Holistically Healing MCAS and Histamine Intolerance

While MCAS and Histamine Intolerance are not exactly the same thing, there are similar root issues and “triggers” to address. Read more!

What is Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS)
MCAS a condition that occurs when mast cells (white blood cells) release too many chemicals into the body. Mast cells are part of the immune system and help fight infections and are involved in allergic reactions. In MCAS, mast cells may release chemicals too frequently, in abnormal amounts and in response to triggers.

How is MCAS diagnosed:
Short answer: MCAS can be diagnosed by a Physician when there are clinical symptoms, elevated levels of mast cell mediators, and positive response to treatment.

MCAD versus MCAS?
MCAD (mast cell activation disorder/disease) refers to at least two distinct conditions: mastocytosis and mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS). It is an umbrella terms for the two. When a person has MCAD, they either produce too many mast cells, known as mastocytosis, and/or their mast cells release inappropriate amounts of mast cell chemicals, known as MCAS.

What are mast cells?
Mast cells are white blood cells that are found throughout the body, and quite a few are in the gastrointestinal tract. They are a “first line of defense” against certain offenders or “foreign invaders.” When these mast cells detect a threat, they release mast cell mediators such as histamine but also other chemicals like cytokines, heparin, etc. This is “supposed to happen” as your mast cells are trying to protect your body. But a person is diagnosed with MCAS when the immune cells become dysregulated and release an excessive and frequent amount of chemical mediators like histamines, cytokines, etc. The condition itself is considered “idiopathic” in western medicine – meaning of unknown origin.
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MCAS Signs & Symptoms
The inflammatory response from mast cell activation can impact many different systems in the body which is why there are various bodily responses:

• Flushing
• Itching
• Hives
• Swelling (often of the face, lips, or throat)
• Abdominal pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Acid reflux (GERD)
• Bloating
• Low blood pressure
• Rapid heart rate
• Fainting
• Flushing
• Shortness of breath
• Wheezing
• Nasal congestion
• Throat swelling
• Headaches
• Brain fog
• Dizziness or vertigo
• Anxiety and mood disturbances
• Joint pain
• Muscle pain
• Menstrual cramps
• Fatigue

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If a person is diagnosed with MCAS, what can trigger a response?
Note any one of these alone may or may not trigger a response. For many it is the totality of the below:

• Temperature changes, excessive sun exposure
• High histamine containing foods
• Stress, overstimulation
• Lack of sleep, fatigue
• Toxic indoor mold exposure (current and/or old exposure but is “colonized”)
• Gut dysbiosis or full on SIBO
• H. Pylori infection
• Environmental factors (pollen, animals, pet dander, nature)
• Toxin exposures (VOCs, fragrances, pollution, being around those who are smoking)
• Exercise
• Medications like NSAIDS, antibiotics, opioids

Even if you dont have MCAS, can you still have mast cells triggered?
Yes! You can have MCAS like symptoms and have it not be MCAS. You should see Doctor to rule it out or rule it in. If you have lots of MCAS like symptoms or histamine overload symptoms but its not tecnically MCAS – there is likely something triggering an immune response that needs found and tackled.

Mast Cell Stabilization is the Answer:
If you are diagnosed with MCAS or have histamine intolerance, stabilizing mast cells only benefits everyone. Stabilizing mast cells means (in a nutshell ) to calm down the excess release of histamine and other chemicals. Lots of terms get lumped together but I want to clarify the various approaches below:

• Stabilizing: releasing less histamine or other chemical mediators
  • (What helps this? Think ketotifen, cromolyn, quercetin, luteolin, vitamin C, drinking a cup of stinging nettle tea daily, histaquel supplement)
• Blocking: Antihistamine medications “block” which is technically not quite the same as stabilizers
  • (What helps this? Think Zyrtec, Allegra or other antihistamine medications)
• Clearing: Things that help with histamine “leaving” the body better
  • (What helps this? DAO with meals, copper inadequate, vitamin b6 intake, DHIST, magnesium intake)
• Avoiding: Basically not adding extra histamine directly or indirectly into the body
  • (What helps this? Avoidance of high histamine foods, avoiding living in a moldy house or building, avoiding tap water like the plaque as it often has heavy metals, avoiding high stress situations to not upset the nerves on the ends of mast cells)

Sometimes medical management is needed too to achieve manage excess histamine or other chemical mediators, but in my experience PREVENTION helps many get drastically better:

1. Triggers are identified! Are you SURE you don’t have clinically significant levels of mold in the home (it’s estimated about 50% of all homes have some from old or new water damage). 
   • Start with at at home ERMI dust sample kit (buy kit #1) and get results in ~5 days. If elevated, hire a certified mold inspector.
2. I cannot stress this enough – you need to test and not guess for: 
   • Mycotoxin bioaccumulation and CIRS 
   • Heavy metal bioaccumulation, 
   • Gut dysbiosis via GIMAP or SIBO test via SIBO breath test
   • Sex hormone panel to check for estrogen dominance especially in the mid luteal phase of the menstrual cycle in cycling women
   • Lyme
   • Intestinal Parasites
   • H. Pylori via GIMAP or stool or breath test, or EGD with Gastroenterologist
3. Screen for and correct certain nutrient deficiencies via bloodwork and/or HTMA testing
4. Minimize toxin exposures
5. Get a quality air purifier to lessen exposure to VOCs and other airborne contaminants
6. Stop drinking tap water that is (legally) loaded in health hazards. and mast cell triggers. Check your tap water score at www.ewg.org/tapwater. Get HEAVY DUTY water filtration system (more than a brita or fridge filter).
7. Use studied, targeted supplementations.
8. Get a studied, patented EMF blocker for your home and for your cell phone
9. Stress management -easier said than done, but important
10. Reduce intake of high histamine containing foods – especially alcohol
11. See an Allergist for formal diagnosis of an allergy is this is suspected; medications may be needed. 

Remember is something feels wrong, keep advocating for yourself and overturn stones. Many can partially or fully alleviate their symptoms over time when triggers are found and dealt with. Need individual help? Schedule a consult package. It is within my scope of practice to order nutrition related tests and provide medical nutrition therapy for histamine related problems.

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