Research published in the Journal of Biochemical and Molecular Toxicology shows that patulin — a mycotoxin produced by Penicillium, Aspergillus, and Byssochlamys species commonly found on damaged fruit and stored grains — directly interferes with the body's ability to process vitamin D.
Lead author Lu and colleagues found that patulin downregulates two essential cytochrome P450 enzymes: CYP2R1, which converts dietary vitamin D to 25-hydroxyvitamin D (the form measured in standard blood tests), and CYP27B1, which converts that intermediate to the active hormonal form. The study also showed patulin physically interferes with the substrate binding sites of these enzymes — meaning the disruption operates through both reduced enzyme expression and direct functional inhibition.
The findings provide a plausible biological mechanism linking mycotoxin exposure to vitamin D insufficiency, a clinically relevant connection for patients with chronic mold-related illness, where low vitamin D is commonly observed alongside multi-system inflammatory symptoms.