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Neff Functional Medicine Clinic<br />

Test - Don't Guess

🧪 Understanding the 11 Mycotoxins in the GPL MycoTOX Profile—And Why It Might Be the Test That Changes Everything

Have you been battling ongoing health issues that no one seems able to explain? Have doctors told you your labs are “normal,” even though you still feel tired, foggy, inflamed, or unwell?

If you’re nodding yes, it’s possible that mycotoxins—poisons from mould—may be playing a silent but powerful role in your health.

I’m seeing more and more patients across New Zealand who have been affected by hidden mould exposure—often in their homes, workplaces, or even through food. And it’s not always obvious. You might not even see or smell mould, but the toxins it produces can quietly wreak havoc on your body.

The GPL MycoTOX Profile is a simple urine test that looks for 11 dangerous mycotoxins. It gives us an accurate snapshot of your toxic load—and a roadmap to help you start healing.  

🧠💥 What Are Mycotoxins—and Why Should You Care?

Mycotoxins are toxic chemicals produced by certain types of mould. Unlike visible mould, these toxins are microscopic and odourless. They can build up in the body, over time disrupting your:

  • 🧠 Brain and nervous system

  • 🌿 Immune function

  • 🔥 Inflammation and pain levels

  • 💩 Gut health

  • 🔄 Hormones and metabolism

  • 💤 Energy and mental clarity

In short, they can mimic a lot of chronic health conditions—and they’re often overlooked.

 

🧬 The 11 Mycotoxins We Test For—And How They Might Be Affecting You

1. Ochratoxin A (OTA) 🧪

Sources: Found in contaminated grains, coffee, wine, beer, and water-damaged buildings

How it harms:

    • 🧠 Crosses the blood-brain barrier and may cause brain fog, poor memory, and mood swings

    • 💥 Strongly toxic to the kidneys, which may lead to fluid retention and fatigue

    • ❌ Suppresses your immune system, increasing risk of frequent infections

Why it matters:  OTA is one of the most common and persistent mycotoxins detected worldwide—including here in NZ.

2. Aflatoxin M1 ☠️

  • Sources: Found in dairy, peanuts, corn, and other foods exposed to fungal growth

  • How it harms:

    • 🧬 A known carcinogen, especially damaging to liver tissue

    • 🌡️ Promotes inflammation and oxidative stress, affecting liver detox and digestion

    • 🚨 Even in small amounts, it can impair immune signalling and detox pathways

  • Why it matters: Even trace exposure over time can build up in the body, particularly in individuals with compromised detox systems.

3. Gliotoxin 🦠

  • Sources: Commonly produced by Aspergillus species in damp buildings

  • How it harms:

    • 🧘‍♀️ Severely suppresses immune function by reducing white blood cell activity

    • 🧠 Linked to neurological symptoms like anxiety, irritability, and forgetfulness

    • 🧹 Slows down your body’s natural detox pathways

  • Why it matters: If you’re always getting sick, struggling to recover, or just can’t seem to bounce back—gliotoxin might be behind it.

 

4. Zearalenone (ZEN) ♀️

  • Sources: Grains like maize, wheat, and barley—especially in humid storage

  • How it harms:

    • 🚺 Mimics estrogen and may disrupt hormones in both men and women

    • 🔄 Linked to infertility, irregular menstrual cycles, and breast tenderness

    • 🔥 Triggers gut inflammation and estrogen-sensitive conditions like endometriosis

  • Why it matters: ZEN is especially dangerous for women and can fly under the radar, mistaken for “just hormones.”

5. Roridin E 🐉

  • Sources: From Stachybotrys chartarum—the notorious black mould in water-damaged buildings

  • How it harms:

    • 🧠 Causes memory loss, brain fog, headaches, and mood disruption

    • 🦴 Can trigger muscle pain, joint stiffness, and chronic fatigue

    • 🛡️ Weakens immune function, opening the door to infections and autoimmune flares

  • Why it matters: Known as one of the most potent mycotoxins, Roridin E is often found in homes with long-standing leaks or flooding.

6. Verrucarin A 🌬️

  • Sources: Another product of black mould in wet indoor environments

  • How it harms:

    • 🫁 May cause chronic coughing, sinus congestion, and respiratory problems

    • 🩸 Inhibits healthy cell growth and immune responses

    • 🧬 Linked to skin rashes, fatigue, and gut issues

  • Why it matters: Many patients blame these symptoms on allergies or aging—when it’s actually toxic exposure.

 

7. Enniatin B ⚡

  • Sources: Found in mouldy grains, wheat, and barley

  • How it harms:

    • 🧠 Disrupts mitochondrial function—the energy centres of your cells

    • 😴 Leaves you feeling constantly drained, foggy, and low in motivation

    • 💣 Can contribute to gut lining damage and food sensitivities

  • Why it matters: It’s like your body is trying to run a marathon without fuel—this toxin quietly drains your cellular energy.

 

8. Mycophenolic Acid (MPA) 🧤

  • Sources: Indoor moulds and spoiled food products

  • How it harms:

    • 🛡️ Potent immunosuppressant, used in organ transplant medicine to suppress rejection

    • 🦠 Leaves you vulnerable to frequent illness and poor healing

    • 🧠 Contributes to mood instability and stress sensitivity

  • Why it matters: If you’re “always getting sick” and nothing helps, MPA might be part of the puzzle.

 

9. Sterigmatocystin 🧬

  • Sources: Wallpaper, insulation, older buildings, or improperly stored food

  • How it harms:

    • 🚫 Linked to DNA damage and cellular mutation

    • 💣 Increases inflammation and oxidative stress throughout the body

    • 🧠 Can contribute to neurodegenerative conditions and mood swings

  • Why it matters: Structurally similar to aflatoxin, it is considered pre-cancerous and highly inflammatory.

10. Citrinin 🚱

  • Sources: Found in contaminated rice, red yeast rice, and damp-stored grains

  • How it harms:

    • 🔥 Causes oxidative stress and inflammation, especially in kidneys

    • 🧪 Worsens existing chronic conditions like high blood pressure

    • 🥴 Leads to low energy, poor sleep, and sluggish detox capacity

  • Why it matters: People often don’t suspect their symptoms are coming from their kidneys—but citrinin targets them directly.

11. Diacetoxyscirpenol (DAS) 😵

  • Sources: Found in stored grains and cereal crops

  • How it harms:

    • 🩺 Reduces production of white blood cells and platelets

    • 🤢 Causes nausea, vomiting, and digestive disturbances

    • 🌪️ Can increase autoimmune activity and worsen chronic fatigue

  • Why it matters: It has a fast-acting toxic profile—causing gut and immune dysfunction within hours or days of exposure.

 

🧭 What Happens if We Find Mycotoxins in Your Results?

Finding out you have mycotoxins is actually a positive first step—it gives us the clarity we need to finally start addressing the root cause of your symptoms.

Here’s how I support you:

🛠️ One Size Doesn't Fit All: Why Treatment Depends on the Mycotoxin

When it comes to healing from mould toxicity, it’s not just about “detoxing” and moving on. Each mycotoxin behaves differently in the body—and that means your recovery plan needs to be custom-tailored to the specific toxins we find in your system.
Here are examples of targeted treatments based on your unique mycotoxin profile: