Healing Mold, CIRS, & Biotoxin Illness (What is CIRS?): Episode 1

Welcome to our deep dive into Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS) with Dr. Aaron Hartman, MD and Dr. Jenski, MD, leading experts in integrative and functional medicine. At our Richmond, VA based practice, our mission is to restore health and hope through science-backed solutions and innovative healthcare.

In this video, we discuss:

What is CIRS?: Understanding this multi-system, multi-symptom biotoxin-induced disease.

Genetic Predispositions: Exploring the HLA-DR, -DQ gene and its impact.

Symptoms and Misdiagnosis: How CIRS mimics other conditions like chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, brain fog, long COVID, and more.

Environmental Triggers: The role of water-damaged buildings, mold, VOCs, and other biotoxins.

Historical Context: The origins of CIRS research with Dr. Shoemaker's work.

Treatment Approaches: Effective strategies including binders like cholestyramine, detoxification, and managing immune system dysregulation.

W H A T N E X T ?

If you want to watch more videos like this, check out the YouTube videos below:

If you want to read more on this subject, check out the informative blog posts below:

A B O U T D R . H A R T M A N & R I F M

Dr. Hartman’s interest in integrative & functional medicine first began after he and his wife Rebekah adopted their first daughter Anna in 2007. The medical system didn’t offer much hope for Anna’s medical condition and they were forced to explore alternative treatments. Over time, Aaron began to apply the new concepts and treatment modalities he was learning to his clinic patients as well as his own family. In 2012 he formalized his commitment to exploring new and advanced treatment opportunities through his membership with the American Board of Integrative and Holistic Medicine and then the Institute for Functional Medicine. In 2015 he received his second board certification in Integrative and Holistic Medicine through the American Board of Physician Specialties and in 2016 earned the recognition as a Certified Practitioner in Functional Medicine from the Institute for Functional Medicine.

In 2012, Aaron and Rebekah’s commitment to their family’s health led them to move to a little farm outside of Richmond Virginia. While researching how to care for their land, animals, and livestock, Aaron and Rebekah learned about the intricate connections between their health, that of the land they cultivate, the animals they care for, and the food they eat. This led to Dr. Hartman’s intense interest in nutritional medicine as well as ecological medicine and toxicology.

Dr. Hartman opened Richmond Integrative & Functional Medicine in 2017. His mission at RIFM is to apply the sum total of his scientific research, medical knowledge, clinical experience and continuing studies to his patients in an individualized manner. This new field of medicine has been called Functional Medicine, Integrative Medicine, Systems Biology Medicine and Root Cause Medicine.

Thank you for watching, and don’t forget to subscribe for Integrative & Functional Medicine videos uploaded every week.

– Dr. Aaron Hartman, MD

[tessmoore]

Thank you! This helps a lot. I have recently been diagnosed with CIRS, mold mycrotoxins are the primary culprit with mild Lyme disease as well. I originally went to a regular MD because of symptoms I was having. She referred me to 3 different specialists and I knew they were not going to be communicating with each other and all diagnosing me with different things (autoimmune, neurological problems, gastrointestinal issues etc.) and putting me on different drugs and possibly wanting to do surgery. I told my husband I couldn't do it. My body has never responded well to meds, natural has always worked best for me, and I wanted one doctor, not 3. He agreed and we went to a Functional Practitioner. He ordered more thorough tests, then referred me to another Functional Practitioner who actually deals with the CIRS, mold, lymes, etc. They said covid was what set it all off, but some of the mold has been in my system for many years apparently. I'm glad to hear their is a way through this, but it will take time.

[katerynaturchenko]

Always looking forward to listening to dr. N. Nathan, thank you for inviting him. However, I don’t feel I got the title question answered - how do you stabilise before detox? Limbic system and vagus nerve work and mast cell stabilisation are important, but can one start taking binders at the same time? At least in a tiny dose? I realise I’m far from being stabilised but I do believe that addressing mold will help me stabilise. So, stabilising before detoxing looks unreal. Can I start taking binders now when Im having repeated anaphylactic episodes?

[RachelWallaceStansick]

Thank you! ☀️ I am grateful for the research you both tackle, your knowledge and the hours spent to be able to share recent research findings. Your insights and research to support and improve many health issues using out of the box approaches is impressive. Your time and dedication to helping others & your teamwork continues to amaze me! I am always waiting for the next opportunity to listen to you. I don’t always understand all of the complex medical talk/ findings. I look forward to the information you share. If it were not for the first video I watched Dr. Hartman’s shared on Chronic Lyme Disease and hyper mobility, I would not have hope…. I also rewatch your videos and share them as well.

[tiatorus]

I have two of the dreaded genes and I’m trying my hardest to not die . I have 4.3.53 and 15.6.51

Also great channel !

[tessmoore]

My question is: Is dry brush massage good for CIRS? I have all this dry skin, and itchiness.

[christiemarkfeld]

What percentage of patients that you treat recover from CIRS (I know you still need to watch re-exposure) and what is the average time frame when patients start to see improvement and clear Marcons?

[serenawood]

I'm curious about why so many of their patients aren't tolerating Cholastyramine and talk of sweeteners...why don't they use the pure powder form?!? My children and I get the powder from a compounding pharmacy. Also, I have heard a few Shoemaker Cert physicians mention the use of high dose, high quality Omegas before starting the Cholastyramine to avoid reactions with almost total success. My OD had us do this as well because we were very ill and he was worried we might be in a very sensitive state. Would like to hear your thoughts on this! 🙏

[evettehicks]

You mentioned cell danger response. Please describe what this is and how valid is it in chronic illness. What is the treatment protocol for it.

[BringItOn]

I'm pretty sure that this is the condition that I have. I can't take anything to bind because I've been constipated my entire life and now I'm pretty sure it's gastroparesis. I've done a test on my gallbladder (hida scan) to see if it was functioning correctly they said everything was good. I probably take a tablespoon each of organic flax oil, organic extra virgin olive oil and organic avocado oil everyday and it makes no difference. I feel that my brain is swimming in oil. (blood vessel dilation, stinging sensation in my head and severe disorientation) I take laxatives and give myself an enema everyday just to get something out. I'm feeling toxic (probably toxic bile) and my cholesterol has gone up 100 points (total and ldl) in the last 2 years, probably because of the removal of refined seed oils and the addition of animal-based proteins and fats. What kind of oils were used in that "human oil change" protocol that y'all spoke about? Also do y'all find low copper levels in this condition? Years ago I did blood work with Genova diagnostics. Their test ranges from 753-1920 ppb with lower optimal being 929 ppb. My level was 740 ppb. Their methodology was inductive coupled plasma/mass spectrometry.

[moo-marc]

Interesting, but as someone with an as yet undiagnosed multi-symptom problem, I have no clue where to start looking for this type of medical consultation. I spent 30 minutes searching online for something local, and only came across one clinic, which is not taking in any patients (mat leave). "functional medicine" seems very rare, or mixed in with naturopathy and other alternative medicines that can often be of questionable scientific background. Feels like I'm still on my own to deal with this. I hope I'll at least be able to find more useful practical info through your videos/blogs. Any tips on how to find resources would be appreciated. (FYI I'm in Canada)

[DianneElizabeth]

I have toxic levels of mold bio toxins. I have lyme. My house was recently diagnosed with mycotoxins.
I know positively that I have two mthfr expressing. I need to find out what else before my bodies is so diseased. I have fatter liver. Kidneys hurt. Suspicious Thyroid nodules. Two breast masses. I am losing weight because I have cleaned up my diet & a super clean diet shuts off appetite. I am desperate.