Fungus, Mold and Mycotoxins

 

IMMUNITION™ Report©

Volume II, No. 6 By Frank Jordan

Fungus Among Us – Inside & Out!

See also Frank Jordan’s brief YouTube video on Fungus:

Watch this brief YouTube video on Mold and Flooding:

Read an important Health Treatment Notice about personal health issues.

Toxic Molds are Dangerous but Preparation, Awareness and Containment are the Best Defenses – External and Internal!

You are exposed to mold and almost certainly toxic molds to some degree. Prepare your immune system and your external environment and, if confronted, immediately take the steps necessary to overcome the potential health risks. Knowledge, preparation and action are essential. Begin now and be prepared to defend your health against the toxic mold invasion.

Molds are simple, microscopic organisms present virtually everywhere, indoors, outdoors and inside each of us! Molds, including all mushrooms and yeast, are fungi and are needed to break down dead material and recycle nutrients in the environment. Molds grow by digesting organic material, while destroying what they ingest. Molds release innumerable lightweight spores, which in most instances eventually become airborne and travel to other destinations. These destinations then can become mold infested and sometimes toxic.

Add heat and humidity above 50% and you have happy mold that multiplies rapidly. In your body, your nasal and sinus cavities, intestines, feet, toenails and the genitalia areas provide the environment for mold and fungus toxins to develop; being warm, moist and dark. In the body fungi and mycotoxins also replace good bacteria in the gut killed by antibiotics; creating health issues throughout the body, including in the opinion of many the challenges of Fibromyalgia pain and Chronic Fatigue.

Internally we protect ourselves through avoiding or disinfecting fungi infested environments, proper diet and supplementing with nutritional aids to contribute to a mycotoxin free body.

Negative Health Effects of Mold

Molds produce mycotoxins creating negative health effects through inflammation, allergy or infection. Allergic reactions, including fever, are common after mold exposure. Symptoms of those exposed to toxic molds which issue mycotoxins both individually or in combination are:

• Immune system suppression
• Respiratory problems including asthma and infections
• Eye irritation with burning, watery or reddened eyes
• Cough – dry and hacking
• Nose or throat irritation or both
• Skin rashes or irritation
• Memory impairment
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Candida infections
• Body aches and pain (Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue)
• Food Intolerances and allergies
• Headaches
• Mood swings
• Nasal and sinus congestion

For How Many Years have We been Mold and Fungi Challenged?

How long have we been aware of the danger of Fungus and Mold infestations in our homes? Read Leviticus 14:33-40 in the Bible, believed to have been written about 3,400 years ago from 1450-1400 BC, and learn that God spoke directly to Moses and Aaron about “greenish” mold in the home,

“God spoke to Moses and Aaron…[On discovery of fungus in a house] the priest is to order the house vacated until he can come to examine the fungus… . When the priest comes and examines the house, if the fungus on the walls of the house has greenish or rusty swelling that appears to go deeper than the surface of the wall, the priest is to walk out the door and shut the house up for seven days.

On the seventh day he is to come back and conduct another examination; if the fungus has spread in the walls of the house, he is to order that the stones affected by the fungus be torn out and thrown in a garbage dump outside the city. He is to make sure the entire inside of the house is scraped and the plaster that is removed be taken away to the garbage dump outside the city. Then he is to replace the stones and replaster the house.

If the fungus breaks out again in the house,…if it has spread, it is a malignant fungus… the house is unclean. The house has to be demolished – its stones, wood and plaster are to be removed to the garbage dump outside the city….Anyone who sleeps or eats in the house must wash his clothes….These are the procedures to be followed for every kind of serious …mildew or fungus on clothing or in a house… .” (from “The Bible in Contemporary Language-The Message,” 2002)

If God, Moses and Aaron thought fungus was a serious health problem 3,400 years ago, perhaps we too should be concerned in our not-so-different contemporary world.

What Molds are Hazardous?

The most common indoor molds are Cladosporium, Penicillium, Aspergillus and Alternaria. Stachybotrys (“stacky-bow-triss”) chartarum, known as “black mold.” Stachybotrys may produce compounds that have toxic properties known as mycotoxins. Mycotoxins are produced depending on what the mold is growing on, temperature, pH acidity and humidity. Mycotoxins can appear in both living and dead mold spores.

While Stachybotrys is growing, a wet slime layer overlays the spores, preventing them from becoming airborne. When the mold dies and dries, air currents or handling can cause spores to become airborne.

Stachybotrys is a greenish-black mold that can grow on material with a high cellulose and low nitrogen content, such as fiberboard, gypsum board, paper, dust and lint. Growth occurs when there is moisture from water damage, excessive humidity, water leaks, condensation, water infiltration, flooding or a combination of the above. Constant moisture is required for growth. Areas around air conditioning vents are vulnerable.

How Do We Know If Toxic Mold Is Present?

Reliable air sampling for mold is expensive and requires specialized expertise and equipment not available to the general public. A call to your local health authorities will bring referrals to area mold specialist who can determine toxicity. However, all molds should be treated the same with respect to potential health risks and removal. Be safe, not sorry!

Who Is Most At Risk From Toxic Mold Exposure?

For some people, a small amount of mold spores can create health problems, particularly asthma and respiratory ailments, while others can tolerate an extremely high amount of spores prior to ill effects. Those most susceptible to mold health problems are individuals with existing respiratory conditions, including particularly asthma and COPD.

Persons with weakened and suppressed immune systems, including those in treatments such as chemotherapy and the elderly, are at higher risk. Infants and young children likewise are more susceptible to serious health problems from mycotoxin exposure. Anyone with health problems believed due to mold infestation and exposure should seek professional medical assistance immediately, especially after floods or environmental disturbances including hurricanes.

If you suspect you are ill due to exposure to mold in a building, you should probably vacate the home or building, at minimum until the cause and presence of mold is evaluated and removed.

Evaluation and Clean Up Procedures

Establish the location, cause and extent of mold presence. Identify and eliminate sources of moisture. Clean and dry the moldy areas while containing the affected areas. Bag and dispose of all material that may have moldy residues. For areas of high contamination, or in excess of 100 sq. ft., use professional services.

If removing mold yourself, wear gloves and mask protection. Use non-ammonia soap or detergent in hot water and scrub the entire area. Rinse cleaned items in water and dry thoroughly. Use bleach in a diluted solution of 10% household bleach. Be sure there is adequate ventilation and dispose in bags all residue materials after drying.

Air ducts can also be contaminated and require an air duct cleaning professional. An air purifier utilizing photocatalytic ionizing to remove mold is beneficial.

Once mold starts to grow in insulation or wallboard, the only way to deal with the problem is by removal or replacement. In areas where flooding has occurred, prompt cleaning of walls and other flood-damaged items with the diluted 10% chlorine bleach is necessary as a first step to prevent mold growth. Never mix bleach with ammonia as toxic fumes result.

Recommendations for External Mold Prevention

• Keep the humidity level in the building below 50%
• Use an air conditioner or a dehumidifier during humid months
• Include exhaust fans in kitchens, utility rooms and bathrooms for adequate ventilation
• Use mold inhibitors that can be added to paints
• Clean bathrooms, kitchens and utility rooms with mold killing products
• Do not carpet bathrooms or utility rooms
• Remove and replace flooded carpets
• Stop the source of leak or flooding
• Do not let water stand in air conditioning or refrigerator drip pans

Dangerous Molds, Fungi and Mycotoxins

Mold, as stated previously, is a form of fungus that can invade the body internally to create many health problems previously described. While Stachybotrys is most often mentioned as the most dangerous of mycotoxin-producing molds, there are 50 plus other health damaging molds. While the mold exposure is frequently from skin or airborne exposure to mold spores, be aware internal fungus problems often arise from excessive sugar consumption and antibiotic overuse.

Sugar is the food that sustains and promotes fungal growth internally in the intestinal tract. Antibiotics save lives, but 50% plus of antibiotic prescriptions are prescribed incorrectly for viruses. These powerful drugs not only destroy harmful bacteria, but also the normal flora and good bacteria in the gut.

The result is colonization of pathogenic, or disease causing germs that eventually become infections if not killed and removed from the body. Among the disease causing germs are fungal pathogens. Fungal poisons known as mycotoxins can present serious health challenges and often require initial treatment by a medical professional with antifungal prescription medications. Both fibromyalgia with “moving” pain and chronic fatigue are believed by many to have a mycotoxin etiology or cause.

Natural Defenses Against Internal Fungi Challenges

For a natural defense against the internal health threats of dangerous mold and mycotoxins, diet is critical to cut off the food supply that mold and fungus require to survive. The bad news is that means NO sugar! A high protein diet is suggested with no refined carbohydrates. Avoid cola drinks, grains and fried greasy foods.

An immune response at peak is the natural defense mechanism provided by our bodies against all pathogens; including mold, fungus and mycotoxins.

Proper rest and diet, together with moderate exercise, stress reduction and immune system supplementation can naturally and nutritionally prepare your body for the body war that results from a dangerous fungal attack.

A potent nutritional substance taken orally is MG Beta Glucan extracted and processed by a U.S. Patented procedure developed by a major medical school. There are major differences in Beta Glucans and the MG form of Beta 1,3/1,6 Glucan is micronized, while not subject to reaggregation or clumping during delivery and ingestion by the immune cells. Both micronization and disaggregation (clumping prevention!) are critical to optimum nutritional potentiation of white immune cells to provide a faster, broader and more potent immune response against health invaders including dangerous fungi and mycotoxins.

The nitric oxide (NO) burst in an immune cell is often the killing or suppressing agent for detrimental microorganisms including mycotoxins / fungus. The MG Beta Glucan nutritionally and significantly, based on major medical school research (www.betaglucan.org), upregulates the nitric oxide burst in the macrophage immune cells and thus the killing mechanism of immune cells against unwanted fungi and mycotoxins.

What this means in plain words is the body benefits where needed from a faster, bigger and stronger immune response reaction to a fungal infestation by nutritionally potentiated white immune cells, primarily the macrophages.

Also effective is safe Caprylic Acid, a long chain fatty acid derived from coconut. Readily absorbed Caprylic Acid is toxic to yeast while safe to humans in 300-600 mg daily. The Japanese Journal of Microbiology states,

“Caprylic acid exhibits the most remarkable fungiastatic and fungicidal properties of all the normal saturated fatty acids.”

A Probiotic to replace essential beneficial bacteria damaged by fungus and mold is necessary and should include Acidophilus, Bifidobacteria and Bulgaricum. Inulin as a prebiotic also makes probiotics more effective. A summary of nutritional products potentially beneficial to assist in mycotoxins deterrence and defeat are:

• MG Beta 1/3,1/6 Glucan – 10-150 mg daily
• Caprylic Acid (fatty acid) – 300-600 mg daily
• Olive Leaf Extract due to the Oleuropein glycoside content
• Garlic
• Pau d’arco herb with Napthoquinones
• Biotin (energy promotion)
• Magnesium
• Probiotic w/Acidophilus, Bifidobacteria and Bulgaricum
• Colostrum w/Transfer Factor – 250 mg daily
• Multiple Vitamin with B Complex, Vitamin C, Vitamin E and Vitamin A
• Vitamin C – 1 to 3 grams daily
• Pantethine (Vitamin B5) – 1,000 mg daily
• Undecenyic Acid – 150 mg daily
• Zinc – 30 mg daily
• Essential Fatty Acids (in addition to Caprylic Acid): 4,000 mg daily in divided doses by combining equal amounts of borage, fish and flaxseed oils.
• Noni Juice – 3 oz
• Charcoal of 20-30 grams per day
• Propolis or bee pollen from your area
• Grapefruit Seed Extract as directed
• Goldenseal with berberine content
• Tea Tree Oil – topical

Preparation, Awareness and Containment

You must prepare your immune response by proper diet – no sugar or refined white products – obtain adequate rest, moderate exercise and reduced stress. Manage your external environment from use of air purifiers to professional analysis and cleanses. Use supplements listed for topical and internal fungal challenges in addition to the immune enhancement steps listed. Do not wait if you have symptoms as mycotoxins multiply rapidly. If confronted, immediately take the steps necessary to overcome the potential health risks, including evaluation and treatment by your health professional. Knowledge, preparation and action are essential. Begin now and be prepared to defend your health against the certainty of a toxic mold invasion.

Reprinted by permission of Immunition Reports

Read this Important Health Treatment Notice

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Frank Jordan is a health professional.  Frank Jordan is not a licensed physician nor a medical doctor. Frank Jordan, contributing authors or employees or independent contractors, specifically disclaim any liability, loss or risk, personal or otherwise, that is or may be incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, of the use and application of any information contained on this website nor are they to be held responsible for any errors or omissions in this website.

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