Ep. 626 Why Indoor Air Quality Matters for Long-Term Health with Michael Rubino | Menopause, Perimenopause, Mold Exposure

I am delighted to connect with Michael Rubino today. Michael is the founder and CEO of Home Cleanse and the chair of Change the Air Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to improving indoor environments and public health. He is widely recognized as the leading authority on mold remediation and indoor air quality.

In our conversation, we explore the connection between indoor air quality, gut permeability, and systemic inflammation. Michael explains how modern building practices, energy efficiency measures, and newer building materials may be contributing to health challenges. We discuss the types of tests he uses in his business, the symptoms he often sees in middle-aged women, considerations for frequent travelers, and why a bio-individual, data-driven approach matters for remediation. We also examine the role of genetics; the link between poor indoor air quality, leaky gut, and inflammation; practical interventions; the influence of social media; and what to look out for when contemplating a home addition or renovation.

Mold exposure is, in my view, one of the most commonly overlooked contributors to chronic health issues in functional medicine. Its effects on the gut impact the health of the microbiome, increasing susceptibility to leaky gut, which can fuel neuroinflammation, and impair detoxification pathways.

Stay tuned for a truly insightful discussion on indoor air quality, mold exposure, and the hidden environmental factors that may be influencing your health.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN:

How energy-efficient building practices may be contributing to indoor air quality concerns

Why traditional air sampling may not provide a complete picture of mold exposure

Testing options for evaluating mold and mycotoxin exposure

Symptoms associated with mold and indoor environmental exposures

How to reduce the likelihood of mold exposure while traveling

Factors to consider when developing a remediation plan

How poor indoor air quality can contribute to gut dysbiosis, leaky gut, and inflammation

How genetics can influence susceptibility to mold and environmental exposures

Why recommendations such as dehumidification and opening windows can only be helpful when applied appropriately

Practical ways to improve indoor air quality and reduce mold exposure

Bio: Michael Rubino

Michael Rubino is an air quality expert and environmental wellness advocate. He is the founder of HomeCleanse, a company specializing in science-based remediation of toxic indoor environments, and chair & co-founder of the Change the Air Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to education and policy advancement around indoor air health. Michael hosts the podcast Never Been Sicker and is a published author and sought-after speaker on mold and environmental wellness.

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