Nine Treatments for MCAS

Nine Treatments for Mast Cell Activation SyndromeManaging MCAS requires a trial-and-error approach; experimenting with these suggestions to see what works best for you

By Jill Carnahan, MD

While there is no cure for MCAS, that certainly doesn’t mean you’re simply at the mercy of your misbehaving mast cells. There are a number of tools you can put into place that can work in conjunction to minimize or even eradicate symptoms and help restore balance to your immune system.

Because each person grappling with MCAS is unique, there is no one-size-fits-all treatment strategy. Rather, managing MCAS requires a trial-and-error approach – experimenting with different treatments and lifestyle tweaks to see what works best for you.

SO IF YOU’RE TRYING TO FIND RELIEF FROM MCAS SYMPTOMS, HERE’S WHAT I RECOMMEND:

TREATMENT 1:

Eat a Low-Histamine Diet

Histamine is one of the primary pro-inflammatory mediators released when mast cells degranulate. So, getting your histamine levels under control is a top priority. One way to do this is by following a “low-histamine diet” – an elimination diet that aims to minimize the amount of histamine you ingest from foods and beverages.

While reducing high-histamine foods can be helpful, the best way to truly identify and track which foods may be a trigger, is to keep a daily log of what you’re eating and drinking and the severity of your symptoms. This will help you identify any patterns and more easily recognize foods that may be contributing to your symptoms. As someone who’s had to work through my own personal food sensitivities, I promise taking the time to get to the bottom of this is worth it.

TREATMENT 2:

Use a DAO Enzyme Supplement

Diamine oxidase (DAO) is the main enzyme responsible for degrading histamine. However, if you’re not producing enough of this crucial enzyme, histamine can begin to accumulate and run amok – triggering many of the symptoms associated with MCAS.

mast cell treatment DAO

That’s where DAO supplements come in. DAO supplements increase the DAO levels in the digestive tract – reducing the level of histamine entering the bloodstream and floating around in your body which can provide some relief from the symptoms associated with histamine overload.

There are a number of DAO supplements available over the counter, but be careful – ordering from Amazon may be convenient, but it’s also where fake and/or poor quality supplements run galore. (See my website for supplements I approve of.)

TREATMENT 3:

Incorporate Antihistamines and Mast Cell Stabilizers

mast cell treatment natural stabilizers While DAO supplements are excellent for reducing the amount of histamine absorbed from the food you ingest, these mighty supplements are unable to enter your bloodstream to reduce the amount of histamine produced within your body. This means that excess histamine produced by your own cells needs to be addressed by other methods. Which is where natural antihistamines and mast cell stabilizers can be useful:

ANTIHISTAMINES:

These compounds bind to histamine receptors – essentially blocking histamine from binding to receptors and triggering symptoms. You’ve likely heard of the common over-the-counter antihistamine Benadryl which can be great for immediate relief but can also cause you to build tolerance and require more and more to get the same relief. Some better options to focus on are natural sources of antihistamines like:

mast cell treatment natural antihistamines

Vitamin C
Stinging nettle
Butterbur
Bromelain
Local raw honey
Probiotics
Astragalus

These natural antihistamines can help soothe symptoms and naturally reduce histamine levels.

MAST CELL STABILIZERS:

Mast cell stabilizers prevent degranulation and stabilize your mast cells. A few well-known, natural compounds that exhibit mast cell stabilizing activities include:

Quercetin
Resveratrol
Luteolin
Curcumin

But the truth is, having to take a conglomeration of antihistamines and mast cell stabilizers (on top of potential DAO supplements) can get expensive and overwhelming. To get relief without the expense or headache, I recommend a blend of flavonoids, antioxidants, enzymes, and botanicals that can help block histamine and stabilize your mast cells – providing you with comprehensive support for relief from MCAS symptoms.

TREATMENT 4:

Identify Sources of Toxins

mast cell identify sources of toxins There is no single factor that has been shown as the definitive cause of MCAS. However, various microbes can disrupt the immune system and cause mast cells to go haywire. Two major environmental triggers of MCAS include mold and an elevated overall toxic burden.

If you’re struggling with MCAS, it’s absolutely essential to reduce the body’s microbial and toxic burden. This typically requires a thorough assessment of your environment as well as making some adjustments to your lifestyle to minimize exposure to mold and other environmental toxins. (See link for article)

For more:

Madison Area Lyme Support Group

Nine Treatments for MCAS