Podcast E11 – Mould Biotoxin Illness
Mould biotoxin illness is when part of our immune system becomes extremely hyper-reactive, leading to Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS), due to exposure to mould.
What is Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS)?
When mould biotoxins are inhaled or ingested by the body, they are usually identified by the immune system, broken down and removed from the bloodstream by the liver.
Although, for those with a gene called HLA DQ/DR, when exposed to these mould biotoxins they don’t have the appropriate immune response, and the biotoxins don’t get detoxified properly.
This then dysregulates other genes in the body that manage reducing inflammation and optimising detoxification pathways. So these biotoxins just keep recirculating around the body causing chaos in the form of chronic inflammation.
Symptoms of Mould Biotoxin Illness
There are so many symptoms, that vary from person to person, because the body is in such a wide state of inflammation. Symptoms can include:
- chronic fatigue
- digestive symptoms – pain, cramping, diarrhoea or constipation
- headaches and light sensitivity
- mental health issues – anxiety, depression, mood swings, impaired memory and brain fog
- joint pain, morning stiffness, muscle cramps and muscle weakness
- extreme thirst and frequent urination
Because the gut lining becomes inflamed, many people with mould biotoxin illness or CIRS develop gut dysbiosis, leaky gut and gut infections/overgrowth (e.g. SIBO). This can lead to the development of many food intolerances and sensitivities, which continues to perpetuate the cycle of chronic inflammation.
To be diagnosed with mould biotoxin illness or CIRS you need to have 8 or more clusters of symptoms, from the CIRS symptom cluster list.
Managing Mould Biotoxin Illness
If you suspect CIRS, the first step is to find a CIRS aware practitioner, to commence testing. Testing can include visual contrast sensitivity testing, genetic testing, and a range of blood work.
But, the frontline treatment is to remove yourself from the exposure to the mould. Then, appropriate medications and/or supplements that act as binders of the biotoxins can be utilised to detoxify the mould from the body. Then the hormonal and inflammatory issues that are still present as a result of the collateral damage can be addressed.
Many people are left with remaining food intolerances and sensitivities, and allergic conditions like asthma, eczema and/or hay fever. This is where our natural allergy treatment, called Positive Association Technique (PAT), comes in.
Positive Association Technique (PAT)
Positive Association Technique (PAT) is a non-invasive holistic therapy, which:
- draws on acupressure and kinesiology techniques
- aims to re-train your body
- may reduce your reactions to food and environmental substances
At Health & Wellness Australia & Auckland (HWA), our Naturopaths use a form of muscle testing (kinesiology) to help pinpoint the food and environmental substances triggering your allergy symptoms.
Following this, we perform a natural allergy treatment called Positive Association Technique (PAT), which aims to reduce your reactions and symptoms.
We stimulate acupressure points down the spine with a chiropractic tool called an ‘Acustim’, while you are holding onto a sample vial of the substance, which aims to to re-train your body to no longer react to the substance.
Some cases can be complex, so our Naturopaths may also recommend supplements and herbs, and provide lifestyle advice to help you achieve the best long-term results.
Get in touch
- Call us on 1300 853 023 / 09 479 5997 (NZ) to chat to our friendly staff
- Send us your question HERE
- Request a Free PAT Information E-PACK HERE
Please note this blog is general information only. Always consult your healthcare professional before making any diet or lifestyle changes
Related Articles
Leaky Gut and Allergies
Leaky gut syndrome is a condition where the lining of the gut becomes more porous (‘holey’) and inflamed. The link between gut health and allergies is circular.
Food Intolerances
A food intolerance (also known as a food sensitivity) occurs when a person has trouble breaking down the natural food chemicals or additives found in food.