The Hidden Connection: Mold and Your Gut Health

The Hidden Connection: Mold and Your Gut Health

Jan 08, 2025

When we think about mold, most of us picture unsightly patches on bread or walls. But mold exposure can start from just water damage hidden underneath well-painted walls. It has far-reaching consequences—especially for our health. Mold toxicity is a condition I take very seriously because it’s one I’ve dealt with myself.

In 2018, I began experiencing symptoms that seemed to have no cause. I was constantly nauseous and had abdominal pain. On the rare occasion that I was able to eat, I had severe allergic reactions to most foods. I threw up a lot. I lost weight. I was constantly tired and couldn’t even climb a few stairs without getting winded! What was happening to me?

Luckily, my training as a functional medicine practitioner allowed me to connect the dots and make a diagnosis. I was suffering from mast cell activation syndrome and mold toxicity caused by exposure to hidden mold in my office building that I had moved into a year ago.

After vacating my office building, I began to take steps to heal myself from mold toxicity. I’m happy to report that I became symptom free a few months after moving out of the office building. After my personal experience with mold toxicity, I studied it extremely with The International environmental society and with Dr. Neil Nathan and I am more committed than ever to helping others with their illness caused by toxic mold.

The recent floods in Houston may have brought more than just cosmetic water damage to your home. In my reel, I talk about how to spot mold and how to stay protected against its debilitating health effects.

You can also read this quick checklist to know where to look when you’re doing an inspection on mold. For this blog, let’s talk about how mold toxicity can wreck havoc on your gut health and trigger a host of problematic symptoms that show up on a daily basis.

Mold and Mycotoxins: The Silent Intruders

Mold itself isn’t always the problem—it’s the mycotoxins that molds produce that bring the damage. These toxic compounds can enter the body through inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact, often going unnoticed until symptoms arise. Once in the body, mycotoxins can compromise the gut lining, trigger inflammation, and disrupt the delicate balance of gut microbiota.

What is Mold?

Mold, a type of fungus, thrives in damp, poorly ventilated environments or areas with water damage. It often exists unnoticed long before becoming visible as dark spots or patches. Mold can grow on almost any surface with sufficient moisture, from wood and paper to furniture and food.

In nature, mold plays a vital role in breaking down organic materials like leaves and debris. However, when it enters indoor spaces, it becomes a serious health concern, contributing to air pollution and posing significant risks to human well-being. Common hiding spots for mold include areas areas under the sinks, beneath paint or tiles, within carpets and upholstery, inside air conditioning vents, and behind walls or sheetrock.

Research highlights the dangers of mold exposure: one study found that infants living in mold-infested homes were three times more likely to develop asthma by age seven. The health risks of mold are primarily linked to mycotoxins, toxic compounds it releases into the air. These mycotoxins are known to cause inflammation and disrupt the immune system.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that between 10% and 50% of indoor spaces in North America may harbor harmful levels of mold, underscoring the importance of identifying and addressing mold contamination to protect our health.

How Mold Impacts Gut Health

  1. Leaky Gut Syndrome
    The intestinal lining acts as a barrier, selectively allowing nutrients to pass into the bloodstream while keeping harmful substances out. Mycotoxins can damage this lining, leading to increased intestinal permeability—commonly known as leaky gut. When this barrier is compromised, toxins, bacteria, and undigested food particles can escape into the bloodstream, triggering systemic inflammation and autoimmune responses.
  2. Microbiome Imbalance
    A healthy gut microbiome consists of a diverse range of beneficial bacteria. Mycotoxins can kill off beneficial microbes, paving the way for harmful bacteria, yeast, and fungi to flourish. This imbalance, called dysbiosis, can lead to digestive issues, brain fog, and even mood disorders like anxiety and depression.
  3. Inflammation Overload
    Mold exposure activates the immune system, leading to chronic inflammation. In the gut, this can exacerbate conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Crohn’s disease, and other inflammatory gut disorders. As a functional medicine physician, I often find that inflammation as a root cause of many chronic illnesses. So addressing mold exposure is key to restoring health.
  4. Nutrient Malabsorption
    A damaged gut lining cannot absorb nutrients efficiently. This means even if you eat a balanced diet, your body may not be getting the vitamins and minerals it needs, leading to fatigue, poor immunity, and other health issues.

Signs Mold May Be Affecting Your Gut

  • Chronic bloating, gas, or diarrhea
  • Persistent fatigue or brain fog
  • Worsening of autoimmune symptoms
  • Frequent food sensitivities or allergies
  • Unexplained weight changes

Functional Medicine Approach to Mold-Related Gut Issues

  1. Identify and Remove the Source
    The first step is identifying and eliminating exposure to mold. Home inspections, air quality tests, and professional remediation may be necessary. Consider using air purifiers with HEPA filters to reduce airborne mold spores.
  2. Support Detoxification
    Once you have removed the source of exposure, it’s time to detoxify the body to remove mold and mycotoxins. This involves:

    • Hydration: Drink plenty of water to support kidney function.
    • Liver support: Incorporate foods like cruciferous vegetables, garlic, and turmeric. This low-mold diet is a good place to start.
    • Binders: Activated charcoal and bentonite clay can bind to toxins in the gut and help eliminate them.
  1. Heal the Gut Lining
    To repair leaky gut, I often recommend:

    • L-glutamine: An amino acid that helps restore the gut lining.
    • Collagen peptides: Support tissue repair.
    • Probiotics: Restore healthy bacteria balance. Look for strains like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium.
  1. Reduce Inflammation
    Anti-inflammatory foods like fatty fish, leafy greens, and ginger can help calm inflammation. Avoid inflammatory triggers such as processed foods, alcohol, and sugar.
  1. Address Underlying Infections
    Mold exposure can exacerbate yeast overgrowth (e.g., candida). Antimicrobial herbs like oregano oil or berberine may be used under the guidance of a doctor.

Preventive Measures: Mold-Proof Your Life

  • Regularly clean and ventilate damp areas like bathrooms and basements.
  • Use a dehumidifier to keep indoor humidity below 50%.
  • Store food properly and discard items showing any signs of mold.
  • Wear a mask when cleaning moldy areas to avoid inhaling spores.

Healing from mold exposure takes time and a multifaceted approach. By addressing the root cause and supporting the body’s natural healing processes, you can restore gut health and protect your overall well-being. If you suspect mold exposure, book a discovery call with me to develop a personalized plan for recovery.

Have you ever dealt with mold-related health issues? Follow me on social media and share your story in the comments—I’d love to hear how you’ve overcome the challenges.

January 8, 2025

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