Proof of Mold in the Article-Pudding
Our patients are often left in the difficult position of repeatedly having to prove to others that their illness is real, that mold toxins have triggered a mess of symptoms and caused all kinds of havoc in their lives. At times they can even begin to ask themselves if they are just crazy, if it’s just all in their heads. When we sit down with them, we help them breathe and believe in their condition though it often feels invisible. We help them not only to overcome the illness, but to understand it, so they can help others in their lives understand as well.
You Are Not Alone
At the simplest level, we reassure them that they are not alone, that thousands and thousands of others are dealing with similar situations of mold toxicity. They are not alone. That can go a long way, but we know that many others in their lives will need some more proof than “Dr. Potter told me so.” For that reason and for the sheer sake of our own understanding mold’s effects on our patients’ lives, we study the literature and share those insights in article summaries like this. Trying to shuffle through the hundreds of articles supporting mold’s adverse effects on our health would take weeks or more. This is meant to provide some bite size pieces without choking (or falling asleep).
Highlights
With that goal, I pull out some important points from the article in focus.
- The article from 2012 emphasize that no research had yet fully investigated Sick Building Syndrome to fully explain it or mold’s contribution to it. I would emphasize that this means that anyone who ‘guarantees’ that mold is not making people sick is basing that pronouncement on their opinion rather than available science.
- Different molds begin their growth at different times and at different humidity levels. Aspergillus and Penicillum enter first at lower humidities. Cladosporium, Altenaria, and Chaetomium come along later as humidity rises. Then comes Fusarium and yeasts, at the highest humidities.
- Mold’s release a variety of chemicals and substances. This includes beta-glucans, mycotoxins, volatile organic compounds such as aldehydes, ketones, alcohols, aromatics, and more. Known toxins like xylene and formaldehyde can come from mold growth such as Aspergillus, Cladosporium, and Penicillium.
- Some of the toxins produced by Stachybotrys inhibit protein synthesis and induce cell death through a pathway called MAPK. Others have been found to be immunosuppressive. Some trichothecenes from Stachybotrys are considered neurotoxic, causing “eye dysfunction, dyspnea, tachycardia, nausea, tremors, dizziness, lowered concentration, confusion, loss of balance, hypotension, myelosuppression, lower CNS activity bordering neurocognitive/behavioral deficits, and somnolence.”
- Many molds produce some type of substance that inhibits movement of the cilia which keep dust out of our lungs, thus allowing particles to get further into our lung and cause more effects.
- Fungal hemolysins, a class of chemicals made by many molds, are known to activate histamine and cytokine producing cells leading to inflammation and other symptoms.
- The dose needed to cause adverse effects may be one-tenth when inhaled versus ingested.
Tip of the Iceberg
This is the tip of a huge iceberg that most in medicine do not know about in regards to the effects of mold on human health. We at Sanctuary are not surprised as we see it in the lives of countless patients and how they recover life when the mold is dealt with in body and in their environment. If you are struggling with mold toxicity, don’t let others tell you that you are crazy. Get a real evaluation by someone who can confirm that mold is behind your symptoms so you can get the treatment you need.
Other Articles:
Original Article:
Piecková E. (2012). Adverse health effects of indoor moulds. Arhiv za higijenu rada i toksikologiju, 63(4), 545–549. https://doi.org/10.2478/10004-1254-63-2012-2221
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.
