The Parasite & Mold Connection

Parasitic infections and mold toxicities are underdiagnosed problems worldwide and are both hidden causes for “random” symptoms that are frequently overlooked. Mold toxicity symptoms are often vague as the list includes chronic fatigue, brain fog, gastrointestinal issues, hormonal imbalances, weight loss/weight gain, etc. It is easy to apply those symptoms to other diagnoses such as “Chronic Fatigue Syndrome,” “Fibromyalgia,” “POTS Syndrome,” etc. These conditions can include mold toxicities. Additionally, many people do not know they are living and/or working in a water-damaged or moldy building. Like parasites, mold can be sneaky too which is a major reason why it is unrecognized as a major root cause for chronic illness.

Click here to read our article on parasitic infections!

At a routine check-up, doctors may ask about diet, tobacco/alcohol usage, seatbelt usage, etc., but it is rare to be asked about possible mold exposure if you are not experiencing respiratory problems even though “50% of residential and work environments have water damage.” Furthermore, it is chronically-overlooked as mold toxicity symptoms range from frequent headaches and joint pain to Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and Alzheimer’s. It can be difficult to treat chronic illnesses and without addressing parasites and mold. Symptoms may be relieved temporarily, but there may be no long-lasting relief without eradicating parasitic infections and mold toxicities.

People with mold illness often struggle with multiple infections (candida, SIBO, etc.). They may even have recurring infections that seem impossible to eradicate and continuously get more severe overtime. Simply detoxing from mold is not enough for some people. Although mold suppresses the immune system, parasites suppress the immune system even more.

How Do Parasites and Mold Cause Chronic Illnesses?

Parasites and mold can both upregulate T helper 2 cells (Th2 cells) which assist in releasing pro-inflammatory cytokines, causing systemic inflammation and creating “random” symptoms. Due to the inflammation that this causes, this also enables dormant bacterial and viral infections to take over since the immune system’s defenses are lowered.

Similarly, parasitic infections and mold toxicities cause mitochondrial damage. If the mitochondria are not functioning properly, the body will begin to “run out of fuel” and symptoms such as chronic fatigue, muscle weakness/pains, loss of appetite, migraines, neurological abnormalities, sleep disorders, and digestive issues may occur. This is known as mitochondrial dysfunction. For example, a 2013 study found that “93% [of chronic fatigue syndrome patients] were positive for at least one mycotoxin.” Researchers theorize that mitochondrial damage from mold toxicities cause fatigue in chronic fatigue syndrome patients. In this study, Aflatoxins, ochratoxin A, and trichothecenes were identified in ill patients. These mycotoxins are known as “mitochondrial poison” as they can all cause mitochondrial damage that leads to reduced cellular energy production. In addition to this, parasitic infections are also known to directly cause mitochondrial dysfunction as well.

Click here to read our article on mitochondrial functions and health!

Mold toxicities can prohibit the immune system from properly functioning, making you vulnerable to parasitic infections. On the other hand, parasitic infections also make you vulnerable to mold toxicities as they weaken the immune system. Together, they can join forces to create debilitating symptoms and conditions.

Oftentimes, parasitic, bacterial, and viral infections are asymptomatic until exposed to mold too. This explains why many people recall being bit by a tick years ago, but only experience Lyme-related symptoms after being exposed to toxic mold.

How Do I Address Mold Toxicities and Parasitic Infections?

When trying to overcome mold toxicities and parasitic infections, it is important to remove yourself from the moldy environment first. Although mold illness may be triggered from a past home or work place, ensuring that you are not dealing with current mold exposure is important.

Click here to read our article on how to navigate mold exposure!

Secondly, opening drainage pathways is the most important step in any healing protocol. Without open drainage pathways, the body is unable to safely escort parasites, bacteria/viruses, mold, heavy metals, environmental toxins, etc. Ways to support drainage pathways include:

Colon: Cellcore’s Bowel Mover, Magnesium, Coffee Enemas + Binders, Hydration
Kidneys: Cellcore’s Kidney and Liver Support, Red Light Therapy, Hydration
Liver: TUDCA, Castor Oil Packs, Glutathione, Bitters, Coffee Enemas
Lymphatic System: Cellcore’s LymphActiv, Exercise, Massage, Gua Sha
Skin: Dry Brushing, Sweating / Infrared Sauna, Using Non-Toxic Products

People who struggle with parasites and mold can have severely compromised drainage pathways, so before jumping into a “killing” protocol, these pathways must be open. Sometimes, drainage will even jumpstart the immune system to dump out these toxins prior to the killing phase! For example, TUDCA is a bile acid that assists in creating healthy bile flow. If a person has a liver fluke infection (a type of parasite), this bile acid may enable the body to safely excrete these parasites out of the body without any “killing” herbs due to its ability to regulate bile flow from the liver/gallbladder.

After drainage pathways are open, killing parasites is the next step. Parasites are typically a larger infection that affects all other infections and toxicities, so addressing this prior to mold, bacteria, and heavy metals is important to reassure that there will be no re-infections.

Click here to learn more about drainage pathways!

After parasites are addressed, then we can begin to address mold/mycotoxins. Binders “bind” to internal toxins. We use the following binders to mop up mold/mycotoxins:

Biotoxin Binder by Cellcore (beginner)
Carboxy by Cellcore (advanced)
HM-ET Binder by Cellcore

Infrared saunas, dry brushing, lymphatic massages, red light therapy, and vagus nerve exercises also benefit those healing from parasitic infections and mold toxicities.

Once mold/mycotoxins are addressed, other additional infections will need to be addressed (H. pylori, heavy metals, glyphosate, etc.). However, after a parasite protocol and mold protocol, these infections may clear up by themselves. For example, candida infections may resolve themselves after the body is cleared of mold/mycotoxins, but this is not always the case.

Addressing additional infections (bacterial infections, Lyme disease, Lyme co-infections, viruses/retroviruses, etc.) will enable the body to go back to homeostasis. If additional support for bacteria/viruses and environmental toxins are needed, more protocols will be created to get you feeling well again!

If you believe you are dealing with chronic illness, please contact a functional provider. Dr. Jaban Moore, a functional medicine provider, can help you if you are experiencing chronic symptoms.

Please reach out if you are interested in taking your health back! You can give our office a call at (816) 889-9801.

References:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3705282/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7345570/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20054481/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27547160/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4982651/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4789584/

https://www.atsjournals.org/doi/10.1513/pats.200510-110JH

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29042186/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26010737/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4566449/