Mold Tales

Harsh winds. Cold air. Snowy plains and mountains. New York City slush. We rush indoors. Slam the door shut. Shake our boots, unpeel our jackets and we're home. Warmth. Clicking radiators all night. Steam pipes. Shoveling snow.

Ah, the sweet signs of winter. One thing for sure, most of us spend more time indoors and more frequently with windows closed during winter.

It's that time of year when we live shut-in lives.

That means that indoor air pollution rises and becomes concentrated. One concern during this time of year should be presence of molds in your home. A sharp eye can see them in the grout and under the sink, and along walls, particularly in areas with chronic moisture or water damage.

So, we went to toxic mold specialist Doug Kaufmann, whose popular national health TV show Know the Cause often touches on the under-appreciated link between molds and health.

Healthy Living (HL) What is black mold?
Doug Kaufmann (DK) This slimy green-black mold is commonly referred to as Stachybotrus atra.

HL Why is it a human health threat?
DK Molds have been linked with a wide variety of health conditions ranging from heart and circulatory problems to cancer. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "The common health concerns from molds include hay fever-like allergic symptoms. Certain individuals with chronic respiratory disease (chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, asthma) may experience difficulty breathing. Individuals with immune suppression may be at increased risk for infection from molds." Again, I suspect this is minimal coverage, but at the very least the CDC acknowledges that symptoms and diseases are due to black mold.

Toxic mold should always be suspect in any respiratory disorder, including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD). We find that simply installing a powerful anti-mold unit air system can help.

HL How do you detect it in your home?
DK Petri dish plates can be purchased that will accurately detect the presence of molds. Remember, mold is ubiquitous, so get two plates. Place one outside for a "baseline" detection and another where you suspect toxic mold. HealthQuest Technologies and many health food stores and natural product supermarkets offer these plates with an explanatory videotape.

HL What should one do in the home to get rid of black mold?
DK Health care and mold care are synonymous. Science is now quite clear that symptoms and diseases can be prevented by choosing your lifestyle wisely. The same is true for your home. ANY leak should be immediately stopped and a thorough drying and cleaning should begin.

HL How often have you seen toxic mold aggravate a health condition?
DK For many years I worked with physicians in trying to accurately diagnose medical conditions. Interestingly, patients really want to know why they are suffer ing, instead of being quickly handed yet another drug for their malady. On many occasions, suspecting that mold was the etiology of their health problems, I actually set up an appointment to visit their homes. Sure enough, they had grown used to the mildew smell within their walls. Once remediated, however, their symptoms diminished.

HL What is the most underplayed link between black mold and human illness?
DK Since several toxic molds produce byproducts that are known as neurotoxins, it is imperative that all people suffering from rapid heart rates, depression, neuralgias and symptoms of Alzheimer's (to name a very few) find a physician capable of accurately diagnosing these conditions as mold exposure.

HL What is a fungal cleanse? And why should we consider the use of herbs, fatty acids, and other nutrients as part of a mold-focused cleanse?
DK It's important to understand that if your home or office is "toxic," both you and the structure must be "treated." BioActive Nutrients has approached the human aspects of mold exposure sensibly with a rotating cleansing kit with natural products that can minimize or even help fix the damage being done within by mold exposure. Structures impregnated by mold must be remediated either by using a PIONair Air Treatment System or hiring a mold remediation firm.

Like bacteria, pathogenic mold exposure often requires rotational antifungal therapy. Whereas the first antifungal may work for a few weeks, fungi are intelligent organisms and they can outsmart natural therapies. Often doctors have to rotate (or change) antibiotics to eradicate certain bacteria and the same is true for herbs and fatty acids directed at fungal organisms. Cleansing often requires the rotation of several antifungal remedies.

HL Why should people do a cleanse?
DK If your home environment contains high levels of mold, your body may as well. Avoid exposure to toxic molds. This, of course, is easier said than done! Most often, people have no idea that their symptoms or diseases are intimately linked with mold. Worse, their healers do not know either, and often drugs meant to suppress symptoms ignite them. For decades, antibiotics were the drug of choice for chronic sinusitis. Then, in 1999, studies by the Mayo Clinic (and subsequently others) proved unequivocally that chronic sinusitis was due to mold (see The Doctors' Prescription for Healthy Living 10.11:10). Antibiotics are poison to bacteria, good and bad, but they fuel yeasts and molds.

HL Is there an easy way to have somebody do the work for you and at an affordable price with assured quality? Are there any companies or products that you recommend professionally?
DK There are many good nutritional companies and most carry products known to have antimicrobial properties, including antifungal properties. To the best of my knowledge, only BioActive Nutrients combines the antifungal properties and other ingredients that will help in the recovery process when fungus is the root cause.

HL What does the BioActive Nutrients antifungal cleanse use?
DK The antifungal kit uses several non-toxic, natural antifungal components. It is important to check with your doctor before initiating self-help methods, but when approved, you'd be hard pressed to find a better, more sensible, safer approach than the fungal cleanse kit.

HL Are there any special herbs or nutrients or fatty acids to use?
DK In addition to using the fungal cleanse, dietary changes are also important, since fungi are parasites of man and must eat sugars. Many people find that taking supplemental amino acids also help in the recovery process. Beta-glucans also tend to help since they assist in immunity. Omega-3 fatty acids are sometimes used additionally.

HL How does one go about getting all these ingredients?
DK People suffering from toxic mold exposure have two choices: pharmaceutical intervention or a natural and dietary approach. Whereas your physician will be well versed in the former, unless you are well educated in this area, you will have to rely on the credibility of this column and a good nutritional company to assist you in the latter. Go to your local health food store or natural product supermarket. The BioActive Nutrients Antifungal Kit is a good approach to a cleanse. It provides everything you need, including antioxidants and probiotic support. Again, some people need antifungal medications, so check with your doctor initially

Visit Doug Kaufmann at www.KnowtheCause.com.