There is an actual genetic disorder contained by over 25% of the population that renders them helpless to dispel mold biotoxins from their body. You can have these genetics but not be ill if they have not been triggered by stress, or an illness, etc. If this gene has been triggered then when exposed to mold a cascade of inflammation is set off in the system, but the body is not able to get rid of the toxins created within them. This creates multi-system infections from mold illness.
This results in chronic inflammation which over activates the immune system. This often leads to many health problems. The most common health related problems are pulmonary and neurological.
Molds are one of the most commonly found allergens. It comes into many of our lives on a daily basis. Water damaged buildings such as homes, schools, and office buildings are common places to find mold. Their spores, dead or alive, can be contaminating the air we breathe. Small amounts of mold around the average person can be detoxified by the body within a couple of days. This genetic susceptibility renders some individuals more prone to the dangers of it.
WHAT’S GOING ON?
There is a gene, or protein, called transforming growth factor beta-1, or TGF beta-1, that is found throughout the body. It is one in a family of cytokines whose job it is to affect the growth and activity of cells. TGF beta-1 is important in fetal growth and development, the formation of blood vessels, muscle tissue and body fat development, recovering from wounds, the regulation of bone growth, and the functioning of the immune system.
When TGF beta-1 is inside of cells it remains inactive. It must be triggered via chemical signals to shift into its active form. One cytokine can trigger multiple cytokines. This can produce a cascade of inflammation. These levels are often extremely high when the body is undergoing high levels of inflammation. If the inflammatory response becomes unregulated it may result in chronic inflammation. The potential health problems associated with a defect in this genotype are due to this chronic inflammation. The immune system is constantly fighting issues triggered by ongoing inflammation in multiple systems of the body. This is why symptoms may be so varied.
MELANOCYTE STIMULATING HORMONE (MSH)
Chronic inflammation can suppress melanocyte stimulating hormone (MSH), and its pathways. MSH regulates the pituitary, and therefore, your hormones. It also has anti-inflammatory functions. Lowered MSH reduces the production of melatonin which affects sleep. The production of endorphins is suppressed which can lead to chronic pain. Further, lowered MSH can cause leaky gut which inhibits the absorption of nutrients from food, weakens and deregulates the immune system. The regulation of cytokine response by white blood cells which lowers the body’s ability to fight infections. Your level of MSH usually correlates with your level of energy. Usually, the lower your levels of MSH are, the lower your energy is. Low MSH can also result in lowered resistance to Staphylococcus bacteria colonizing in the nasal pathways.
The symptoms of the mold biotoxin illness, or chronic inflammation, mimic many other autoimmune diseases. Individuals are often misdiagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome, Epstein Barr virus, Fibromyalgia, Parkinson’s, Muscular Sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, or some other autoimmune disease.
Chronic inflammation is neurotoxic and creates multiple cognitive disabilities. Depression is quite common in people with the mold biotoxin illness. The inflammation depletes dopamine creating problems with fine motor control and mood disorders such as depression. The common prescription for depression is serotonin re-uptake inhibitor medication (SSRI’s). Typically, SSRI’s do not work on mold patients and often make them worse. The part of the brain called the prefrontal cortex is commonly damaged by chronic inflammation. This causes a loss of executive control leading to irritability and anger issues.
TYPICAL SYMPTOMS (due to chronic inflammatory response):
The most common symptoms are neurological, pulmonary, visual, dizziness, and stiffness and or pain in the back of the head and neck although they can vary greatly. This chronic inflammatory response can contribute to leaky gut, hormonal imbalances, intolerance to carbohydrates, gluten, dairy, and sugar.
Chronic inflammation in the brain can cause behavioral problems, learning difficulties, lack of focus, and hormonal problems. Other symptoms may include:
- Wake exhausted, never really getting a good night’s sleep
- Chronic fatigue
- Flu-like symptoms
- A gut that won’t heal
- Cough
- Respiratory issues, hard to take a deep breath
- Chronic pain in various parts of the body
- Stomach aches
- Pituitary dysfunction/hormonal problems
- Trouble focusing or concentrating
- Language difficulty
- Learning disabilities
- Poor memory
- Anxiety
- Anger
- Depression
- ADD/ADHD
- Cold hands and feet
- Hormone imbalance
- Weight gain
- Frequent urination (more than 3-4 times per day).
- Irregular menses with heavy flow and severe cramping
- Poor blood clotting such as nosebleeds
- Chronic headaches, including migraines
- Abdominal pain/GI problems
- Chronic Candida albicans
- Diarrhea
- Bed wetting
- High immunoglobulin E (IgE)
- Triggering asthma
- Nasal Polyps
- Nasal infections, commonly Staphylococcus
- Redness on hands and feet
- Redness from one cheek over the nose to the other cheek
- Blurred or poor vision: You can test how your vision is affected by the central nervous system abnormalities and a link that can help detect mold biotoxin illness in your body with the visual contrast sensitivity test or VCS. This can be found at survivingmold.com.
- Tearing
- Light sensitivity
- Sound sensitivity
- Red eyes
- Sinus problems such as Staphylococcal infections, otherwise referred to as MARCONS, which is an antibiotic resistant staph infection in the sinus’.
- Dizziness when standing quickly
- Resting tremors (found in 45% of biotoxin patients)
- Extremely long limbs as compared to the torso
- Hyper flexibility
- Muscle cramps
- Bell’s Palsy
Adults commonly have multiple symptoms, but children may only have one symptom present.
The most common symptoms in children with the triggered mold genotype are:
- Chronic headaches that last more than one to two months
- Fatigue for more than two weeks
- Chronic abdominal pain
- Bed wetting in children older than six years of age. Note, if either of the child’s parents had bed wetting issues as a child, or even as an adult, as this is hereditary.
- Inattention and ADHD (once treated for the mold biotoxin illness children who are on drugs for varied behaviors such as Ritalin, can often be taken off of them).
When treated correctly younger children get better faster. Testing for mononucleosis and H. pylori bacteria are important to rule out symptoms of chronic fatigue and abdominal cramps, but it is important to remember that the mold genotype illness mimics these symptoms.
What to do
Test your home with an ERMI or HERTSMI test from www.mycometrics.com. Be sure there is not ongoing exposure to anywhere your child frequents such as school, therapists offices, etc.
Eradicate the cause with an expert from wondermakers.com.
Beware of die off symptoms. When pathogenic bacteria “dies off” it releases toxins that can enter your bloodstream. This is also known as Herxheimer’s reaction. It means that the liver cannot keep up with filtering out the toxic waste being released by the dying pathologic organisms. This can cause headaches, fatigue and flu-like symptoms. Some people also experience either diarrhea or constipation.There may be heightened emotional outbursts or hyperactivity.
Toxin binders help sop up the extra toxins with products such as Pure Body regular zeolite. Use code “healthy5” to receive a discount on your first order.
There are supplements to assist but you can begin by removing inflammatory foods from your child’s diet today. Don’t wait!