Could Hidden Mold be Making You Gain Weight?

Eliminating mold clears brain fog

Mycotoxins damage the hippocampus, a brain region that’s crucial for learning and memory, according to a report in the journal Toxicological Sciences. The toxins cross the blood-brain barrier, triggering inflammation that wreaks havoc on mitochondria, the energy engines in brain cells. “Because mitochondria are essential for brain function, mental fatigue, and fog are classic symptoms produced by mycotoxins,” says Pescatore. And while research in the Archives of Environmental Health identified memory problems in 70 percent of patients exposed to high levels of mycotoxins, there is good news: Most women note a turnaround in brain fog and other neurological symptoms within days of eliminating the toxins, says Pescatore. “My brain was so foggy, I struggled to find the right words in the middle of a sentence — it was scary,” says 38-year-old Misti St. Pierre. “But since I cut mold-harboring foods, I’ve been shocked by how much better I feel. I can think clearly again!”

So delicious, so effective

Outsmarting mold and mycotoxins revitalizes the liver and corrects metabolism-sapping hormonal imbalances to fire up fat burn and boost energy. To get the benefits, Pescatore advises scaling back on sugar (it fuels fungal growth in the body) and mushrooms (which have been shown to trigger symptoms in mold-sensitive women) and following the strategies below to lower mycotoxin exposure and repair the damage it causes.

Consider a new coffee

In an analysis conducted at the University of Zurich in Switzerland, 52 percent of green coffee beans tested positive for mycotoxins, and roasting didn’t significantly reduce levels. Even more worrisome: Up to 50 percent of the toxins found in coffee samples were transferred into the brew. “Good quality coffee enhances fat burning, but some producers cut corners when growing and storing beans,” notes Ann Louise Gittleman, PhD, author of Radical Metabolism: A Powerful New Plan to Blast Fat and Reignite Your Energy in Just 21 Days ($15.99, Amazon). “This leads to mold and mycotoxin growth.” That’s why she advises choosing a brand that tests their beans for mold. One to try: Purity Coffee. For 10 percent off your first order, use code ALG10 at checkout.

Fill up on these foods

“Sulfur compounds restore the liver’s detoxifying ability and protect cells against mycotoxin damage,” notes Jill Carnahan, MD. To get the benefits, enjoy at least one serving of sulfur-rich broccoli, Brussels sprouts, or kale and flavor meals with two raw cloves of garlic (added to salad dressings or to meals after cooking) each day.

Focus on freshness

Avoiding produce marred by bruised or rotting spots is a no-brainer, but mold can form even in produce that looks fresh. Pescatore’s advice: Shop at farmers markets when possible. “Locally grown fruits and vegetables go from farm to table weeks faster than supermarket produce,” he says. “And since they don’t travel far, they’re also richer in key weight-loss, and cellular-repair enzymes and antioxidants.”

Also smart: Reach for frozen berries. “Berries are frozen within hours of being picked, which keeps the risk of mold contamination low,” says Bill Rawls, MD, author of Suffered Long Enough: A Physician's Journey of Overcoming Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue, & Lyme ($16.95, Amazon). As an added bonus, frozen fruit is often less expensive than fresh, so you may save a few bucks.Take the detox amino

“Glutathione is the liver’s most important detoxifying agent,” says Pescatore. But because mycotoxins are so difficult to detox, their presence depletes body stores of the compound considerably. To renew the liver’s ability to clear mycotoxins, Pescatore suggests supplementing with 3,000 mg. of N-acetyl-cysteine, an amino acid used by the body to make glutathione, each day. Or try Reg’Active Detox & Liver Health ($39.96, Amazon.com), which contains N-acetyl-cysteine and Lactobacillus fermentum ME-3, a probiotic strain that’s proven to enhance glutathione production.

Take the detox amino

“Glutathione is the liver’s most important detoxifying agent,” says Pescatore. But because mycotoxins are so difficult to detox, their presence depletes body stores of the compound considerably. To renew the liver’s ability to clear mycotoxins, Pescatore suggests supplementing with 3,000 mg. of N-acetyl-cysteine, an amino acid used by the body to make glutathione, each day. Or try Reg’Active Detox & Liver Health ($39.96, Amazon.com), which contains N-acetyl-cysteine and Lactobacillus fermentum ME-3, a probiotic strain that’s proven to enhance glutathione production.

Cooking won't kill the mycotoxins

Mycotoxins can’t be reliably destroyed by normal cooking methods. In fact, according to Italian researchers, many can withstand baking, roasting, and frying. And while some studies show boiling rice and pasta lowers levels of some liver-damaging mycotoxins, these foods can actually harbor multiple offenders, including toxins that can survive temperatures over 480°F. “Mycotoxins’ ability to withstand high heat is part of what makes them such a problem in the food supply,” says Pescatore. “They’re notoriously tough to kill.”

A sample day to get you started

Breakfast

Veggie frittata: In a small oven-safe dish, whisk 2 eggs. Add 1/2cup of chopped onions and asparagus. Bake at 375ºF for 15 min. or until set.

Lunch

Chicken salad: Top 2 cups of greens with 1/4 cup of grilled chicken and 1/2 cup of chopped vegetables. Dress with garlic, vinegar, and olive oil.

Dinner

Salmon and dark greens: Enjoy 6 oz. of grilled salmon alongside 1/2 cup of steamed broccolini and 1⁄4 cup of buckwheat.