By Mold Medical Expert Donald Dennis, MD, FACS
September 26, 2011
Mycotoxins are low molecular weight (250-500 daltons), non-volatile compounds produced by filamentous molds (fungi) of the genera Fusarium, Myrothecium, Tricoderma, Stachybotrys, Aspergillus, Penicillium, Cladosporium, Alternaria, Mucor and others. These fungi are saprobic causing a cottony growth on organic substances. Mycotoxins are oily, insoluble in water, and soluble in alcohol and propylene glycol. Some mycotoxins cling to the surface of mold spores; others are found inside spores. Most mycotoxins are odorless, and none are visible as aerosols. There are over 400 mycotoxins; the most common “families” are Tricothecenes, Aflotoxins, and Ochratoxins. The most toxic fungi due to their toxins are Stachybotrys, Aspergillus, Fusarium, Penicillium, Trichoderma, and others.
T-2, a mycotoxin produced by Fusarium, is the most toxic of the Trichothecenes. It can persist for years at room temperature. It grows well at cold temperatures and contaminates grains in storage silos. Trichothecenes have a peppery odor. These toxins can enter the body by breathing, skin contact, and ingestion.
Mycotxins can be so deadly they have been used as weapons. In the 1970’s controversial evidence suggested that Communists (Russia and ally states) had attacked southeast Asia with trichothecene mycotoxins (‘yellow rain’), resulting in the deaths of thousands. Mycotoxins have higher toxicity than nerve gas. The people had symptoms including vomiting, dizziness, seizures, coughing blood, respiratory distress, low blood pressure, and blisters. Survivors were ill for a long time with rashes, joint pain, fatigue, and memory problems. Between 1975 – 1982, attacks with mycotoxins (yellow rain) killed 6,000+ Llaotians, 1,000 Cambodians, and 3,000 Afghans.
Another example of a highly dangerous mycotoxin is Aflatoxin, a naturally occuring mycotoxin produced by Aspergillus, it will fluoresce under ultraviolet light and is soluble in alcohol. Aflatoxin B1 is the most studied because it is one of the MOST potent carcinogens known. In the home, Aflatoxins occur in nuts, cereals, and rice under high humidity conditions often present in the storage containers. Two major Aspergillus species produce aflatoxins. A. flavus ( Aflatoxin B) and A. parasiticus (Aflatoxin B & G). Aflatoxins are acutely toxic, immunosuppressive, mutagenic, teratgenic and carcinogenic compounds. The main target organ for toxicity and carcinogenicity is the liver (Bulletin of the WHO, 1999).
Mycotoxins destroy virtually every system in the human body by:
- Inhibit protein synthesis, DNA synthesis, and mitochondrial protein synthesis. They can erode the myelin sheath nerve covering causing many neurological symptoms, seizures, headaches, muscle weakness, twitches, etc.
- Impair ribosome function.
- Cause immunosuppression which then allows the intrusion of opportunistic bacterial and viral infections to occur, especially Epstein Barr (chronic fatigue syndrome), herpes and other CMV viruses.
- Chronic low dose exposure to mycotoxins can cause immune suppression, low white blood cell counts (toxic aleukia), leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple other malignancies. Effects accumulate with repeated exposures. Low doses can cause low white blood cells count in the gut which represents 70% of the immune system.
Mycotoxins are Found in a Large Percentage of Cancers
| Cancer Type | Instances | Type of Mycotoxin Present | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Astrocytomas | 9/13 | Ochratoxin | Aflatoxin |
| Breast | 3/3 | Ochratoxin | — |
| ALS | 1/1 | — | Aflatoxin |
| Mesothelioma | 1/1 | Ochratoxin | |
| Lung Adenocarcinoma | 1/1 | — | Aflatoxin |
| Bronchial Alevolar CA | 1/1 | Ochratoxin | — |
| Renal Cell Carcinoma | 4/4 | Ochratoxin A in urine & tumor | — |
| Uterine | 5/5 | — | Aflatoxin |
| Uterine | 2/5 | Ochratoxin in urine & tissue | — |
| Uterine | 1/5 | Trichotecenes in urine & tissue | — |
| Esthesioneurbobastoma | 1/1 | Ochratoxin in urine & tissue | — |
In 27 Cancer Cases out of 31 Mycotoxins were present
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Mycotoxions are found in a large percentage of cancers due to the fact that they are known to cause cancer in animals by the displacement of DNA base pairs. There environmental fungal control is essential to protect the environment from high levels of mycotoxins. Humidity control of less than 50%, control of any cause of moisture intrusion, removal of everything that got wet, treating surfaces with a good non-toxic antifungal that will remove the mycotoxins.
| Other Conditions Caused by Mycotoxins | |
|---|---|
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Micro Balance Mold Concentrate has been shown by Real Time Labs to remove mycotoxins.
References:
Dennis Hooper, MD, PhD, RealTime Lab.
Human mycotoxin levels can be measured in urine and tissue by Real Time Lab. http://www.realtimelab.com/
Article References:
McCrady,E. Mold Reporter Vol.1,No.4
.Bulletin of the WHO, 9-1-1999
Croft, W.A. et al. Airborne outbreak of Trichothecenes toxicosis. Atmospheric environment, 1986,20: 549-552
Medical Management of Biological Casualties Handbook (MMBC), 1999, p.41-43.
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I am a graduate student receiving my masters in public health. I recently just moved to Atlanta to do my field work at the CDC. I worked as a surgical technologist for the past 5 years in various specialties and became intrigued by the conditions that I was exposed to in patients through surgery. I realized that many of the chronic illnesses and cancer causes are health anomalies. During graduate school we are allowed to choose research topics for our signature project. I am a firm believer in God and providential plan, so I wanted to be intentional with my opportunity and experience so I sought after a topic I could and would continue through the program and my life’s work. I thought about the illnesses I’ve been exposed to and how they aren’t discriminative. I thought, so what could be the cause? What is something that all people partake in the same? What does every human have in common? To God be the glory it came to me, it is food. I set out my search and came across mycotoxins. I have been constructing my signature projects on this very topic and came across your site. I thank you for the information provided that will be added to my research and knowledge of the toxin. Thank you for sharing!