Understanding causation of a disease often starts with recognizing correlations between possible triggers and an identified disease syndrome. Myalgic encephalomyelitis/ chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) has been recognized as a syndrome affecting millions for a number of years yet a full understanding of its mechanisms and causes is still forthcoming. Researchers who take it seriously rather than dismissing it have searched for infections, genetics, toxins, and more that might be the trigger for this disabling condition. This study considers whether mycotoxins, toxic chemicals produced by molds in our environment might be contributing or causing this syndrome.
Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) attacks patients suddenly or gradually with a complex multi-system presentation that can include fatigue, cognitive impairments, pain, and other symptoms. Without a clearly effective therapy and with a societal impact of lost productivity, medical research should press forward for most answers in whatever potential areas might lead to answers. In this case, researchers looked at epidemiologic data to determine if rates of mycotoxin exposure might correlate with the occurrence of ME/CFS.
Urine samples in the study showed high percentages of ochratoxin A, gliotoxin, and aflatoxin in patients with ME/CFS. In a group of 236 identified ME/CFS patients, significant percentages of the patients had 1 or more of these toxins. While I am confident that mycotoxins negatively impact the health of patients in our clinic, this study must be advanced in several ways. Comparisons between those with and those without ME/CFS in terms of mycotoxin levels should be made. Given that some individuals can be exposed to mycotoxins without developing ME/CFS, comparisons from an epidemiologic and a pathologic standpoint should be made. From there, for those with ME/CFS and mycotoxin documented exposure, therapy should produce both symptomatic and lab documented improvements.
If we in functional medicine who acknowledge mold toxicity illness want to convince the broader medical community of our patient’s root cause, we need hard core proof. Meanwhile, we can continue to help our patients live healthier more abundant lives through diagnosis and detox of these potent toxins.
Original Article:
Wu, T. Y., Khorramshahi, T., Taylor, L. A., Bansal, N. S., Rodriguez, B., & Rey, I. R. (2022). Prevalence of Aspergillus-Derived Mycotoxins (Ochratoxin, Aflatoxin, and Gliotoxin) and Their Distribution in the Urinalysis of ME/CFS Patients. International journal of environmental research and public health, 19(4), 2052. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19042052
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.
