A river runs through a community a few miles north of our main office. Many local people and tourists use the river, especially in the summer, to kayak, canoe, tube, swim, and fish. Activity on the river has been abundant since the discovery of the river over a hundred years ago.
A few decades ago, there became a pattern among a few residents and their pets. They acquired symptoms such as coughing, fatigue, mild fluid in the lungs, and fever, which resemble symptoms for a number of other diseases. Of course, doctors prescribed antibiotics with no luck, the symptoms persisted and evolved into more serious conditions involving the skin, bones, urogenital tract and central nervous system.
The mystery disease was Blastomyces, a fungal disease, which has often been misdiagnosed as tuberculosis, chronic histoplasmosis, or a bacterial disease. If not treated properly, the symptoms could become fatal. Humans and dogs acquire this from inhaling the fungal spores in areas with high organic content, such as along riverbanks.
Unfortunately, the only remedy for a fungal-related disease is an antifungal. Antibiotics amplify the symptoms because they are only effective on bacterial infections. Some of the best natural antifungals available are olive leaf extract, oregano oil, caprylic acid, grapefruit seed extract, garlic, neem, curcumin and apple cider vinegar. Probiotics, positive bacteria, also work against the fungus by multiplying in the intestinal tract, crowding out any negative microorganisms that have taken hold.
Blastomycosis has become a familiar name in this area of the United States, as have other fungal diseases. It can really hit home in a small community when some of these diseases affect so many people, and are the result of enjoying nature in your backyard.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Air to Crops to Humans
Grain crops have been associated with fungal disease for many years. Each type of grain seems to have its own battle against specific fungal disease, the rye plant with ergot poisoning, and the wheat plant with fungal head blight. There are also the fungal diseases carried by insects that infect plants in the fields and grain in storage areas. All of these can produce mycotoxins harmful to humans.
Fungal head blight, or Fusarium Head Blight, has been occurring on spring and winter crops of wheat, barley and durum in North Dakota and other areas of the United States. Yield of these crops are significantly reduced because blight can not be contained to a particular part of the plant or one section of a field. The wind rapidly spreads the spores of the fungus from crop to crop, or from flower to flower, rendering all exposed plants useless.
Insects may also carry viruses and fungal diseases from plant to plant, leaving traces of the disease anywhere it lands. Aphids are particularly harmful to crops by sucking the juices out of the plant, drying it up and taking the majority of nutrients, also spreading disease.
The majority of farmers in recent years have practiced a combination of preventative steps to prevent transmission of disease in grain crops - planting the most resistant type of grain, rotating crops, tilling to bury effected plant particles, planting high-quality seeds, and alternating planting times. This certainly decreases risk of acquiring contaminated grain products but is not full-proof.
Even though harmful effects of toxins in grain has been greatly reduced over the years, on occasion some may slip through the cracks of quality control and end up in a food product. Buying organic foods is probably the best decision to avoid potential consumption of grain products contaminated with fungus.
Fungal head blight, or Fusarium Head Blight, has been occurring on spring and winter crops of wheat, barley and durum in North Dakota and other areas of the United States. Yield of these crops are significantly reduced because blight can not be contained to a particular part of the plant or one section of a field. The wind rapidly spreads the spores of the fungus from crop to crop, or from flower to flower, rendering all exposed plants useless.
Insects may also carry viruses and fungal diseases from plant to plant, leaving traces of the disease anywhere it lands. Aphids are particularly harmful to crops by sucking the juices out of the plant, drying it up and taking the majority of nutrients, also spreading disease.
The majority of farmers in recent years have practiced a combination of preventative steps to prevent transmission of disease in grain crops - planting the most resistant type of grain, rotating crops, tilling to bury effected plant particles, planting high-quality seeds, and alternating planting times. This certainly decreases risk of acquiring contaminated grain products but is not full-proof.
Even though harmful effects of toxins in grain has been greatly reduced over the years, on occasion some may slip through the cracks of quality control and end up in a food product. Buying organic foods is probably the best decision to avoid potential consumption of grain products contaminated with fungus.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Rye, Oh, Rye!
Fungus on rye crops has been a perpetual problem throughout history. Farmers and consumers of the contaminated grain were oblivious to its effects, which is why symptoms of gangrenous extremities and nervous dysfunction persisted for hundreds of years. Few people attempted to solve the mystery of these symptoms. All that was known was they occurred prominently among the poor, attacked children and weaker adults, and was without the normal, rampant spread that had been seen in plagues across Europe.
The fungus, ergot, which inhabited many rye crops since the 1st century A.D. was so prevalent on rye it was thought to be part of the plant. The plant was harvested, milled, and sold with the toxins in the flour, and then consumed. Consumption of the toxins affected people differently, with the most common being gangrene in fingers, toes, and other extremities, convulsions and hallucinations.
Symptoms in humans were well documented, but the actual cause of ergotism, or ergot poisoning, was not known until the 1670's when a French physician studied commonalities among patients. The physician was able to treat patients, but wasn't able to convince the farmers of the problem and its consequences. Ideal climate conditions for growth of ergot continued, farmers continued to harvest the grain, and thousands of people suffered over the next two hundred years.
Professor Mary Kilbourne Matossian, is a current expert on historical correlation between consumption of grains containing mycotoxins and death in rats and humans. Her past studies include plagues, epidemics of madness, witchcraft and the Salem Witch Hunts in the United States.
Prof. Matossian studied reports of different age groups and of nervous symptom disorders and found innumerous similarities, including hallucinations, convulsions, compulsive bodily movements, reduction in fertility and spontaneous abortions. Matossian linked the Salem Witch Hunts and witchcraft to ergotism by studying where the incidents occurred, the temperature, rainfall, the crops grown in that area and who was affected. The areas where most trials occurred were areas conducive to growing rye, where the temperature was colder and wetter, and ergot fungus was prolific.
Crazy as it sounds, fungus can do just about anything to the health of humans. Ergot poisoning is pretty rare these days, but there is plenty of other fungus lurking in unwanted places to cause a person to wonder where their symptoms came from.
The fungus, ergot, which inhabited many rye crops since the 1st century A.D. was so prevalent on rye it was thought to be part of the plant. The plant was harvested, milled, and sold with the toxins in the flour, and then consumed. Consumption of the toxins affected people differently, with the most common being gangrene in fingers, toes, and other extremities, convulsions and hallucinations.
Symptoms in humans were well documented, but the actual cause of ergotism, or ergot poisoning, was not known until the 1670's when a French physician studied commonalities among patients. The physician was able to treat patients, but wasn't able to convince the farmers of the problem and its consequences. Ideal climate conditions for growth of ergot continued, farmers continued to harvest the grain, and thousands of people suffered over the next two hundred years.
Professor Mary Kilbourne Matossian, is a current expert on historical correlation between consumption of grains containing mycotoxins and death in rats and humans. Her past studies include plagues, epidemics of madness, witchcraft and the Salem Witch Hunts in the United States.
Prof. Matossian studied reports of different age groups and of nervous symptom disorders and found innumerous similarities, including hallucinations, convulsions, compulsive bodily movements, reduction in fertility and spontaneous abortions. Matossian linked the Salem Witch Hunts and witchcraft to ergotism by studying where the incidents occurred, the temperature, rainfall, the crops grown in that area and who was affected. The areas where most trials occurred were areas conducive to growing rye, where the temperature was colder and wetter, and ergot fungus was prolific.
Crazy as it sounds, fungus can do just about anything to the health of humans. Ergot poisoning is pretty rare these days, but there is plenty of other fungus lurking in unwanted places to cause a person to wonder where their symptoms came from.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Historical Disease
In the 1960's over 100,000 turkeys died within a two month period on poultry farms in England. Ducklings and pheasants also experienced large losses. The cause of thousands of poultry deaths was determined by analyzing the feed for the animals, a peanut meal showing high levels of the fungus Aspergillis flavus. This particular fungus produces a toxin, called aflatoxin, and is not only harmful to animals but to humans as well.
Here is an example of an ear of corn with Aspergillus flavus:
Another well known fungal catastrophe happened in Ireland around 1845 and lasted approximately 7 years. It was the potato blight. During this time, approximately 750,000 people died because of their dependence on the potato for food. In 1845 an airborne fungus blew into the Irish countryside, landed on the leaves of the plants and turned them black. The fungal spores then multiplied, spread to the surrounding plants, settled in the soil, and infected the potato tubers, eventually turning the tubers to mush.
There have been other instances throughout history showing plant disease outbreaks with similar far-reaching effects - powdery and downy mildews of grape in France (1851 and 1878); coffee rust in Ceylon (starting in the 1870s); Fusarium wilts of cotton and flax; southern bacterial wilt of tobacco (early 1900s); Sigatoka leaf spot and Panama disease of banana in Central America (1900–65); black stem rust of wheat (1916, 1935, 1953–54); and southern corn leaf blight (1970) in the United States.
It is unfortunate for these natural disasters to occur, and for all the lives lost. Hopefully one thing learned from the past is the knowledge there was a fungal problem in food and other crops, and if any one of them reoccurs they can be stopped before becoming disastrous.
Here is an example of an ear of corn with Aspergillus flavus:
Another well known fungal catastrophe happened in Ireland around 1845 and lasted approximately 7 years. It was the potato blight. During this time, approximately 750,000 people died because of their dependence on the potato for food. In 1845 an airborne fungus blew into the Irish countryside, landed on the leaves of the plants and turned them black. The fungal spores then multiplied, spread to the surrounding plants, settled in the soil, and infected the potato tubers, eventually turning the tubers to mush.
There have been other instances throughout history showing plant disease outbreaks with similar far-reaching effects - powdery and downy mildews of grape in France (1851 and 1878); coffee rust in Ceylon (starting in the 1870s); Fusarium wilts of cotton and flax; southern bacterial wilt of tobacco (early 1900s); Sigatoka leaf spot and Panama disease of banana in Central America (1900–65); black stem rust of wheat (1916, 1935, 1953–54); and southern corn leaf blight (1970) in the United States.
It is unfortunate for these natural disasters to occur, and for all the lives lost. Hopefully one thing learned from the past is the knowledge there was a fungal problem in food and other crops, and if any one of them reoccurs they can be stopped before becoming disastrous.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Its Not Just What We Breathe
According to the USDA, millions of foodborne illnesses occur each year with most of them being preventable. Foodborne illnesses are mainly due to improper storage, and cooking or handling of certain foods, however, other factors determine an individuals level of fungus contamination. The source of food and susceptibility of the individual - age and physical health - play a crucial role in being and staying healthy.
Definately pay close attention to foods purchased and their source. Doug Kaufmann, a national expert on fungus, recommends avoidance of grains, animal products from animals fed with contaminated feed, and certain nuts. The University of Minnesota - Extension explains why: "Fungal infestation and subsequent mycotoxin production can occur during plant growth, maturity, harvesting, storage, and processing of grains....In addition, grain that is damaged, immature, drought stricken, or otherwise stressed is more susceptible to mold growth. Molds may reduce the nutrient content and quality of the grain, but the toxic effects of metabolites are generally of primary concern."
Many of the food items contaminated with fungi are corn and other grains, peanuts, tree nuts, and soybeans. In this case, the fungus itself is not the harmful agent but the aflatoxin produced by the fungus. Aflatoxins have been linked to a slew of diseases, including cancer.
A good immune system should help prevent illness and disease, yet over time overexposure to aflatoxins in food can build in the body and break down a functioning, healthy system. Anyone with an autoimmune disease, young children, the elderly, and pregnant women are most susceptible to effects of fungus. This does not mean everyone else is exempt from aflatoxin exposure. They should be just as aware of food purchases that contain grains and certain nuts. Most communities have health food stores, although a little more in price, offer organic foods that are unparalleled for safety.
Along with mold exposure in the home, food contamination poses risk to anyone's health. The best course of action for both - eliminate them.
Definately pay close attention to foods purchased and their source. Doug Kaufmann, a national expert on fungus, recommends avoidance of grains, animal products from animals fed with contaminated feed, and certain nuts. The University of Minnesota - Extension explains why: "Fungal infestation and subsequent mycotoxin production can occur during plant growth, maturity, harvesting, storage, and processing of grains....In addition, grain that is damaged, immature, drought stricken, or otherwise stressed is more susceptible to mold growth. Molds may reduce the nutrient content and quality of the grain, but the toxic effects of metabolites are generally of primary concern."
Many of the food items contaminated with fungi are corn and other grains, peanuts, tree nuts, and soybeans. In this case, the fungus itself is not the harmful agent but the aflatoxin produced by the fungus. Aflatoxins have been linked to a slew of diseases, including cancer.
A good immune system should help prevent illness and disease, yet over time overexposure to aflatoxins in food can build in the body and break down a functioning, healthy system. Anyone with an autoimmune disease, young children, the elderly, and pregnant women are most susceptible to effects of fungus. This does not mean everyone else is exempt from aflatoxin exposure. They should be just as aware of food purchases that contain grains and certain nuts. Most communities have health food stores, although a little more in price, offer organic foods that are unparalleled for safety.
Along with mold exposure in the home, food contamination poses risk to anyone's health. The best course of action for both - eliminate them.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
What To Do!
There are people who are sick who don't realize their symptoms originated from mold exposure. Itchy, burning eyes, scratchy throat, runny nose, rashes, respiratory problems, asthma, and other sinus problems are usually a result of exposure to some type of mold and can occasionally be pinpointed to a particular situation. Good examples of periods of exposure may be from past jobs like landscaping; remodeling the home; cleaning; repairing pipes, walls, or a ceiling; or rummaging in a basement or attic.
What does one do if they are exposed to mold in some way? Try to remember when symptoms started - deliberate day, time, and actions - and this will give a clue on how exposure occurred. Once this is known, plan a regimen for improving overall health.
The immune system will need to be boosted, so a good multivitamin/multimineral should be taken to give the body nutrients, such as antioxidants; vitamin A, C, and D; and magnesium and calcium. Also, start taking a probiotic to incorporate positive bacteria into the gut, crowding out negative microbials that cause damage to the immune system.
Probably the most critical nutrients for eliminating mold symptoms are antifungals. Very effective antifungals for this type of situation are olive leaf extract, caprylic acid, undecylenic acid, grapefruit seed extract, apple cider vinegar, garlic, oil of oregano, and curcumin. Four of these should be taken, alternating them to outsmart the fungus in the body and constantly attack the foreign microbials.
After the microbials are killed off, a fiber product should be used daily to remove the waste. The fiber products that tend to work best are flax seed, psyllium hulls, and kamut grass, because they not only offer help in excreting waste but add nutrients to the body.
Another important step to take is eat a very low carb diet, which will starve the fungus. Fungus, like mold particles, typically feeds on sugars ingested and will continue to spread throughout the body, excreting waste of their own, called mycotoxins. Studies show an antibiotic will also add to the fungal problem.
The best procedure to follow after mold exposure is start a plan of attack to get healthy again. Start an antifungal program which will rid the body of harmful microbials and provide much-needed energy to function better in life.
What does one do if they are exposed to mold in some way? Try to remember when symptoms started - deliberate day, time, and actions - and this will give a clue on how exposure occurred. Once this is known, plan a regimen for improving overall health.
The immune system will need to be boosted, so a good multivitamin/multimineral should be taken to give the body nutrients, such as antioxidants; vitamin A, C, and D; and magnesium and calcium. Also, start taking a probiotic to incorporate positive bacteria into the gut, crowding out negative microbials that cause damage to the immune system.
Probably the most critical nutrients for eliminating mold symptoms are antifungals. Very effective antifungals for this type of situation are olive leaf extract, caprylic acid, undecylenic acid, grapefruit seed extract, apple cider vinegar, garlic, oil of oregano, and curcumin. Four of these should be taken, alternating them to outsmart the fungus in the body and constantly attack the foreign microbials.
After the microbials are killed off, a fiber product should be used daily to remove the waste. The fiber products that tend to work best are flax seed, psyllium hulls, and kamut grass, because they not only offer help in excreting waste but add nutrients to the body.
Another important step to take is eat a very low carb diet, which will starve the fungus. Fungus, like mold particles, typically feeds on sugars ingested and will continue to spread throughout the body, excreting waste of their own, called mycotoxins. Studies show an antibiotic will also add to the fungal problem.
The best procedure to follow after mold exposure is start a plan of attack to get healthy again. Start an antifungal program which will rid the body of harmful microbials and provide much-needed energy to function better in life.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Minor Mold
Mold easily becomes airborne if there is an overabundance present and is disturbed. For this reason, remediation can be difficult. Surface and airborne molds can cause health problems for anyone inhabiting the mold infested building, especially if someone is an infant, has a weakened immune system, or is susceptible to respiratory problems. Anyone falling under these categories should not be around when mold remediation is occurring.
To start, the moldy area should be assessed for severity. If the area is small, the mold may be eliminated by the owner, while taking precautions to protect himself from the mold by wearing rubber gloves, a respirator mask, and eye gear. All masks and goggles should fit snuggly for protection from airborne particles, and gloves should be long enough to cover the forearm.
Detergent solutions and water should be used to remove any physical signs of the mold. The area should then be allowed to dry completely. Check the area approximately 24 hours later to see if mold has grown back or a moldy smell is present. If mold is visible or a moldy smell persists, there is most likely a serious water or moisture problem that needs to be addressed.
Most water or moisture problems can be fixed by removing the infested material - wallboard, paneling, wallpaper, ceiling tiles, carpet - and fixing the water problem. Typically, the mold problem will not reappear if the water problem is resolved. The situation should be reassessed if mold reappears and a professional should be called.
Bottom line is: eliminate the water problem and the mold problem will be eliminated. And contain the mold! Moldy surfaces and airborne mold particles in a building can create ongoing health concerns for family members, friends or coworkers.
To start, the moldy area should be assessed for severity. If the area is small, the mold may be eliminated by the owner, while taking precautions to protect himself from the mold by wearing rubber gloves, a respirator mask, and eye gear. All masks and goggles should fit snuggly for protection from airborne particles, and gloves should be long enough to cover the forearm.
Detergent solutions and water should be used to remove any physical signs of the mold. The area should then be allowed to dry completely. Check the area approximately 24 hours later to see if mold has grown back or a moldy smell is present. If mold is visible or a moldy smell persists, there is most likely a serious water or moisture problem that needs to be addressed.
Most water or moisture problems can be fixed by removing the infested material - wallboard, paneling, wallpaper, ceiling tiles, carpet - and fixing the water problem. Typically, the mold problem will not reappear if the water problem is resolved. The situation should be reassessed if mold reappears and a professional should be called.
Bottom line is: eliminate the water problem and the mold problem will be eliminated. And contain the mold! Moldy surfaces and airborne mold particles in a building can create ongoing health concerns for family members, friends or coworkers.
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