Can Mold Cause Gut Problems

The most common effects of mycotoxins on the GI tract include inflammatory and necrotic changes, disturbances in secretory activity and metabolism of the enterocytes, damage to the intestinal barrier and dysfunction in intestinal absorption (source)

Other blogs that you might be interested in include:

• Mould Illness: A Functional Medicine Approach
• The Ultimate Guide To Mycotoxins
• Alfatoxin
• Citrinin
• Ochratoxin A
• The Ultimate Guide To IBS
• SIBO: What Causes It

Can Mold Cause Gut Problems

Firstly it is important to point out that there is a bidirectional relationship between the gut microbiome and mycotoxins. For example it has been discussed in the research how the gut microbiome is capable of eliminating mycotoxins naturally, provided that the host (i.e you) is healthy with a diverse gut microbiome.

However, the gastrointestinal tract and the gut microbiome, are the first to come into contact with mycotoxins present in food, and so are particularly vulnerable to the harmful effects of these toxins (source).

Let’s dive in to how mould and mycotoxin exposure cause gut problems such as IBS.

What Mycotoxins Effect the Gut And Enteric Nervous System?

• Deoxynivalenol (DON)
• T2 toxin, similar to DON, belongs to the trichothecene family.
• Zearalenon.
• Patulin.
• Fumonisins.

The multidirectional adverse effects of mycotoxins on the GI tract cause that exposure to these substances may result in various disturbances of the GI activity in humans. However, the common prevalence of mycotoxins in the human environment and food indicates that participation of these chemicals in the development of intestinal diseases in humans may be an important public health problem all over the world.

What Are The Signs, Symptoms And Effects Of Mycotoxins on The Gut?

• DON: Abdominal pain, increased salivation, diarrhoea, vomiting, anorexia, decrease in body weight gain.
• T2: Gastrointestinal bleeding, diarrhoea, vomiting, decreased feed consumption and weight gain
• Zearalenon: Gastrointestinal symptoms are not typical for ZEN toxicity. Decrease in feed intake and body weight, changes in intestinal microbiome.
• Patulin: Anorexia, salivation, distended abdomen, loss of body weight, bleeding from the digestive tract and diarrhoea.
• Fumonsins: reduction of feed, consumption, and body weight, abdominal pain, diarrhoea

The impact of mycotoxins on the intestinal barrier functions, intestinal immunity, secretory activity and gut microflora, as well as their genotoxic/mutagenic and carcinogenic effects are mainly known from experimental studies. Such studies do not always fully reflect the conditions of natural exposure to mycotoxins. The first problem is the dose of mycotoxins, which is very difficult to determine in the human diet and somewhat challenging from water damaged buildings.

The second, more important, problem is the fact that food may contain several or even a dozen mycotoxins at the same time. These mycotoxins may chemically interact with each other, which leads to changes in their toxic properties and bio-availability. In this case, synergistic interactions between mycotoxins is particularly dangerous. For example, previous studies have shown that mixtures of ZEN and DON or DON, T2 and ZEN show higher toxicity than these individual mycotoxins. Moreover, it is known that human food may also contain other active substances and contaminations, such as bacterial products, pesticides, phytotoxins, chemical contaminations and preservatives, which not only affect mycotoxin activity but may contribute to various disorders in the GI tract.

How Does Mold Effect The Gut?

Mold, Mycotoxins, and Gut Dysbiosis

Gut dysbiosis refers to an imbalance in the microbial community of the gut. This imbalance can result from several factors, including diet, antibiotic use, and environmental toxins. Mycotoxins have been shown to affect the gut microbiome in several ways:

Disruption of Microbial Balance

Studies indicate that mycotoxins like aflatoxin and ochratoxin A can disrupt the gut microbiota by selectively inhibiting beneficial bacterial populations while allowing pathogenic strains to thrive. This imbalance can result in increased intestinal permeability (leaky gut), a hallmark of IBS and a contributing factor to IBD【1】【2】.

Damage to Gut Epithelial Cells

Mycotoxins can directly damage the gut lining. For example, deoxynivalenol (DON), a common mycotoxin, can impair the integrity of intestinal epithelial cells by increasing oxidative stress and inflammation. This damage weakens the gut barrier, allowing harmful substances to pass into the bloodstream, triggering systemic inflammation.

Promotion of Inflammation

Chronic exposure to mycotoxins can activate immune responses that lead to persistent inflammation in the gut. This inflammatory state can exacerbate conditions like Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, which are forms of IBD

Mould And Leaky Gut

It has been demonstrated in numerous studies that mycotoxins cause leaky gut (source) (source) via different mechanisms including: cell proliferation, tight junction medicated mechanisms and microvilli disruption.

It’s fascinating that many of the cells that make up the gut lining are replenished every 3-5 days. However, certain mycotoxins, including aflatoxin and ochratoxin A have been shown to significantly inhibit cell growth, causing cell cycle arrest (source).

Ochratoxin A doesn’t just influence cell proliferation however. It also OTA has resulted in microvilli disruption and tight junction protein disruption – all contributing to intestinal permeability.

The Mycotoxin-Gut-Brain Axis

Emerging research also highlights the role of the gut-brain axis in mediating the effects of mycotoxins. The gut-brain axis refers to the bidirectional communication between the gut and the brain, involving neural, hormonal, and immune pathways. Mycotoxins can disrupt this axis in several ways:

• Neuroinflammation: Mycotoxins have been linked to inflammation in the central nervous system, potentially affecting gut motility and perception of pain.
• Stress and Anxiety: Chronic exposure to mycotoxins has been associated with heightened stress and anxiety, which are known to exacerbate IBS symptoms

Mould And Mycotoxin Exposure May Cause Constipation Or Diarrhoea

One of the lesser-known aspects of the impact of mycotoxins on the gastrointestinal tract is the influence of these substances on gastrointestinal innervation (source).

T-2 toxin has been shown in studies to increase the number of nerve fibres containing VIP located in the muscular and mucosal layers of the stomach and small intestine. VIP has a potent inhibitory effect in the enteric nervous system and causes the relaxation of the gastrointestinal muscles and sphincters.

Mould And Mycotoxin Exposure Cause Low Stomach Acid

Yes, mold and mycotoxins can potentially lower stomach acid, and there are plausible mechanisms linking them to disruptions in stomach acid production. One of the pathways involves the neuropeptide vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), which has been shown to inhibit gastric acid secretion. Here’s an explanation of how this occurs and how mold and mycotoxins might play a role.

VIP and Gastric Acid Inhibition

VIP is a neuropeptide that plays a role in regulating gut motility, secretion, and immune function. It has been shown to inhibit gastric acid secretion by acting on the parietal cells in the stomach. This occurs through:

• Reduction in Parietal Cell Activity: VIP binds to receptors on parietal cells, reducing the production of hydrochloric acid (HCl) via the inhibition of proton pumps.
• Promotion of Alkaline Secretions: VIP increases the secretion of bicarbonate from other gastric and intestinal cells, further neutralizing stomach acidity.

Mold, Mycotoxins, and VIP Overproduction

Certain molds and mycotoxins might stimulate excessive production of VIP or indirectly disrupt acid production in the stomach through the following mechanisms:

Activation of Immune Responses: Mycotoxins like aflatoxin and ochratoxin A can trigger immune responses that lead to increased release of regulatory peptides like VIP. For example:

Chronic Inflammation: Mold exposure can lead to chronic inflammation in the gut lining, which might upregulate VIP production as part of the body’s attempt to reduce inflammation and protect the mucosa.

Neuroendocrine Disruption: Mycotoxins can disrupt the gut-brain axis by altering neurotransmitter and neuropeptide regulation, potentially increasing VIP levels. This overproduction could suppress gastric acid secretion, impairing digestion and nutrient absorption【4】.

Leaky Gut and Systemic Effects: Chronic exposure to mycotoxins can damage the intestinal lining, leading to leaky gut syndrome. This condition allows larger molecules, including mycotoxins themselves, to enter the bloodstream and disrupt regulatory pathways, potentially affecting stomach acid production indirectly【5】.

Other Ways Mold and Mycotoxins May Lower Stomach Acid

Oxidative Stress and Cellular Damage: Mycotoxins like deoxynivalenol (DON) and ochratoxin A generate oxidative stress in the stomach lining. This stress can impair the function of parietal cells, which are responsible for producing HCl.

Endocrine Disruption: Mold exposure can disrupt the balance of hormones like gastrin, which stimulates acid production. Mycotoxins may interfere with the feedback loop that regulates gastrin secretion, leading to insufficient stomach acid.

Dysbiosis and Stomach Acidity: Mycotoxins are known to disrupt the gut microbiota. Dysbiosis may indirectly affect stomach acid levels because certain gut microbes influence gastrin production and parietal cell function.

Mould And Mycotoxins Cause SIBO

While I haven’t found any published evidence on this I have seen this countless times in clinic. The above example of how T-2 can suppress stomach acid production via VIP already demonstrates how mould and mycotoxin exposure cause gut problems. Adequate levels of stomach acid is essential to prevent SIBO.

In fact, the way I ended up specialising in mould illness is because client after client was coming to see me having tried every diet, every supplement, and every other therapy (such as time restrictive feeding and vagus nerve exercises) and just getting no where with their SIBO.

I was essentially forced to look outside the box and it was because of this that I found a strong connection between mould and chronic SIBO. Once clients had detoxed the mycotoxins their SIBO naturally went away – this males perfect sense when we consider SIBO is a secondary condition to something else. Unless you can restore function to the thing that caused SIBO in the first place, you’re always going to relapse.

Links Between Mold, Mycotoxins, and IBD

IBD encompasses autoimmune conditions like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, characterized by chronic inflammation of the GI tract. Mold and mycotoxins may play a role in their development and progression:

Immune Dysregulation

Mycotoxins are known to modulate immune responses, often leading to an overactive immune system that can attack the body’s own tissues, a key feature of autoimmune diseases like IBD.

Increased Intestinal Permeability

As noted earlier, mycotoxins like DON and ochratoxin A can weaken the gut barrier. This “leaky gut” allows pathogens and toxins to enter the bloodstream, potentially triggering immune responses associated with IBD.

Genetic and Environmental Synergy

Research suggests that individuals with a genetic predisposition to IBD may be more susceptible to environmental triggers like mold and mycotoxins, which could exacerbate the condition

Mould And Mycotoxin Exposure Increase Risk Of Infection

Trichothecenes (a type of mycotoxin) have been linked with a decreased level of IL-8 (an inflammatory immune molecule) in the intestine, which is responsible for pathogen removal. So mould can increase our susceptible to a gut infection by suppressing immunity in the gut. This leaves us at greater risk of post-infectious IBS.

Overall, mycotoxins exert negative impacts on GI tracts specifically on the gut absorption, integrity, and immunity.

Testing For Mycotoxins UK

There are three labs that offer mycotoxin urine testing: Mosaic Diagnostics, Virbant Wellness, and Real Time Labs. You can also do a blood test with MyMycolab,

Treatment Considerations

You of course first have to consider whether you have to get out of a moldy property. Either way, I recommend investing in a good air purifier and if appropriate a good dehumidifier.

• A low mould diet.
• Supplement binders such as activated charcoal (do not take if constipated). Also consider food based binders such as ground flaxseed or psyllium husk powder.
• Anti-fungals like oregano oil.
• Probiotics: including saccharomyces boulardii, lactobacillus and bifidio blends, as well as spore based probiotics.
• Polyphenols and antioxidants like quercetin, and resveratrol – specific polyphenols have benefits for specific mycotoxins. Just one reason why it’s important to work with a mold literate practitioner.
• Photobiomodulation (infrared light therapy) for the gut microbiome. You can get 20% off at EME-Tek using this link.
• Sweat – sauna therapy is a great option, as is exercise (if this is tolerated).

Probiotics And Mould

Probiotics, which may generally help restore the natural harmony of the gut microbiome, coupled with their mycotoxin reducing ability, could increase its health-promoting value. Options include:

• Lactobacillus rhamnosus
• Lactobacillus plantarum
• Lactobacillus casei
• Saccharomyces boulardii – not to be used when gliotoxin is present.
• Spore based probiotics are my go to option here.

If you’re trying to reduce your total mycotoxin load and detox, I encourage you to supplement with a multi-species probiotic containing these strains. Some practitioner only brands offer probitoics with all three types of probiotic in there which can, sometimes, help keep costs down.

Interview with Dr. Jill Crista

Final Thoughts

It’s important to highlight that the impact of mycotoxins on the gut lining, gut immunity, secretory activity and the gut microbiome, as well as their carcinogenic effects are mainly known from experimental studies.

We already know from these sorts of studies that they do not always accurately reflect the conditions of ‘natural exposure to mycotoxins’ (i.e real life!).

This can partly be explained via the dose of mycotoxins, which is very difficult to determine in the human diet.

The second, and arguably more important problem, is that food can contain several mycotoxins at the same time. These may interact with each other, which may increase their toxicity  and also their bio-availability.

However, a comparison of the changes occurring in the gut during human gastrointestinal diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and changes in the gut caused by mycotoxins has shown that the changes, in both cases, are similar (source).

This suggests a correlation between mycotoxin exposure and the risk of human gastrointestinal diseases, as well as mycotoxins contributing to the development of various gastrointestinal diseases, including IBD, coeliac disease and colorectal cancer.

Recommended Resources

• Break The Mold by Dr. Crista
• Mycotoxins By Dr. Nathan
• Toxic by Dr. Nathan

References

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15. Probiotic Supplementation Reduces a Biomarker for Increased Risk of Liver Cancer in Young Men From Southern China
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