Worried About Mold Exposure? Here’s What You Need To Know

So how do you diagnose mold exposure? In my functional medicine practice, I diagnose mold by running the following tests:

Mycotoxin Tests:

Mycotoxins are compounds released by different mold species that are toxic to the body. I often run mycotoxin labs through Cyrex Laboratories or the Great Plains Laboratory, which measure for mycotoxins in your urine as well as antibodies in your blood the body has produced to fight off these toxins. These labs tend cost somewhere between $400 to $600, and are not typically covered by insurance.

Visual Contrast Sensitivity (VSC) Tests:

The coolest part of these tests is that they can be done online at home, often for free. They test your ability to distinguish contrast between black, white, and grey tones since certain molds can have neurotoxic effects, which can manifest as inhibited vision. You can find the VCS test online for free or for a small donation.

Blood Tests:

1. C3a and C4a blood immune markers: C3a and C4a are blood immune markers. Low C3a levels can be a helpful hint that there’s mold toxicity and C4a is a very dependable biomarker for the exact level of mold overload.
2. Melanocyte-stimulating hormone: This hormone may possess antifungal and antimicrobial properties (2) and low levels of MSH have been linked with mold toxicity symptoms. (3)
3. Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide: This hormone regulates inflammation in the hypothalamus and according to some early research, people with mold toxicity tend to have lower VIP levels.

Genetic testing:

I often have my patients do a 23andMe test to assess their genetic health risk for developing mold toxicity symptoms. For example, genetic variants within the HLA and MTHFR genes may influence your risk of developing severe symptoms. These saliva tests cost around $200 dollars and can be done in the comfort of your own home.

Checking for mold:

Another important piece of the puzzle is finding the source of your mold exposure. Then, if you can find it, have it removed. This requires hiring a professional to come to your house. If you’ve determined that you’ve been exposed to mold, go to this online directory from the National Organization of Remediators and Mold Inspectors to find an inspector. Depending on the extent of the damage, the cost could be very minimal or, in severe cases, up to a few thousand dollars.

How do you treat mold exposure?

If you test positive for mold exposure, find the source and eliminate it. Next, take additional steps to help your body recover as quickly and efficiently as possible. Here are five steps that I often recommend to my patients:

1. Supplement with glutathione

Glutathione is often referred to as the “master antioxidant” because it increases your body’s production of other antioxidants. When you’re exposed to mold, it can impact your glutathione levels (4) and sabotage your body’s defense against oxidation and free radical damage. Glutathione is sold in supplement-from but eating sulfur-rich foods, such as broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts can also help increase glutathione production in the body.

2. Get some sunshine

Direct sun exposure has been shown to raise MSH levels, a hormone that is often low (5) when you have mold toxicity. I ask my clients to get at least 20 minutes of sunshine each day (preferably more like 60) depending on where they live and their skin tone.

3. Adopt a Ketotarian Diet

The Ketotarian diet is a mostly-plant based, anti-inflammatory diet. That means filling your plate with clean protein from vegetables and nuts and seeds, plant-based healthy fats like coconuts and avocados, and non-starchy vegetables like dark leafy greens, to support your body’s natural detoxification system.

4. Consider binders

Binders are naturally-occurring minerals that bind to mycotoxins in your system and help your body remove them. One specific type of binder is called a zeolite. Typically, zeolites are expensive so another option is activated charcoal as well as the cholesterol-lowering medication cholestyramine. One small study has suggested cholestyramine may be an effective therapeutic agent for patients with mold toxicity symptoms.

5. Bolster nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+)

NAD+ is a coenzyme that lives in every cell of your body. Its main job is repairing damaged DNA and supporting general cellular health. You can supplement with a specific type of B3, called nicotinamide riboside, to support NAD+ levels and your cells’ ability to detox from mold.

Together, all these steps will help you determine whether mold exposure is a problem for you, fix your mold problem, and detox from the exposure using diet and natural remedies. Mold seems scary at first, but as long as you follow these steps you can recover from the inflammatory cascade caused by mold exposure.

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