What is is toxin-informed coaching?

Toxin-informed Coaching — coaching that takes into account toxins in our environment, food, and water as major drivers of illness.

Why do toxins matter?

“Lifestyle habits” — like sleeping well, eating well, and exercising — aren’t the only things that determine how healthy we are.

Although these habits are protective against certain types of disease (and may help you feel better!), they are just several of many factors affecting your true level of wellness.

In fact, some factors — like toxin exposure — may be much more important than how many steps you took yesterday or how many pounds you gained over the winter.

What symptoms are commonly caused by toxin exposure?

Exposure to environmental toxins, like mycotoxins in our homes, can result in an incredibly wide variety of symptoms. It’s not unusual for patients develop dozens of symptoms after prolonged toxic mold exposure.

Some common symptoms include:

  • multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS)

  • mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS)

  • respiratory conditions

  • autoimmune disorders

  • vertigo

  • seizures

  • sleep disorders

  • hormone disregulation

  • irritability

  • temperature disregulation

  • sensitivity to light

  • frequent urination

  • memory problems

  • confusion or disorientation

  • gallbladder disease, and

  • fatty liver.

Why is toxic mold so damaging?

Not all mold is toxic. However, several species of molds naturally release mycotoxins as a defense against competitor molds and other aggresors in their environment. These species of mold (“toxic” molds) grow commonly on damp cellulose material — such as water-damaged drywall — which is all too common in most homes.

Although they are too small to see with the naked eye, these mycotoxins pack a punch; science has shown many of them to be neurotoxic, nephrotixic, immunotoxic, cytotoxic, hepatotoxic, genotoxic, and teratogenic.

These mycotoxins easily fit though tiny cracks in our walls, affecting in the air we breathe everyday. From there, they pass through the vast surface area of our lungs to the rest of our body, where they cause systemic damage.

Spotlight: Mycotoxins and the Brain

Mycotoxins affect the brain in a variety of ways, sometimes causing a type of dementia that Dr. Bredesen refers to as “Toxic” Alzheimer’s. This type of cognitive decline typically affects younger patients (40s-60s), and typically causes difficulty with math, speech, decision-making, and planning, often accompanied by depression.

  • Moldy houses don't typically look moldy.

    Contrary to popular belief, most toxic mold is odorless and may be very difficult to detect, as often grows behind walls, where it is hidden from view.

    And -- due to changing construction styles and materials -- newer homes can easily be more toxic and moldy than older homes.

    The best way to determine whether your home has a toxic mold problem varies by person, but may include conducting certain tests in your home (most commonly ERMI/HERTSMI), blood or urine testing for mycotoxins, careful examination of your symptoms and health history, and/or taking a sabbatical from your home.

  • Mold is indeed everywhere, and much of it is beneficial in many ways. However, our modern homes are buit largely of processed cellulose material, which just happens to be the perfect environment for Stachybotrus and other dangerous molds to thrive whenever that material becomes wet or damp. Most of this dangerous mold grows hidden inside of your walls. Although this mold grows out-of-sight, the microscopic mycotoxins it releases quickly find their way into the air you breathe every day.

  • How long it will take you to fully heal depends on a variety of factors, including your current health, your health history, how thoroughly you are able to get away from the mycotoxins that are making you sick, and what treatments you choose to pursue. Regardless, most people who have been affected by toxic mold feel much better immediately after getting away from the problematic environment that has been making them sick. If they do not feel better, it is worth investigating whether their new living space may also have high levels of toxic mold.

  • It is a real challenge to be sick with mold-related illness without the support of your loved ones. It can be helpful for some family members to see test results that confirm you are sick because of exposure to mycotoxins. It can also be helpful for your family to see how clearly you improve when you are in a good environment. As a coach, I am always happy to meet with you and your loved ones to help them understand your health situation and how best they can support you during this time.

  • Many conditions, such as long covid, chronic Lyme, ME/CFS, and certain autoimmune conditions respond well to scrupulous mold & toxin avoidance. This lifestyle, especially when combined with a variety of helpful treatments, can put symptoms into remission and help people recover quite thorougly from their illness. If you would like to learn more, please schedule a free introductory call with me here.

  • Because of mycotoxins’ powerful immune-suppressing abilities, living in a toxic environment also facilitates the growth of chronic infections in your body. Many patients who have been affected by mold struggle with conditions such as Lyme & co-infections, long covid, EBV, and others. These infections further add to your toxic burden and are difficult to get under control unless you get away from the toxins that are damaging your system.

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