This may be a sudden question, but do you know the word "mycotoxin"?
Even if you are familiar with each of these words, you may not yet be very familiar with "mycotoxin," which is a combination of "mold" and "poison."
Last year, it was discovered that mycotoxins in excess of legal limits were present in the domestically grown wheat variety "Nanbu Komugi." Products made using this variety were voluntarily recalled and disposed of, but it's scary to think what might have happened if people had continued to use the product without even realizing it.
Types and effects of mycotoxins
Mycotoxins are a group of toxic compounds naturally produced by certain types of molds (fungi). Molds that can produce mycotoxins are commonly found growing in foods such as cereals, dried fruits, nuts, spices and coffee beans. Molds are more likely to develop before or after harvest or at any stage during storage, especially under warm, humid conditions.
Currently, over 300 types of mycotoxins have been identified, but here are some of the most common ones.
1. Aflatoxin
Aflatoxin is one of the major mycotoxins identified in the deaths of over 100,000 turkeys that ate contaminated peanut meal.
Aflatoxins have the greatest impact on the human body in the liver. Long-term ingestion can cause DNA damage to liver cells, liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. They are also highly carcinogenic, so caution is required, especially for those infected with hepatitis B virus.
2. Ochratoxin
Ochratoxin is found in barley, oats, rye, wheat, and coffee beans.
The main target organ is the kidney, causing renal dysfunction such as polyuria, sugar in urine, and proteinuria. It has also been pointed out that it is liver toxic and has an effect on fetal development and the immune system, and it has also been confirmed to be carcinogenic.
3. Patulin
It is especially found in rotten fruits such as apples, grapes, pears, and peaches.
In acute cases, the main symptoms are digestive symptoms such as nausea, gastrointestinal disorders, and vomiting. Chronic ingestion can damage the digestive tract, so care should be taken.
4. Deoxynivalenol (DON)
It occurs mainly in cereals such as wheat, barley, oats, rye and corn, and can cause gastrointestinal symptoms, malabsorption of nutrients and endocrine disorders.
In particular, it has been linked to gastroenteritis in humans, but the long-term effects are unknown.
Measures against mycotoxins
So, is there anything we can do to prevent mycotoxins? Unfortunately, once mycotoxins have formed, they are difficult to remove through cooking or normal heating, but we can consider ways to minimize their effects as much as possible.
1. Pay attention to temperature and humidity when managing food
Mold needs three things to grow: temperature, moisture, and oxygen .
Generally, mold grows easily at temperatures between 20°C and 30°C, so mold growth slows down considerably at refrigerator temperatures. Also, like other living things, it needs moisture and oxygen.
For example, grains and nuts should be stored in a cool, dry place, and fruits should be stored properly in the refrigerator. Storing them in a vacuum-packed container that removes oxygen is also effective.
2. Wash vegetables and fruits with scallop powder
Mycotoxins are so troublesome that about 80% of them remain even after boiling or frying, but mold has a weakness in that because it is acidic, it is extremely vulnerable to alkali.
Even when contaminated corn is used to produce oil, it is said that most of the mold toxins can be removed by adding an alkaline food additive and further refining the oil.
So, at home, it is a good idea to soak vegetables and fruits thoroughly in scallop powder water with a pH of 12 to remove any mold toxins. Of course, you should never eat anything that is visibly moldy. Don't eat it because it's a waste, throw it away.
3. Detox with Chlorella
Mold toxins will eventually enter your body no matter how hard you try to avoid them, so make sure to get into a detox habit and excrete them as soon as they enter your body.
Yaeyama Chlorella, made by Yaeyama Shokusan, is 100% pure and is a whole food microalgae. Its effectiveness in trapping and excreting mold toxins has been proven by evidence. It immediately excretes the mold toxins that enter your body every day before they can cause any harm! I recommend taking it every day! (I've been taking it every day for almost four years now!)
Things to be aware of during this summer season
During this summer season, it's important to stay healthy by being careful of foods that may have mold growing on them, such as food eaten in unsanitary environments, bread or sweets that have been left out for a long time after opening, or fruit that is starting to go bad.
We have a wide selection of wonderful Japanese products that are good for your body!!!
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