12/18/2025
🦠 Mold Exposure & MTHFR
A Hidden Connection in Detox, Neurology & Chronic Illness
By Old Roots Store | Our strength is in our roots 🌿
🧠 Have you ever noticed that some people become very sick after mold exposure—while others don’t?
At Old Roots Store, we believe understanding both environmental stressors and biochemical individuality is essential to supporting long-term wellness.
One often-overlooked link: methylation pathways, including MTHFR.
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🌱 Why Mold Can Impact the Body
Mold thrives in damp environments and can release mycotoxins—small, fat-soluble compounds that can cross the blood–brain barrier.
Chronic exposure has been associated with: • Brain fog & cognitive changes
• Fatigue
• Headaches & migraines
• Mood shifts (anxiety, irritability, low mood)
• Immune & respiratory symptoms
Not everyone exposed becomes ill—suggesting genetic and metabolic differences matter.
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🧬 Understanding MTHFR & Methylation
MTHFR is an enzyme involved in methylation, a foundational process that supports: • Detoxification pathways
• Neurotransmitter balance
• Inflammation regulation
• Homocysteine metabolism
Common variants (such as C677T and A1298C) may reduce efficiency—placing extra strain on detox and nervous system resilience.
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🍃 Where Mold & Methylation Intersect
When methylation is less efficient, the body may struggle with:
✔ Clearing mycotoxins via Phase II liver detox
✔ Producing adequate glutathione (the body’s master antioxidant)
✔ Managing oxidative stress & neuroinflammation
This can help explain why neurological symptoms are often prominent in mold-related illness.
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🧠 Neuroinflammation & Brain Health
Mycotoxins are known to increase oxidative stress and activate immune responses in the brain.
When methylation support is compromised, this may amplify: • Brain fog
• Mood disturbances
• Fatigue & poor stress tolerance
A stressed nervous system needs strong biochemical support.
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💧 Homocysteine & Circulation
Mold-related inflammation can raise homocysteine, especially in those with methylation challenges.
Elevated homocysteine has been associated with: • Reduced vascular function
• Impaired cerebral blood flow
• Increased neurological vulnerability
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🌼 Histamine & Immune Sensitivity
Mold exposure can activate mast cells and histamine release.
Methylation is required for histamine breakdown—so some individuals experience: • Flushing
• Headaches
• Anxiety
• Food sensitivities
This overlap is commonly seen in environmentally sensitive individuals.
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🌿 A Rooted, Whole-Body Perspective
In clinical and educational settings, individuals with: • MTHFR variants
• Elevated homocysteine
• Suboptimal folate or B-vitamin status
often experience more persistent symptoms after mold exposure—and may respond better when methylation support is addressed alongside environmental remediation.
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🌱 Supporting the Body (Education Only)
Support may include: • Active folate (5-MTHF)
• B12 & B6 (P5P)
• Glutathione support
• Reducing ongoing mold exposure
• Supporting liver detox pathways
✨ Supporting methylation does not replace mold remediation—but it may improve resilience and recovery.
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🌿 Rooted Takeaway
At Old Roots Store, we honor the connection between environment, genetics, and whole-body balance.
Mold exposure and MTHFR intersect at detoxification, oxidative stress, and neuroinflammation. Understanding both allows for a more informed, compassionate, and individualized path forward.
Our strength is in our roots.
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Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making changes to supplementation or care.
