Are You Predisposed To Lyme Disease And Mold Toxicity?
If you or someone you love has struggled with Lyme disease or mold toxicity, you know how difficult it can be to recover. You might have wondered, why can some people be exposed to factors that cause illness and not seem sick, while others can be devastated by the same factor? I get this question a lot from people. Our individual differences are what makes us unique, but it can also be a contributing factor to illness.
I wanted to talk about the role of genetics when it comes to the susceptibility of Lyme disease and mold toxicity. Let’s get into it!
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
Make Your Life a Cleanse
SUBSCRIBER-ONLY GUIDES FOR GUT HEALTH, VIBRANT ENERGY, HEALTHY FOOD & CLEAN ALCOHOL
Get FREE access to these + giveaways, recipes, & discount codes in personal emails from Dr. Will Cole.
Genetic Factors And Lyme Disease
Have you heard of the MTHFR gene mutation? I’ve written a full article about it, which you can read here. Basically, if you have this mutation, methylation can be less effective and efficient in the body. And methylation is the powerhouse for detoxification and protecting your DNA from damage, which is constantly going on in the background.
Without proper methylation, plenty can go wrong in the body. And that includes with Lyme disease, with research showing there is an association between this mutation and chronic Lyme disease, as well as the associated chronic pain. (1) When you think about it, that makes sense, if the body doesn’t have as great of an ability to detoxify due to the mutation.
When it comes to the HLA gene variant and Lyme disease, there are some findings, but more research is needed. You can read more about it in my article, Everything You Need To Know About HLA Gene Variants + Their Connection to Mold, Lyme, and Chronic Fatigue. Studies show that certain variants, such as HLA-DRB10401, may be associated with a higher risk of developing Lyme disease, as well as more severe symptoms if the infection occurs. (2)
Genetic Factors And Mold Toxicity Susceptibility
Mold exposure isn’t something to be taken lightly. The symptoms of it can often go unnoticed for a typical person that writes an issue off as common, such as
- Brain fog
- Worsening asthma/allergies
- Worsening anxiety, depression, or mood swings
- Unexplained weight loss or gain
- Dizziness/vertigo
- Poor memory
- Unexplained muscle pain
- Extreme fatigue
As discussed above, the MTHFR gene can mean it’s tougher for your body to detoxify itself. That can make all the difference if you’re trying to recover from mold exposure, which I see often in my telehealth functional medicine center.
If you’re trying to recover from mold exposure and need support, I recommend you look at The Methylator, which will give you next-level detox support.
When it comes to mold toxicity and the HLA gene variant, studies show that two particular variants–HLA-DRB1 and HLA-DQB1–can mean increased sensitivity to mold exposure and greater susceptibility to mold-related health issues. (3)
Genetics Vs. Epigenetics
We all know that genetics means the genes we inherit from our parents. But epigenetics is just as important, which is the study of genes that get turned “on” or “off” due to our lifestyle and environment. Let’s look at an example. Say you have a parent who received a diagnosis of an autoimmune disease. Most conventional doctors might tell you that means you’ll likely get it, too. You may have even grown up believing that this was going to be your destiny.
But because you were aware, you did research about what factors you could control when it comes to autoimmune disease. You decided to make some positive changes, such as choosing to eat foods that have positive effects on fighting autoimmunity, detoxifying your body, de-stressing, and getting plenty of glutathione, which are all powerful tools in the fight against autoimmunity. You might end up not getting diagnosed with autoimmune disease, or any other symptom of illness, because of the choices you consciously made.
So while knowing that you may have certain genetic expressions can be useful information to have, it doesn’t need to be all you take into account. A study even estimates that 77% of your immune system is determined by factors under your control, such as toxin exposure, stress, the food we eat, and medications. (4)
The Functional Medicine Approach
In functional medicine, we do not believe that you are your diagnosis. There is always a unique cause to what your symptoms are, and it’s always a multifaceted answer dependent on the individual. By looking at the full picture of who you are and your lifestyle and environment, we can uncover the cause behind your symptoms and create a personalized plan for you to regain your health.
Start Your Health Journey Today
FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE CONSULTATIONS FOR PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD
- Visingardi, J., Mogica, J. A. P., Sundaram, P., Denis, T., Bellomo, C., Loktev, A., ... & De Elise, J. B. (2023). MTHFR mutation: Another unifying etiology of chronic overlapping pain conditions. Continence, 8, 101052.
- Kovalchuka, L., Eglite, J., Lucenko, I., Zalite, M., Viksna, L., & Krumiņa, A. (2012). Associations of HLA DR and DQ molecules with Lyme borreliosis in Latvian patients. BMC Research Notes, 5, 1-4.
- Knutsen, A. P., Vijay, H. M., Kumar, V., Kariuki, B., Santiago, L. A., Graff, R., ... & Shah, M. R. (2010). Mold‐sensitivity in children with moderate‐severe asthma is associated with HLA‐DR and HLA‐DQ. Allergy, 65(11), 1367-1375.
- Brodin, P., Jojic, V., Gao, T., Bhattacharya, S., Angel, C. J. L., Furman, D., ... & Davis, M. M. (2015). Variation in the human immune system is largely driven by non-heritable influences. Cell, 160(1), 37-47.
The information on this website has not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration or any other medical body. We do not aim to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any illness or disease. Information is shared for educational purposes only. You must consult your doctor before acting on any content on this website, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition.
Our content may include products that have been independently chosen and recommended by Dr. Will Cole and our editors. If you purchase something mentioned in this article, we may earn a small commission.
BY DR. WILL COLE
Dr. Will Cole, DNM, IFMCP, DC is a leading functional medicine expert who consults people around the globe, starting one of the first functional medicine telehealth centers in the world. Named one of the top 50 functional and integrative doctors in the nation, Dr. Will Cole provides a functional medicine approach for thyroid issues, autoimmune conditions, hormonal imbalances, digestive disorders, and brain problems. He is also the host of the popular The Art of Being Well podcast and the New York Times bestselling author of Intuitive Fasting, Ketotarian, Gut Feelings, and The Inflammation Spectrum.
Gut Feelings
Healing The Shame-Fueled Relationship
Between What You Eat And How You Feel