Fighting MARCoNS with Functional Medicine at Axon Integrative Health in Denver
How MARCoNS Causes Inflammation
MARCoNS itself is not an infection. It is, instead, severe bacterial colonization that releases chemicals into your bloodstream that cause inflammation. Furthermore, by producing a compound that deactivates Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone (MSH), MARCoNS decreases the levels of this hormone and further promotes inflammation.
MSH is produced in your hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and skin cells. Your hypothalamus and pituitary gland are part of your Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis that plays a vital role in your NeuroEndoMetabolic (NEM) stress response. MSH also plays a role in protecting your nose membranes from MARCoNS colonization.
You do not find MARCoNS in the nasal passages of those with healthy, well-functioning immune systems. You do however find it in those with pre-existing health issues that include adrenal fatigue and mold toxicity, amongst others.
As MARCoNS lowers MSH levels, it causes an increase in cytokines and a decrease in regulatory T-cells. While cytokines help regulate inflammation, elevated levels could promote it. T-cells, also part of your body’s immune response, target and remove foreign pathogens like bacteria. A decrease in T-cells, however, paves the way for MARCoNS to flourish.
Mold and MARCoNS
Like your gut, your nasal passages have their own, unique microbiome. This microbiome also has myriad bacteria, which is often beneficial. Even staph plays a role. These bacteria do not cause any health issues in healthy people until something rocks the boat. A decrease in the effectiveness of your immune system, though, may open the door for imbalance in the microbiome and certain bacteria to grow unchecked.
A good example is a mold that produces mycotoxins. Mycotoxins are toxic mold byproducts. And when inhaled, they can cross your blood-brain barrier. Your body sees them as a threat and responds by activating your immune system to counter the threat.
Research has not yet established clear pathways for how mold and mycotoxins affect the body. They are known to exacerbate allergies and asthma, and cause more problems in people whose immune function is already compromised, as is often the case for those with adrenal fatigue. However, the exact mechanism for how your immune system responds to mold is unknown.
Long-term mold exposure, however, is likely to lead to a constantly active immune system, which could eventually cause fatigue of your immune system and thus a decrease in immunity. This could allow staph bacteria to flourish and MARCoNS to develop.
MARCoNS Symptoms
MARCoNs often presents as sinus symptoms. This is often the case in those exposed to mold. As a result, you may have symptoms that include headaches, facial pain, sinus pressure, tooth pain, and others. But MARCoNS also has a variety of other symptoms, making it exceedingly difficult to identify.
Chronic fatigue
Leaky gut
Aches and pains of unknown origin
Mood swings
Constipation and/or diarrhea
Sleep problems
Mood swings
Hormone imbalances and associated symptoms
Many of these symptoms also relate to adrenal fatigue or CIRS – Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome. This is because someone with adrenal fatigue may be more susceptible to MARCoNS while, conversely, MARCoNS could also worsen adrenal fatigue.
The Importance of Keeping Inflammation In Check
Inflammation, an automatic immune response, is the result of psychological or physical stress, i.e., stress from getting hurt in some way, including from viruses or bacteria. This stress can become chronic, and it is often something we are unaware of. It may not immediately show symptoms, and they may take years to manifest. Examples of this are the symptoms associated with Lyme Disease and the Epstein-Barr (EB) virus, both of which have a strong association with MARCoNS and adrenal fatigue and CIRS.
One cause that can lead inflammation to become chronic is adrenal fatigue, which causes imbalances in many of the body’s systems. Unfortunately, adrenal fatigue is often overlooked.
Adrenal fatigue and inflammation are closely connected to your body’s NeuroEndoMetabolic (NEM) stress response, which is the system of organs and systems used to counter stressors. Your inflammation circuit, consisting of your gut, microbiome, and immune system, plays an important role in this process. Because your brain is affected by the crossing of pathogens over the blood-brain barrier, you could expect possible neurological consequences from the condition as well.
MARCoNS also affects your pituitary and hypothalamus, which may lead to adrenal problems due to the closely related functions of these glands. Toxic byproducts of mold could damage your pituitary gland which, in turn, could affect the production of various hormones that include thyroid hormones, cortisol, and growth hormones. For example, studies on MARCoNS show that those with the condition resulting from mold toxicity have over fifty percent less growth hormone than healthy people.
This could result in
Weight increase
Anxiety/depression
Fatigue
Decrease in muscle mass
Reduced bone density
Blood cholesterol issues
Loss of libido
Furthermore, hormone imbalance can increase inflammation and worsen other health issues.
Identifying MARCoNS
Because MARCoNS is resistant to antibiotics and resides deep in your nasal passages, the best way of identifying the condition is using a deep nasal swab. The swab, sent to a laboratory, is tested for the presence of MARCoNS and gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. It could also be assessed for antibiotic susceptibility, used to make a biofilm assessment, and cultured to determine the presence of mold or yeast as well as their strains.
What to Do About MARCoNS
An understanding of MARCoNS is not widespread amongst the traditional healthcare community, especially the role it plays in those previously found to have autoimmune conditions like Lyme disease, lupus, chronic fatigue, and others. This could result from the relatively new understanding of this bacteria. In most cases, these practitioners focus on addressing the symptoms of the condition and not MARCoNS itself. Often, the traditional healthcare community suggests the use of yet another antibiotic, which may not be effective in this case.
A more natural approach considers the root causes and gently works to improve your health overall, while managing MARCoNS symptoms and reducing mold exposure.
Remove the Mold
Very often, removing the cause of MARCoNS may improve your various symptoms. If the condition results from mycotoxins resulting from mold exposure, for example, you may see a recovery with regards to hormone imbalance by working to thoroughly remove sources of mold from your environment.
Consider a HEPA Filter
Besides eradicating mold or removing yourself from such an environment, you can also consider a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) air filter or vacuum. These remove tiny particles from the air, including bacteria, resulting in cleaner, healthier air. HEPA products could particularly be of help when suffering from a sinus infection or hay fever. You could also consider using a mold fogger to get rid of mold particles. It is also quite effective but may not get rid of all the various particles that could contribute to your condition.
Look Into Hormone Replacement
Where pituitary damage has occurred and growth hormone levels do not improve, growth hormone replacement may help your healing process.
Improve Your Diet and Supplements
Some sources recommend reducing your gluten intake and eating more healthy fats and omega-3 supplements to stabilize brain function. It’s also often a good idea to eat more organic fruits and vegetables to improve detoxification and support your body with essential nutrients. Sugar, simple carbs, and processed foods, on the other hand, can add to inflammation and should be avoided.
Support Your Immune System
Removing mold and eating healthy are both good for your immune system. However, besides these, providing immune support also include:
Drinking eight glasses of water a day to promote detoxification and prevent dehydration.
Managing stress, such as through walking, deep breathing exercises, yoga, talking to friends, or starting a hobby. If it relaxes you, do it.
Look into various immune-boosting supplements. Many people opt for vitamin C, a go-to supplement during flu season. But whatever course of supplements you consider, please do so with the guidance of a healthcare practitioner.
Consider Nasal Sprays
Nasal sprays, such as those with distilled or purified water, may provide relief from MARCoNS symptoms, especially when associated with sinus issues. But they may not necessarily help get rid of MARCoNS itself.
A nasal rinse formula with antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties may help better address the MARCoNS itself. This may help soothe your nasal passages while getting rid of any foreign pathogens, including mold and staph.
Another nasal spray option is one containing probiotics. A probiotic may help repopulate your nasal passages with beneficial bacteria that help balance your nasal biofilm flora and help eradicate MARCoNS.
Another option is the use of a colloidal silver nasal rinse. Colloidal silver was used as an antimicrobial agent long before humans knew about antibiotics. Whereas the use of antibiotics could lead to antibiotic resistance in the bacteria targeted, colloidal silver does not have the same effect. Colloidal silver kills bacteria by attaching to the cell wall and damaging the membrane. It then enters the cell of the bacteria where it interferes with its metabolic processes and damages its DNA. This causes the death of bacteria. A colloidal silver nasal rinse is effective in dealing not only with bacteria but fungi and viruses as well.
Nasal Spray Considerations
However, you should use nasal sprays with caution. Long-term use could result in a breakdown of the healthy biofilm and nasal discharge. You may also start feeling a stinging sensation.
Colloidal silver, when overused, could cause permanent skin discoloration, a condition known as argyria. It could also cause poor absorption of certain drugs. These include antibiotics and drugs used to treat thyroid issues.
In Closing
Addressing MARCoNS is not something that happens overnight. There is no quick-fix. But there are steps you can take to beat the bacteria.
Here are a few things you can do about it:
Remove mold from your environment and get an air filter.
Try eating more foods that reduce inflammation.
Explore the use of nasal sprays that kill off bacteria.
Explore supplements aimed at supporting detox and inflammation: Omega 3s, Binders, Glutathione, Gut/Liver Detox, Colloidal Silver, Peptides like TB-500,
Explore IV Solutions like: Glutathione, ALA, PC, and Ozone
Many people with Chronic fatigue (whether from adrenals, HPA, or inflammation like CIRS) in our Axon program suffer from MARCoNS. We have helped many of them deal with this issue in a manner that provides Brain – Body – Mind support and systemic healing. If you would like to know more about MARCoNS and how to deal with it, please give us a call at (720)-994-2966 for a free initial consultation. You can also request a callback here by filling out a form below.
