Certainly, minimizing exposure to these sorts of chemicals and molds when possible is invaluable for both healthy and suffering individuals. Fortifying your body and all its organ systems with a healthy, nutritious diet and the right supplements is also an integral component of a lifestyle to help your body use it’s naturally occurring detoxification mechanisms to more effectively handle contact with chemicals and molds you’re exposed to and minimize the consequences of these exposures.

As Dr. Crook discussed in his most recent book, The Yeast Connection and Women's Health, chemical and mold sensitivities often develop very gradually over a period of time of repeated exposure. Many times there are no obvious links to the chemical or mold contact, making the specific source of sensitivities difficult to uncover. What’s more, as you develop one sensitivity, it may weaken your system enough to develop more sensitivities, further complicating the process of finding the source of your symptoms.

There are three basic types of sensitivity:

1. Toxicity or poison: lead and mercury poisoning are typical examples.
2. Allergies defined by classic allergic reactions to particular plants or products, for example ragweed and other pollen allergies.
3. Multiple chemical sensitivities where your natural detoxification system becomes less able or unable to cope with chemicals and/or molds to which you are exposed. This can include almost anything in your environment.

Symptoms of these sensitivities can include:

• headaches
• foggy thinking
• fatigue
• dizziness
• depression
• muscle and joint aches
• runny nose and eyes
• sinus infections
• respiratory symptomsmore severe asthma symptoms

You can begin reducing your and your family’s chemical and mold exposures. Explore. Listen to your intuition. What feels important to notice, even if no one else thinks that could possibly be causing you problems? Pay attention to what signals your body is sending you. Find a caring, knowledgeable health care professional to work as your partner in your search for restored health. Experiment.
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Remember, we are all exposed to some toxic chemicals but you can minimize your exposures and that is what’s important. This is true for healthy as well as immune system weakened individuals. Most of us are unaware we’re developing chemical sensitivities until our bodies are exposed so often we finally are unable to tolerate what once went unnoticed. Incorporating the following suggestions may be important for you as well as your family members, co-workers, and friends.

• Review your daily environment and identify if any of these most common chemical or mold exposures might be causing difficulties for you.

o auto fumes
o tobacco smoke
o perfumes and scented cosmetic products
o cleaning products
o newsprint
o pesticides
o insecticides
o fumes from dry cleaning solvents
o fumes from copiers, office equipment
o electromagnetic radiation from computers, televisions, etc.
o gas vs. electric stove or heating unit
o synthetic clothes
o aerosol spray
o mercury amalgams and other dental composites
o fertilizers
o air fresheners
o glues
o paint, paint removers and varnishes
o carpet, upholstery, curtains treated with chemicals
o fingernail polish
o molds in schools, office buildings, homes, apartments
o buildings sealed without the ability to open windows

• Take action to reduce your exposure:

  Breathe outdoor air every day and open your house and office to air it out each day. Outside air is often less contaminated than indoor air, even taking into consideration the dangers of air pollution.
  
  Remove as many chemicals from your house as possible. See the above list to help you understand what chemicals are harmful.
  
  Use baking soda, unscented soap, vinegar, lemon juice, or food grade hydrogen peroxide for household cleaning projects.
  
  Use unscented cosmetics, deodorants, soaps and laundry detergents.
  
  Dry clean as few items of clothing as possible. When it is necessary to have dry cleaned clothing or other household items, remove them from the bags and air them out before you wear them.
  
  Buy and eat organic foods and products as much as possible.
  
  Take saunas. Sweating helps your body clear toxins

• Discuss with your physician the possibility that you might need to add prescription antifungals to your treatment plan
• Make sure you’re eating healthy, nutritious foods and using supplements to help your body maintain its naturally occurring detoxification system and keep your immune system strong. Try eating garlic and onions as often as possible to help your body’s organ systems maintain healthy functioning.
• You may be suffering from some food sensitivities. See The Yeast Connection and Women's Health. Explore the phase 3 reassessment phase for step-by-step guidelines for the rotation diet to help you identify food sensitivities. See The Yeast Connection Cookbook for menus and recipe ideas for the rotation diet.

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