Stephanie Center: Toxic Homes, Sick Bodies: A Deep Dive into Mold Toxicity

In this episode I had the pleasure of interviewing Stephanie Center, a functional diagnostic nutrition practitioner and occupational therapist. We talked extensively about the connection between gut health and autoimmunity, as well as mold toxicity and its contribution to a variety of symptoms.Stephanie shared her own healing journey, which started after she was exposed to black mold while living in a brand new apartment. She experienced a range of symptoms and sought treatment from various doctors with little improvement until she turned to functional medicine and discovered the connection between mold and her health issues.We also had a discussion on the disempowering nature of being told there's "something wrong" without any real solutions being found in conventional medicine. We both had to advocate for ourselves and seek alternative methods to get the proper testing done, including functional lab testing.One of the key takeaways from our conversation is the importance of taking a holistic approach to health and how functional medicine can help patients address underlying causes rather than just symptoms. We also talked about the interconnectedness of bodily systems, emphasizing how the immune system lives in the gut and how everything we eat and drink enters the same digestive and respiratory tract. It's important to treat the human and individualized approach to healthcare rather than following a cookie-cutter approach.We discussed the impact of toxins such as mold and glyphosate on gut health and autoimmune disorders and the challenges of separating out the impact of different toxins and factors on autoimmune disorders. However, we both emphasized the agency individuals have in making choices about what they eat and how they source their food. Gardening can be a potential solution to the challenges of accessing clean and nutritious foods.Overall, the podcast covers a wide range of health issues- from mold toxicity to gut health and healthy eating practices. We hope our conversation inspires you to take a more holistic approach to your health, seeks alternative methods to conventional medicine, and educates yourself about the impact of environmental toxins on your body.To learn more about this and other topics related to autoimmunity, head on to my Instagram and send me a message.Click here for all the links and the complete show notes