Trichothecenes compromise the blood brain barrier, innate immune system, inflammatory pathways, nervous and endocrine systems, and make micro glia overly sensitive. They also impact the gut in several ways: compromising tight junctions, and compromise nutrient absorption.

The mycotoxin zearalenone (ZON) is produced by Fusarium mold species. I chose to highlight this mycotoxin following my blog articles on Ochratoxin A (OTA) for three reasons. First, I often see ZON elevated along with OTA on urine-based mycotoxin tests. Second, when it comes to food contamination, ZON and OTA are found on the same grains. Third, it’s effects on the body are significant, given that it inhibits copper transporters, depletes vitamin B2, causes blood glucose dysregulation, and blocks a key gene (GPX4) which can lead to high mitochondrial oxidative stress and Ferroptosis.

The mycotoxin Citrinin affects all the main organs, including the bone marrow, liver, kidney, and mitochondrial respiratory chain. Citrinin and Gliotoxin both inhibit IL-10. IL-10 can block TNFA and IL-6, both important inflammatory pathways. Citrinin was significantly associated with neutrophilia, squamous cell carcinoma, Fanconi anemia, leukemia, hepatoblastoma, and fatty liver diseases.

Ochratoxin A negatively impacts a significant number of pathways related to detoxification, oxidative stress, heme biosynthesis, and iron regulation. Research has shown that many commonly available compounds can help counteract these negative effects.