Identifying Mold In Your Body
20-30% of people cant respond to toxic exposures of mold from water damage and excessive mycotoxins found in food.
If you suspect that you are already experiencing symptoms of mold exposure, steps must be taken in removing mold from the body. You can first confirm the presence of mold in the following ways:
- VCS Test: The VCS Test is an online visual test that can help confirm the presence of biotoxic illness, as well as possible symptoms caused from mold and mycotoxin exposure.
- Blood testing for mold: The C4A compliment detects recent mold exposure, while the TGF-Beta 1 is indicative of longer-term mold exposure.
- HLA DR/DQ: This gene is located on chromosome number 6, and it encodes a protein called an MHC Class II protein. Testing for this gene can reveal your genetic susceptibility to biotoxin illnesses.
As hinted at above, your genes play a large role in your bodys response to mold and mycotoxins. The HLA DR gene helps the immune system respond to environmental threats. It is estimated that 20-30% of people do not respond well to toxic exposures of mold from water damage and excessive mycotoxins found in food.
How To Get Rid Of Mold Spores In The Air & In Your Lungs
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Have you been staying at home, and yet find yourself sniffling and sneezing every couple of seconds?
Maybe you find that your eyes are watery or itchy, and your nose is runny.
Well, if youve looked at all the usual suspects of these symptoms and found none of them guilty, then it is possible that you have a housemate living rent free, and its high time you evict them!
What are we talking about? Well, mold spores, of course!
If youre feeling out of your league with this serious household problem, well, dont worry. Were going to help you tell whether or not you have a mold problem inside your home.
If you end up confirming that you are unknowingly harboring a housemate, then well even teach you how to remove them safely both from your house, and from your body and how to prevent them from coming back.
More…
How To Detox Your Body From Mold Via Natural Body Detoxifying Supplements
Another thing that you can do is try something more natural. Remember that the disadvantage of something completely natural is that itll always take longer to work than a supplement.
Still, if thats what you want, try probiotics.
Theyre present in various food groups, but especially in fermented drinks.
What you can do is to make sure that you take these fermented drinks once or twice throughout your day, and see if you notice improvements in your system. Itll take at least a month for you to notice anything, but it can be worth the shot.
The important thing is that as long as you do something, its better than doing nothing.
Mycotoxins are serious and can cause serious damages to your body, especially brain function.
They take a long time to present as serious symptoms, but when they do, they wreak havoc your system.
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The Journey From Outdoor Mold Spore To Indoor Mold Problem
Whether out enjoying a hike or inside examining the grocery stores produce section, we are constantly transporting and breathing in tiny mold spores. An open window, a family pet or even your sneakers can bring outdoor spores to a new homeyour home or workplace.
These mold spores can be harmless. However, problems arise if the spores come in contact with a moisture source. Moisture lets the spores grow into mold that could affect health.
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How Do You Get Rid Of Mold Spores In Your Lungs
Mold infection is referred to as aspergillosis, and there are different types.
One type is pulmonary aspergillosis, a respiratory issue caused by mold spores already growing inside the lung cavities.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, pulmonary aspergillosis can lead to more severe health issues.
It can cause tuberculosis or sarcoidosis if it doesnt get treated immediately.
The best step is to seek medical attention for proper diagnosis and treatment.
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Mold Detox Pathways By Mycotoxin
Another way to aid your recovery from mold exposure is to support your bodys detoxification systems. In July of 2020, Dr. Neil Nathan published two tables of information on the Detoxification of Mycotoxins. Different than the table of binders, these tables cover the various ways our body gets rid of certain mycotoxins.
The first table covers detoxification by pathway, listing the key detox pathway for common mycotoxins, as well as foods and supplements that can help support and up-regulate that pathway.
The second table covers detoxification by organ system for common mycotoxins, and provides a list of options for supplemental support.
To hear more from Dr. Nathan, check out his recent interview with Dave Asprey on Bulletproof radio: Episode 733 The Common Mold: Your Guide to Toxicity, Symptoms, & Treatments.
How To Get Rid Of Mold Spores In Your Lungs
If youve only begun to notice the mold growth in your house, then its possible most of the spores have already made their way into your airways!
That sounds like danger, but worry not.
Just like how you evicted those pesky particles from your home, there are a number of things you could do to generally cleanse your lungs.
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How Can You Detox From Mold
In addition to removing yourself from the environment where the mold is or having the mold removed, you can help your body detox the spores that have been inhaled and trapped inside. You can take supplements to build up your immune system, reestablish your gut health, and reduce inflammation:
Rather than trying to handle mold exposure on your own, you should consider seeing a physician. The situation may be more serious than you think.
Remove Sugar & Processed Grains
This should be a no-brainer by now: processed grains and sugar are highly inflammatory, and have no part of a healthy diet. Removing all sources will ensure your body has the opportunity to heal, as opposed to be constantly fighting the low levels of chronic inflammation caused by sugar and grains.
Opting for a high-fat and protein diet, void of refined sugars, helps control your blood sugar throughout the day which is associated with health and longevity, and supports cellular healing.
Common sources of sugar and processed grains to avoid include:
- Breakfast cereals
- Syrups and Sauces in general
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Boost Your Immune System
Some mold spores can produce mycotoxins, which is dangerous if it enters your body, so one way to combat these substances once its found its way into your systems is to take probiotics.
These will help to boost your immune system to speed up the detoxification of harmful substances.
You can usually find probiotics in fermented food, like miso, kimchi, cheese, and even pickles! Of course, yoghurt is a go-to for people who need probiotics.
Natural Ways To Deal With Black Mold Symptoms
If you already see or smell black mold, remove it immediately and thoroughly.
If youre experiencing black mold poisoning, there are thankfully some natural ways to help with your black mold symptoms, including:
1. Raw Garlic
Raw garlic has amazing antifungal abilities, which is just what your body needs when it has been exposed to black mold. Garlic helps to kill off fungi, molds and yeasts. Two to four grams of fresh garlic per day, or 600 milligrams to 900 milligrams of garlic tablets daily, is recommended for toxic mold exposure.
2. Activated Charcoal
Activated charcoal can be taken as a supplement for mold cleansing. Most people dont think about mold living in their bodies, but it can, and activated charcoal is a potent natural treatment. It traps toxins in the body, allowing them to be flushed out so the body doesnt reabsorb them. Activated charcoal is made from a variety of sources, but when used for natural healing, its important to select activated charcoal made from coconut shells or other natural sources.
3. Chlorophyll
Its so much more than a green pigment found in plants. Im talking about chlorophyll, which has shown an ability to protect DNA from damage caused by toxic molds like aflatoxin. Chlorophyll also has antibacterial and antifungal properties, making it a highly recommended part of any healthy diet, but especially one that is looking to fight black mold symptoms.
4. Cut Down or Cut Out Sugar
5. Identify the Moisture Source
6. Fix the Source
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How Do I Detect Mold Growth In My Home
The first sign of mold that people usually point to is its smell. Its described as having an old, musty smell.
Visitors will find it very easy to notice this smell, as they have yet to be accustomed to it, unlike you, who have been living in your house and have most probably gotten used to it.
If you suspect mold growth in your home, its also a good idea to check around for visual signs of it.
Mold grows in moist places, so be sure to snoop around your bathroom, kitchen, laundry area, and other possible areas where moisture could gather.
If you spot any leaks or water stains, then that may be the source of your mold problem.
Mold can also appear on your ceilings, walls, and even furniture. It will have a fuzzy or velvety texture, and may be yellow, green, brown, or black in color.
You cant completely remove mold spores from your house, because theyre simply present wherever we go.
How long do these mold spores stay in the air then?
How Do Mold Spores Enter The Home
It is not uncommon to find mold at home.
Any space exposed to moisture often is sure to have a bit of mold growth.
Mold can thrive anywhere from your homes ceilings to underneath your floors .
Our homes are also filled with materials that hold water well, including paper, cardboard, wood, fabric, and carpets, just to name a few.
So, how did those spores end up inside your home when they werent there the day before?
First, it can be challenging to determine whether there wasnt any mold activity there, to begin with.
Mold spores are really tiny that they cant be seen through the naked eye.
Second, if there really wasnt any mold activity there originally, mold spores can easily enter your home through the air via open doors and windows.
They can even attach themselves to your clothing or your pets fur.
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Can I Put Silicone Molds Directly On The Oven Rack
Silicone molds are usually very heat-resistant and can be used even at very low or high temperatures. Another question that people are interested in is the following: Do you put silicone bakeware directly on the oven rack? The answer is yes, but if you want to be sure, you can place it on top of a metal pan.
Is It Safe To Live In A House With Black Mold
The short answer is yes but not for too long I would suggest days only but if you are showing any of the symptoms mentioned above take action. Exposure to mold can be harmful in the long term, especially for people with respiratory conditions and other risk factors. mold can be one of several different species of fungus, including Stachybotrys chartarum. Short term exposure to mold is unlikely to cause harm in healthy people
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How To Kill Black Mold With Bleach
Killing Black Mold with Bleach work well on a hard, non-porous surface and will kill nearly any type of mold spore that it comes in contact with.
Eliminating Mold with Bleach is also very cost effective.
However, bleach does not get to the root level of mold growth in porous type items such as tile grout , wood and cement block.
Have you ever wondered why mold stains keep coming back to the same area so if it does you know you may have an issue inside the wall of black mold spores living there.
Never mix bleach with ammonia This is extremely dangerous and will likely produce Toxic Chloramine Fumes or Vapors.
Never mix bleach with vinegar Combining these two mold cleaners together will not give you a better cleaning agent to work with.
Symptoms Of Mold Exposure
Common symptoms of exposure include brain fog, depression, skin irritations/rashes, fatigue, joint pain, and inflammation to name a few.
If you have been suffering from a seemingly random array of symptoms that have no known cause, mold could be the answer. Because mold has the ability to affect the whole body with a broad range of symptoms, many individuals suffer for much longer than they should before receiving a diagnosis.
- Thyroid issues
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So How Does Mold Affect Your Health
There are a number of mold types that are dangerous to your health and while the human body can normally rid itself of this danger, this isnt the case with everyone especially when mold levels grow excessive. With that said, mold exposure needs to be maintained and regulated.
When mold enters the body, it produces mold toxins called mycotoxins such as aflatoxin and ochratoxin. These mycotoxins can result in a variety of unwanted and unhealthy symptoms due to mold toxicity in the body including a compromised immune system and disrupted gut health.
Whats even worse is that some people 25% of the population are genetically predisposed to mold-related illness. If not treated in a timely manner, the danger and risk only increase as the immune system grows weak and fragile. The risk and danger will only continue to increase.
How To Use Activated Charcoal
Learning how to use activated charcoal for all the benefits it provides will surely make it a staple in your medicine cabinet. Here are just a few ways you can use this supplement:
Digestion: for digestive cleansing, take 10 grams of activated charcoal 90 minutes prior to each meal for two days. If youre experiencing a lot of constipation, you are very likely not drinking enough water. Make sure you drink at least 3-4 liters of water a day when taking any activated carbon product.
Whiten Teeth: to naturally whiten your teeth, either make my toothpaste recipe here, or invest in some fine activated charcoal powder. If you decide to make my toothpaste, use as you would regular toothpaste. If you are just investing in the powder and brushing with a different toothpaste, brush your teeth first with charcoal powder . Once finished, swish your mouth with your water and spit. Then, follow up with your regular toothpaste. If youre using the powder method, for best results, brush with the powder 2-3 times per week. If you have crowns, caps or porcelain veneers, the charcoal may stain them.
Gas and Bloating: to alleviate gas and bloating, take 500 milligrams of activated charcoal 1-2 hours before a typical gas-producing meal, with a full glass of water. Drink one more full glass immediately after to ensure the charcoal gets into your system before you eat.
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Removing Mold From Household Appliances
Appliances like washers, refrigerators, and coffee makers that combine moisture, heat, or food to feed mold need frequent cleaning.
Clean washers by running a hot water cycle with chlorine bleach at least monthly. Inspect every nook and cranny of front-load washer door seals to be sure no mold is growing that can leave clothes smelling moldy.
Distilled white vinegar helps inhibit mold growth and does a great job cleaning refrigerators and coffee makers.
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Will A Dehumidifier Kill Mold
Mold will stay dormant in the air or even on surfaces it really needs excess moisture to help it grow. So, to answer your question, dehumidifiers do NOT kill mold, but they do slow it growing it by reducing humidity. If you have a mold problem in your home, dont wait. Mold spreads as long as it has a water source.
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Can Mold Grow In Your Lungs
Unfortunately, this is a possibility with certain infections, especially aspergillosis. However, it is treatable in most cases with some oral medications and, less frequently, surgery.
Mold spores spread through the air any time youre around a mold colony, youre breathing in some of those mold spores and introducing them to the sensitive tissue inside your trachea and lungs. The longer you breathe them in, the longer the spores have a chance to find an open cavity in your lungs to settle down and colonize. For most people with healthy lungs, there really isnt any open space inside, meaning the risk of this happening is relatively low. For individuals who have had recent surgeries or other diseases that can cause open cavities in the lungs , the risk is much higher.
Fortunately, your doctor can prescribe you oral corticosteroids to help bring down the inflammation and reduce symptoms. For more invasive cases of this disease, an oral antifungal may be prescribed. Especially severe cases may require surgery to physically remove mold from the lungs, though this is less common and typically only done if side effects become dangerous .
