The Mycotoxin-Mitochondria Trap: Why Standard Detox Fails in Chronic Illness, and How to Escape It — Introduction

For individuals with chronic patterns including SIBO, MCAS, and long COVID, mycotoxin exposure is a frequently overlooked perpetuating factor. Even when exposure is identified, standard detoxification protocols often fall short, leaving symptoms unresolved. This article describes what we call the Mycotoxin-Mitochondria Trap, the self-reinforcing loop in which mycotoxins impair mitochondrial function and disrupt the gut oxygen gradient in a way that traditional binders alone cannot resolve. The framing draws on the Host Capacity Model and is intended for educational discussion with your clinical team.