Dr. Jill Carnahan MD, Functional Medicine Practitioner, is interviewed by host of the Anxiety Summit, Trudy Scott, Food Mood Expert and Nutritionist, author of The Antianxiety Food Solution.
Is Toxic Mold the Hidden Cause of Your Anxiety?
- An overview of functional medicine
- How common is it for mold and mycotoxins to contribute to illness and anxiety
- Where are we exposed to mold
- Top symptoms associated with mycotoxin-associated illness
- How to treat mold/mycotoxin exposure in someone who has anxiety (or depression)
- The role of methylation and MTHFR polymorphisms in our detox abilities
We talked about the upcoming IFM conference: The Omics Revolution – Nature and Nurture, May 28-30, Austin TX
IFM’s 2015 Annual International Conference (AIC) will explore the wild and wonderful world of “omics,” including genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and other terms that describe the cascade of responses in human biology initiated by signals from the outside world washing over our genes.
It’s not nature or nurture but nature (genetic heritage) and nurture (lifestyle and environment).
I’m excited to be attending for the first time and can’t wait. I know this conference does fill up each year so if you’re interested don’t wait to sign up.
Dr. Jill talked about functional medicine so I pulled this functional medicine definition off the IFM site:
Functional medicine addresses the underlying causes of disease, using a systems-oriented approach and engaging both patient and practitioner in a therapeutic partnership. It is an evolution in the practice of medicine that better addresses the healthcare needs of the 21st century. By shifting the traditional disease-centered focus of medical practice to a more patient-centered approach, functional medicine addresses the whole person, not just an isolated set of symptoms. Functional medicine practitioners spend time with their patients, listening to their histories and looking at the interactions among genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors that can influence long-term health and complex, chronic disease. In this way, functional medicine supports the unique expression of health and vitality for each individual.
The topics we cover on this summit and the approaches the Anxiety Summit speakers take all fall under the definition of functional medicine.
Dr. Jill shared her story and amazing healing journey with cancer. You can read about this here
Top Symptoms Associated with Mycotoxin-Associated Illness per the blog on Dr. Jill’s site: Is Toxic Mold Exposure the Cause of Your Symptoms?
- Fatigue and weakness
- Headache, light sensitivity
- Poor memory, difficult word finding
- Difficulty concentration
- Morning stiffness, joint pain
- Unusual skin sensations, tingling and numbness
- Shortness of breath, sinus congestion or chronic cough
- Appetite swings, body temperature regulation
- Increased urinary frequency or increased thirst
- Red eyes, blurred vision, sweats, mood swings, sharp pains
- Abdominal pain, diarrhea, bloating
- Tearing, disorientation, metallic taste in mouth
- Static shocks
- Vertigo, feeling lightheaded
(do check out the above link for more in depth information on Dr Jill’s site)
We didn’t discuss this paper but I’m including it anyway because anxiety isn’t in the above list of symptoms: Psychological, neuropsychological, and electrocortical effects of mixed mold exposure
The authors assessed the psychological, neuropsychological, and electrocortical effects of human exposure to mixed colonies of toxigenic molds
Patients reported high levels of physical, cognitive, and emotional symptoms.
Most of the patients were found to suffer from acute stress, adjustment disorder, or post-traumatic stress
These findings indicated a hypoactivation of the frontal cortex, possibly due to brainstem involvement and insufficient excitatory input from the reticular activating system. Neuropsychological testing revealed impairments similar to mild traumatic brain injury.
This is the book that Dr. Jill mentioned – Mold Warriors: Fighting America’s Hidden Health Threat by Ritchie C. Shoemaker
Dr Jill has these Paleolicious Snack Ideas for download
If you are not already registered for the Anxiety Summit you can get live access to the speakers of the day here: www.theAnxietySummit.com
Missed this interview or can’t listen live? Or want this and the other great interviews for your learning library? Purchase the MP3s or MP3s + transcripts and listen when it suits you.
You can find your purchasing options here: Anxiety Summit Season 1, Anxiety Summit Season 2, and Anxiety Summit Season 3.
Hi Trudy, thanks for the great Summit and all the information! I have a practical question related to this talk. Dr. Jill mentioned we could find a list of foods which often have molds, but didn´t find it on her site. If it could be added onto the blog that would be great.
Thanks again, from Brazil, Nicole
Nicole
You’re welcome
Her article states this
Avoid common mycotoxin containing foods:
Corn, wheat, barley, rye, peanuts, sorghum, cottonseed, some cheeses, and alcoholic beverages such as wine and beer. Others include oats, rice, tree nuts pistachios, brazil nuts, chiles, oil seeds, spices, black pepper, dried fruits, figs, coffee, cocoa, beans, bread.
Trudy
Hi Nicole,
Here’s my article on Mold Free Diet – http://www.jillcarnahan.com/2015/02/08/low-mold-diet/
What were the names of the hardware tray that you can buy to see if mold grows?
I’ll have Dr Carnahan come and respond
Hi Candy – ask about the mold plates at your local hardware store… I don’t have a brand name for you.
What about fermented foods like keffir, sauerkraut and kombuchu, are they safe for people sensitive to moulds
I’ll have Dr Carnahan come and respond
Hi Margaret,
Here’s the guidelines for Mold-Free Diet – http://www.jillcarnahan.com/2015/02/08/low-mold-diet/
Most patients with mold exposure have trouble with high histamine foods and should avoid all fermented foods duet to histamine levels.
warmly
Dr. Jill
thanks Dr Jill for stopping by and commenting and for a fabulous interview!
I’m also curious if consuming kombucha and fermented foods will aggravate a mold sensitivity. My RA is unresponsive to all medications to date, as well as gluten and milk free diet for 7 months.
Thanks!
Tricia
I’ll have Dr Carnahan come and respond
I’d also consider going grain free – did you hear Dr. Peter Osborne’s presentation on grains and the issues with corn?
https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/anxiety-summit-grainflammation/
I’m assuming you’ve tested fatty acids and are talking to your doctor about fish oil and olive oil in high doses
Trudy
Hi Tricia,
Yes, high histamine foods should be avoided with mold toxicity/exposure.
warmly
Dr Jill
http://www.jillcarnahan.com/2015/02/08/low-mold-diet/
Hi Jill and Trudy,
thanks for the info. I am wondering if a parent has one of the MTHFR mutations what is the chance that your children will? With the mutation of C677t you can expect to have detox issues with all kinds of things besides mold as well correct? Thanks so much!
Heather
Yes, overall detoxification ability may be (MAY BE – if it’s expressing) affected
Trudy
Hi Heather,
here’s an article that I wrote on MTHFR – http://www.jillcarnahan.com/2013/10/05/whats-the-big-deal-about-methylation-update-of-the-popular-mthfr-blog-post/
warmly
Dr Jill
In what order would Dr. Carnahan recommend testing? Ie test the environment first or the person? Thanks!
Hi Sarah,
I usually test environment first.
warmly
Dr Jill
Hi Trudy and Jill,
I’ve been seeing a functional doctor for 1 yr now and been sick for over 3 years. I’ve been anxious since birth with anger and emotional problems but still somewhat functioning. Travelling extensively (living in India) combined with a stressful relationship left me with fatigue, serious digestive problems, insomnia, depression/anxiety, brain fog. Since cleaning up my diet my digestion seems ok, but can’t shake the fatigue/anxiety/brain fog. I have homozygous A1298C MTHFR. I have constant heavy eyelids? Do you both think I should test for mould and get genetic testing? Thank you to you both for sharing such amazing health information!!!!
I have pyroluria too
Hi Berni
I’m sorry to hear about this. If you suspect you’ve been exposed to mold then I’d suggest looking into this. I am having all my clients do genetic testing – I’m assuming you just have the MTHFR right now. I like the 23andme for the others.
Since you mention pyroluria I’d also make sure to address this as there is a fatigue connection there too, as well as the anxiety (https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/pyroluria-chronic-fatigue-syndrome-link/)
Trudy
Thank you Trudy and Dr. Jill for the great interview! Do you have an opinion on whether soaking nuts, seeds and grains are advised for a mold sensitive person? Thank you!
Julie
Sometimes soaking them and keeping them in the fridge may be ok but I’d be very cautious with soaked nuts, seeds and grains.
I’m sure Dr Jill will come back and comment too
Trudy
If you are worried about the mold in soaked nuts and seeds, soak them and then dehydrate them. That will help.
Thank you both for responding. I think I am going to try using small amounts of toasted nuts/seeds instead of soaking/dehydrating. Even dehydrated almonds taste “off” to me after a week or two in the refrigerator.
This summit has been very helpful!
Dr. Jill mentions two air purifiers on her blog. Which model do you actually use in your home, and you as well Trudy if you have one?
Hi Elle,
I use the HealthMate Plus from Austin Air at home and work!
warmly
Dr Jill
Thank you!!!
Hi Trudy & Dr. Jill. Excellent interview. I have the MAO A double mutation involved in the breakdown of serotonin in the body. My serotonin and many other amino acids are low but I was told taking L-Tryptophan may be problematic? Would you please help me to understand this?
I also have leaky gut and wanted to supplement with l-glutamine but was told it could convert to glutamate (like MSG) with my CBS A360A mutation which affects taurine and glutamine. Have you heard of this and if so can you please help me understand the implications?
Hi Lisa
Thanks – I’ll have Dr Jill come and comment. In the meantime here are my thoughts – if you have low serotonin symptoms I’d have you try tryptophan and see how you do. Same with glutamine, especially since you have leaky gut. You may have these mutations but they may not be causing you problems. And keep in mind that we have the most information and research on the MTHFR mutations so are still learning much about the others.
You say “my serotonin and many other amino acids are low” – if it’s urinary neurotransmitter test I don’t find them helpful and base things on a person’s response to the amino acids.
Trudy
Thank you. It was Genova Nutreval blood (&urine) test Dr. Jill mentioned.
Hi Lisa,
My solution for leaky gut is finding root problem (yeast overgrowth, SIBO, parasite, inflammation, alcohol, etc) and treating. Often the gut will heal itself if you just treat the root cause. Glutamine is nice but not necessary and some patients do not tolerate it.
warmly
Dr Jill
Thank you for another great interview! Trudy, you are a masterful interviewer, drawing out valuable information from each guest.
In Dr. Carnahan’s presentation she mentions someone’s work on “dominant types” but I was not able to make out the name (at approx. 41:00 in the interview, “Broderman”?). Can you please tell me whose work she referenced? I’ve used most of the supplements she mentioned at one time or another but was unaware that they each relate to different symptoms and want to learn more about that.
Thank you so much!
Hi Liz
Thank you for your kind words – it does help to have brilliant guests!
I had to think about this – it’s the works of Eric Braverman – he wrote a fabulous book “The Healing Nutrients Within”
This is very closely related to the work I do with amino acids and based on Julia Ross’ work. You can find information and my questionnaire here https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/anxiety-targeted-individual-amino-acid-supplement/
Trudy
Thank you 4 bringing awareness to toxic mold exposure and how it may affect people differently and some drastically.
It really brings light to a misunderstood and ignored reality.
I learned high histamine foods such as fermented foods should be avoided if mold sensitive, that puts a spin on things.
Gr8 info as always Trudy,
Many Blessings ~
So pleased this was helpful Peace
I know it might be a guess even for a mold expert like Dr. Jill, but how much would mold affect a person who is not one of those super-sensitive ones? Wouldn’t it also be a burden on the average body to have to constantly screen that out? Or would you rate mold (for those non-sensitive people) as an almost negligible risk? Any connection between mold and chronic fatigue or fibromyalgia?
Mary
To me any “stress” on the body is not a good thing so I would avoid mold even if I was super-healthy.
Yes to CFS: Detection of mycotoxins in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23580077
Trudy
Thank you Trudy! Much appreciated.
Hi Mary,
Mold exposure can certainly contribute to CFS and fibromyalgia in some folks
warmly
Dr Jill
Is there a HLA-DR typing test for carbon monoxide sensitivity? My health improved when Dr. Theron Randolf’s book Alternative Approach to Allergies finally convinced me having a gas stove and a 1968 gas mobile home furnace was contributing to my chronic health challenges. It would be great if details on how to get and interpret any HLA-DR typing test would be posted.
Wow, thanks for sharing Lisa. Was it a leaking gas stove? and did you have a carbon monoxide detector?
I’ll be checking out that book and will ask Dr Jill to come and comment
We had a carbon monoxide detector but according to Dr. Randolph’s book some people are sensitive to lower levels. We didn’t use the vent or open a window when using the gas stove. We had the furnace inspected by the gas company every year but being from 1968 it was not an auto-ignite model so it had a constantly burning pilot light. This is one of the websites I found helpful. http://www.mcsrr.org/.
No, the HLR DR typing relates to chronic inflammatory immune response to mold and lyme disease
This is great! Wish more people in the medical community shared this information. I was made violently I’ll after being exposed for years to toxic molds. Due to financial hardship I have not been able to fully treat my illnesses and am raising funds to get medical treatment hopefully soon. For anyone out there living or working in a toxic environment know that this is nothing to be played with as it will harm your health and you will never be the same. Removing yourself from the toxic environment and seeking immediate medical attention is extremely important at protecting your health and eliminating toxins that can affect your nervous system, your immune system and more.
Thanks for sharing and I’m sorry to hear you were made so ill. I wish you much healing
Hi there,
You mentioned that you may need to have the HLADR type testing to know if susceptible to mould – Is this the same as SNP testing? Or is that different? Do you have a recommendation of such a test in the UK?
Also, could susceptibility to mould also have to do with immunity or does it have to be more than this?
We have damp in this house too and I have been feeling more tired since I moved into the house (a month ago) but I think it is also to do with my very soft mattress!
You mentioned a lot about people having to move out of their homes etc. due to the mould as often it is not completely eliminated. Is there anything we can do? We do have a dehumidifier – is this at least better than doing nothing or it is recirculating the damp?
Thanks,
Susan
Hi and thank you for all this wonderful info. I don’t know if this fits into this discussion, but where does Blastocystis Homonis fit in? It is a protozoe/parasite that seems to be difficult to get rid of. I’ve tried all these diets over the years, and yet… B H remains. Any suggestions/insights? Thank you!
Great talk, Dr. Carnahan. I have two OATs since November, and my markers are increasing. Candida did not change with active treatment (disappointing since I have dealt with this in many ways since 1999). And my oxalate level was worse after severely, I thought, reducing my oxalates from my already restricted diet. I have unimproved osteoporosis diagnosed 19 years ago.
Mold and SIBO are quite likely also.
I did not write down what you said certain markers on the OAT indicate regarding mold. Would you mind repeating that? My doctor does not know much about the test. It was my idea from past experience.
Many, many thanks.
Lynne
Just sharing one of Dr Jill’s posts on candida http://www.jillcarnahan.com/2014/08/17/rising-epidemic-yeast-syndrome-aka-fungal-dysbiosis/
Also, Dr Shoemaker’s site is a great resource too http://www.survivingmold.com/diagnosis
Thanks, Trudy. Do you know the markers on the Organic Acid Test or can you get them from Dr. Carnahan? I have to talk to Great Plains Lab about that tomorrow.
Many thanks.
Have you tested people who are helped by zinc that do not have elevated mold markers? I saw this posted on my local mold board and it made me wonder if those who are helped by zinc with pyroluria are actually suffering from mold toxicity and this is why it helps. Thanks!
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/27017951/
Pam
Thanks for sharing! Zinc is one incredible nutrient! and very underrated! This could be one mechanism – pyroluria symptoms are made worse by stress and mold toxicity would be a stress on the system.
Here is a pyroluria blog for other readers https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/pyroluria-prevalence-associated-conditions/