Ochratoxin
Ochratoxin is a persister mycotoxin. It binds tightly to a blood protein called albumin, which is how it persists. Our bodies need to keep a certain amount of albumin, which makes it difficult for the kidneys to get rid of it. Therefore, Ochratoxin gets an extended ride in the blood.
Ochratoxin is one of the most prevalent mycotoxins in water-damaged buildings and food. It’s been implicated in numerous health conditions, including many that affect the kidneys. It also reduces zinc stores inside cells.
Ochratoxin can reduce immune function, inhibit energy production, and is neurotoxic especially to males. Studies have correlated Ochratoxin exposure to birth defects and the male prevalence of autism.
Signs & Symptoms
- Fatigue
- Brain fog
- Headache, migraine
- Low appetite or nausea
- Chemical sensitivity
- Itchy skin
- Frequent urination, which may over time become low urine output from low kidney function
- Edema
- High blood pressure
- Chest pain
- Muscle weakness and/or cramps
- Exercise intolerance
- Frequent infections
- Reduced albumin and/or GFR
Laboratory Findings
Kidneys take a real hit with Ochratoxin. If the body doesn’t have enough bioflavonoids which help to bump Ochratoxin off the kidneys, the kidneys are faced with a tough decision. Either maintain adequate albumin levels and sustain cell damage to themselves, or dump the toxin (and albumin) and put the rest of the body in peril by having too low of albumin. Often, the kidneys preserve the albumin, thereby taking on the toxin and sustaining interstitial damage.
Therefore we may find low albumin and/or reduced or lowering GFR (glomerlular filtration rate) in patients affected by Ochratoxin.
Download the Ochratoxin Fact Sheet for Patients
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Medical Practitioner Technical Sheet
The Ochratoxin Tech Sheet for Practitioners is included in the Updates in Mold-Related Illness course materials
