Today, I am linking to an article on TheGuardian.com that was recently published talking about the link between toxic particles in the brain and Alzheimer’s.
From my recent foray into the “mold world,” I have met and know many folks who have experienced, or who know folks who have experienced the brain fog, forgetfulness, confusion, and other negative neurological effects of mold exposure. Thus, it is not too out there to assume that mold exposure could have some long-term degenerative effect on the brain, when the exposure has been prolonged, or the type of mold was toxic and emitting mycotoxins. I have always, always been concerned with inhaling the molds and mycotoxins, and this article really made me think long and hard about that, because of its conclusions.
First, it goes into detail about the scientific findings in human brains that were affected by Alzheimer’s disease. The brains were found to contain abnormally high levels of spherically-shaped magnetite particles. The size and shape of the particles indicate that, “They are very rounded nanospheres, because they were formed as molten droplets of material from combustion sources, such as car exhausts, industrial processes and power stations, anywhere you are burning fuel.” In other words, these particles were around these people in their daily living conditions and lives.
Second, Prof David Allsop, an Alzheimer’s disease expert at Lancaster University and part of the research team, goes on to say: “There is no blood-brain barrier with nasal delivery. Once nanoparticles directly enter olfactory areas of the brain through the nose, they can spread to other areas of the brain, including hippocampus and cerebral cortex – regions affected in Alzheimer’s disease.” He said it was worth noting that an impaired sense of smell is an early indicator of Alzheimer’s disease.
So, the particles you inhale everyday can go directly to your brain through your nose. There is no real filtering device to protect the particles from entering or spreading to other parts of your brain. This fact alone should make you really want to safeguard the integrity of the air you breathe. To me, cleaning for mold is a part of that.
To that effect, I’m going to end today’s post with a link to an older, but equally important article on AlzForum.org. It links mold to dementia. It is something that has been discussed less, but it is a lingering scientific question and an important one.
I hope you will read both articles. Knowledge is power. If there is even a small possibility that inhaling pollution and mold can have long-term impacts on your health, shouldn’t you take the precautions necessary to prevent it?