13 Signs You Have Mould Toxicity & Low Mould Diet

Mould toxicity is a silent but common culprit behind numerous chronic health problems, often overlooked by conventional medicine. Many symptoms of mould exposure mimic allergy-like reactions, making it challenging to diagnose such as itchy eyes, skin rashes, sneezing, and so on. However, scientific studies have unravelled the extensive impact of mould exposure as a primary trigger for a range of diseases and health conditions, including asthma, respiratory infections, brain inflammation, mood and sleep disorders, and even autoimmune responses.

Mould-related illness can be particularly challenging to diagnose and treat because its symptoms initially seem vague and unrelated. We outline below 13 telltale signs of mould toxicity and depict how following a low-mould diet can aid you in your journey to better health!

13 Signs of Mould Toxicity:

1. Headaches: Frequent, unexplained headaches.
2. Joint Pain: Unexplained joint discomfort or pain.
3. Hair Loss: Uncharacteristic hair thinning or loss.
4. Chronic Cough: Prolonged, persistent coughing.
5. Low Mood: Suffering from mood swings or unexplained low moods.
6. Fatigue: Experiencing excessive fatigue and low energy levels.
7. Skin Rashes: Developing unexplained skin rashes or irritations.
8. Inflammation: Generalised inflammation throughout the body.
9. Weakened Immune System: Frequent illnesses or a compromised immune system.
10. Fuzzy Thinking: Cognitive difficulties or brain fog.
11. Eye Irritation: Persistent eye discomfort, itching, or watering.
12. Sinus Infections: Frequent sinus infections or congestion.
13. Chronic Candida: Struggles with recurring candida infections.

One factor that contributes to mould toxicity is the food you eat: There are many foods that can contain toxic levels of mould. Mycotoxins can grow on different crops penetrating right into food and go unnoticed when consumed!

Why Follow a Low-Mould Diet?

A low-mould diet is an essential tool for combating mould-related illness. It offers several benefits:

• Preventing Mycotoxin Accumulation: By limiting exposure to contaminated food sources, the diet helps prevent the accumulation of mycotoxins in your body.
• Restoring Nutrient Balance: The diet focuses on correcting nutrient deficiencies and imbalances caused by mould exposure.
• Boosting Immune Function: It minimises inflammatory foods, which can suppress the immune system.
• Reducing Candida Growth: The diet limits exposure to refined carbohydrates, which fuel candida and yeast overgrowth.

Foods to Avoid on a Low-Mould Diet:

• Sugar-Laden Foods: Table sugar, glucose, lactose, fructose, mannitol, sorbitol, honey, maple syrup, molasses, candy, baked goods.
• High-Sugar Fruits: Pineapples, mangoes, bananas, melons, oranges, grapes, dried fruits, and fruit juices.
• Packaged and Processed Foods: Canned foods, pre-packaged meals, processed drinks, bottled condiments.
• Mould and Yeast Containing Foods: Cheese, nuts, dried fruit, grains, packaged and smoked meats, edible fungi, alcoholic beverages, and fermented foods.

Foods to Eat in Moderation:

Gluten-free grains, starchy vegetables, legumes, and low-sugar fruits.

Foods to Eat Freely:

• Organic, pasture-raised poultry
• Wild-caught fish and seafood
• Grass-fed meats
• Raw nuts and seeds
• Organic leafy greens
• Root vegetables
• Other vegetables
• Spices & herbs
• Healthy fats

Conclusion: 

Dealing with mould illness can be challenging and discouraging – especially when it takes time to begin seeing improvements in your symptoms! Your first step is to run a Functional Medicine lab test to check for mould toxicity.

The Mycotoxin Test can identify mycotoxin exposure as the potential underlying root cause of your symptoms with just one urine sample. This comprehensive test screens for 11 different mycotoxins from 40 species of mould, giving you a clear assessment of any hidden exposure and the potential damage that may have been caused.

It's time to be proactive about your well-being and embark on a journey toward a healthier, mould-free life. An easy at-home lab test to identify the signs of mould toxicity and following a low-mould diet will be your first steps toward reclaiming your health and preventing further harm.

References:

Kraft S, Buchenauer L, Polte T. Mold, Mycotoxins and a Dysregulated Immune System: A Combination of Concern? Int J Mol Sci. 2021 Nov 12;22(22):12269. doi: 10.3390/ijms222212269. PMID: 34830149; PMCID: PMC8619365.

Benedict K., Chiller T.M., Mody R.K. Invasive Fungal Infections Acquired from Contaminated Food or Nutritional Supplements: A Review of the Literature. Foodborne Pathog. Dis. 2016;13:343–349. doi: 10.1089/fpd.2015.2108.