What is MCAS?

Mast Cell Activation is a condition where immune cell become overly sensitive or “switched on’ and begin to react to harmless inputs as if they were toxins. Common triggers are foods, medications, temperature change, stress, and odors. Mast cells release excessive amounts of chemical mediators such as histamine, prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and cytokines. MCAS is not an auto-immune disease and does not cause local tissue or organ damage. It is not proven to be progressive or permanent.

Common Symptoms: Flushing, tachycardia, itchiness, skin rashes, headaches, brain fog, anxiety/panic, trouble breathing, sinus inflammation / running nose, red eyes, central sensitization ( sensitive nerves), diarrhea, bloating, sleep disturbances (wake-up 2-4 am), low blood pressure, dizziness.

Chronic Stress Response Loop: MCAS flare become further perpetuated if we become stuck in a chronic stress response. This occurs when the bodies fight or flight gets stuck “on” due to the constant state of perceived threats. One might experience elevated adrenaline and cortisol, dysautonomia, depression / shutdown response, dearilization, dissociation, flu-like feelings, poor executive function, neurochemical imbalance, migraines (sensitivity light and noise), loss of hunger cues, and insomnia.

Why does MCAS Occur?

  • SIBO ( small bacterial overgrowth) / SIFO ( candida overgrowth)

  • Leaky gut / Endotoxemia

  • Lyme’s disease + Co-infections

  • Long Covid Virus

  • Epstein Bar

  • Mycotoxins / Mold exposure

MCAS is switched on when the body is overwhelmed

with toxins, ongoing infections, allergens, and stress.

Common Root Causes

Testing and Treatment

Testing: Currently there are no great testing methods to diagnose MCAS. Some testing that can be helpful is 24-hour Urine N-Methylhistamine, Chromogranin, Serum DOA, 24-hour Urine Prostaglandin. It is advised if MCAS is suspected not to wait for testing results and start baseline treatments ( antihistamine + low histamine diet) to see how the body responds.

Treatment:

  • Medications / Mast Cell Stabilizers - Amlexanox, oral cromolyn, ketotifan, LDN, peptides

  • Supplements - Quercetin phytosome, lutoelin, buffered vitamin C, Vitamin D, DOA enzymes

  • Nutrition - Low histamine + anti inflammatory diet

  • Nervous system retraining

  • Avoiding environmental toxins, known allergies and food triggers

Medications and lifestyle interventions are meant to be temporary and are necessary before treating to root cause of the disease.