Invisible Invaders: How Mycotoxins Disrupt Your Health and What You Can Do About It

What Are Mycotoxins?

Mycotoxins are toxic substances produced by mold. You can’t see them, taste them, or smell them, but they can do serious damage inside your body. These toxins come from certain types of mold that grow on food, in damp homes, or even in your air conditioning system. Once you breathe them in, eat them, or they get through your skin, they can settle in your body and start to cause health problems.

Most people think of mold as something that just makes things smell musty. But mold doesn’t just grow on old bread or damp walls. Some types of mold release mycotoxins that can sneak into your bloodstream. Once there, they may cause symptoms that’re difficult to explain — and even harder to treat if you’re not looking in the right place.

How Do Mycotoxins Get Into the Body?

Mold spores float through the air. When you’re living or working in a building with hidden water damage, such as behind a wall or under the floor, mold can grow silently. You might not notice anything wrong, but you’re still inhaling mold particles every day. Here are the most common ways mycotoxins enter your body:

• Breathing them in – Mycotoxins in moldy air can be inhaled directly into your lungs.
• Eating them – Moldy grains, nuts, or even coffee can carry mycotoxins into your gut.
• Skin contact – Some molds release toxins that pass through your skin when you touch moldy items.

Once inside, they travel through your blood and may settle in your liver, brain, gut, or other organs. That’s where the real trouble begins.

Signs and Symptoms of Mold Illness

Mold illness doesn’t always show up in obvious ways. Many people suffer from mysterious symptoms for months or even years before they figure out that mold is the cause. Here are some of the most common signs of mold-related illness:

Chronic Fatigue

If you’re sleeping well but still feel exhausted every day, mold could be a hidden reason. Mycotoxins put stress on your cells and mitochondria — the parts of your cells that make energy. When they’re not working right, you feel tired all the time.

Brain Fog

Can’t focus? Struggling to remember words? Forgetting why you walked into a room? Mold toxins can mess with your brain and nervous system. People often report experiencing memory issues, trouble concentrating, and confusion when exposed to mold.

Skin Problems

Mycotoxins may cause rashes, hives, or itchy skin. Some people even notice dry patches or red spots that come and go without a clear cause. If creams and medications don’t help, it may be time to think about mold.

Immune System Problems

Your body uses the immune system to fight off viruses and bacteria. However, if mold is constantly triggering inflammation, your immune system may become overexerted. That means you could get sick more often or take longer to bounce back from common colds or infections.

Other signs can include:

• Sinus infections that don’t go away
• Sore throat and coughing
• Muscle aches and joint pain
• Mood changes like anxiety or depression
• Stomach issues such as bloating or nausea

If you’ve visited multiple doctors and nothing has helped, mold could be the missing piece.

Why Standard Medical Tests Miss Mycotoxins

Regular lab work often shows nothing out of the ordinary. That’s because most basic tests don’t look for mold or mycotoxins.

You might undergo blood work, a thyroid check, or even scans — all of which may come back “normal.” But if no one is testing for toxins, you won’t find the root problem.

That’s where specialty tests come in. Two tests that stand out are:

Mycotoxin Testing

This test looks for the actual mold toxins in your urine. It helps show whether your body is being exposed to harmful molds and how much is being stored inside. It’s like checking for mold fingerprints left in your body.

OAT: Organic Acids Test

This test gives a bigger picture. It doesn’t just look for mold — it checks for imbalances in gut bacteria, energy production, detox function, and more. The OAT is like a dashboard for your inner health. It often picks up clues pointing to mold toxicity, even if the mold test itself is borderline.

Both tests can help uncover what’s going on, especially when regular doctors say everything looks fine.

Hidden Mold Exposure: Could Your Home Be Making You Sick?

You don’t have to see black mold on your walls to be exposed to it. Hidden water leaks — often found behind walls, under sinks, or within HVAC systems — are common causes of mold growth. Here are a few signs your home might have mold problems:

• Musty smell you can’t get rid of
• Past water damage from floods, leaks, or broken pipes
• Condensation on windows
• Visible mold spots or discoloration
• Feeling worse at home but better when you leave

If you suspect that your home may be a problem, hiring a professional mold inspector is a smart move.

Detox Support: Safe Ways to Help Your Body Heal

Removing mold from your body takes time and care. You don’t want to push toxins out too fast — that can make you feel worse. Here are safe and natural ways to support detox:

Use Binders

Binders are natural supplements that “stick” to toxins in your gut so your body can flush them out. Some good examples include:

• Activated charcoal
• Bentonite clay
• Zeolite
• Chlorella

Always take binders away from food or other supplements. And be sure to drink plenty of water so things keep moving smoothly.

Glutathione: The Master Antioxidant

Glutathione helps your liver detox mold safely. It helps fight inflammation and protect your cells. You can take it as a supplement, but foods like spinach, avocados, and asparagus also help raise your levels.

Sweat It Out with Sauna

Sweating helps eliminate toxins through your skin. Infrared saunas are especially beneficial because they penetrate deep into the tissues and draw toxins out. Be sure to hydrate both before and after.

Stay Hydrated

Water helps your kidneys and liver flush out toxins. Aim for at least half your body weight in ounces per day (so a 160-pound person would drink about 80 ounces of water). Adding a pinch of sea salt or a squeeze of lemon to your water can also provide a mineral boost.

Support Gut Health

Since mold and toxins can mess with your gut, it’s important to keep it strong:

• Eat fiber-rich foods like vegetables, seeds, and berries
• Avoid sugar and processed junk that feeds bad bugs
• Take probiotics or eat fermented foods like sauerkraut or yogurt

Gentle Movement

Exercise helps your body detox, but be cautious not to overdo it. Light walks, stretching, or yoga can get your blood flowing without adding stress to your body.

HealthyGutHealthyBrain:

Get Tested and Take Back Your Health

If you’re experiencing mysterious symptoms and suspect mold may be involved, testing is the best first step. At HealthyGutHealthyBrain, you can order:

• Mycotoxin Testing – to check your toxin levels
• Organic Acids Test (OAT) – for a full-body scan of your internal health
• GI MAP Stool Testing – if you also have digestive issues

These tests don’t require a doctor’s visit. You can order them online and collect samples at home. Easy and private.

Visit HealthyGutHealthyBrain.comand look for the mold and toxin section to get started. You deserve answers and a plan that works for you.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Ignore the Signs

You don’t have to live with brain fog, chronic fatigue, or mystery rashes. These aren’t things you should just “push through.” If your gut says something deeper is going on, listen to it.

Mold illness is real. Mycotoxins are sneaky, but with the right testing and a solid detox plan, you can start to feel better — and finally take control of your health.

Health Disclaimer: It is recommended the reader of this site consult with a qualified healthcare provider of their choice when using any information obtained from this site, affiliate sites, and other online websites and blogs. Please consult your healthcare provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition.

References

1. Shoemaker, Ritchie C., and Wayne Lawson. “Surviving Mold: Life in the Era of Dangerous Buildings.” Otter Bay Books, 2010.
2. Brewer, Joseph H., et al. “Detection of Mycotoxins in Patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.” Toxins, vol. 5, no. 4, 2013, pp. 605–617. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins5040605
3. Nathan, Neil. Toxic: Heal Your Body from Mold Toxicity, Lyme Disease, Multiple Chemical Sensitivities, and Chronic Environmental Illness. Victory Belt Publishing, 2018.
4. Crinnion, Walter J. “Environmental Medicine, Part 3: Long-Term Effects of Chronic Low-Dose Exposure to Environmental Toxins.” Alternative Medicine Review, vol. 5, no. 3, 2000, pp. 209–230. https://www.altmedrev.com/publications/5/3/209.pdf