Mycotoxins

From: 'Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, A Roadmap for Testing and Treatment' <a href="https://sites.google.com/site/cfstestingandtreatmentroadmap/home">https://sites.google.com/site/cfstestingandtreatmentroadmap/home</a>
Molds synthesize toxic substances called mycotoxins, and some mycotoxins can damage the central nervous system, intestines and kidneys. Molds, which are a type of fungus, can grow on many surfaces provided moisture and oxygen are present. 

In the home, molds may typically grow where there is high humidity, such as in a bathroom, kitchen or basement. Molds may also grow where there is moisture from slow water leaks, such as from a leaky roof or leaky dishwasher; or where there is condensation, such as around windows. Previously water damaged areas of buildings are also common places to find mold. 

Mycotoxins from mold have been linked to the triggering of ME/CFS. A study by Dr Joseph Brewer found the following mycotoxins in ME/CFS patients: ochratoxin A in 83% of patients, macrocyclic trichothecenes in 44%, and aflatoxins in 12% of patients. None of these mycotoxins were found in healthy controls.<a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23580077" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">1</a>

Mold and Your Diet

The following are foods Dr. Clark says should be carefully considered prior to consumption:

<ul>

<li>Crackers: Children should not be fed crackers ever as they are notoriously moldy. Make your own treats in the oven.</li>

<li>Dried fruits: These are highly moldy and should be soaked in vitamin C water and refrigerated or frozen. Overripe fruit should not be baked or preserved.</li>

<li>Peanut butter: Nut butters bought in a store can’t be detoxified, so you should make your own.</li>

<li>Tea: Tea sold in bags is very moldy, so it is better to buy tea in bulk. Store tea in the double plastic bag it comes in, which will also prevent antiseptics in the bag itself. When using fresh herbs, only half as much is required to make tea, which should be done using a sterile</li>

</ul>

bamboo strainer.

<ul>

<li>Maple syrup: Pure maple syrup contains aflatoxin and other molds that you can often see. The aflatoxin can be removed with vitamin C, but the other molds need to be exposed to high heat too. You can bring the syrup to a near boil in its original jar without the lid and</li>

</ul>

then refrigerate.

<ul>

<li>Hot cereal: It is easy to spot the mold here and remove all of the dark shriveled pieces. By adding salt and honey while cooking, you can detoxify your hot cereal grains further. Grains shouldn’t sit in your cupboard for more than six months, and should not be refrigerated</li>

</ul>

(only frozen) if not kept in the cupboard.

Against the Grains

According to Dr. Clark, our grain consumption should be very limited. Many molds in pastas, breads, and cold cereals can’t be seen or smelled. Potatoes are a preferable option, as you eat them just the way they were harvested. When grains are processed, it opens them to a variety of molds. Potatoes should be scrubbed prior to eating, and all eyes should be removed.

Coexisting with Mold

Mold could be called a necessary evil. While it is vital to the balance of the environment, if not carefully monitored, it can make us very sick in a variety of ways. It is not complicated to co-exist with mold, but it does require diligence on our parts to make sure that what we put into our bodies is as safe as it can be.

Keep in mind that you don’t have to go to extremes with this all at once. The first step is knowledge and awareness. Once you have that, you can start taking small steps to reduce your exposure to molds, then build on it over time. This is only one part of the bigger picture when it comes to managing excesses, deficiencies, and stagnations in your diet.

Now you’re aware of the serious threats that toxic and moldy foods pose to our dietary balance, and how they can undermine the Wellness Model of Health™. But there is one more culprit when it comes to sabotaging health through diet: inflammatory foods. The next chapter will take you through everything you need to know about these foods, and show you how you can eliminate them from your diet to promote greater wellness.

Chapter Review

<ul>

<li>Toxic foods harm our white blood cells and weaken our immune systems.</li>

<li>Five common immunosuppressants you should try to avoid most in foods are: polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), benzene, asbestos, azo dyes, and heavy metals.</li>

<li>Molds are a form of fungus, usually microscopic, that live and reproduce on organic matter such as plants or animals.</li>

<li>Some forms of mold are toxic and dangerous, and can be found in common foods we eat.</li>

<li>Mold spores spread through the environment through the air.</li>

<li>Some foods that commonly contain mold include: crackers, dried fruits, peanut butter, tea, maple syrup, and hot cereal, as well as pastas, breads, cold cereals, grains, and potatoes.</li>

</ul>

Recommended Resources

ElectroCleanse

Developed by the Dr. Clark Research Association, the ElectroCleanse is a powerful tool that can aid you in the recovery of many major medical disorders. Find out more at <a href="www.losethebackpain.com/productreviews/electrocleanse.html">www.losethebackpain.com/productreviews/electrocleanse.html</a>.

Dr. Clark Research Association You can learn more about the tools available to clear toxins from your system from the Dr. Clark Research Association at <a href="www.drclark.com">www.drclark.com</a>.

Clark Therapy by Ignacio Chamorro Balda

You can get even more information about the tools and methods that have arisen from Dr. Clark’s work in the book Clark Therapy by Ignacio Chamorro Balda.