Written by Vera Coetsee, Health and Nutrition Coach
16 March 2023
Most people in Hong Kong have experienced mould in their homes due to the humidity levels during the summer months. The start of the warmer weather is the time when most people buy dehumidifiers to help avoid mould growth. But mould can easily grow in secret spaces which are not easily seen with the naked eye. It is, therefore, important to consider mould toxins as a hidden cause of your unwanted symptoms.
Mould is a fungus that, in nature, grows on damp, decaying matter. Mould gives off two types of toxins. These are called mycotoxins and volatile organic compounds. You can both inhale and swallow these toxins. The mould could then start forming new colonies inside the body. At the same time, the mould would also be producing toxins inside the body. Chronic inflammatory response syndrome is one such health issue associated with mould toxicity.
It is easy to misinterpret symptoms of mould exposure, because they mimic so many other conditions. That’s why people with mould related allergies and illnesses often have no idea that mould is causing them harm. Mould symptoms include headaches, itchy eyes, mental health issues, respiratory issues, sinus or hay fever symptoms, inflammation or pain in the joints, insomnia, sore throat or skin issues.
Let’s look at ways you can boost mould detoxification:
Testing for mould
Functional tests allow us to look at the underlying root cause of disease and allow us to better manage our health instead of only treating diseases after they have manifested. Environmental and heavy metal toxicity screening is a great resource to use to get to the bottom of your unwanted symptoms. At Restore Integrative Medical Clinic, we screen for eleven different mycotoxins, from 40 species of mould, to give us a clear indication of mould exposure in your environment.
Infrared sauna
Infrared saunas are a very effective way to detox from toxins. Infrared sauna uses specific wavelengths of infrared light to penetrate deep into fat tissues to eliminate toxins from sweat and promote effortless, deep, productive sweat for detoxification. In a sauna session, the body is able to get rid of heavy metals, toxins, chemicals, nicotine, and other harmful substances by removing them via your sweat.
Detox your home
Controlling the moisture inside your home is key to reducing this unfriendly fungus. We suggest you invest in a good quality dehumidifier to help lower the humidity levels and to keep your house dry.
IV therapy
Glutathione is considered the most important antioxidant. Glutathione’s job is to oxidise toxins and free radicals and help other antioxidants work better. If you’re recovering from mould exposure, you may benefit from a concentrated dose of glutathione through IV therapy. At Restore Integrative Medical Clinic, we offer liver detoxification IV’s that help to boost liver detox and antioxidants to fight oxidative stress.
Detox with binder
Sometimes the veins and nerves in the gut lining pick up toxins and recirculate them back into the body. The intention of a mould binder is to attract and bind toxins and move them through the gastrointestinal tract to be removed by the body.
Detoxification diet
A detoxification diet focuses on building a healthy food foundation by eliminating sugar and ultra-processed foods, as well as foods that contain mould and yeast. The quality of foods you choose is important. When buying meat, look for pasture-raised and grass-fed options. When buying fish and seafood, choose wild-caught. When buying produce, get organic.
If you suspect you might be suffering from mould toxicity and are interested in mould detoxification, make an appointment at our clinic and we can provide you with the correct protocol and resources to detox from the mould.