Mold is a biotoxin that can cause chronic illness. While mostly found in wet and damp buildings and homes, or ones recently flooded, it can also be found in new homes if wood for building has been piled outside and gotten wet in rainy weather. According to the National Institute of Health (NIH) 24% of homes and buildings in the US in 2022 have mold toxicity. Other sources have recorded between 50% and 70% of homes are toxic with mold infestations. This can cause a myriad of health problems for those living or working in these structures.

 General symptoms may include asthma, acute bronchitis, sinuse congestion/infection, and cognitive impairments such as difficulty with memory, retention of new information, finding the word you’re looking for and brain fog. Shortness of breath, chest pain, cough, and headaches are also prevalent. Chronic fatigue, weakness, static shocks, muscle twitching, vertigo, and tremors are often seen.  There can be sudden changes in mood and weight gain or loss. There might be a heightened sense of anxiety that is not usual.

This is especially challenging for those who fall into the 25%-27% of the general population that have one of 9 extra  genes on their HLA chromosome. In the presence of mold or other biotoxins such as Lyme for 72 hours or more, this gene activates and that is the defect. The immune system starts cranking out and the brain gets inflamed. Often they become very sick. Extreme fatigue can lead to becoming bed ridden with chronic inflammatory response syndrome (CIRS). The gene trigger may partly explain why people living or working in the same environment respond so differently. The good news is this activation can be reversed. 

Functional medicine treatment protocols usually begin with anti-inflammatories to reduce swelling in the brain. Then the detective work begins. Inexpensive testing to identify specific mycotoxins ensure the correct targeted binder is used in treatment, along with anti-fungals in nose and gut. Other body systems may be affected by the mold toxins and need to be tested and corrected, such as  hormonal, the digestive system, nervous system, etc. Testing for parasites in the gut may be called for because parasites may hide the mold from treatment.

This comprehensive and holistic approach results in removing hindrances to your body’s natural ability to heal itself and restore health and well-being. 

Sharon Reese Chud, AFMC, is a functional medicine practitioner, nutritionist, and toxity/detox specialist. She offers a free 20-minute initial consultation. For more information, call/text 215-680-2354, or email  [email protected]. Visit heal.me/sharonreesechud or SRCDietAndWellness.com. See ad, page 15.