EPISODE · May 27, 2026 · 50 MIN
Fungal Colonization Isn't What You Think!
from The CIRS Group Podcast · host thecirsgroup
For more information and support, join us at https://thecirsgroup.com Is mold colonization the same as CIRS? Could what looks like a fungal infection actually be something else entirely? In this episode, Barbara is joined by Dr. Lacey Venanzi and Dr. Christian Navarro-Torres to break down the difference between mold/fungal colonization and chronic inflammatory response syndrome (CIRS), explore the surprisingly important role of actinobacteria, and walk through practical, affordable treatment strategies: from pharmaceutical antifungals to botanicals and nasal rinsing. For more information and support, join us at https://thecirsgroup.com TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Intro 01:19 Meet the guests: Dr. Lacey Venanzi & Dr. Christian Navarro-Torres 02:25 What is mold or fungal colonization? 05:01 Is fungal overgrowth a root cause or a downstream effect? 06:08 CIRS vs. fungal colonization: Two distinct diagnoses 07:45 Symptoms of fungal colonization (skin, gut, sinuses, cravings) 10:56 Pharmaceutical antifungals and herbal antifungals 15:30 Risks of using antifungals in CIRS patients 17:25 Why some patients improve on antifungals 19:55 Why timing matters: get out of exposure first 22:25 Actinobacteria: the overlooked player in CIRS 24:19 How actinobacteria mimics fungal infections 26:32 Testing: options, limitations & what to look for 28:15 Key botanical treatments: Horopito, thyme, clove, eucalyptus & tea tree 29:00 Affordable testing options for patients 32:20 Safe steps patients can take (Horopito) 32:49 Dilute the bacteria, lower the burden: cleaning and motility 33:56 Probiotics & prebiotics for fungal/actino burden 35:36 Topical treatment: Horopito Lotion 37:05 Nasal treatment: saline & baby shampoo technique 39:00 Barbara's saline rinse tips & real-world experience 44:03 Why baby shampoo works (surfactants explained) 45:11 Horopito cream for nasal & skin use 47:10 Coherence DX and additional resources Check out Dr. Lacey and Dr. Christian's new company Coherence DX! https://www.coherencedx.com/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@CoherenceDX Dr. Lacey's website: https://www.drlacey.org/ Dr. Christian's website: https://www.cirslab.com/ LINKS MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE: Our Actinos Episode: https://youtu.be/yf9EoTbyAEo?si=nZIZAAlPlBgnObfI Our Actinos Cleaning episode: https://youtu.be/2rCXhUP6dbY?si=TRx356TkQBm1BBJn Our first interview with Dr. Lacey: https://youtu.be/baldT8N7nl4?si=8tHFQCKqrLxiFESq Our latest interview with Dr. Christian: https://youtu.be/Lc_LfUeiYTM?si=6CFLE6w71gtSqStj CSA (comprehensive stool analysis) from ParasiteTesting.com: https://www.parasitetesting.com/CSA?srsltid=AfmBOor_itSEGDFWmeorkB2spnrFXO48-f07lwE7G8V8Hc9NxB4Y92AJ Cheap gut test: https://www.ombrelab.com/products/ombre-gut-health-test?selling_plan=2189295771 More comprehensive gut test: https://www.tinyhealth.com/adult-test SinusKey nose test: https://patients.microgendx.com/products/sinuskey Horopito capsules: https://kolorex.com/collections/gut-care/products/candia-balance-gut-care-60 Dr. Lacey's favorite probiotics: BioGaia: https://a.co/d/0cQZgJhw Florastor: https://a.co/d/09oFxiLs Sun Fiber: https://a.co/d/0hkdbUZh Horopito topical cream (the gentlest option): https://kolorex.com/products/vaginal-care-cream Neti Pot Barbara uses: https://a.co/d/08DKajTT Nasal swabs Barbara uses: https://a.co/d/0fgglU5f Fragrance free Baby Shampoo: https://www.target.com/p/johnson-39-s-sensitive-care-baby-2-in-1-body-wash-38-shampoo-lightly-scented-13-5-fl-oz/-/A-87442350#lnk=sametab Order Jacie's book! The 30 Day Carnivore Bootcamp: https://a.co/d/7MgHrRs The CIRS Group: Support Community: https://thecirsgroup.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecirsgroup/ Find Jacie for carnivore, lifestyle and limbic resources: Jacie’s book on the Carnivore diet! https://a.co/d/8ZKCqz0 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ladycarnivory YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LadyCarnivory Blog: https://www.ladycarnivory.com/ Find Barbara for business/finance tips and coaching: Website: https://www.actlikebarbara.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/actlikebarbara/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@actlikebarbara Jacie is a Shoemaker certified Proficiency Partner, NASM certified nutrition coach, author, and carnivore recipe developer determined to share the life changing information of carnivore and CIRS to anyone who will listen. Barbara is a business and fitness coach, CIRS and ADHD advocate, writer, speaker, and a big fan of health and freedom. Together, they co-founded The CIRS Group, an online support community to help people that are struggling with their CIRS diagnosis and treatment.
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For more information and support, join us at https://thecirsgroup.com Is mold colonization the same as CIRS? Could what looks like a fungal infection actually be something else entirely? In this episode, Barbara is joined by Dr. Lacey Venanzi and Dr. Christian Navarro-Torres to break down the difference between mold/fungal colonization and chronic inflammatory response syndrome (CIRS), explore the surprisingly important role of actinobacteria, and walk through practical, affordable treatment strategies: from pharmaceutical antifungals to botanicals and nasal rinsing. For more information and support, join us at https://thecirsgroup.com TIMESTAMPS00:00 Intro01:19 Meet the guests: Dr. Lacey Venanzi & Dr. Christian Navarro-Torres02:25 What is mold or fungal colonization?05:01 Is fungal overgrowth a root cause or a downstream effect?06:08 CIRS vs. fungal colonization: Two distinct diagnoses07:45 Symptoms of fungal colonization (skin, gut, sinuses, cravings)10:56 Pharmaceutical antifungals and herbal antifungals15:30 Risks of using antifungals in CIRS patients17:25 Why some patients improve on antifungals19:55 Why timing matters: get out of exposure first22:25 Actinobacteria: the overlooked player in CIRS24:19 How actinobacteria mimics fungal infections26:32 Testing: options, limitations & what to look for28:15 Key botanical treatments: Horopito, thyme, clove, eucalyptus & tea tree29:00 Affordable testing options for patients32:20 Safe steps patients can take (Horopito)32:49 Dilute the bacteria, lower the burden: cleaning and motility33:56 Probiotics & prebiotics for fungal/actino burden35:36 Topical treatment: Horopito Lotion37:05 Nasal treatment: saline & baby shampoo technique39:00 Barbara's saline rinse tips & real-world experience44:03 Why baby shampoo works (surfactants explained)45:11 Horopito cream for nasal & skin use47:10 Coherence DX and additional resources Check out Dr. Lacey and Dr. Christian's new company Coherence DX! https://www.coherencedx.com/YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@CoherenceDXDr. Lacey's website: https://www.drlacey.org/Dr. Christian's website: https://www.cirslab.com/ LINKS MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE:Our Actinos Episode: https://youtu.be/yf9EoTbyAEo?si=nZIZAAlPlBgnObfIOur Actinos Cleaning episode: https://youtu.be/2rCXhUP6dbY?si=TRx356TkQBm1BBJnOur first interview with Dr. Lacey: https://youtu.be/baldT8N7nl4?si=8tHFQCKqrLxiFESqOur latest interview with Dr. Christian: https://youtu.be/Lc_LfUeiYTM?si=6CFLE6w71gtSqStjCSA (comprehensive stool analysis) from ParasiteTesting.com: https://www.parasitetesting.com/CSA?srsltid=AfmBOor_itSEGDFWmeorkB2spnrFXO48-f07lwE7G8V8Hc9NxB4Y92AJCheap gut test: https://www.ombrelab.com/products/ombre-gut-health-test?selling_plan=2189295771More comprehensive gut test: https://www.tinyhealth.com/adult-testSinusKey nose test: https://patients.microgendx.com/products/sinuskeyHoropito capsules:https://kolorex.com/collections/gut-care/products/candia-balance-gut-care-60Dr. Lacey's favorite probiotics:BioGaia: https://a.co/d/0cQZgJhwFlorastor: https://a.co/d/09oFxiLsSun Fiber: https://a.co/d/0hkdbUZhHoropito topical cream (the gentlest option): https://kolorex.com/products/vaginal-care-creamNeti Pot Barbara uses: https://a.co/d/08DKajTTNasal swabs Barbara uses: https://a.co/d/0fgglU5fFragrance free Baby Shampoo: https://www.target.com/p/johnson-39-s-sensitive-care-baby-2-in-1-body-wash-38-shampoo-lightly-scented-13-5-fl-oz/-/A-87442350#lnk=sametab Order Jacie's book! The 30 Day Carnivore Bootcamp: https://a.co/d/7MgHrRs The CIRS Group:Support Community: https://thecirsgroup.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecirsgroup/ Find Jacie for carnivore, lifestyle and limbic resources:Jacie’s book on the Carnivore diet! https://a.co/d/8ZKCqz0Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ladycarnivoryYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LadyCarnivoryBlog: https://www.ladycarnivory.com/ Find Barbara for business/finance tips and coaching:Website: http
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Fungal Colonization Isn't What You Think!
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