we will have another tool in resveratrol when zearalenone is involved.
Resveratrol was originally discovered as a potent antioxidant coming from the red grape skins in red wine. Initially targeted as fountain of youth of sorts, it turned out to be less exciting than that- yet still impressive in its overall health benefits. Now supplements primarily source it from Japanese knotweed, an understandably cheaper method than harvesting the byproduct of the wine and grape industry.
Resveratrol and zearalenone form an instructive comparison In a mouse study, zearalenone was shown to increase the markers of oxidative stress in mice intestines while resveratrol decreased these oxidative stress markers, counteracting the mycotoxin’s effects. Resveratrol also increased the enzymes like superoxide dismutase and catalase which protect against oxidative stress while lowering measures of fatty acid damage.
As for immune toxicity, several studies link zearalenone to immune suppression through a variety of cytokine and gene mechanisms. Resveratrol has many studies showing beneficial effect in the same pathways and when given with zearalenone, it can lower the adverse effects of the mycotoxin.
When it comes to mitochondrial dysfunction, zearalenone appears to disrupt the mitochondrial membrane inhibiting the electron transport chain and oxidative phosphorylation. Lowering the energy and increasing oxidative stress from this dysfunction can lead to cell death. Resveratrol appears to counteract some of this dysfunction in the mitochondria.
Restoring healthier, more abundant lives to our patients requires this multifaceted approach where we not only remove toxins from their bodies but also prevent further damage while waiting for detox to finish. At the same time, we address other factors like energy production, nutrient absorption, and inflammatory control. After the toxins are gone, we then shift to a regenerative effort, enabling the body to rebuild optimally. Altogether we see patients thrive after years of poor health.
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Original Article:
Lv, Q., Xu, W., Yang, F., Li, J., Wei, W., Chen, X., Liu, Y., & Zhang, Z. (2024). Protective and Detoxifying Effects of Resveratrol on Zearalenone-Mediated Toxicity: A Review. International journal of molecular sciences, 25(20), 11003. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms252011003
Sanctuary Functional Medicine, under the direction of Dr Eric Potter, IFMCP MD, provides functional medicine services to Nashville, Middle Tennessee and beyond. We frequently treat patients from Kentucky, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, Ohio, Indiana, and more... offering the hope of healthier more abundant lives to those with chronic illness.
Dr. Eric Potter graduated from Vanderbilt Medical School and then went on to specialize in internal medicine (adult) and pediatric care, spending significant time and effort in growing his medical understanding while caring for patients from all walks of life.
