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Battling Mould Toxicity: A Functional Medicine Perspective

Writer's picture: Diane EdmondsDiane Edmonds

Mould. It’s not just that grotty black stuff you scrub off your shower tiles or spot lurking in a damp corner. For some people, mould can be the silent culprit behind a whole host of chronic, unexplained health symptoms. If you’ve been feeling unwell and can’t figure out why, it’s time to explore whether mould toxicity might be the missing piece of your health puzzle.



Mould toxicity, or mould illness, happens when you’re exposed to toxic moulds or their by-products (mycotoxins). These sneaky toxins can wreak havoc on your body, especially if your immune system struggles to detoxify them efficiently.



Mould thrives in damp, warm, and poorly ventilated environments—think bathrooms, basements, leaky roofs, or water-damaged buildings. While not everyone is affected in the same way, those with genetic predispositions, weakened immune systems, or prolonged exposure are at higher risk.


 

Common Symptoms of Mould Toxicity


Mould illness is often called "the great mimicker" because its symptoms can look like so many other conditions. If you’ve seen countless doctors without answers, mould could be worth investigating. Here are some signs to watch out for:


  1. Respiratory issues: Chronic sinus infections, wheezing, coughing, and asthma-like symptoms.

  2. Fatigue: A bone-deep exhaustion that doesn’t improve with rest.

  3. Brain fog: Trouble concentrating, forgetfulness, and that "mental cloudiness."

  4. Mood changes: Anxiety, depression, and irritability.

  5. Digestive disturbances: Bloating, diarrhoea, or IBS-like symptoms.

  6. Unexplained inflammation: Joint pain, headaches, or swelling.

  7. Skin issues: Rashes, hives, or itchy skin.

  8. Sensitivity to smells: Intense reactions to perfumes, cleaning products, or mouldy odours.

  9. Immune dysfunction: Frequent infections or unexplained allergies.


Mould can impact nearly every system in the body—it’s not just about respiratory symptoms.


 

Treatment from a Functional Medicine Perspective


Unfortunately, diagnosing mould illness isn’t always straightforward, a detailed history of your home, work environment, and symptoms is crucial. Have you ever lived in a water-damaged building, or does your environment smell 'mouldy' - these are all big clues.

Testing: Diagnostic tests can be used to help to Identify specific mycotoxins, assess inflammation, immune dysfunction, and detoxification pathways.


Healing from mould toxicity is a journey, and key elements include; 


1. Removing the Source

You can’t heal if you’re still exposed to mould. Its important to fix leaks and improve ventilation. Temporarily moving out of the affected environment and investing in professional mould remediation can help remove the problem. 


2. Support Detoxification

Mould toxins need to be flushed out of your body. We can work with binders that help remove toxins and eliminate via the bowel, supporting you liver with nutrients (like glutathione, milk thistle, and N-acetyl cysteine) to enhance your body’s natural detox pathways. Infrared saunas or regular exercise can help eliminate toxins through your skin.


3. Nourish Your Body and Reduce Inflammation. 

Healing requires a nutrient-rich, anti-inflammatory diet. Avoiding fermented, mould-prone foods like bread, cheese, alcohol, and dried fruits can help reduce the overall toxic load. 

Include detox friendly foods such as cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower), garlic, onions, and leafy greens. 

Increase your omega-3 fatty acids with lots of oily fish (and supplementation) and add curcumin to your diet to help calm any inflammation caused by mould toxins.


4. Heal the Gut

Your gut plays a huge role in detoxification and immune health. Assessing your gut health and making sure you have a healthy microbiome is paramount. Gut-healing nutrients like L-glutamine (in cabbage water) and aloe vera can help, as can increasing pre and pro biotic food as needed.


5. Rebuild Your Resilience

Once you’ve detoxified, it’s all about rebuilding your body’s defences. Optimising sleep and stress management, and gradually reintroducing activities and foods to gauge your tolerance.


 

Prevention is Key


If you’ve dealt with mould toxicity before, you’re more vulnerable to future exposures. Protect yourself by:

  • Using dehumidifiers to keep humidity below 50%.

  • Regularly cleaning and maintaining HVAC systems.

  • Storing items like paper, fabric, and wood in dry areas.

  • Investing in high-quality air purifiers with HEPA filter


Mould toxicity is often overlooked but can be life-altering. The good news, with the right approach, healing is absolutely possible. By removing the source, supporting detoxification, and nurturing your body back to balance, you can reclaim your health and vitality.


If you need a bit of extra support or want to dive deeper into the causes of your symptoms, we are here to help.


Best of luck and warm wishes,


Diane & The Functional You Team



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