Are Aflatoxins Bad For You?
Short answer
Aflatoxins are bad for you - they are poisonous, carcinogenic chemicals.
Category 'F' is for things that fail to bring anything beneficial to the table, and are very harmful to your health. We recommend completely avoiding anything in this category. Long-term side effects of 'F' items are usually very serious.
View Full Grading System
Category 'A'
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Side effects are rare. Things rated an 'A+' are typically necessary for survival (for example, water).
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. A few harmful qualities may be associated, but only under certain circumstances such as an allergic reaction.
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Harmful qualities may be associated, but aren't usually serious.
It is important to note that even the best things in life can become bad in immoderate amounts. So, although something may be rated an 'A+', overconsumption/overdoing can bring unwanted effects.
Category 'B'
Very beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B+' may have a few harmful qualities to pay attention to.
Overall beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B' may have some harmful qualities to pay attention to.
More beneficial to your health than not. However, harmful qualities are most likely associated and shouldn't be overlooked.
The main difference between category 'A' and category 'B' is the harmful qualities typically present in 'B' items. Serious side effects are usually uncommon, but are still possible and should be taken note of.
Category 'C'
Both beneficial and harmful qualities associated. Things rated a 'C+' are typically a bit more on the beneficial side. Still, moderation is important.
A fairly even ratio of beneficial and harmful qualities. Moderation is important. Very general topics that can lean towards both sides of the spectrum will be placed here as well. Rice, for example, can be good or bad depending on the type.
More harmful than beneficial. Side effects are common, especially when consumed/done excessively. Moderation is very important.
Category 'C' usually denotes to both good and bad qualities. When it comes to this category, it is important to keep this word in mind: moderation.
Category 'D'
Harmful to your health. Although benefits may be associated, the bad most likely outweighs the good. Moderation is very important.
Harmful to your health. A few benefits may be associated, but the bad outweighs the good. Moderation is extremely important.
Harmful to your health. Very few, if any, benefits are present. Things in this category should be avoided as much as possible.
Category 'D' is typically for things that are more harmful than beneficial. While consuming/doing something unhealthy once in a blue moon shouldn't hurt, we definitely recommend eliminating 'D' items as a regular part of your routine/diet.
Category 'F'
Category 'F' is for things that fail to bring anything beneficial to the table, and are very harmful to your health. We recommend completely avoiding anything in this category. Long-term side effects of 'F' items are usually very serious.
Category 'N'
'N' stands for neutral. Things placed into this category are generally (a) neither good nor bad for you, or (b) lack the necessary evidence to reach any conclusions.
Long answer
Aflatoxins are toxins produced by the fungi Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus. They are commonly found on foods grown in humid regions of the world where they can grow more rapidly. Foods can be affected while growing, during harvest or in storage but the real harm comes after being consumed. The interesting part is that you do not have to consume it directly to be affected. If an animal eats aflatoxin-contaminated foods and you then consume their meat, you are at just as great of a risk. Agricultural workers are the most commonly affected by aflatoxins, for obvious reasons. But what are the effects from these toxins exactly?
In small amounts, even over a lifetime of exposure, the risk is minimal and you could see no effects at all. Some people experience allergies to aflatoxins (it is a mold, after all) or fatigue. If you consume aflatoxins in large amounts or are exposed in other ways such as inhaling the dust like farmers do, you are at a much greater risk of developing liver cancer. The most common cases of hepatocellular carcinoma caused by aflatoxins occurs in China and Africa. Liver cancer is typically caused by aflatoxin B1, which can also lead to an autoimmune response, digestive issues, and death in more serious cases.
Aflatoxins are commonly found on foods like tree nuts, peanuts (and peanut butter), oilseeds (especially cottonseed), corn and even wheat. That’s not to say that all of these foods everywhere are contaminated. Since the fungi that produce aflatoxins primarily grow in warm humid climates, it just becomes that much more important to know where your food comes from. These crops are more likely to rot due to drought and humidity, both which are favorable for mold to start growing.
While food in the US is very unlikely to be contaminated by aflatoxins unless imported, you can limit your exposure by combining nuts, seeds, and nut butters with foods like apiaceous vegetables such as celery, carrots, and parsnips which fight aflatoxins. These foods are also full of beneficial properties and can help reduce the possible carcinogenic effects.
Possible short-term side effects
- allergic reaction
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fatigue
Possible long-term side effects
- liver cancer
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autoimmune response
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digestive issues
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death
Commonly found in
- peanuts, peanut butter
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cottonseed
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tree nuts
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corn
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wheat
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Written by Kristin Brown, DC, MS
Published on: 08-07-2016
Last updated: 12-10-2016
Thank you for your feedback!
Written by Kristin Brown, DC, MS
Published on: 08-07-2016
Last updated: 12-10-2016
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