Mold Exposure
What is Mold Exposure?
Mold is a fungus that can cause a variety of major adverse health effects. Mold tends to grow in places with more moisture, like bathrooms, roofs, windows, pipes, or where flooding has happened. The most common indoor molds are Cladosporium, Penicillium, and Aspergillus. [1]
Molds are often confused with yeasts. In susceptible individuals, a comorbid infection of mold and yeast (like Candida) can be possible.
The research is conflicting on autism and mold. Some studies show that there are connections to brain and lung abnormalities [2]
One large review indicated that exposure to mold and mycotoxins (the toxins from mold) can affect the nervous system, directly or through immune cell activation, thus contributing to neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder [4]. However, other studies show no association between mycotoxin exposure and the development of autism [5].
The important take-away from this is that mold is neurotoxic and can post serious health issues to anyone, even without autism. Different types of molds and different exposure levels will have different health effects.
A case study completed in August 2020 showed a “complete recovery” from autism after treatment of Aspergillus with the antifungal drugs Itraconazole and Sporanox. In addition to this, the child developed excellent academic, athletic, and musical skills. The recovery coincided with a marked reduction of urine markers of Aspergillus colonization. [13]
What are Mycotoxins?
Mycotoxins are metabolites produced by molds or other fungi. They are capable of damage, disease, and even death. They are naturally occurring and can be found in food and the environment. The effects of mycotoxins can be short-term or long-term (i.e. immune deficiency and cancer). Mycotoxins are teratogenic, mutagenic, nephrotoxic, immunosuppressive, and carcinogenic [7].
Mycotoxins can contribute to gastrointestinal issues such as malabsorption, villus atrophy, leaky gut syndrome, inflammation, and inhibition of protein synthesis. This may impact growth and development. [8]
Mycotoxins can be hard to detect as they are small and can move in and out of cells. They are not easily detectable in the blood, so a urine panel may be a better representation of mycotoxin buildup. Mycotoxins are not only inhaled via environmental exposure but can also be consumed via food. Mycotoxins are often resistant to most food processing methods, including heat.
Examples of mycotoxins include Aflatoxins (M1, B1, B2, G1, G2), Ochratoxin A, Fumonisins, and Gliotoxin, to name a few.
In a study that looked at mycotoxins between children with ASD and a non-ASD control group (siblings and non-parental), urine and serum levels of mycotoxins were significantly different. [10-11] These results show that children with ASD have a significant amount of several mycotoxins in their body fluids with respect to the controls, even with respect to their siblings that should share the same environment and food habits. [11]
Common Sources of Mold
Home Exposure
Ceiling tiles
Wood
Wallpaper
Insulation
Drywall
Carpet
Fabric and upholstery
Food Sources
Cheese or sour milk products (sour cream, buttermilk bleu cheese, gorgonzola, etc.)
Edible fungi (mushrooms, truffles)
Dried fruits (apricots, dates, figs, raisins, etc)
Fruit juices
Vinegar and foods containing vinegar (think: mayo, ketchup, pickles, mustard, and relishes)
Packaged meats (bacon, hot dogs, salami, corned beef, smoked fish, etc)
Coffee
Alcoholic beverages
Signs & Symptoms
Respiratory issues (sinuses, asthma, allergies, etc)
Neurological issues (brain fog, inattention, confusion, disorientation)
Gastrointestinal (malabsorption, leaky gut syndrome, inflammation, etc)
Fatigue and weakness
Aches and muscle cramps
Unusual pain
Headaches or migraines
Skin sensitivity/rashes
Mood swings
Appetite swings
Excessive sweating (especially night sweats) and temperature dysregulation problems
Excessive thirst
Increased urination
Mitochondrial dysfunction
Testing Options
Mold Levels in the Body
There is no blood test for mold. Physicians may do an IgE allergy test for possible allergies to mold but this wouldn’t necessarily show an active exposure, just an immune response. Mycotoxins are most accurately measured in the urine. A few recommended panels are:
Vibrant America Mycotoxins Panel
Great Plains Lab MycoTOX Panel
Mold Levels in Your Home
Mold levels in your home can be tested by various methods via culture-based or non-culture-based methods [9]. Culture-based methods exist as airborne concentrations or settled dust samples while non-culture-based methods exist as fluorochrome staining and microscopy.
It is best practice to routinely test for mold in your home. You can locate a mold inspector in your area (Finding the Mold is a good resource) to get the most thorough inspection, or you can purchase a DIY Home Mold Swab Test or get an electronic Air Quality Monitor.
Next Steps
Diet
Remove foods with higher mold content (see above)
Increase foods with higher levels of antioxidants (blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, pecans, dark chocolate, kale, etc,)
Avoid high-sugar foods and junk foods
Supplements
Detoxification Support
Bentonite clay
Consider GI-Detox, which is a combination of activated charcoal, zeolite clay, aloe vera, silica, apple pectin, humic acid, and fulvic acid.
*NOTE: Be sure to drink plenty of water because both activated charcoal and bentonite clay can be constipating!
Antioxidant Support
Others
Lifestyle
Nasal passage rinse
Sauna therapy
Exercise, at least 60 minutes/day for children
If humidity is an issue, consider a dehumidifier
Purchase an air filter with HEPA filters such as the Air Doctor (ANL Members get $300 off!)
High-quality water filter
Clean high-risk areas often
Choose a non-toxic cleaning solution to improve air quality. (i.e. Branch Basics, Honest, etc.). If you need a stronger disinfectant, consider Force of Nature.
Essential Oils (can be used for cleaning or in a nebulizing diffuser). My favorites are doTerra and Young Living. Anti-microbial EOs include:
Oregano
Tea tree
Clove
Cinnamon
Thyme
Grapefruit Seed
DISCLAIMER: Before starting any supplement or medication, always consult with your healthcare provider to ensure it is a good fit for your child. Dosage can vary based on age, weight, gender, and current diet.
Mold & Autism in the Research
Mold & Autism
There are various studies linking mold/mycotoxins and autism, but more research needs to be done. [3.10-12]
One study showed that exposure to Ochratoxin A (one of the major food contaminating mycotoxins) and the interaction with certain gene mutations found in autism. They proposed a possible gene-environment interaction triggering ASD explaining the epigenetic neurotoxic mechanism activated by ochratoxin A in genetically predisposed children. [3]
In a study that looked at mycotoxins between children with ASD and a non-ASD control group (siblings and non-parental), urine and serum levels of mycotoxins were significantly different. [10-11] These results show that children with ASD have a significant amount of several mycotoxins in their body fluids with respect to the controls, even with respect to their siblings that should share the same environment and food habits. [11]
One study showed no association between mycotoxin exposure and the development of autism [5].
Mycotoxins & The Effect on the Body
One large review indicated that exposure to mold and mycotoxins can affect the nervous system, directly or through immune cell activation, thus contributing to neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder [4].
This study also shows that people exposed with molds and mycotoxins present with symptoms affecting multiple organs, including the lungs, musculoskeletal system, as well as the central and peripheral nervous systems. [4]
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[1] Mold: Basic Facts about Mold and Dampness. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Website. Accessed 20 July 2020. Link.
[2] Kilburn KH, Thrasher JD, Immers NB. Do terbutaline- and mold-associated impairments of the brain and lung relate to autism?. Toxicol Ind Health. 2009;25(9-10):703-10.
[3] Mezzelani A, Raggi ME, Marabotti A, Milanesi L. Ochratoxin A as possible factor trigging autism and its male prevalence via epigenetic mechanism. Nutr Neurosci. 2016;19(1):43-6.
[4] Ratnaseelan AM, Tsilioni I, Theoharides TC. Effects of Mycotoxins on Neuropsychiatric Symptoms and Immune Processes. Clin Ther. 2018;40(6):903-917.
[5] Duringer J, Fombonne E, Craig M. No Association between Mycotoxin Exposure and Autism: A Pilot Case-Control Study in School-Aged Children. Toxins (Basel). 2016;8(7)
[7] Carnahan, Jill. Mold and Mycotoxins. Vibrant America Webinar Series. 27 Mar 2019. Link.
[8] Smith LE, Stoltzfus RJ, Prendergast A. Food chain mycotoxin exposure, gut health, and impaired growth: a conceptual framework. Adv Nutr. 2012;3(4):526-31.
[9] Dampness and Mould. WHO Guidelines for Indoor Air Quality. WHO 2009. Link.
[10] De Santis B, Brera C, Mezzelani A, Soricelli S, Ciceri F, Moretti G, Debegnach F, Bonaglia MC, Villa L, Molteni M, Raggi ME. Role of mycotoxins in the pathobiology of autism: A first evidence. Nutr Neurosci. 2019 Feb;22(2):132-144. doi: 10.1080/1028415X.2017.1357793. Epub 2017 Aug 10. PMID: 28795659.
[11] De Santis B, Raggi ME, Moretti G, Facchiano F, Mezzelani A, Villa L, Bonfanti A, Campioni A, Rossi S, Camposeo S, Soricelli S, Moracci G, Debegnach F, Gregori E, Ciceri F, Milanesi L, Marabotti A, Brera C. Study on the Association among Mycotoxins and other Variables in Children with Autism. Toxins (Basel). 2017 Jun 29;9(7):203. doi: 10.3390/toxins9070203. PMID: 28661468; PMCID: PMC5535150.
[12] Serkan Y, Beyazit U, Ayhan AB. Mycotoxin Exposure and Autism: A Systematic Review of Molecular Mechanism. Curr Mol Pharmacol. 2020 Aug 19. doi: 10.2174/1874467213999200819145942. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 32819265.
[13] Baker S, Shaw W. Case Study: Rapid Complete Recovery From An Autism Spectrum Disorder After Treatment of Aspergillus With The Antifungal Drugs Itraconazole And Sporanox. Integr Med (Encinitas). 2020 Aug;19(4):20-27. PMID: 33132781; PMCID: PMC7572136
