Aflatoxin is one of the most well-known and heavily researched mycotoxins. Aflatoxin places more demand on the liver than almost any other mycotoxin. The IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer) classifies it as a Group 1 known human carcinogen.

When you think of Chaetoglobosin, think resistance. Mold produces this mycotoxin to help it break through our natural defenses against fungal invasion. Research suggests this is one reason infections connected to Chaetoglobosin can be harder to address over time.

What makes citrinin notable is that it rarely shows up alone. It is frequently found alongside ochratoxin, another mycotoxin known for affecting kidney health. Research suggests that when both are present, their effects may be more than additive.

Gliotoxin targets the very immune cells your body relies on to keep fungal growth in check. When those defenses are suppressed, it becomes easier for mold and yeast to gain a foothold. This is why many people dealing with gliotoxin also notice increased yeast-related symptoms.

MPA is such a powerful immune suppressant that it's actually used as the active ingredient in a pharmaceutical drug given to organ transplant patients to prevent rejection. While this is useful in a medical setting, research suggests environmental exposure to MPA may quietly lower immune defenses.

Ochratoxin is called a "persister" for a reason. It binds tightly to proteins in the blood and can circulate for extended periods, sometimes weeks. This means the body may be dealing with it longer than you'd expect, even while you're actively working on other areas of your health.

Trichothecenes are not a single mycotoxin but a family of related toxins. What sets them apart is speed. They don't need to be processed by the liver to become active. They enter the bloodstream within minutes of exposure and go to work immediately.

Zearalenone is the primary mycotoxin with estrogenic effects. Produced by Fusarium molds in water-damaged buildings and contaminated grains, its structure mimics the body's natural estrogen closely enough to bind to estrogen receptors and trigger estrogen-like responses.