Personal Resources
Due to mold exposure (and Lyme Disease) our family has had a number of physical reactions including histamine intolerance and mast cell issues. Mycotoxins tend to rip up the gut and lower the immune function (even for years after mold exposure ends) regardless of what you do to try and heal, and as a result we have had various physical issues because of this, including but certainly not limited to, allergies and sensitivities to many foods such as grains, dairy, vinegar and anything aged (even standard leftovers), along with the inability to digest oxalates and lectins found in many plant foods.
We had no idea that these symptoms were a result of mycotoxin exposure until we were able to find integrative functional practitioners that helped us put the pieces together with proper testing. We had for many years been eating a mostly organic diet and know quite a lot about integrative functional medicine, but mycotoxin exposure is a whole new ball game and even a lot of practitioners do not know much about it. Following are some of the resources we have found helpful. When we go out on occasion we make exceptions, but generally, day to day, we do and eat the following at home.
We had no idea that these symptoms were a result of mycotoxin exposure until we were able to find integrative functional practitioners that helped us put the pieces together with proper testing. We had for many years been eating a mostly organic diet and know quite a lot about integrative functional medicine, but mycotoxin exposure is a whole new ball game and even a lot of practitioners do not know much about it. Following are some of the resources we have found helpful. When we go out on occasion we make exceptions, but generally, day to day, we do and eat the following at home.
Mold
We had no idea at all that we had a mold problem (at work and at home) until we tested. We could not see it or smell it but the practitioner we consulted said we had so many of the symptoms she thought we should test (home and body). Many homes, businesses, and public buildings in New England have serious undetected mold problems that continue to be overlooked. And even mold exposure from years ago can still cause a lot of physical issues (a bottleneck of histamine and mast cell issues in particular) as the toxins can be stored in the tissues. Even with good testing black mold often goes undetected. But many other types of mold can be just as problematic and can be detected.
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ImmunoLytics is a US-based environmental testing company founded in 2006. The company provides at-home mold testing kits, professional mycology lab analysis capable of identifying more than 37,000 species of mold, and one-on-one consultations with certified Indoor Environmental Professionals. https://immunolytics.com/
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Food
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Liberty Farms (local) is a fantastic certified organic, antibiotic and hormone-free, humane farm where we get most of our meat (chicken, eggs, and pork). It is not technically low histamine meat, but they freeze quickly and we have not had an issue eating their delicious products. We do get some vegetables and beef there, but the beef is not aged as most beef is, so we do not get it often. They have two farm stand locations in NY (we go to both every visit). 114 Ostrander Road, Ghent, NY, and also 170 Bartel Rd, Ghent, NY. They have an honor system with a cash/check box. https://libertyfarmsny.com
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We are looking forward to trying The Tavern at Liberty Farms, opening this September. "A Hudson Valley tavern built around roasts, whole ingredients, thoughtful drinks, and the simple ritual of gathering around the table. We’re quietly bringing it to life in Ghent, New York, and we can’t wait to welcome you through the door." We don't know the exact address -- it is on Route 66 not too far from their Bartel Road location farm store. Follow them on Instagram.
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Northstar Bison (mail-order) has a very good selection of low-histamine, non-aged organic meats (bison and beef). Expensive but very good. They also have low histamine fish, but it was not frozen quickly enough for us and we reacted. Northstar Bison Low Histamine Meats
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Vital Choice (mail order) is the only place where we get seafood because they freeze the fish within two hours after catch. so it's low histamine. We usually buy and store large amounts of the wild salmon. Recently they have been out of it though unfortunately. https://www.vitalchoice.com
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The only oils we use are coconut oil and Fattoria San Michele's Laudemio (mail order) extra virgin olive oil. Most of the oils on the market today are diluted with seed oils (this is legally allowed) so we stick with true, clean olive oil and this is one of the best. We order directly from Italy. https://sanmicheleorganic.com/product-category/extra-virgin-olive-oil/laudemio/
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We buy a lot of our vegetables and fruit at Hawthorne Valley Farm Store. When our daughter was young she was allergic to milk but could drink their organic raw milk on occasion without issue. Since the mold exposure we don't get dairy often, but sometimes we buy organic A2 milk. We have not found a source for raw A2 milk which would be ideal. We get take out there occasionally. https://store.hawthornevalley.org/
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We buy organic vegetables from additional locations including:
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Information
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Mast Cell 360 is one of the best resources we have found to gain a better understanding of mold and mycotoxins, how it effects the environment and the body, and how to heal. They have very good information about histamine and mast cell issues. Their BLOG is excellent and their food lists (low histamine foods, low lectin and low oxalate foods) are very helpful and can be found here https://mastcell360.com/food-lists/. This has helped us lower reactions considerably. https://mastcell360.com
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Dr. William Davis has excellent information for gut health, the microbiome, and most importantly eliminating SIBO and SIFO (which causes endless food allergies and other health issues and seems to appear without fail as a result of mold/mycotoxin exposure). His latest book Super Gut is excellent, and his online blog and YouTube videos are very helpful. https://drdavisinfinitehealth.com/
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Dr. Ben Lynch, a distinguished graduate of Bastyr University with a doctorate in naturopathic medicine, is a leading figure in the realm of genetic health and wellness. His blog information is helpful and many of his supplements are very helpful for those with histamine and mast cell issues as well as sluggish gallbladders (typical of mycotoxin exposure). https://www.seekinghealth.com/
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Dr Eric Berg offers a wide variety of valuable general health information via YouTube and through his website. He also sells good supplements through his store. We do not do Keto, but do eat a generally low carbohydrate diet. Typical Keto diets (almond flour etc) are way too high in oxalates for anyone who has gut issues, has been exposed to mycotoxins, and/or has histamine and mast cell issues, but the rest of his information is excellent. https://www.drberg.com/
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High and medium oxalate vegetables and foods are not for everyone (especially with gut issues) and can cause much pain and suffering, at least until they are able to heal their gut and consume the correct microbes so their microbiome can handle oxalates. Sally K. Norton has very good diet and recipe information for when you are still at the point you cannot consume many oxalates. Dr. William Davis (above) is very helpful in providing information about how to heal this situation. https://sallyknorton.com/
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