FREmedica

RealTime Labs: Mold Testing and Treatment 2020

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I attended RealTime Labs "Mold Testing and Treatment 2020" event November 7-8, 2020.  With their amazing line-up, this was an event not-to-be-missed.  

Disclaimer: Nothing in this text is intended to serve as medical advice. All medical decisions should be made only with the guidance of your own personal licensed medical authority.

Disclaimer: This information was taken as notes during the training course and may not represent the exact statements of the speakers. Errors and/or omissions may be present.

Note: As this information may be updated as any errors are found, I kindly request that you link to this single source of information rather than copying the content below. If any updates or corrections are made, this will help to ensure that anyone reading this is getting the most current and accurate information available.  

Matt Pratt-Hyatt, PhD presented "The Science Behind Mold Testing" and shared:

  • They test for 16 mycotoxins which covers 96% of those you might be exposed to
  • They are working on testing to help diagnose colonization; which can last for years
  • Mycotoxins are designed to get reabsorbed and to not leave the body; half-lives are 6 months to 1 year at best without treatment
  • Glutathione is the main tool to make the toxins water-soluble so that they can be urinated out
  • Aflatoxin, Ochratoxin, Zearalenone, and Gliotoxin are of major focus
  • Roridin A, E, H, and L2; Verrucarin J and A; Satratoxin G and H; Isosatratoxin F are of concern
  • Mycotoxins can lead to immune suppression and cancer
  • Mycotoxins are highly lipophilic and hide in adipose tissue, muscle, and bone
  • The body tries to remove by Phase 1 CYP450 or via Phase II and Glucuronidation
  • When mycotoxins come out in the urine, there can be many different forms of the mycotoxins coming out
  • Mass Spec (LC/MS) testing cannot easily measure the numerous forms and will miss variations that are in various phases of attempting to be detoxified; will lead to false negatives
  • LC/MS, ELISA, Blood Antibody testing are available
  • He does not feel that blood antibody is accurate
  • Antibodies may not be made; if they are, the antibodies will remain after removal
  • LC/MS is very sensitive, can measure a lot of targets, low tech time; can only measure what it is taught
  • ELISA can detect multiple targets at once; more labor intensive and not as cost efficient
  • Suggests glutathione for 5 days prior to collection (RealTime specific)
  • New homes are more susceptible to mold and mycotoxins due to the building materials
  • EMMA - Environmental Mold and Mycotoxin Assessment
  • Mold spores stay behind the wall commonly but mycotoxins float around the living space.
  • The DNA part of their test is pretty much equivalent to ERMI
  • Mold may show negative but mycotoxin may show positive; testing patient may show positive as well
  • Markers for mold colonization are available on the Great Plains OAT
  • Primarily, colonization occurs in sinuses and gut
  • Has occurred with breast implants, in cranium, and other sites
  • 80% of sinusitis is bacterial; 20% from fungi
  • Antibiotic use can shift beneficial flora in sinuses and open the door for fungi
  • Some furan markers on OAT can suggest colonization
  • Oxalic acid is produced by fungi; Candida, Aspergillus, and Penicillium
  • Lactic acid correlates with high mycotoxins which interfere with the Krebs cycle
  • Succinic is not as good of a marker and is elevated in many toxic patients.
  • Pyroglutamic acid in those with mycotoxins; indicator, if elevated, that body is recycling glutathione. If low, glutathione has been used up. Can be high or low in mycotoxin patients

Jill Carnahan, MD presented on "The Link Between Mold Toxicity and Chronic Infections" and shared:

  • Toxic load and infectious burden are the root cause of illness
  • Mold contributes to the reactivation of old, dormant infections
  • If we had a magic bullet to turn off the Cell Danger Response, we would likely have a cure for many of the things we see
  • Borrelia, Babesia, Ehrlichia, Rickettsia, Bartonella, Mycoplasma
  • Opportunistic microbes: parasites, mold, viruses
  • Many people have Borrelia and are doing fine
  • Getting into mold will often weaken the immune system and lead to low virulence infections causing problems
  • Need to address limbic system, MCAS, then mold, then infections
  • New study shows Cryptolepis and Japanese Knotweed were top tools for Borrelia, and other helpful interventions were Black Walnut, Cat's Claw, Sweet Wormwood, Mediterranean Rockrose, and Chinese Skullcap
  • New studies show essential oils may potentiate antibiotic therapies
  • Bartonella can impact collagen, may lead to granulomas or lipomas
  • Tick-Borne Relapsing Fever presents like Lyme disease but is not picked up by Lyme Borrelia tests; need special TBRF testing
  • TBRF is more common in summer in rodent infested cabins. Can infect in 15-30 seconds and leaves no evidence; no rash
  • TBRF can be confused with Babesia as both have temperature dysregulation and sweats
  • Negative Lyme Western Blot in patient with pain and fatigue could be TBRF
  • Mycoplasma nearly 100% in those with Borrelia
  • Often see mold, Lyme, and viruses predispose to autoimmunity
  • Low Alkaline phosphatase may be associated with low zinc
  • Chronic fungal infection is high with mold exposure
  • Lyme and mold do not appear to increase the risk of a poor outcome from COVID
  • Rare to not have histamine issues with mold

Al Johnson, MD presented on "Overview of Mold Treatment" and shared:

  • Brain fog, neurocognitive issues, fatigue, aching, generalized pain (Fibromyalgia), shortness of breath, GI symptoms, vision changes, peripheral neuropathy, insomnia
  • Specific tests: mycotoxins, intradermal skin tests, mold PCR cultures, IgG and IgE antibodies for molds and foods, indoor spore counts, indoor MVOCs
  • Nonspecific tests: SPECT, NeuroQuant, genetics, metabolic/functional, inflammatory, HLA, qEEG, Western Blot, overnight oximetry
  • Antibody cross reactions may occur with Lyme disease, EBV, coinfections, RMSF, Bartonella, watch for non-CLIA labs
  • Mold antibodies cross react
  • Evaluating mycotoxins: RealTime with HBOT challenge of 10 hours or glutathione challenge, IgG Mold Panels, intradermal mold skin tests, nasal/sputum PCR for mold and bacteria (Microgen Labs), indoor air testing with spore counts, MVOCs, heavy metals, and neurotransmitters
  • Spore count tests with windows and doors closed and HVAC on
  • Allergy - IgE, cytotoxic/cytolytic, immune complex, delayed hypersensitivity, T-cell cytotoxic, granulomatous reactions
  • Mycotoxins can suppress or activate immune response
  • ID reaction in someone with mold/mycotoxins and diagnosis of Morgellons - symptoms resolved when removed from mold exposures
  • Has seen 30-40 with Morgellons diagnosis that cleared with removal from moldy environment
  • Serolab does IgG mold testing
  • Mycotoxins are neurotoxic, lipophilic, alter RNA/DNA, upregulate immune system, downregulate immune system, affect mitochondrial cellular function
  • Healthy home with good filtration should not have any Aspergillus or Penicillium
  • Mold is often hidden in wall cavities, bathroom sinks, kitchen skins, and showers
  • Infections can be in sinus or lungs. Microgen PCR testing with nasal swab
  • Treatment - avoid exposure, mobilization of toxins and promote excretion (80% through kidneys), nutrients and binders, antifungal treatment (nasal spray, oral, IV), diet (avoid reactive foods, rotation), sleep (Alpha-stim, neurotransmitters, TAP device), neurological (biofeedback, DNRS), healing with allergy immunotherapy or HBOT
  • Many with mold issues have predisposition to gluten sensitivity; Enterolab
  • Nutrients: antioxidants, glutathione, Lipoic acid, CoQ10, C, B, bile binders, Acacia, Black walnut, wormwood, alfalfa leaf, peppermint, eucalyptus, osha root (lungs), dandelion (liver), red clover, stinging nettle, burdock (kidney), cilantro, ground ivy, milk thistle (liver), neem
  • HBOT - 1.5 to 2.4 ATM, turns off proinflammatory genes, turns on genes related to growth and repair hormones and anti-inflammatory genes
  • Low pressure does not work to mobilize the toxins
  • Important for treatment: exploring allergy and immunotherapy; HBOT to drive toxins out and heal more rapidly

Jill Crista, ND spoke on "A Naturopathic Approach to Mold" and shared:

  • Chronic disease, if thoroughly cured, always terminates in some cutaneous eruption
  • Most important organs are relieved first, skin last
  • Accumulation vs. Detoxification - one or the other; the body can't detox if you are still accumulating
  • Has seen endotoxins in CPAPs and Keurigs
  • Most patients are colonized or have actual infection
  • 5 Steps: Avoidance, Fundamentals, Protect, Repair, Fight
  • Does food avoidance in 2 tiers; a treatment diet, not a forever diet
  • When our flora is exposed to a mycotoxin that is coming to invade you, adding other fungal things like fermented foods reinforces that message/threat to the body
  • For ADH deficiency, lycopene can be helpful.
  • The solution to pollution is dilution; dilute fat soluble toxins with healthy fats
  • Finds Saccharomyces boulardii to be a bad option as it is a fungus
  • Some B vitamins, enzymes, ascorbic acid, and other supplements are synthesized with fungus; including citric acid
  • Cholagogues to support bile include: Chamomile, Dandelion, Elecampane, Solidago, Turmeric, Greater Celandine, Gentian, Red Root, Bitter Orange Peel, choline, taurine, glycine, bile salts
  • Statins are a mycotoxin and deplete CoQ10 and bioflavonoids
  • Make and move bile, dilute toxins, restore fat soluble nutrients, bioflavonoids and polyphenols, support detoxification, restore mitochondria, rebuild immune system
  • Choose treatments with multiple mechanisms of action
  • Mycotoxins may be inspirated leading to absorption which leads to mycotoxins in the blood; later to the liver and kidneys and then bound to bile and moved to the stool
  • Excess will be stored in lipid-rich tissue
  • There is 10:1 PC to cholesterol in the 5% of bile that is not water
  • Bile salts are bile acids conjugated by glycine and taurine
  • Uses cholaretics to make bile and cholagogues to move bile
  • A small amount of tonic water at the start of a meal can help moving the GI system
  • Botanical binders include: kale, aloe, okra
  • May use activated charcoal, bentonite clay, zeolite
  • Carbonized Bamboo such as Takesumi Supreme may be used as a rescue
  • DHA is neuroprotective, hepatoprotective, nephroprotective; suppresses MMP9
  • Green tea is high in polyphenols, antifungal/antibacterial/antiviral, protects against aflatoxin and ochratoxin injury - 4-6 cups per day; a go-to for people stuck in a moldy environment
  • Many things good for mycotoxins slow Phase 1 and increase Phase 2; turmeric
  • Immune Restoration - Vitamin D is a champion (mold downregulates receptors); target 60-90 ng/ml
  • Ben Lynch says all glutathione should be taken in the morning on an empty stomach
  • SoClean Ozone cleaner may be helpful for cleaning a CPAP
  • Bioplasma Cell Salts may be added to water after RO filtration 

Joseph Brewer, MD spoke on "Mold and Mycotoxin Illness Treatment Strategies" and shared:

  • Can have current exposure, past only, or both past and current
  • The general, healthy population does not have gliotoxin in their urine or serum
  • RealTime Aflatoxin assay has improved since 2016
  • Mycotoxins bind to DNA/RNA, alter protein synthesis, lead to oxidative stress, deplete antioxidants, alter cell membrane function and transport, act as potent mitochondrial toxins, alter apoptosis, are immune suppressive, and activate immune response
  • Mold and mycotoxins are one of many triggers for MCAS
  • Some have past exposure only and are still ill and have mycotoxins many years after exposure
  • Mycotoxins internally continue to be created primarily in the sinus
  • Mycotoxin-producing species are found in the sinuses
  • Can find molds, molds that produce mycotoxins, and mycotoxins in the sinuses
  • Fungi are found in sinuses in healthy people; they readily produce biofilm
  • Treatment Approach
    • Fix environmental exposure
    • Mobilize mycotoxins with glutathione
    • Increase excretion with binders
    • Increase via urine/sweat such as with sauna
    • Reduce and eliminate internal mold - treat the sinuses
  • Nasal antifungals - Amphotericin B, Itraconazole, Nystatin
  • Biofilms treated with EDTA and to reduce Staph which contributes to biofilms
  • May be used with nebulizer, atomizer, pump/spray device, irrigation (Neilmed)
  • Nystatin is not stable in solution after 12-24 hours
  • Amphotericin B more difficult to tolerate
  • Relapses are seen when therapy discontinued
  • Colloidal silver is very broad spectrum; 21 ppm or higher
  • Nasal rinses lead to a dilution effect that may not have enough of the active ingredients
  • Systemic Antifungals
    • Triazoles - Itraconazole, Voriconazole, Posaconazole, Isavuconazole; oral and IV; several potential adverse effects
    • Echinocandins- Micafungin, Caspofungin; generally well tolerated 

John Bohde spoke on "Assessments and Remediations for Those with Environmental Illness" and shared:

  • The most dominant fungi is Aspergillus versicolor; can thrive in high humidity without water damage
  • Xerophilic fungi can grow with low water
  • Hydrophilic fungi need more water
  • Limit humidity to 30-50% indoors
  • Extremely xerophilic: Aspergillus, Penicillium, Wallemia
  • Xerophilic: Alternaria, Cladosporium, Phoma, Ulocladium
  • Hydrophilic: Chaetomium, Memnoniella, Stachybotrys, Trichoderma
  • Find a qualified IEP that understands environmental illness and can provide references from healthcare providers
  • Sampling under a fridge may not be indicative of inhalation risk
  • Surface sampling trumps air sampling
  • Testing may include:
    • Fungal sampling: direct microscoping, MSQPCR (DNA)
    • Mycotoxin
    • VOC
    • Bacterial
    • Endotoxins
  • Direct microscopic: spore trap, surface, agar plates
  • MSQPCR - more like hunting than fishing net; narrow but deeper
  • ERMI - 36 species (about 10% of total Aspergillus)
  • EMMA - 10 species + mycotoxins
  • If he could only do one test, EMMA would be his choice; good for structures and cars

Neil Nathan, MD spoke on "Update on the Diagnosis and Treatment of Mold Toxicity" and shared:

  • Look for and treat the cause of the condition
  • Treating downstream components will not be successful
  • Treat only when the body is ready to do so
  • "Mold" includes fungi, Actinomycetes, Mycobacteria, VOCs, beta glucans, hemolysins, mannans, and proteinases
  • Mold health effects can be allergies, infections/colonization, or toxins
  • Toxic: Stachybotrys, Penicillium, Aspergillus, Chaetomium, Alternaria, Fusarium, Wallemia
  • Mold makes everything else much worse: Lyme, MCS, EHS, food allergies, autoimmunity
  • Mold toxicity may look like Fibromyalgia, CFS, atypical MS/RA/AZD/PD, asthma, chronic sinusitis
  • May present as as anxiety, depression, depersonalization, cognitive impairment, mood swings, and OCD; think mold
  • Unique symptoms: electrical shocks, ice-pick pains, non-dermatomal paresthesias, internal vibrations/tremors, increased sensitivity to everything
  • Multiple sensitivities to various stimuli (light, sound, touch, foods, EMFs) is likely a limbic system dysfunction resulting from mold
  • Urine mycotoxin testing is the most reliable and reproduceable and best tool for tracking progress
  • TGFb1 and C4a might mean mold or Bartonella or Lyme or Chlamydia pneumoniae or Mycoplasma or viruses
  • Urine mycotoxins are far more specific in diagnosing mold toxicity
  • Treat until the urine mycotoxin test is negative
  • It takes a year or more to get mold toxins out of the body
  • A positive test confirms the diagnosis and allows for more precision as to binders to utilize
  • ELISA with RealTime or Vibrant Health; LC/MS with Great Plains
  • LC/MS is theoretically more accurate but is more specific
  • ELISA measures the toxins and metabolites
  • RealTime recently added Zearalenone to their test
  • Vibrant has not been as valuable or accurate as RealTime or Great Plains in his experience to date
  • In having done thousands, Great Plains is more accurate for Ochratoxin, Mycophenolic Acid, and Citrinin but less accurate for Trichothecene, Aflatoxin, and Gliotoxin
  • Prefers RealTime if he has to pick only one test
  • Provokes with 500mg glutathione twice a day for 7 days and with sauna, hot bath, or sweating for RTL only. Great Plains requests not using glutathione.
  • Sauna, bath, or hot tub the night before urine collection for both
  • Stop all binders 3 days prior to collection
  • Glutathione or a hot bath mobilizes toxins; if they start a provocation and get worse, stop and collect the urine
  • Initial testing may be the tip of the iceberg if detoxification is not functioning
  • If repeat testing is higher: re-exposure, improved detoxification, excessive binding, excessive killing, or stimulating mold to make more mycotoxins
  • Some claim everyone has urine mycotoxins; study showed that 51% of 82 controls do have Ochratoxin but at trivial levels compared to mold patients
  • VCS testing is not specific: mold toxicity, Lyme disease, mercury toxicity; does not correlate to urine mycotoxins
  • Cannot correlate treatment of MARCoNS with any clinical improvement; no longer tests for this
  • Has not found any correlation between HLA results and clinical improvement
  • Patient will only tread water (best case) if they cannot get out of the exposure. Need to fix the environment
  • Use appropriate binders to treat mycotoxins that are present
  • Use antifungal therapy, if colonized
  • Testing: Mold plates for 2 hours, ERMI, IEP
  • Remediation may be expensive and may not work
  • HERTSMI-2 is one of the better scoring systems we have
  • Binders
    • Ochratoxin: Cholestyramine, Welchol, Activated Charcoal
    • Giotoxin: Bentonite, NAC, Saccharomyces boulardii
    • Trichothecene and Aflatoxin: Bentonite, Charcoal, Chlorella
    • Zearalenone and Enniatin B: Bentonite, Saccharomyces boulardii
    • Chaetomium: ?; clears with normal binders
  • Huge doses of binders often make people much worse
  • Chlorella, Charcoal, and Bentonite can be taken together away from food; they have a negative charge
  • Welchol and Saccharomyces boulardii should be taken with food
  • 3pm is the best time to do most binders
  • Diet - high protein/low carb; keto preferred
  • A low mold diet does not help most patients
  • Is there a significant amount of mold or mycotoxin in food? Research suggests not enough to impact health or urine mycotoxin testing results
  • Took 8 patients that restricted diet then pigged out with moldy foods; 7 of 8 went down with the moldy diet
  • Once binders are in place, re-test in 3-4 months
  • If the patient is not improving, consider antifungal treatment for sinus and gut
  • Argentyn 23 nasal spray followed by sinus antifungal and biofilm dissolver may be used
  • Stronger constitution patients may use Amphotericin B spray; sensitive may start with Nystatin. EDTA or BE (no G) spray for biofilm support
  • For the gut, Argentyn 23, Nystatin, Intraconazole, or may use Amphotericin B.
  • For biofilms, Beyond Balance MC-BFM or Interfase Plus
  • Lactobacillus rhamnosus, casei, plantarum, and Brevibacillus laterosporus can help against aflatoxin
  • Finds that RX antifungals are commonly needed
  • Glutathione can worsen sensitive patients
  • Beyond Balance PRO-MYCO, MYCOREGEN, TOX-EASE BIND, Byron White A-FNG, BioToxin Binder, Biocidin nasal spray may be helpful
  • IV PC, ozone insufflation, rectal ozone can be helpful
  • LDI, Transfer Factor ENVIRO
  • Some may need to start with liver, GI detox support, lymph drainage, kidney and skin detox, IV PC, and DNRS before they can tolerate binders
  • Limbic retraining and polyvagal work should be done first; and work on mast cell activation (at least 50%)
  • Beyond Balance TOX-EASE GL, Pekana ITIRES, RELENIX for drainage support
  • Gallbladder support to make bile: Acetyl L Carnitine, Calcium pyruvate, Pantethine, PC, ox bile
  • Mobilize bile: Quicksilver Bitters, Artichoke, Milk Thistle, Coffee enemas, ozone enemas
  • Functional medicine starts with the gut; mold toxicity is an exception; you have to get rid of the mold and Candida first before you do the other functional medicine things
  • Liver support: Beyond Balance TOX-EASE GL, Milk Thistle, alpha lipoic acid, NAC, Artichoke, I3C, apo-HEPAT
  • FSM, Lymph Massage, Oil Pulling, rectal ozone
  • Start with the pathology that explains the vast majority of symptoms (mold or Lyme, not viruses)
  • Get a negative urine test and treat for 3 more months to avoid recurrence

Alfred Johnson, MD spoke on "How Hyperbaric Can Be Used in Your Practice" and shared:

  • Toxins are lipophilic and difficult to mobilize
  • HBOT can mobilize toxins
  • Using air under pressure and breathing 100% oxygen to increase tissue delivery by 10-15 times
  • 1.5 to 2.4 ATM
  • Turns off genes related to pro-inflammatory hormones and cell death
  • Oxygen can be delivered via nasal cannula (25-30%), mask (60%), tents (50%), ventilator (50-100%), soft chambers (40%), or hard chambers (100%)
  • Mold toxins often lead to suppressed IgG levels; generally not primary immune deficiency
  • Has not found sauna to be helpful for his patients
  • Does use antifungals
  • Toenail infections: cornmeal soaks with 1 cup cornmeal, 2 cups water; steep 30 minutes on stove and soak for an hour once a week
  • Allergy immunotherapy, IVIG if deficient, Transfer Factor, ALF (autologous lymphocytic factor from Dr. Rea's work), alkalization (Tri Salts)
  • HLA-DR genetics for gluten are very important; 30% are gluten sensitive, but only 0.4% are celiac

Dennis Hooper spoke on "Effects of Fusarium Mold on Health" and shared

  • Fusarium is fast-growing, bright-colored; from white to yellow, pink, red, or purple
  • Produce macro and microconidia
  • Purple onions may have Fusarium
  • Fusarium produces many different mycotoxins and has 300 distinct species
  • Can lead to deep, invasive, life-threatening infections in humans
  • Zearalenone is the most important mycotoxin to test for
  • Corn, wheat, barley, oats, onions may be exposure sources
  • Estrogenic effects
  • Antifungals (Amphotericin B and Voriconazole), immunotherapy, surgery, and catheter management may be used
  • May use Amphotericin B, Itraconazole, Voriconazole, Posaconazole
  • Many people lost their eyes when contact lens solution had Fusarium
  • Infections can be superficial or disseminated
  • Infections can be fatal

Jill Carnahan, MD spoke on "Mold's Toxic Effect on The Gut: Tips to Test and Treat Your Patients" and shared:

  • Toxins can be exotoxins and endotoxins
  • The toxins created within us can be profound
  • Environmental toxicity is increasing every year; cases are more complex than they used to be
  • Total body burden is increasing in every one of us
  • Individuals are harmed by the permitted exposure levels (80% of the patients she sees)
  • No amount of detox will allow someone to get well if still living in a moldy home
  • 85% of chronic illness is lifestyle; only 15% genetics
  • Biotoxins can be from molds but also Borrelia and possibly Bartonella, Babesia, Anaplasma, and Ehrlichia; as well as dinoflagellates and Ciguatera
  • TGFb1 can indicate an overactive immune or autoimmune system
  • C4a; LabCorp works fine in her experience
  • MMP9 can be Borrelia and Bartonella; increases blood-brain barrier permeability
  • Low ADH plays a role on POTS
  • In clinical practice, urinary mycotoxin testing is incredibly useful
  • Autoimmunity can be genetics, GI, mold, infections, stress
  • Cyrex Array 3 and 4 are helpful to look for cross reactive foods to gluten that can maintain villous atrophy
  • TGFb1 drives Th17 and can create an autoimmune environment
  • Post-mycotoxin exposure GI issues can be helped with Spore Biotics and bovine immunoglobulins; zinc, D, A
  • NADPH depletion happens with mold exposures impacting the ability to recycle glutathione.
  • Nicotinamide Riboside or NMN are key to treating mold toxicity
  • Address MCAS first: H1/H2 blockers, benzos, Cromolyn, Pentosan, alpha-interferon, Ketotifen, Omalizumab, quercetin, tyrosine kinase inhibitors
  • May not need a low mold diet but do need a low histamine diet
  • Grapefruit seed extract (GSE) nasally or orally, caprylic, Pau d'Arco, berberine, oregano
  • Stabilized Sulforaphane will downregulate Phase 1 and upregulate Phase 2
  • Gut is phase 3 - Spore Biotics, Ion Biome, humic/fulvic
  • Coffee enemas can be great for phase 3
  • She loves the EMMA test from RealTime
  • Other testing may find spores but are not looking for mycotoxins
  • Methanobrevibacter in WDBs increases the chance of methane-dominant SIBO; with recurring SIBO, explore WDB, Lyme/co-infections (can infect the vagus nerve)
  • MSH - Colloidal Silver/EDTA for MARCoNS, GSE, Biocidin nasal sprays can increase MSH
  • LPS-induced endotoxemia is the trigger for NASH; in mold patients, sees more LPS endotoxemia
  • She uses free aminos, magnesium threonate, creatine, and potassium in her water every morning
  • Does not recommend coffee enemas for Ulcerative Colitis, Crohn's, etc.

Jill Crista, ND spoke on "Botanical Antifungals" and shared:

  • Is there a difference between colonization and biofilm?
  • If she has to use a medication, she combines the drug with a plant that does the same thing.
  • Plant is the grandmother; drug is the over-zealous teenager
  • Atomizers are more effective than neti pot which is more effective than a nasal spray
  • Atomizer is for sinus; nebulizer is for lungs
  • May use essential oil diffuser by bedside
  • Start with sinus; as sinus impacts the gut
  • Likes the NasoNeb
  • Stachybotrys is often first to go and Ochratoxin last to go
  • Essential oils, propolis, manuka, lauric acid, colloidal silver, ozone, probiotics, biofilm (xylitol, NAC)
  • Essential oils: cedar, rosemary, ajwain seed, holy basil, cumin, tea tree, thyme
  • Essential oils impair mycotoxin production
  • Some propolis is contaminated with mycotoxins; likes Natura Nectar products
  • Systemic Support - Holy Basil is gentle but strong; antifungal/antibiotic/antiparasitic, inhibits MMP9
  • Garlic - safe for pregnancy, antifungal
  • Thyme - broad-spectrum antifungal
  • Oil of oregano - can be hard on gut
  • Many of these help to decrease drug resistance
  • Topical Calendula
  • Pau D'Arco

Matt Pratt-Hyatt, PhD spoke on "Mycotoxin Effects on Fertility" and shared:

  • Aflatoxin, Fumonisin, Zearalenone, Ochratoxin
  • Aflatoxin leads to DNA breaks
  • Zearalenone can cause uterine enlargement and increase estradiol in males and females
  • Zearalenone induces cancer genes

Neil Nathan, MD spoke on "Cell Danger Response" and shared:

  • Mitochondria sense intruding microbes or toxins by detecting diversion of electrons as a voltage drop
  • Begins as a protective mechanism
  • CDR1 has 8 steps
    • Cellular metabolism shifts from polymer to monomer synthesis to prevent hijacking of cellular resources by intracellular pathogens
    • Cell membranes stiffen to keep microbes from getting out
    • Antiviral and antimicrobial chemicals are released into pericellular environment
    • Autophagy increases
    • DNA methylation and histones are changed to alter gene expression
    • Endogenous retroviruses are mobilized
    • Neighboring cells are warned
    • Host behavior is changed to prevent spread of infection
  • Consider summer and winter metabolism
  • Summer is more mTOR; winter is more AMPK
  • Trying to give methylation before the patient is ready can make them worse
  • ATP is an activator of the NLRP3 inflammasome
  • Low vitamin D is virtually universal and explained by CDR
  • CDR stimulates histamine
  • Dietary lysine opposes CDR
  • CDR leads to low P5P; adding to inflammation and sustaining CDR
  • The threat can be gone but CDR can continue
  • Metabolomics is looking at the fingerprint of the CDR process; 600-1000 different chemicals
  • A single dose of Suramin in mice reduced their autistic tendencies
  • Can distinguish CFS from healthy with metabolomics
  • 80% were decreased; consistent with a hypometabolic state
  • Trigger events were: biological (viral, bacterial, fungal/mold, and parasitic), chemical, physical, and psychological trauma
  • Biological were the most common
  • Low sphingolipids may be adaptive to oppose the spread of infections
  • Puringeric therapy is ground breaking; 19 puringeric receptors
  • Have to take the toxin away for the cell to perceive that it is safe; same with infections
  • Cannot turn off the CDR if the trigger persists
  • The problem is the CDR is maintained by extracellular ATP
  • Suramin, D, Lysine, methylation support, P5P, treatment of metals and toxicities and underlying infections when the body is ready
  • Can have acute, chronic illness without damage, or chronic illness with damage
  • CDR is a spiral of incomplete healing
  • Most chronic illness is the reaction to an injury and not the persistence of the injury
  • Need therapeutic approaches to turn off the alarm signal
  • Working hard at detoxification early on may lead to not being ready for it
  • Exercise reminds the body how to heal
  • Sleep is medicine; particularly slow wave sleep and increased parasympathetic tone
  • Vagal disruption is involved in POTS and PANS/PANDAS
  • Vagal and limbic disruption both play a role in CDR
  • Cells can become habituated such that they resist healing as it may be seen as a potential threat
  • Treatment for Bartonella or mold may be treating more than we think we are treating
  • Exposomics uses LC/MS to look at 802 materials including pesticides, flame retardants, phthalates, plasticizers, personal care products, RX and veterinary medications

Disclaimer: While I attempted to accurately represent the statements of the various speakers, it is possible that the above contains errors or inaccuracies. If you have any corrections to the content listed above, please Contact Me.   

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  BetterHealthGuy.com is intended to share my personal experience in recovering from my own chronic illness.  Information presented is based on my journey working with my doctors and other practitioners as well as things I have learned from conferences and other helpful resources.  As always, any medical decisions should be made only with the guidance of your own personal medical authority.  Everyone is unique and what may be right for me may not be right for others.   

Bioray