Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) is another major driver of histamine intolerance symptoms. Mast cells are white blood cells that are found throughout the body. They act like our first line of defense against certain foreign invaders like parasites, fungus, and bacteria. When these cells detect a threat, they go through a process where they release mast cell mediators such as histamine, cytokines, heparin, proteases, and leukotrienes. This is an immune response and your mast cells are trying to protect your body. Histamine is released when mast cells detect an allergen and other mediators are released as a pro-inflammatory response and lead to a variety of symptoms. Just like histamine receptors are located all over the body, mast cells are located in the connective tissues, nerves, gut, lungs, brain, skin, and more. Mast Cell Activation Syndrome occurs when the immune cells become dysregulated and release an excessive and frequent amount of chemical mediators like histamines, cytokines, etc. This is what leads to symptoms.
MCAS is a controversial issue in the functional medicine space. Many believe that it is always driven by mold illness and/or Lyme since often those clients will have MCAS. I think that MCAS is more of a nervous system dysregulation and the body being pushed way beyond its limits. Clients with mold illness and Lyme also fall into this category. I think trying to know exactly what is driving MCAS is impossible and will lead to a lot of unnecessary testing that won’t change the nutrition and lifestyle changes you would make with someone. This doesn’t mean that some testing isn’t helpful, but constantly searching for the root cause often leaves people more stressed and inhibits their healing. Those with MCAS are often extremely sensitive to supplements and need more of the basics and work on the nervous system than anything.
The inflammatory response that comes about as a result of mast cell activation can impact many different systems in the body, which is why the possible symptoms from this syndrome are such a mixed bag. Below are the different systems and symptoms that can pop up.
Not everyone will experience symptoms from these triggers. Many will have their own specific triggers that they find lead to flares.
If you want to learn how MCAS, POTS, and hypermobility are connected, check out the podcast episode below:
And don’t forget to read part 2 of this series here!
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