Nuts and Corn Mold Toxins May Worsen CF Symptoms

A recent lab study found that certain mold toxins found on corn and nuts could aggravate symptoms for cystic fibrosis patients.

Understand more about how cystic fibrosis affects the lungs here.

Called aflatoxins, and already known to cause cancer and liver damage, the substance was found to prevent airway cilia from doing its job.

Using human airway cells grown in the lab, the research team discovered that the toxins block the movement of airway cilia. This mat of tiny “hair” lining our airways constantly beats to clear them of dust, mucus, and microbes. When the system is not working as it should, microbes have an open door to the airways. And in people with CF, those toxins can severely worsen disease symptoms. Read more about the study here.

Read about the three different treatment categories for cystic fibrosis here.

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