Hi friends, I’ve been wanting to do a more recent health update for a while, but I’m glad I waited until now. In keeping with my original intent for the podcast—which is to share experiences and resources in real-time—I’m filling you in on a major health revelation: we recently discovered black mold in our house. Some of you may remember that living in a house with black mold was a huge piece of the chronic illness puzzle I faced over a decade ago—and treating and healing from it led to some of the healthiest and most resilient years of my life! Unfortunately, the last few years have not been the healthiest or most resilient for me, to say the least. We had a major leak in our home three years ago. Despite several remediations and multiple construction projects, we still ended up with mold exposure from the water damage, which I’ve since confirmed through urine mycotoxin testing. Water damage sucks. Dealing with it can be obscenely expensive, infuriating, and baffling—not to mention it can make you incredibly sick if left untreated. Since I have a wealth of experience in this department, this episode is a deep dive into how the exposure happened in our current home, the symptoms I’ve been experiencing, and how I believe it contributed to the health complications I’ve had recently (stretching back to my pregnancy). Despite the fact that I hate mold, I did actually have a lot of fun getting to nerd out as a nutritionist again ;) We cover leaky gut, SIBO, dysbiosis, candida, autoimmunity, and immune system reactivity. I also talk about the importance of functional medicine testing, accurate interpretation, and specific protocols for treating biotoxin illness. Again, this is just my experience—I’m not your doctor, and this isn’t the only way to treat mold. But this is the path I’m taking, and it helped me immensely in the past. Please seek out a qualified health practitioner to help you navigate this if you suspect a mold exposure; mold can persist in the body for a long time, even after you’ve left the source. Please feel free to share this with anyone dealing with a water-damaged home. Mold is serious business, and I hope this episode serves as a helpful resource. xo, Kacie RESOURCES: Environmental Testing for Mold * ERMI Test: An Environmental Relative Moldiness Index (ERMI) test uses DNA analysis of dust samples to quantify indoor mold exposure and determine if a building is “water damaged.” EnviroBiomics ERMI * CSI in Los Angeles: A specialized inspection firm focused on identifying moisture sources and hidden mold growth using professional-grade diagnostic tools. This is who I used at my old house. CSI Inspections * Mold Dog: K9 mold detection utilizes the superior olfactory senses of trained dogs to pinpoint hidden mold behind walls or under floors that human inspectors might miss. The Mold Scout * Toxic Mold Hero: An educational platform and advocacy resource designed to help individuals navigate the complexities of mold illness and home remediation. Toxic Mold Hero Functional Medicine Testing * Function Health: A comprehensive membership-based platform that provides an annual baseline of over 160 biomarkers to track whole-body health, metabolic function, and potential toxic loads. You can use my code KACIE when you sign up, it’s only $365 for the entire year!! Function Health * GI Effects (Genova Diagnostics): A premier stool analysis that evaluates the gut microbiome, inflammatory markers, and digestive capacity to identify root causes like dysbiosis or fungal colonization. Genova GI Effects * KBMO FIT Test: A specialized blood test that measures both IgG antibodies and immune complexes to pinpoint delayed food sensitivities and the specific foods triggering systemic inflammation, as well as leaky gut markers. KBMO FIT Test * NutrEval (Genova Diagnostics): An advanced nutritional assessment that utilizes blood and urine to determine your functional need for vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and mitochondrial support. Integrated within the NutrEval, the Organic Acids Test (OAT) analyzes metabolic byproducts in urine to identify mitochondrial dysfunction, nutrient deficiencies, and microbial overgrowths. Genova NutrEval * Total Tox Burden: A comprehensive screening tool that measures cumulative exposure to environmental toxins by analyzing levels of mycotoxins, mold, organic acids, and heavy metals in the body. Vibrant Wellness Total Tox Burden. * Real Time Labs: A highly sensitive urine-based panel that detects 16 different mycotoxins, including those produced by Stachybotrys (black mold), using specialized ELISA technology. Real Time Labs Mycotoxin Panel * Mosaic Diagnostics (formerly Great Plains Laboratory): A comprehensive mycotoxin profile that uses advanced LC-MS/MS technology to identify 11 unique mycotoxins from over 40 species of mold. Mosaic MycoTOX Profile * VCS Visual Contrast Test: a FREE & easy resource that measures your “contrast” levels, which basically acts as a canary in the coal mine for the brain inflammation and nerve issues that often come with mold exposure. Surviving Mold VCS Test Bile Support * The Bean Protocol: A dietary strategy created by Karen Hurd that uses soluble fiber from beans to bind to bile in the gut, facilitating the excretion of fat-soluble toxins. Unique Hammond has an amazing program to ease you into it and her podcast is a wealth of information. The Bean Protocol * TUDCA: A water-soluble bile acid that supports healthy bile flow and protects the liver from the damaging effects of toxic bile buildup. BodyBio TUDCA * Phosphatidylcholine: A highly bioavailable phospholipid complex that supports the fluidity of bile, preventing sludge and helping the liver export toxins efficiently. BodyBio PC Mold, Candida & Dysbiosis Treatments * Amphotericin B: A potent antifungal medication used in nasal sprays or oral forms to target stubborn fungal overgrowth and biofilms in the sinuses or gut. My functional medicine doctor has it compounded. * Cholestyramine: A prescription bile acid sequestrant that binds to mold toxins (mycotoxins) in the small intestine to prevent them from being reabsorbed via enterohepatic circulation. * Nystatin: A non-absorbed antifungal medication that works locally in the GI tract to reduce Candida populations without disrupting beneficial bacteria. * Biofilm Removers: A specialized enzyme blend designed to break down the protective “slime” coating that mold and bacteria use to hide from the immune system and treatments. Kirkman Biofilm Defense * Biocidin: A potent, broad-spectrum botanical formula that targets dysbiosis and biofilms while supporting overall GI health and immunity. Biocidin Liquid * Chlorella: A nutrient-dense green algae that acts as a natural binder for heavy metals and certain mycotoxins within the digestive tract. Chlorella Binder Binders, Probiotics & Dysbiosis Support * Tox-Ease Bind: A comprehensive binding formula combining activated charcoal, bentonite clay, and humic acid to capture and eliminate a wide range of environmental toxins. Tox-Ease Bind * Biocidin G.I. Detox+: A multi-component binder featuring zeolite clay and charcoal to assist in the clearance of microbial byproducts and mycotoxins. G.I. Detox+ * Thorne Saccharomyces Boulardii: A beneficial yeast probiotic that helps crowd out pathogenic fungi and supports the gut’s secretory IgA levels. Thorne S. Boulardii * Soil-Based Organism (SBO) Probiotics: Resilient, spore-forming bacteria that mimic those found in nature to help restore the ancestral gut microbiome and support immune balance. SBO Probiotic * Seeking Health Low Histamine Probiotics: A targeted probiotic blend formulated specifically for individuals with histamine intolerance, excluding strains known to produce biogenic amines. ProBiota HistaminX * Calcium D-Glucarate: A calcium-bound form of D-glucaric acid that inhibits the enzyme beta-glucuronidase, preventing the reabsorption of toxins and hormones (like mycotoxins and estrogen) so they can be properly excreted. Great for estrogen dominance. Thorne Calcium D-Glucarate * SBI Protect: A dairy-free source of serum-derived bovine immunoglobulins (IgG) that acts as a “molecular sponge” to bind and neutralize mycotoxins, bacteria, and fungal antigens in the gut. Ortho Molecular SBI Protect * Kepos HMO: A bio-identical human milk oligosaccharide (HMO) and lactoferrin complex designed to selectively feed beneficial bacteria like Akkermansia while blocking pathogens from adhering to the gut lining. Kepos Human Milk-Equivalent Superfood Gut Healing * BPC-157: A therapeutic peptide that promotes rapid tissue healing and reduces inflammation within the gastrointestinal lining. This company makes a great gut healing compound but also has BPC157 on its own. * Glutamine: The primary fuel source for the cells of the small intestine, essential for repairing “leaky gut” and maintaining mucosal integrity. L-Glutamine Powder * Zinc Carnosine: A unique chelated form of zinc that adheres to gastric tissues to support the healing of the intestinal lining and modulate the inflammatory response. * Aloe Vera: A soothing botanical extract used to reduce intestinal inflammation and support the protective mucus layer of the gut. Nervous System Healing * DNRS (Dynamic Neural Retraining System): A neuroplasticity-based program designed to reset a “stuck” limbic system, which often becomes overactive during chronic mold exposure and other chronic illness. Retraining the Brain Get full access to I Can Only Speak for Myself at kaciecarterchamberlayne.substack.com/subscribe