Healing Inflammation From Exposure Due To A Water-Damaged Building

A Moldy Friend Led Me To My Healing Path

I have a good friend to thank for learning how devastating water-damaged buildings are to health. She had become chronically sick after a major, repetitive mold exposure, and in my looking for answers as to how she might recover, I made the discovery that I myself had the same issue underlying my own health condition; a condition that I had almost given up finding a cause for.  That is when I started looking at methods to assist the body in removing mycotoxins, and finding healing modalities that would decrease the inflammation, and lower the lab markers that are associated with this illness. Eventually, I woke up one morning and said, "Wow, I have not felt like this for twenty years." That feeling was the sensation of feeling healthy. What a great feeling. I immediately thought of various individuals I was sure had a similar genetic susceptibility to toxins in water-damaged buildings (about 25% of the population is susceptible) that I had not recognized as such before, and I  began calling them up to tell them the good news as to what the cause of their health issues was, and the bad news of the extensive process required to become well. Finding out which of the alternative healing modalities  worked best,  was a multi-year project and I am still learning new methods constantly. When you work hand in hand with the Creator's natural remedies there is no end to learning.

 

How I Found Alternative Healing Methods

I used the biomarkers that Dr. Ritchie Shoemaker had found were commonly abnormal in people with mold related illness or CIRS.  I devised a plan around how those biomarkers could be brought to a normal state by using nutrition and herbs. Some of these biomarkers were new to me, and I had to learn about them and then look for research on herbs or nutritional supplements that would affect them. If you look at the data on testing you will find a list of the biomarkers that I investigated, such as TGF beta-1, MMP-9, VIP, MSH and others. Luckily, with my background as an herbalist and naturopath, I could weed through the research on herbs, and supplements that affected these lab markers and decide of it made sense in relation to the clinical picture. I found a variety of healing modalities, tried many on myself, and other people, and eventually came up with an idea of what seemed to really work. Not surprisingly, some of the research pointed to herbs and supplements that I was already using, and had found I could not live without. (Due to unknowingly being exposed to mycotoxins, and not using binders.)I am going to list many of these below. The wonderful thing is that many of these herbs and supplements overlap as far as their healing ability. One single herb may support multiple organs of elimination, as well as the biotransformation/detox system, and also bring one of more lab values into normality. That is one of the things I love about medicine that heals, as opposed to medicine that treats a symptom. Medicines that heal usually remove multiple symptoms including some you did not realize you had, and generally they have few or no side effects. Generally, when they do cause side effects, it is because they are being used in an individuals body that should not have been given the substance to begin with. So, make sure you know your herb or nutritional supplement before using it and there will be less chance of side effects in your clients/patients.

 

Modalities That Can Be Used In The Protocol

Diet

• Eat organic or biodynamic food as much as possible. I can't stress how important it is.
• 8-10 cups of vegetables - bright colored vegetables and dark, leafy greens
• Sulfur-rich foods: onions, garlic, all Cruciferous vegetables such a broccoli, collards, cabbage, kale, cauliflower, kohlrabi, watercress, etc.
• Protein needs to be high quality
  • grass fed, free range, happy animals
  • wild caught fish
  • free range eggs from hens who eat bugs and green things
  • free range dairy - fermented dairy best usually as otherwise not healthy for many
  • grains and legumes that have been partially or fully fermented and cooked well
• Fruit - bright colored, fresh, raw fruit with lots of variety
• Polyphenols (bright colored fruit and veg): Polyphenols are great antioxidants. They include constituents such as curcumin, resveratrol, catechins and many others you probably recognize and I have listed here on this page. They decrease inflammation and support many bodily structures. Eating brightly colored fruit and vegetables will assure you of getting a variety of polyphenols.
• Nuts and Seeds - best to eat enlivened nuts  which have began to sprout (partial ferment)

I have mentioned fermented foods here and want to point out that fermentation of foods can cause histamine creation in the food product depending on the processing. This can cause inflammation in some people who are sensitized or already overwhelmed by histamines. This often happens with this group of people, so watch for it. Some of them will do quite well with fermented items and they will be beneficial while others will react to them. For more details, check out the article on mast cell activation.

Foods Of Special Mention

• Apples
• Blueberries/Blackberries/Raspberries/Dark Cherries/Elder berries - basically the dark colored ripe berries
• Chocolate
• Dark green leafy veggies and Cruciferous vegetables
• Vegetables that are colorful all the way through the vegetable and not just on the skin
• Any foods high in antioxidants.
• Water - Plenty of fresh, non-polluted water
•  Seaweed and natural salts
• Any foods with high mineral content

Herbs To Consider

Turmeric - Curcuma longa

Take 2-3 Tablespoons of turmeric twice per day or see curcumin under supplements below.

Green Tea - Camellia sinensis

Take 500 mg BID or two cups of strong green tea per day.

Licorice - Glycyrrhiza glabra

Licorice tea, capsule, powder or tincture, but be aware of the contraindications. Read about them before using this herb.

Milk Thistle - Silybum marinaum

Use minimum 1 heaping T BID, The constituent silibinin has been shown to suppress PMA-induced MMP-9 expression by blocking the AP-1 activation via MAPK signaling pathways. I always use the whole ground herb. I have people grind their own seed in a nut/coffee seed grinder and leave it in the freezer so it does not go rancid. Then I have them take one heaping T BID and chase it down with water.

Green tea - Camellia sinensi

Chinese  Skullcap -Scutellaria chinensis

Active ingredient baicalein of Scutellaria bacalensis (chinese skullcap). Chinese skullcap is useful for reducing neurological inflammation. - tea, capsule, or tincture

Chinese Sage - Salvia miltiorrhiza

This lovely herb lowers TGF Beta-1 and is an antioxidant, supports the liver, and is a platelet activating factor inhibitor which puts it in a category that may help decrease mast cell activation. These are just a few of its charms. - tea, capsule, or tincture

Supplements To Consider

Consider things that will lower oxidative damage and inflammation. Mycotoxins are known to cause serious oxidative damage, and stopping this damage can be extremely helpful.

Fish oils & Other Lipids

2-3 grams/day of EPA and 1.5-2 grams/day of DHA
Nordic Naturals or Carlson are good choices for fish oil. Another choice is Green Pasture's fermented oil. Good sources of lipids are needed to create all cell membranes and supports mitochondrial membranes. Use a variety of healthy lipids from seeds, nuts, grass fed organic meat, eggs, and wild fish.

Curcumin

If you like turmeric, use lots of it as it contains curcumin. The whole plant is really better than the constituent curcumin by itself, but most people can't eat enough of it. An alternative is to use as much whole plant as you can and take some curcumin additionally. Curcumin is not absorbed well and needs to be taken as a liposomal product or with piperine. Meriva-500 (2-3 caps BID) from Thorne or take 2-3 Tablespoons of turmeric twice per day.

Glutathione

Use as acetyl glutathione or liposomal glutathione - or use N-acetylcysteine to make glutathione. More about glutathione above or at this link.

N-acetylcysteine

Cysteine is the rate limiting amino acid needed to make glutathione. This is one way to increase glutathione production if you don't 'have adequate cysteine. 500 mg  2 times per day. NAC is also used to conjugate to some mycotoxins to remove them in the urine, but this should be done very slowly and some people need to start on 100 mg twices per day. If you have a really sick or really sensitive patient, they will react if too much is given.

Alpha lipoic-acid

For removal of mycotoxins and other toxins. Supports mitochondria and enhances reduced glutathione. This should be taken as a sustained release twice per day or taken every 4 hours around the clock due to the short half-life it has. One brand that can be used twice per day is Xymogen's ALAmax CR. The blood levels need to be kept some what constant so the person does not have symptoms from intermittant removal of toxins. I suggest you make sure clients do not have a high mercury level or are totally toxed out before starting Alpha lipoic-acid. If they do, you will need to go slow and low with the use of ALA. If you have a really sick or really sensitive patient, they will react if too much is given, just as mentioned with NAC. The same goes for all supplements that can chelate out heavy metals and other toxins. Chronic use can interfere with biotin and it may need to be supplemented.

Resveratrol

Found in the herb Japanese knoteweed - Polygonum cuspidatum, as well as the foods grapes, peanuts, and blueberries.  If using the supplement rather than food, get one that contains and is made from Polygonum cuspidatum such as Vital Nutrients 500 mg with 250 mg resveratrol, 1 capsule twice per day. See other brands suggested below.

Taurine

See details below, under lowering TGF beta-1. Useful for amino acid conjugation and bile acid conjugation.

Glycine

500 mg 1-2 before bedtime if insomnia is involved or otherwise during the day. Useful for amino acid conjugation and bile acid conjugation.

Vitamin D3 & Sunshine

Vitamin D3 as oil with Vitamin K as needed depending on lab values. Sunshine is best as it provides more than D3 and is especially helpful if you have depression or insomnia. Go for a walk every morning and get sun on your face, eyes and as much of your body as the weather allows, but don't burn yourself and don't look directly into the sun.

Magnesium

Most people are deficient in magnesium and moldy folks are definitely in need of magnesium as a general rule. Magnesium is absolutely necessary for mitochondrial health. I just tell them to take it to bowl tolerance. It is even better to get it as part of their leafy greens.

Melatonin

3mg, 30-60 minutes before bed. Dosage sometimes needs to be increased. Usually 3mg is fine.

 

Herbs or herbal constituents shown to Lower TGF-beta 1 In Research

If you are using the Shoemaker protocol, part of the protocol is to lower TGF-beta 1. So, I list herbs and suppplements here that will do that. These items will usually also raise glutathione.  Research has shown that those substances that raise glutathione will lower TGF-beta. Many things will raise glutathione. So, any of them should theoretically lower TGF-beta. These are also herbs that lower inflammation for a variety of other reasons. The goal is not to simply lower TGF-beta 1, but to normalize it. Remember, that dealing with the cause of high TGF-beta 1 is necessary. It is iportant to remove yourself from exposure to water-damaged buildings.

The rate limiting enzyme for making gluatathione, γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase is down-regulated by Transforming Growth Factor - beta.

Green barley extract and apples

Procyanidin oligomers in apples and barley counteract TGF-beta1

The combination of Salvia miltiorrhiza, Ligusticum chuanxiong and Glycyrrhiza glabra decreases TGF B-1 in research.

The combo of Ginkgo biloba and Panax Ginseng and Schizandra chinensis has been shown to inhibit TGF B-1 in research.

Resveratrol

Found in the herb Japanese knotweed - Polygonum cuspidatum, as well as the foods grapes, peanuts, and blueberries. There is a Thorne product called PolyResveratrol – SR that contains curcumin phytosome, green tea phytosome, resveratrol and Pterostilbene (pterostilbene also lowers MMP-9) 1-2 caps BID. Vital Nutrients has a product with 500mg from Plygonum cuspidatum including 250 mg of trans resveratrol per capsules. 1-2 capsules BID

Ginseng - Panax ginseng

Ginsan, a polysaccharide extracted from Panax ginseng has shown the ability to significantly suppress TGF-β.

Curcumin - in turmeric

Either use good curcumin product such as Meriva-500 (1-3 caps BID) from Thorne or take 2-3 Tablespoons of turmeric twice per day. I have found the Meriva to work well. Additionally, curcumin has anti-quorum sensing activity, and has the ability to keep biofilms from adhering and growing, which can be helpful for many "moldy" folks with  pathogens on board. Curcumin also enhances glutathione (GST) activity and is an all around great anti-inflammatory.

Rhodiola rosea

Lowers TGF beta-1.

Ginkgo 24%

Inhibits TGF beta-1 - This herb has contraindications, so if you do not know them, learn them before using it. Don't use this one in its natural state as it can cause some side effects not seen with the Ginkgo 24%. You can learn more about this in my book "Herbal ABCs" or check out the herbal monograph section of this website here.

Boswellia serrrata

Has been shown to down-regulate TGF beta-1. Helpful in lowering inflamamtion.

Chinese Sage root - Salvia miltiorrhiza

Lowers TGF beta-1. This is especially helpful if the person also have a kidney transplant or they have CHF as this herb will additionally help in these areas. People with organ transplants have high TGF beta-1 due to medications they take also. They are more complicated to work with.

Taurine

500mg -2 grams per day. Take in 2-3 doses.  The amino acid that is so important for bile acid conjugation (glycine too) has been shown in research to lower TGF b-1. Many mold folks have bile issues. Sometimes glycine and taurine are helpful. You can get a double whammy out of using Taurine since it also lowers TGF b-1. This and glycine are essential for many CIRS folks who are having trouble with bile production which is noted with a light colored stool. Sometimes, they simply need some help with bile acid conjugation. I often have them take the taurine with food when they are having a bile acid conjugation issue and 500 mg-1 gram glycine at night to not only help with bile conjugation but to also help with sleep which is often an issue.

Green tea polyphenols - Camellia sinensis

Take 500 mg BID or two cups of strong green tea per day.Epigallocatechin gallate (Green tea catechins) - (EGCG), a major (and the most active) component of green tea extracts inhibits TGF-beta.

Genistein (high in beans)

Lots of yummy beans to eat.   Always pre-soak them. They are high in genistein. Genistein is high in most beans. Red clover tea is nice and it also contains genistein.

(S)-[6]-Gingerol

Gingerol from Ginger - Zingiber officinalis has been shown to lower TGF beta-1. Many of these folks have slowed diegstion and GInger will help keep digestion moving along as well as decrease gas and inflammation.

Berberine

Berberine is a constituent found in Berberis spp., Goldenseal - Hydrastis canadensis, Gold thread - Coptis chinensis and others. Berberine has been shown in numerous research articles to lower TGF B-1. Works better for most things if used as part of a whole herb. Especially useful if there is a picture of dysbiosis, metabolic syndrome/diabetes, and a need for a bitter to stimulate digestive juices.

Sulforaphane

In broccoli (more in the sprouts) has been shown to increase Nrf2 and therefore lower TGF b-1. Most folks think that sulforaphane is a constituent in the brassica plants. Actually, it is not. These plants are high in a glucosinolate, called glucoraphanin that is turned into sulforaphane when it meets up with an enzyme called myrosinase. You can read more about it in the article Detox With Broccoli. The whole brassica family supplies the glucosinolate, but broccoli and specifically sprouts are really high in it. Some varieties more than others.

Licorice - Glycyrrhiza spp

Licorice helps to lower TGF B-1(Isoangustone A) as well as assisting in water retention, normalizing low blood pressures, assisting the liver in detoxification, decreasing the work of the adrenals, and may reduce hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, and abdomnial fat accumulation (rat studies). This herb has multiple properties that make it a wonderful herb for people with CIRS. I have written detailed data about Licorice in my book, Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth.

Contraindications of Glycyrrhiza - Licorice

For folks sensitive to mold you should be aware that some licorice has been found to have ochratoxin A contamination. You can read more about it here. Licorice is  has many contraindications and should not be used without fully understanding when not to use Licorice.

Vitamin D & Sunshine

Vit D decreases levels of TGF-β and NF-kappaB. Monitor levels fof vitamin D for correct dosage. Most patients who are treated for Mold Illness will have a low Vitamin D level rise to normal levels after treatment even if you do not give them Vitamin D. However, if they have not been treated their D level is usually low. If low, it may be beneficial to give vitamin D3 at least in the beginning of treatment until it is normalized. There is a massive amount of research connecting low vitamin D levels to many disease processes. However, we do not know for sure that supplementation is working as we would wish it to, so sunshine is really the best way to go. I have found that some people with CIRS can easily react to the sun and I think it is due to the low MSH levels. Once the person removes themselves from mold and they use a sequestering agent to remove the mycotoxins they are usually able to go into the sun without getting terrible sunburns as well as other skin reactions they get from the sun. I have actually had three people report getting burnt through their clothing.

N-acetylcysteine

N-acetylcysteine is a specific inhibitor of TGF-β signaling targeting different components of the TGF-β signaling machinery.

Due to various reasons not everyone has enough gluathione and N-acetylcysteine is an important building block in the pathway to glutathione. I find that low glutathione is an issue for everyone with mold issues. Attending to it with glutathione or by supporting glutathione production is very important. See details above or this article on glutathione.

Doses to stop fibrosis from TGF-B in research have been high. Up to 2000 mg per day is used. Some toxed out, or some overly sensitive people have reactions to it though, and can take only tiny amounts in the beginning. A brief explanation of why is explained above.

There is concern that it may cause bronchospasm in people with asthma if inhaled or taken by mouth. N-acetyl cysteine crosses the placenta, but there is no evidence so far linking it with harm to the unborn child or mother. However, N-acetyl cysteine should only be used in pregnant women when clearly needed, such as in cases of acetaminophen toxicity. It can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea or constipation. Rarely, it can cause rashes, fever, headache, drowsiness, low blood pressure, and liver problems. When inhaled (breathed into the lungs), it can also cause swelling in the mouth, runny nose, drowsiness, clamminess, and chest tightness. N-acetylcysteine is used to remove mercury via urinary excretion. Some people can get very sick when they remove mercury from their body. I suggest you make sure clients do not have a high mercury level or are totally toxed out before starting NAC. If they do, you will need to go slow and low with the use of NAC. The same goes for all supplements that can chelate out heavy metals and other toxins.

Oral Proteolytic Enzymes

It has been demonstrated that proteolytic enzymes reduce TGF-beta levels in serum by converting the protease inhibitor alpha 2 macroglobulin (alpha2M) from the "slow" form into the "fast" form, whereby the "fast" form binds and inactivates TGF-beta irreversibly. They have been shown to lower the concentration of TGF-beta 1 in serum of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, osteomyelofibrosis and herpes zoster. Treatment with oral proteoytic enzymes had no significant effect on TGF-beta 1 concentration in healthy volunteers or patients with a normal level of TGF-beta1. In patients with elevated TGF-beta 1 concentration (> 50 ng/ml serum), they reduced TGF-beta 1 in RA (P < 0.005), in OMF (P < 0.05) and in HZ (P < 0.05). They found starting out with very low doses can also be helpful. (Desser, 2001) Examples of proteolytic enzymes are papain, bromelain, trypsin, and chymotrypsin.

Chocolate lovers

It appears that Cocoa procyanidins decrease TGF b-1. It is my personal experience that ingesting lots of food with procyanidins in general helps decrease inflammatory symptoms associated with  CIRS. I tell people to eat lots of bright colored vegetables and fruits as the procyanidins are what gives these foods their bright colors. These foods will lower nflammation in a natural manner.

Research shows safflower and canola oil increase TGF b-1. No one should eat them any way.

There is more, but I will stop for now.

Herbs or supplements shown to Lower MMP-9 In Research

This is another biological lab marker that is targeted in the Shoemaker approach.  So, I list treatments used to lower this marker. These, like the items that lower TGF-Beta-1 are all anti-inflammatory supplements that have a variety of reasons for lowering inflammation. The goal is not to simply lower MMP-9, but to normalize it. Remember, that dealing with the cause of high MP-9 is necessary. It is important to remove yourself from exposure to water-damaged buildings.

High Dose Fish Oils

2-3 grams/day of EPA and 1.5-2 grams/day of DHA
Nordic Naturals or Carlson are good choices for fish oil. Another choice is Green Pasture's fermented oil.

Apples, strawberries and beans

Contain Kaempferol, which is a flavonol (type of polyphenol) that has been shown to decrease the expression and activity of MMP-9 by blocking the PKCδ/MAPK/AP-1 cascades.

Curcumin (in turmeric)

See data above under TGF beta-1

Green tea polyphenols

Take 500 mg BID or two cups of strong green tea per day to restore balance of MMP-9.

Rhodiola rosea

Contains salidroside that has proven to lower MMP-9 in research.

Polyphenols in general

Polyphenols are great antioxidants. Herbal constituents that are polyphenol derived include curcumin, resveratrol, catechins and many others you would probably recognize and are listed here on this page. They decrease inflammation and support many bodily structures. Eating brightly colored fruit and vegetables will assure you of getting a variety of polyphenols that we have identified, as well as those still to be identified. One of my favorite ways to get polyphenols in to my body is by eating blue berries.

Resveratrol

See details above under TGF beta-1 for foods high in resveratrol and supplements.

There is research showing various mycotoxins elevate NF-Kappa B which has been shown to be lowered with Resveratrol. "Elevated NF-kappaB/Rel binding activity may be involved mechanistically in VT-induced gene expression of the cytokines and resultant toxic and autoimmune effects." (Ouyang YL, Li S, Pestka JJ., 2012)

Milk Thistle - Silyblum marianum

Use minimum 1 heaping T BID, The constituent silibinin has been shown to suppress PMA-induced MMP-9 expression by blocking the AP-1 activation via MAPK signaling pathways. I always use the whole ground herb. I have people grind their own seed in a nut/coffee seed grinder and leave it in the freezer so it does not go rancid. Then I have them take one heaping T BID and chase it down with water.

Chinese skullcap - Scutellaria bacalensis

Active ingredient baicalein of  Chinese skullcap is useful for reducing neurological inflammation.

Strawberry leaf tea or Cane tea (Arbutus unedo)

Lowers MMP-9

 

Regarding The Enhanced Acute Sensitivity To Environmental Onslaughts

The extra sensitivity that many people feel initially tends to disappear over time. So, they should not be worried if they are going through a mold mycotoxin protocol with their practitioner, and find they are more sensitive to chemicals, and moldy environments. It is probably an acute reaction they are noticing, whereas before they were so sick from a chronic reaction that they did not notice the acute problems. Over time most folks find these acute reactions get toned down, so they will not be so intense.  I suggest if a person is having multiple chemical sensitivity they look to a couple major causative factors that are set off by being exposed to water-damaged buildings.

• Histamine intolerance/excess
• Biotransformation system needs

If there is an abnormal histamine reaction involved, it needs to be attended to. There can be more than mycotoxins causing it.

For some people they need some serious work with their biotransformation systems as well as making sure they have attended to the care and feeding of their mitochondria. You can find some detailed data on these systems specific to mold folks here.

If however a person has just started treatment and has acute exacerbations, it may be the movement of toxins in their body rather than from outside toxins. They simply can't deal with the toxic load they are harboring in their body. They were filled to the brim and the house cleaning is too much for them. Consider decreasing the treatment regimen. They may need to take extremely tiny doses of everything. Doses you think will not work, but they will over time. It will just take longer.  Also do not give up on this person. They are just going at a slower pace to recover.

Next, read protocol #7 on "Calming The Mind & Body".

I would like to stress that there is one thing that I have found personally to be more helpful than anything else and I have heard many clients say the same thing. That is meditation/prayer. Taking the time to stop from our busy day and to allow ourselves to give space for relaxation and to allow the mind to be quiet and to give space to just being or not being as your meditation takes you, can be quite powerful. Healing takes place and yes there are even research articles that have studied changes in biochemistry that takes place when someone is deep in meditation/prayer. We go into a healing mode and are no longer engaged with survival mode. This is necessary for healing. So,  go to this last link I just gave you and experience that space that allows for healing. Make room for healing in your day.

There are many articles on this website that can help you learn how to modulate the immune system and inflammation from different points of view or in relation to different types of illnesses. Simply put key words into the search bar to find them.

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