In part 1, I broke down what exactly MCAS is and how it can present in our bodies. In this post I want to talk more about how we can support our bodies when we are struggling with one or more of these conditions. Michelle Shapiro discusses this in much more detail in the MCAS, POTS & Hypermobility podcast episodes I did with her on the Hormone Healing RD Podcast. Listen to Part 1 and Part 2 now. The one thing she emphasizes that I think is so important is that we need to follow a specific order when trying to address possible root causes otherwise we can end up with more symptoms and feeling very discouraged. Let’s get into what that process looks like!
The first thing we need to do is work on calming the nervous system since MCAS and POTS will be triggered by imbalances in the nervous system as well as dysregulation. By the time MCAS and POTS are an issue, the nervous system is often very dysregulated. The goal is to learn how to bring your body back into balance and calm your nervous system. This can include a mix of supplement support as well as lifestyle. Michelle talks about using glycine and passionflower in the main episode. I have personally loved using passionflower postpartum and can’t recommend it enough. Glycine is an amino acid that is very calming for the nervous system as well.
From there, we need to reduce inflammation. Putting out the fire will help reduce symptoms and stress on the body. Turmeric can be very helpful for this. I like making golden milk or using turmeric when preparing food. Then we need to work on lowering histamines, which is often using a number of different strategies. This could be vitamins, minerals, or herbs but can also include more conventional options. Michelle talks about using over the counter and prescription medications and how this should not be shamed.
Low histamine diets are often recommended for those struggling with histamine symptoms from MCAS. They can absolutely help in the short term, but something important to keep in mind is that you can react to foods that aren’t high in histamines as well. I think it can be worth it to explore reducing higher histamine foods to see if it helps your symptoms, but if it doesn’t, don’t be discouraged. When you’re struggling with MCAS, there are often nutrient deficiencies and poor digestive capacity that can make you react to foods you don’t normally react to. If you see a difference, great, if not, I would focus on nervous system support and reducing inflammation in the body. That can often get you to where you want to be much quicker than focusing on diet alone.
If you want to learn more about how you can support yourself when dealing with MCAS, POTS, and hypermobility, the full episode with Michelle comes out tomorrow! You can listen anywhere podcasts are played or watch on YouTube.
Our bodies are very smart, with the ultimate goal of survival. When faced with threats (physical or emotional), the body’s defenses become sensitized, causing them to overreact even to “smaller” triggers that might not affect someone who is not living in an HSB. (think: After a stressful conversation, you may feel intense pressure in the head, a need to lay down/ dissociate, abdominal or neck pain.)
Many people who are highly empathic, have a history of chronic illness, or past physical or emotional trauma may have highly sensitive bodies. But this sensitivity isn’t a weakness; it’s a superpower waiting to be harnessed.
The issue is that typical recommendations don’t work for you – not because they aren’t “good,” but because they’re not designed for your body.
This is why my colleague and good friend, Michelle Shapiro, created the Highly Sensitive Body (HSB) Hub.
Whether you’re grappling with conditions like MCAS, dysautonomia, hypermobility, long covid, or just notice your body works differently than others, our hub is your one-stop destination for information and empowerment.
You’ll learn from expert practitioners (including myself) who specialize in supporting those with HSBs, with videos, tools, and other strategies designed to deepen your understanding of these symptoms and empower you to take control of your body and your health.
What’s included:
Search by symptoms:
Courses for:
Michelle and I also did a Histamine Workshop that you can purchase here!
reminder: i’m currently taking on 1:1 clients. if you’d like to explore what it would be like to work together and if we are a good fit, fill out this form to get more details!
