Mold Toxicity Is Also An Issue And It Is Considered A Chronic Inflammatory Response
An acute and chronic, systemic inflammatory response acquired following exposure to the interior environment of a water-damaged building with resident toxigenic organisms, including, but not limited to fungi, bacteria, actinomycetes, and Mycobacterium serve as inflammogens! Inflammogens keep your body in a state of inflammation.
Repairing The Intestinal Barrier And Restoring A Healthy Microbiome
Repairing the intestinal barrier and restoring a healthy microbiome include the steps above. Eliminating incoming toxins while cleaning up the toxic load you already carry within your GI system are precursors to adding anything that supports healing. Once youve addressed environment, diet, and binding, however, you can begin to add supportive agents including:
- Butyrate: reduces mucosal inflammation, and reinforces the intestinal barrier9
- Zinc carnosine: stabilizes the gut mucosa10
- Glutamine: Reverses and protects intestinal wall damage
- Colostrum: Repairs damaged intestinal wall cells
- Digestive Enzymes: Assists with fully digesting foods
- Quercetin: Enhances function of the intestinal barrier
- Probiotics: Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, Saccharomyces boulardii , Lactobacillus casei, and Bifidobacterium species replenish healthy bacteria
- Herbs that help heal the gut include: marshmallow, ginger, chamomile
Consuming low-mold, anti-inflammatory foods and supplementing with a combination of these products will help support your immune system, repair damage to your intestinal walls, and restore the bacterial balance to your microbiome. Your body will be better suited to take on any residual mycotoxins circulating through your system as well as handle any new toxins from reexposure.
Fungi In Inflammatory Bowel Disease
To be fair, technical barriers have made studying fungi more difficult relative to bacteria. Many of the current sequencing tools for fungi emulate those used for bacteria, but have added complications that hamper their effectiveness. Both sample type and DNA extraction method strongly influence the type of diversity seen in a sample, leaving potential biases and underrepresentation of specific fungi. Moreover, reference databases used to identify sequences are still fledgling, meaning that the bioinformatic ability to trust a taxonomic identity is still imperfect.
Fungi also influence the bacterial dynamics observed in the gut, partnering with them for cooperative and, occasionally, nefarious ends. Like other kinds of microbes, they have potentially been behind the scenes in many of the previous bacterial studies, a sort of dark matter pulling the strings. For instance, bacterial biofilms are known to be affiliated with IBD, including biofilms formed by adherent-invasive Escherichia coli. Interkingdom research shows that the yeast Candida tropicalis can team up with E. coli and Serratia marcescens bacteria to create a monstrous biofilm larger than any formed by just 1 or 2 of the species alone, and that this biofilm induces expression of fungal hyphae, which can be a marker for pathogenicity. These 3 species are abundant in patients with Crohn’s disease compared to their healthy relatives, suggesting a camaraderie in their virulence.
Escherichia coliSerratia marcescens
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Heal Your Gut With Cutting Edge Science
Im going to do something no blogger ever does, Im going to give the answer to the title in the beginning
NopeNot at allNot even close.
A study recently published and spread through social media reported that scientists have found the cause of Crohns disease. Scouring the microbiome, they found the presence of 3 microbes at higher levels in Crohns disease than healthy controls. The microbes are Escherichia coli, Serratia marcescens, and the fungus Candida tropicalis.
The primary issue with stating that these 3 bacteria cause Crohns disease is that you either house them already or youre in constant contact with them every day. E. coli is in everyone, S. marcescens is all over your house and in the soil, and C. tropicalis is in the mouth of 15% of the population. Not a day goes by that you arent exposed to one or all these microbes.
See that orange/pink stain on the showerhead? Thats S. marcescens hanging out. Spraying all over your body, getting in your mouth and every crevice in your body every time you shower. Dropped the soap? The drain it was sliding all over probably has S. Marcens on it too. So if everyone gets exposed to all 3 of these microbes every day, why doesnt everyone have Crohns disease? Lets look at an analogy everyone can relate to.
Has The Mystery Of Crohns Disease Been Solved
Less than two decades ago, experts were still debating about MAPs roles in Crohns disease. Many argued that there were insufficient data to support the hypothesis that MAP could cause the disease or that it was a significant human pathogen.
But the possibility that MAP causes human disease can no longer be ignored. Crohns disease has become a worldwide epidemic, and there is growing evidence that it is not an autoimmune disease as previously thought.
We need reliable methods of detecting, diagnosing, and treating MAP, and the acknowledgement of its role as a cause of Crohns disease could be the first step in solving this complex disease.
The possibility of MAP as a cause of Crohns disease isnt new, but do you think its the sole cause? What are your thoughts about MAP and its role in Crohns disease? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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So How Is Crohns Disease Diagnosed
While an official diagnosis of Crohns disease typically requires multiple tests, some of the key prognostic indicators in the diagnosis of Crohns disease are anti-fungal antibodies. I have found in nearly all of my patients, treating the fungal issues leads to a better outcome in Crohns disease.
The Crohns disease prognostic profile is a blood test based on detection of circulating antibodies directly against glycans. This panel includes:9
- ACCA antichitobioside carbohydrate antibodies
- AMCA antimannobioside carbohydrate antibodies
- gASCA anti-Saccarhomyces Cervisiae antibodies
GASCA is directed against the cell wall of yeast, S. cerevisiae. And ALCA, ACCA and gASCA are directed against glycans found in the cell wall of pathogenic fungus Candida albicans. Crohns patients are considered to be at greater risk for disease complications if they test positive for 2 or more markers.
So, knowing this is a key underlying factor in the identification and diagnosis of this condition, why arent more doctors thinking about this connection? And how exactly can we best address the fungal dysbiosis seen in Crohns disease?
Perpetuating A Vicious Inflammatory Cycle
Impaired immune function of activated lymphocytes, phagocytic macrophages, and cytokines leads to a state where regulation of cytokine response is totally lost. This leaves you more susceptible to gut infections caused by bacteria, viruses, and parasites.4 MARCoNS, for example, an antibiotic resistant staph, is able to survive in mucous membrane biofilm and produce exotoxins A and B, which cleave MSH5, compounding the MSH deficiency.
With little to no MSH to go around, pituitary production of antidiuretic hormone is diminished, causing thirst and frequent urination. As the cycle continues, lack of MSH causes malabsorption, aggravating leaky gut symptoms such as these:
- Sleep problems from low melatonin production
For those with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity, this is the mechanism at work. Gliadin, a protein found in gluten, releases zonulin, expanding the tight junctions and allowing the gliadin to move through the intestinal wall and into the blood. The immune system tags gluten as a foreign invader and a resulting autoimmune response occurs whenever gluten is ingested.
Sensitivity to any food can result in the same way. If you find yourself reacting to random foods after mold exposure, your practitioner can order an MSH test in addition to other labs to check for leaky gut as well as CIRS. Over 95% of CIRS patients have low MSH.
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Experts May Have Finally Found The Cause Of Crohn’s Disease
People with Crohns disease know the uncomfortable symptoms of the chronic condition all too well: diarrhea, abdominal pain, weight loss and fatigue, among others. But what doctors have not been able to tell the approximately 565,000 people in the U.S. with Crohns is why theyve developed the inflammatory bowel condition in the first place.
Most experts suspect the condition is the result of the bodys immune system attacking healthy cells, mistakenly triggered by bacteria in the digestive tract. Now, a new study has identified a specific fungus and two bacteria they think play a key role in what leads some people to develop the disease.
Among hundreds of bacterial and fungal species inhabiting the intestines, it is telling that the three we identified were so highly correlated in Crohns patients, the studys senior author Mahmoud A. Ghannoum, professor and director of the Center for Medical Mycology at Case Western Reserve and University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, said in a press release.
Research has previously identified that E. coli bacteria contribute to Crohns symptoms, but this is the first study to show the bacteria Serratia marcescens and the fungus Candida tropicalis are also involved.
Crohns disease has other factors that impact it: Number one is genetics and number two is environmental factors, such as what people eat, Ghannoum told HuffPost.
This cuts a lot of the noise, Ghannoume said.
Understanding Mold And Mycotoxins
Illness from mold is one of the biggest health issues impacting Americans today that is not addressed effectively in the American medical system.
Mold illness occurs after exposure to a building overrun in mold or via food sources that contain mold. The mold reproduces by forming spores that can travel through the air and replicate once it has landed on a moist wall or structure.
What ultimately triggers health issues for patients is the toxins released by mold called mycotoxins, which are very toxic chemicals. It is estimated that 25% of Americans immune systems cannot identify these mycotoxins as a result, the mycotoxins will stay in the body for many years invisible to the immune system.
Research is now finding that mycotoxins can trigger autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, and especially neuro-autoimmunity such as Menieres. The most common molds found to trigger health issues are Aspergillus, Penicillium, Stachybotrys chartarum .
- Body aches and sharp shooting pains like electrical shocks and or ice pick like pain, numbness/tingling and joint pain
- Lack of stamina and fatigue
- Light, noise and sound sensitivity
- Poor focus and other neurological symptoms
- Depression, anxiety and or mood swings
- Nigh sweats and or alternating between feeling hot and cold
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How Do You Keep Mold Out Of Buildings And Homes
Inspect buildings for evidence of water damage and visible mold as part of routine building maintenance. Correct conditions causing mold growth to prevent mold growth.
Inside your home you can control mold growth by:
- Controlling humidity levels
- Promptly fixing leaky roofs, windows, and pipes
- Thoroughly cleaning and drying after flooding
- Ventilating shower, laundry, and cooking areas.
Can An Unhealthy Diet Cause Crohn’s Disease
An unhealthy, westernized diet full of fat and refined carbohydrates can significantly change the intestinal flora and contribute to IBD development. In a study of children, daily fast food and high sugar consumption were associated with earlier IBD onset.
Several studies have compared the pre-onset eating habits of adults with Crohn’s disease to that of healthy people. Healthy study participants ate:
Less
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Crohn’s Disease Causes: A Guide To Triggers
Laura Fouquette
There are various theories about the causes of Crohn’s disease. It can occur in individuals with a genetic predisposition who are exposed to one or more environmental factors. The immune system then becomes dysregulated and produces an excessive inflammatory response.
Not all scientific explanations for Crohns triggers are equally accepted, and some are supported by more evidence than others due to the quality and number of studies.
How Mold Can Hurt Your Gut Health
Mycotoxins produced by mold impair gut health on a structural and functional level. They disrupt the balance of beneficial and pathogenic bacteria in the gut, increase intestinal permeability, interfere with nutrient absorption , generate oxidative stress and inflammation, and increase your susceptibility to bacterial, viral, and parasitic gut infections.
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Use Activated Charcoal Or Another Sequestering Agent
Sequestering agents are compounds that bind mycotoxins in the GI tract and prevent them from being recirculated through the liver and GI tract. They help reduce the number of mycotoxins to which GI cells and microbes are exposed. Cholestyramine, activated charcoal, and bentonite clay are potent binding agents that can reduce the bioavailability of mycotoxins in the gut. However, these can cause constipation. I would only recommend them if you tend to have loose stools or you suffer from diarrhea. If you have constipation, chlorella also has mycotoxin-binding properties and may be a better option for you.
Introduction To Inflammatory Bowel Disease
The etiology of Inflammatory bowel disease is complex, with genetic predisposition, an altered microbiome, environmental factors and a weakened epithelial barrier function triggering a chronic immune response in the mucosal layer. These two disorders of chronic intestinal inflammation affect approximately three million people worldwide. U.C. therapy and Crohns disease treatment starts with a good understanding of the disease process itself.
Currently, allopathic Crohns disease treatment, for example- starts off with with brain and gut damaging corticosteroids and 5-aminosalicylic acid products, adds immunomodulators , and eventually, biological agents which are TNF-alpha inhibitors . The story is just about the same for Ulcerative colitis. Just. too. toxic. for. words.
Not one of these drugs are curative, and their long-term use often causes severe side effects including cancer. Around 30% of patients with inflammatory bowel disease are refractory to current IBD drugs or relapse over time. As a result, patient surveys show that almost 40% of Crohns and U.C. patients use alternative therapies to complement their conventional medical care.
First, Ill explain the five major factors that you can control regarding what causes inflammatory bowel disease to occur and to flare: the root cause.. Then, Ill review the following list of items that will help you get into and more importantly-remain in remission:
Pharmaceuticals
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Coffee Chocolate And Carbonated Beverages
You may have to reduce your coffee intake if you have Crohn’s. “Anything with caffeine is really bad, chocolate is really bad,” said Julie Novack, a senior credit underwriter at Wells Fargo in Charlotte, North Carolina, who has ulcerative colitis.
If you find yourself tired without caffeine, try some alternative methods like aromatherapy or exercise instead.
Can Bacteria And Viruses Trigger Crohn’s Disease
Studies have demonstrated that childhood gastrointestinal infections and mumps increase the risk of Crohn’s disease. Other studies have shown that IBD is common in areas with contaminated lakes, rivers, or drinking water. There is a discussion about whether Crohn’s could also be triggered by pathogens in water transmitted from animals to humans this could explain its frequent occurrences in certain places.
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How Common Is Mold In Buildings
Molds are very common in buildings and homes. Mold will grow in places with a lot of moisture, such as around leaks in roofs, windows, or pipes, or where there has been flooding. Mold grows well on paper products, cardboard, ceiling tiles, and wood products. Mold can also grow in dust, paints, wallpaper, insulation, drywall, carpet, fabric, and upholstery.
The most common indoor molds are Cladosporium, Penicillium, and Aspergillus. We do not have precise information about how often different molds are found in buildings and homes.
What Can I Do To Heal My Gut After Mold Exposure
Healing your gut is an important step in eliminating mycotoxins from your body to reverse the root cause of your chronic condition. You can work to heal your gut by:
Before you begin a detox and healing protocol, however, its critical you address the source of your exposure to toxic mold. You may even have to move out of your home or work from a different location for a time if mold caused by water damage needs to be remediated. This is called avoidance. Some people can overcome mold-induced illness by practicing extreme avoidance alone.
Avoiding Mold In Your Diet to Heal Your Gut
Avoiding mold in your diet as well as your environment will help eliminate continued exposure to mycotoxins. The best approach is an anti-inflammatory, low-mold diet, reducing the number of inflammatory agents and mycotoxins entering your gut. While there is a science to adopting a low-mold diet, general guidelines include avoidance of all foods that worsen your symptoms.
If you havent made a correlation between what you eat and an increase in your stomach problems, start by eliminating these inflammatory and mold-prone foods from your diet:
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The Effect Of Mycotoxins On The Microbiome
A healthy microbiome can protect the body by binding and metabolizing mycotoxins. But too many mycotoxins alter the proliferation and balance of the gut microbiota.
Intestinal dysbiosis contributes to the leaky gut cycle and allows gut pathogens to take over as beneficial bacteria are eliminated. As a result, the digestive system is less equipped to handle the continued exposure to incoming mycotoxins, producing a buildup in the gut.
This accumulation produces symptoms such as yeast overgrowth/candida infection, food sensitivities, and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth .
What Is Mycobacterium Avium Subspecies Paratuberculosis
Mycobacterium avium subspecies Paratuberculosis is a bacterium belonging to a family of bacteria called Mycobacteriaceae. Does Paratuberculosis make you think of any diseases you might be familiar with? If you answered tuberculosis, youd be correct. MAP is in the same family as the bacteria that cause tuberculosis .
MAP is also the cause of Johnes disease, a systemic infection and chronic inflammation in the intestine of animals, but most commonly in domestic livestock. Johnes disease sounds a bit like Crohns disease, doesnt it? They share more similarities than their names, though. Both Crohns disease and Johnes disease are forms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease , and as such, they share some clinical and pathological features . Some of their similarities include:
- Chronic diarrhea
- Cycle of remission and relapse
- Occasional granulomatous appearance
- Mesenteric lymph nodes
In fact, these similarities are how scientists came to suspect MAP as an infectious cause of Crohns disease. So, is it just a coincidence that these two diseases share features, or could they share a common cause, too?
To answer this question, lets look at how humans are exposed to MAP.
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