Mast Cell Activation Syndrome
What is MCAS?
MCAS originates with the mast cell – a type of white blood cell which produces and releases many signaling chemicals (generically called “mediators”), some of which are pre-manufactured and stored for rapid release in granules within the cell. Mast cells constitute one of our body’s many lines of defense against environmental threats and foreign invaders protecting us from toxic organisms such as parasites, fungus, bacteria and viruses as well as the effects of toxic substances in our environments. The mast cell has many defense mechanisms to help our immune system deal with these toxic assaults on the body, but its most commonly used mechanism is release of mediators to guide the body’s other cells, tissues, organs, and systems to respond to the foreign invasion. There are many cell mediators which your immune systems uses to respond to invaders, allergens and pathogens including:
Histamine
Trytase
Chymase
Interleukins
Prostaglandins
Cytokines
Chemokine
Proteases
What causes it?
MCAS has multiple triggers which at times can be difficult to pin point without Functional Lab testing. Typically an individual has gone through a prolonged period of stress or trauma within the past 6 months or more which tends to be the icing on the cake. There is usually some gut dysfunction which may include SIBO/SIFO, bacterial infections such as C-Diff, parasitic infection, or often a combination of all three. Heavy metals are also a common issue as they are unavoidable in our environment. Other aggravating factors include excessive WiFi exposure or mold exposure which stimulates the Mast cells to release chemical mediators. Women tend to experience this more, and it is worse around the time of your cycle because of the increase in estrogen in the body tends to trigger mast cells. Some other aggravating factors are supplementing with NSAIDS, antibiotics, exercise, exposure to hot/cold, pet dander, and more.
Symptoms
Hives/Rashes
Multiple food sensitivities
Anxiety
Runny nose/Sinusitis
Edema throughout your body
Fatigue
Headaches
Pain all over your body
Chills
Sensitivity to Hot/Cold
Brain Fog
Nausea/vomiting
Diarrhea/Constipation
Difficulty breathing
Low Blood Pressure
Passing out (sometimes progresses to POTS)
Insomnia
Neuropathic pain
How to get rid of it?
MCAS never has just one trigger, it is usually a combination of different toxins and environmental exposures, so everything will need to be addressed and in the correct order. First completing functional lab testing to determine a baseline for you in regards to all the above listed potential intoxicants. Journaling may also be helpful in identifying triggers. From there, typically a low histamine diet is effective in helping to reduce symptoms, as well as supplements which help to break down histamine including a good DAO supplement. DAO stands for Diamine oxidase which is an enzyme that breaks down histamine in the body. When someone has histamine intolerance or MCAS, there body is overwhelmed with histamine and they do not have enough of the enzyme, so supplementing can be very helpful in managing symptoms in the short term.
Other helpful supplements include Quercetin, stinging nettles, broccoli sprouts, ensuring your getting enough Omega 3’s from healthy sources (not rancid fish oil or farmed fish), optimizing vitamin D levels, in addition to getting enough zinc, magnesium and B vitamins. Optimizing detoxification is critical, making sure detox pathways and lymphatic drainage is a daily practice in order to facilitate safe removal of all of the toxins. Ensuring your sleep environment is EMF safe to ensure you are properly detoxifying at while you sleep. Taking supplements to heal leaky gut which may include herbs like marshmallow root, deglycyrrhizinated licorice root, glycine, or colostrum. Most importantly, reducing stress and doing activities to facilitate the parasympathetic state including yoga, deep breathing, walking and socializing.