Mast Cell Activation Syndrome
Mast Cells
- Important mediators of inflammation
- Play a role in both innate and adaptive immune responses
- Mast cells are found in connective tissue throughout the body in almost every organ
- When mast cells are activated by immune reactions, they degranulate and release various inflammatory mediators (like histamine) into the extracellular space
Mast Cells Have Many Effects on Immune Response
Mast Cell Activation and CIRS
- Many people that suffer from chronic inflammatory response syndrome also have excessive mast cell activation
- When mast cells are activated and degranulate, they release histamine (as well as several other immune modulating substances)
- Excess histamine can cause numerous symptoms
Manifestations of High Histamine
Metabolically Directed Approach to Mast Cell Activation
- Fix what is wrong!
- Mast Cell Activation is a Symptom of a Hyper-stimulated Immune System
- Certain Metabolic Imbalances Underlie Mast Cell Activation and Need Addressing
- Environmental Issues are Frequently Causative
Metabolically Directed Approach to Mast Cell Activation
- Treat underlying metabolic and hormonal imbalances
- Identify and reduce stressors (like bio-toxin illness)
- Diet should be free of excess sugars and toxic oils (canola, soy…)
- Low histamine diet
Metabolic Imbalances Associated with MCAS
- Parasympathetic Imbalance
- Tissue Acidosis (Anaerobic Imbalance)
- Systemic Alkalosis
- Excess Cortotropin Releasing Hormone
- Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) exposure – from dysbiosis
- Estrogen Dominance
- Hypothyroidism
Causes of Mast Cell Activation Syndrome
Estrogen Dominance is a Common Contributor to MCAS
- Estrogen Dominance
- Increases Parasympathetic Tone
- Increases Anaerobic Imbalance
- Impairs thyroid function
Chronic Stress as a Contributor to MCAS
- Chronic Stress raises cortisol
- Elevated cortisol increases anaerobic metabolism
- Elevated cortisol tends to increase systemic alkalinity
- Elevated cortisol contributes to reverse T3 syndome and a functional hypothyroidism
Minimize/Avoid High Histamine Foods
- Pickles, mayonnaise, sauerkraut, vinegar, dried fruits, yeast, food additives, tomatoes, seeds, nuts, chocolate, cocoa, processed meats, canned vegetables, egg whites, spices, beer, wine, champagne, shellfish, tofu cheese, mushrooms, aged cheeses, spinach
Metabolically Directed Treatment for MCAS
- Fix what is wrong!
- Improve diet – avoid excess carbohydrates, sugars and PUFAs, High Histamine Foods
- Address Environmental/Stealth Organism Issues (CIRS)
- Address Sex and Adrenal Cortex Imbalances
- Address Thryoid Imbalances
- Address Metabolic Imbalances
Foods with anti-histamine effects
- Apples – rich in quercitin
- Carrots – rich in vitamin A
- Watercress – inhibits histamine release
- Broccoli – H2 receptor antagonist
- Ginger – H2 receptor antagonist
- Thyme – anaphylaxis inhibitor
- Fennel – antioxidant, antihistamine, anti-inflammatory
- Tumeric – stabilizes mast cells, inhibits histamine release
Potentially Helpful Supplements for MCAS
- Complex P – to reduce excess parasympathetic activity
- Proton Plus, Magnesium Chloride – to reduce systemic alkalinity
- DIM, Calcium-D-Glucurate to reduce excess estrogen activity
- Immunosynbiotic to repair dysbiosis and decrease lipopolysaccharides
- Other metabolically directed supplementation as needed
Drugs for MCAS
- H1 – Histamine receptor antagonists (Diphenhydramine, Hydroxyzine, cetirizine, fexofenadine)
- H2 – Histamine receptor antagonists (ranitidine, famotidine)
- Cyproheptadine,is a first-generation antihistamine with additional anticholinergic, antiserotonergic, and local anesthetic properties
- Mast Cell Stabilizers (NasalCrom, GastroCrom)
- Leukotriene inhibitors (Singulair, montelukast)
- Ketotifen is a benzocycloheptathiophene derivative that has powerful antihistamine and mast cell stabilizing effects cyproheptadine and azatadine
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