Mould & Mycotoxins
A functional medicine approach to mould and mycotoxin illness
Mould is a microscopic fungus that lives on organic matter, releasing fine spores into the air as it spreads. With thousands of species existing worldwide, all mould shares one requirement to grow — moisture. Bathrooms, kitchens, basements and even the soil in houseplants can all provide the damp conditions mould needs indoors, while outdoors it commonly appears on wet leaves and decaying wood. Black mould (Stachybotrys chartarum) is one of the better-known types found on damp wood, paper or drywall, though it isn’t inherently more harmful than many other species.
Underlying drivers
What causes mould to grow?
Mould spores are constantly present in the air around us and find their way indoors through open windows and doors, or hitching a ride on clothing and pets. Once a spore lands somewhere with moisture, oxygen and a food source — often cellulose found in wood, paper or drywall — it begins to grow. The most common triggers are leaks, flooding, high indoor humidity and poor airflow, which is why mould so often takes hold behind walls, under carpets, and in bathrooms or basements where damp can linger unnoticed.
Symptoms we see
Health effects of mould exposure
Mould releases allergens and irritants that can affect the body in ways that reach well beyond the respiratory system. Breathing it in or coming into contact with it has been linked to a wide range of symptoms.
- Digestive issues (bloating, gas, loose stools, constipation)
- Chronic fatigue & low energy
- Brain fog
- Joint pain & stiffness
- Coughing, wheezing & shortness of breath
- Sneezing, runny or stuffy nose
- Itchy or watery eyes
- Asthma flares & chest tightness
- Skin irritation, eczema & rashes
- Anxiety, low mood & stress
Understanding the mechanisms
Why mould exposure affects so many systems
Different symptoms trace back to different biological pathways, which is part of why mould illness can be difficult to pin down without a functional approach.
Mitochondrial disruption
Mycotoxins can interfere with how cells produce energy (ATP), driving oxidative stress that steadily depletes antioxidant reserves and leaves the body running on empty.
Neurotoxic effects
Certain mycotoxins, including ochratoxin and trichothecenes, are able to cross the blood-brain barrier — a key reason brain fog is such a common complaint.
Chronic inflammation
Mould toxins can trigger ongoing cytokine release, driving inflammation that mimics autoimmune-type reactions and often shows up as joint stiffness and pain.
Increased risk groups
People with asthma, COPD, cardiovascular disease, weakened immunity, or who are pregnant, very young or older, tend to be more vulnerable to mould’s effects.
Mould testing
Getting a clear picture
Our starting point is always a detailed history, followed by targeted testing where appropriate — typically urinary organic acids testing and specific IgE or IgG blood tests that look for allergic and immune responses. It’s worth knowing there’s currently no single, simple test that definitively diagnoses systemic “mould toxicity,” which is exactly why a thorough, personalised approach matters. We also don’t recommend relying on home mould test kits — if you can see or smell mould in your home, the more useful step is addressing the moisture problem and removing it directly, rather than testing the air around it.
Prevention
Reducing your exposure at home
Avoiding further exposure is the single most important step in recovery. A few practical changes can make a meaningful difference:
- Keep indoor humidity below 50% using dehumidifiers or air conditioning
- Repair leaks promptly and ensure good ventilation in bathrooms and kitchens
- Change HVAC filters regularly, and consider HEPA filtration
- Avoid carpeting in damp-prone rooms and ensure drainage slopes away from the house
- Remove or safely dispose of mould-affected materials rather than covering them up
- Keep plant containers clean and dry, and avoid leaving damp organic matter lying around
Our approach
Supporting recovery from mould exposure
Once exposure has been addressed, our focus turns to helping your body recover and rebuild through a combination of nutrition, targeted support and testing.
Optimal nutrition
Reducing or avoiding foods that feed mould and yeast — particularly sugar and refined carbohydrates — while building a diet rich in fibre and immune-supporting foods.
Supplement support
Where appropriate, targeted support can help bind toxins, support the liver, bile, kidneys and lymph, reduce inflammation, and rebuild nutrients depleted by mould exposure.
Testing
Mould and mycotoxin testing is carried out through urinary organic acids testing or blood testing, guided by your history and symptoms.
Targeted treatments
Your practitioner may recommend additional treatments or lifestyle interventions, such as infrared sauna use, shown to support recovery from mould-related illness.
Why choose us
Care built around understanding why
Our mission
We provide a supportive environment paired with cutting-edge expertise in nutrition and functional medicine.
Our mission is to help you uncover the root causes of your health concerns and guide you through them with personalised nutrition and lifestyle strategies.
Our values
We practise root-cause medicine — because true healing starts with understanding why symptoms arise.
Our goal is to uncover the underlying drivers of your health concerns and empower you with the tools to make lasting, sustainable changes.
Support
Once you begin with us, our collaborative approach guides you through every step. We collect the information we need through detailed intake forms and tailor our support to motivate and assist you throughout the process.
Success stories
What our clients say
★★★★★Working with Rob was a truly transformative experience. His guidance not only helped me navigate a wide range of symptoms but also gave me the knowledge and tools to build lasting, healthy habits. I feel more empowered and informed about my health than ever before. Edinburgh CFM is setting a new standard for how healthcare should be delivered — I can’t recommend Rob highly enough.
Alex
★★★★★Edinburgh CFM has been life-changing for me. Living with eczema was overwhelming — it felt like it was taking over every part of my life. I joined the 6-month programme hoping for some guidance, and what I got was so much more. With Rob’s support I now understand the specific foods and lifestyle triggers that were making things worse. For the first time my eczema is under control without relying on steroids — and I finally feel empowered in my own skin.
Rebecca
★★★★★My daughter was having health challenges and someone recommended the centre. She received a diagnosis of gut issues and found out she had SIBO. With the help of our practitioner we were able to get her back to school so she could continue her studies for her exams. Highly recommended.
Joan
★★★★★I came to the centre with a diagnosis of Hashimoto’s. I hadn’t been able to find a clinic that would provide understanding and a way to approach the disease without just suppressing symptoms. I feel like I matter and so do my symptoms. Progress has been far greater than through any other treatment option, and at each appointment I can share where I am and look at the next steps. I would highly recommend this clinic.
Marcus
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