Are You Feeling Sick But Doing Everything Right?
This little known yet ubiquitous substance may be to blame.
Are you doing everything right but still not seeing improvements in your health?
A hidden culprit in your daily routine might be to blame: manufactured citric acid (MCA). This common food additive, used as a preservative and flavor enhancer, could be preventing you from healing.
Did you know that citric acid is added to almost every product we put on our bodies and ingest?
From shampoo to laundry and dishwasher detergent — to body lotion, supplements, even electrolytes.
It sounds innocuous and related to citrus, the fruit family we all love and trust. However, most citric acid used in the products we buy every day is man-made, not derived from plants. While it used to come from citrus fruits like lemons and limes, many companies now use a cheaper, mass-produced chemical version. I was literally shocked when I discovered how this manufactured product is made – and even more shocked to learn I was taking the very thing I have been trying to detox from for years: MOLD!
I was taking magnesium citrate for constipation (a symptom related to now-eradicated parasites) only to recently discover that the citrate is manufactured using citric acid. My major AHA moment!
Some research has yielded that individuals with CIRS (Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome), MCAS (Mast Cell Activation Syndrome), autoimmunity, and mold sensitivities should avoid citric acid. Even if you don’t have autoimmune issues, you don’t want to add to your body’s toxic load by using products that bombard your system with essentially, mold.
What is the potential problem?
It is mass-produced using Aspergillus niger—black mold—and this is bad news for people with chronic illnesses or weakened immune systems. Many Lyme disease individuals, for example, experience worsening symptoms when exposed to mold.
Aspergillus niger contains several toxins, some harmless and others harmful to certain people. The main toxins it contains are ochratoxin A (OTA) and malformin C. OTA is a known carcinogenic mycotoxin with nephrotoxic and immunotoxic potential in animals [14]. Individuals are at risk of exposure to OTA if they ingest food contaminated with it such as wine, beer, coffee, dried vine fruit, pork, poultry, dairy, spices, and cacao. PMCID: PMC6097542 PMID: 30128297
Research shows that a staggering 99% of the world’s commercially produced citric acid is made from a mutant strain of black mold, specifically Aspergillus niger. Add to that the fact that manufactured citric acid is in everything – supplements, food (salad dressings), beverages (Gatorade), household cleaners, pharmaceuticals (alka-seltzer), and cosmetics – and you can hardly avoid it!
If you are sensitive to molds, you definitely want to start checking your labels!
A 2018 literature review by two doctors at the University of Chicago raised concerns about the safety of MCA. Their published paper detailed four case studies where patients experienced significant symptoms worsening after consuming MCA. Remarkably, eliminating MCA led to symptom resolution in each case.
So What Exactly is Citric Acid?
Citric acid naturally occurs in lemons, limes, and other fruits and vegetables, and was widely used in foods and beverages until the early 1900s. However, in 1917, chemist James Currie discovered how to mass-produce it from mold.
In 2016, 2.3 million tons of MCA were produced, primarily in China. Around 70% ends up in our food and drinks, 20% in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, and 10% in cleaning and softening agents.
Don't be fooled by claims of "natural" citric acid sources like fermented cassava. The production process almost always involves mold, often genetically modified black mold grown on GMO corn syrup. Also, watch out for the word "citrate"—it's a derivative of citric acid and can appear in various forms, including sodium citrate, magnesium citrate, calcium citrate, and zinc citrate.
Why is Aspergillus niger a Concern?
When mold enters the body, the immune system recognizes it as a foreign invader and attacks. The specific immune response depends on a number of factors-the mold type, the individual's immune system, and the level and duration of exposure.
Although the FDA currently classifies MCA as GRAS, generally regarded as safe, it's important to note that this classification predates modern food additive monitoring. In 1958, the US adopted the Food Additives Amendment, requiring FDA approval for all new food ingredients. However, ingredients already in use before 1958, like MCA, were exempt.
Potential Allergic Reactions and Symptoms:
Mold toxicity can manifest in various ways, including:
Respiratory symptoms (coughing, wheezing, worsening asthma)
Skin rash or hives
Itchy or watery eyes
Runny or stuffy nose
Headache
Gastrointestinal upset
Depression and feeling of hopelessness
Brain fog
Changes in sleep patterns
Anxiety and/or panic attacks
Hair loss
Joint pain and stiffness
Tingling or numbness in your feet and hands and more..
Taking Control:
If you're struggling with worsening symptoms, MCAS, autoimmune disease, mold sensitivity, Lyme disease, or CIRS carefully read the ingredient lists of your most frequently consumed foods, beverages, and supplements. Ingredients are listed in descending order of content. If you see citric acid high on the list and notice a worsening of symptoms after consuming that product or applying to your body, try eliminating it. It could make a significant difference in achieving your golden glow.
If you suspect mold is playing a role in your symptoms, please contact me. I offer mycotoxin testing to help you get the answers you need.
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BONUS FREE GUIDE:
Do you wake up each day to find new “fun” symptoms your body has developed overnight? Are these symptoms so nonspecific that your doctor brushes them off or chalks them up to stress? If this sounds all too familiar, you’re not alone. You’ve likely tried everything—changing your diet, exercising more, even giving trendy detoxes a shot—but nothing seems to stick.
What if the answer lies in something you can't see?
Parasites, often an overlooked root cause of various health problems, are particularly common in individuals with mold exposure. They can contribute to a wide range of symptoms, some of which may mimic other conditions. If you're experiencing persistent, unexplained symptoms, it's worth exploring the possibility of a parasitic infection.
Want to learn more about parasites and how they might be affecting your health? Get my FREE Unmasking Parasite Freebie here!
I did not realize. Shame on herbal companies using this stuff. Our it goes