Biotoxin (Mold) Illness

Biotoxin-producing microorganisms or biotoxins from such organisms can enter the human body through the following routes: inhalation, ingestion, and/or animal bites, such as from specific spiders or ticks.

Normally, biotoxins are removed by antibodies formed in the human body. The body is able to excrete the biotoxins out of the body via the stool once they are bound to antibodies.

Most people are able to produce these antibodies and will therefore not develop biotoxin illness. However, some people are genetically unable to form antibodies against specific biotoxins. Without antibodies, the body is unable to excrete these biotoxins and they adversely impact the body.

Chronic biotoxin carriage results in the following:

• Chronic inflammation due to an innate immune response
• Neuronal dysfunction (often reversible once biotoxin is removed)
• Hormonal imbalances and autoimmune issues

The body responds to biotoxins by releasing large amounts of inflammatory molecules (e.g., cytokines, TGF beta-1, complement factors). This is called an innate immune response. This inflammation is the body’s first line of attack against any foreign material, including biotoxins.

In people with properly functioning immune systems, the innate immune response is turned off once the biotoxins are removed. However, in biotoxin illness patients, antibodies are not formed to the biotoxins.

The unremoved biotoxins continue to trigger an innate immune response. It only takes 15 minutes of exposure to biotoxins to initiate this overwhelming innate immune response. This leads to persistent release of inflammatory molecules, resulting in chronic inflammation, which can eventually lead to hormone imbalances and autoimmune issues.

Biotoxin illness is considered a type of “chronic inflammatory response syndrome” (CIRS).

Dr. Ritchie Shoemaker, a renowned biotoxin illness specialist, has discovered a sequence of abnormalities that occurs in patients who have CIRS caused by biotoxins. He calls the sequence the “Biotoxin Pathway.”  Reference: www.survivingmold.com