Mycotoxins are Common Cause of Leaky Gut Syndrome

Mycotoxins are Common Cause of Leaky Gut Syndrome. I struggled with leaky gut for over a decade before finally overcoming it. During that time, I thought it was caused exclusively by pathogens. Eventually, after seeing my daughter overcome food sensitivities simply by changing her environment, I realized that mycotoxins often are the primary driver of leaky gut.

In this article, I will list all the ways that mycotoxins can cause leaky gut. Afterward, I will address several common questions about leaky gut and mycotoxin exposure. This will help you understand how mycotoxins affect your gut and overall immune health. Scroll down to get started!

How Mycotoxins Cause Leaky Gut Syndrome

Direct Cellular Damage

Mycotoxins harm the gut lining by causing significant oxidative stress, which leads to cellular death. When this occurs, it creates physical gaps which compromise the integrity of the gut barrier. In addition, mycotoxins disrupt the protective mucus barrier and slow down cell turnover rate. Both of these problems leave the intestinal lining open to damage and irritation.

Disruption of Tight Junction Proteins

Mycotoxins weaken the structural proteins (e.g., occludin, claudin) between the cells of the gut lining. They can also trigger the release of zonulin, a protein that makes the gut more permeable. In short, they create the perfect environment for leaky gut to develop.

Triggering Chronic Inflammation

Mycotoxins promote the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which create a problematic gut environment. When this becomes chronic, it leads to a damaged intestinal barrier, which causes food particles and endotoxins to leak into the bloodstream. This then causes systemic inflammation, and the leaky gut cycle persists.

Oxidative Stress

Mycotoxins lead to the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are known to damage gut cell membranes and DNA. In addition, mycotoxins reduce the levels of glutathione by impairing phase 2 detoxification. This limits the gut’s ability to remove harmful chemicals, setting it up for inflammation and increased intestinal permeability.

Altering Gut Microbiota

Mycotoxins impair the growth of beneficial bacteria like bifidobacterium, akkermansia, and lactobacillus. At the same time, they also encourage the growth of pathogens like candida albicans and other harmful bacteria. By promoting the bad guys and suppressing the good guys, mycotoxins are a perfect recipe for a leaky gut.

Impairment of Immune Defenses

Mycotoxins suppress important immune cells like T cells and macrophages. This weakens the gut’s defenses against pathogens and creates an environment ripe for inflammation. Over time, this chronic inflammation gradually degrades the intestinal barrier, leading to leaky gut syndrome and food sensitivities.

Nutrient Malabsorption

Mycotoxins deplete the body of essential nutrients like magnesium and zinc, which are needed to maintain healthy tight junctions along the intestinal barrier. In addition, they reduce the body’s ability to absorb vitamins A and D, which impairs the gut’s ability to function and heal properly. This then leads to further problems with nutrient absorption.

Gut-Brain Axis Disruption

Mycotoxins disrupt the function of the vagus nerve, which causes the release of stress hormones. This impairs the immune system in the gut and slows down the repair of the intestinal lining. In addition, it increases the likelihood of pathogen overgrowth and food sensitivities.

Enhanced Susceptibility to Pathogens

When your body is chronically exposed to mycotoxins, it can increase your susceptibility to pathogens. The reason is that it deregulates the immune response in the gut, which signals the pathogens to come out and play. When this occurs, endotoxins are produced, which irritate the gut lining further, eventually leading to leaky gut syndrome.

Induces Autoimmune Responses

Mycotoxin exposure can lead to autoimmune-like responses that contribute to leaky gut. They can slow down the normal functioning of regulatory T cells and aggravate mast cells. In addition, mycotoxins have been shown to cause the body to attack its own tissue, just like in various autoimmune conditions. All of these problems lead to an increased likelihood of a leaky gut.

Epigenetic and Genetic Effects

Mycotoxins have been shown to modify genetic activity, impairing the proper functioning and repair of the gut lining. When this occurs, it sets the person up for long-term issues, eventually leading to leaky gut syndrome. Unless you eliminate the mycotoxins and make several other changes, you could be battling this for years. Learn more about mold illness recovery using the link provided.

Chronic Low-Grade Infections

Mycotoxins impair the body’s ability to clear infections from the gut. When this occurs, people are left with low-grade infections that drag down the immune system. Unfortunately, these chronic infections also produce toxins that cause inflammation and gradually worsen leaky gut. Without eliminating the mycotoxins, the immune response remains impaired, and the pathogens know it is safe to come out and play.

FAQ- Mycotoxins and Leaky Gut Syndrome

Are food sensitivities always a sign of mycotoxin exposure?

It all depends on the type of reaction and how long it takes to occur. If you are reacting to various foods and experiencing symptoms within 20 minutes, that is a good indicator that you have mycotoxin issues. In contrast, if your reactions happen a couple of hours later, it’s less likely but still possible. Nonetheless, you must always consider mycotoxins when you are experiencing food sensitivities. Both my daughter and I had sensitivities that lasted for years until we finally got into a house that wasn’t triggering us.

Can mycotoxins be the primary cause of leaky gut syndrome?

Absolutely! When my daughter lived in a house with black mold, she had all kinds of food sensitivities. Once we moved, nearly all of them disappeared. This is when I realized that maybe it wasn’t an infection that was causing her food sensitivities. Instead, it was the mycotoxins that were altering the gut environment and deregulating the immune system.

Do mycotoxins impair the breakdown of certain foods?

Yes, mycotoxins alter the gut microbiome, which affects the breakdown of food. In addition, many mycotoxins affect the production of proteases, the digestive enzymes responsible for breaking down protein. The problem is that people eat plenty of foods with complex protein structures.

For example, gluten, dairy, eggs, nuts, seeds, and meat all contain proteins that are difficult to break down for a compromised gut. When people continue to consume these things, these undigested proteins enter the blood through the leaky gut and flare up the immune system. Wherever the person is weakest, they will show their symptoms.

What is the difference between mycotoxin poisoning and sensitivity?

Mycotoxin poisoning refers to having elevated levels of mycotoxins in your body. This can cause issues depending upon which mycotoxins your body is saturated with. In contrast, mycotoxin sensitivity is the immune response that your body has to any exposure to that mycotoxin. This typically develops in people who have compromised immune systems and are chronically exposed.

The main point you must remember is that the level of immune sensitivity to the mycotoxin dictates the symptoms you experience. One person can have 10 times the levels of mycotoxins in their urine but experience fewer symptoms. For example, my mom had 10 times the levels of my daughter but experienced only a fraction of the symptoms. This is because the level of immune sensitivity is the main factor dictating mold illness.

What foods and supplements are best if you have leaky gut syndrome?

When you have a leaky gut, the enemy is complex proteins. The reason is that the more complex the protein structure of the food, the more likely it will leak into your blood. For example, gluten, a protein found in wheat, is known to trigger leaky gut symptoms because of its complex protein structure.

If you want to overcome leaky gut, you must start with foods with the simplest protein structures. To learn more about this, read about the hypoallergenic food list. It breaks down all plant-based foods into categories depending on the complexity of their protein structure. To learn more about which supplements could be helpful, read the ultimate guide to healing leaky gut. It has all the details you need to overcome leaky gut syndrome once and for all.

Conclusion- Mycotoxins are a Common Cause of Leaky Gut

When you are battling leaky gut, there are a few things you must do to overcome it. The first is, to start consuming foods with the simplest protein structures. After that, you must thoroughly investigate the possibility of mycotoxins. Trust me, you can’t neglect mycotoxins. I did for six years and watched my child suffer until I finally recognized the connection. Within eight months of being proactive, my daughter was symptom-free.

Remember, if you are trying to heal from a leaky gut, only three things can flare you up: what you are consuming, what you are inhaling, and some form of stress. If you neglect any of these areas, you could have leaky gut that persists for years. In contrast, if you identify the irritants and make changes, you can beat leaky gut with minimal need for supplements.

If you have any questions about mycotoxin illness or leaky gut, get in touch. I’m willing to help and blessed to have the opportunity.

Happy healing everyone!

Matt Nedin
Certified Holistic Nutritionist
EndSickness – Founder
Phone: (734) 846-8619
Email: endsickness@gmail.com
WhatsApp: +17348468619