7 SURPRISING Ways to SPEED UP MCAS Healing (AND REDUCE HISTAMINE)

Summary

In this informative video, Dr. A discusses Mass Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) and histamine overload, focusing on seven strategies to balance chronic inflammation and healing. Key points include pharmaceutical interventions, fasting under supervision, botanical medicines, antioxidant support, detoxification, sweating to purge toxins, and dietary interventions like a low-histamine diet. The video aims to guide viewers on managing MCAS effectively.

Takeaways

• 💊 Pharmaceutical treatment is often the first approach for Mass Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS), using antihistamines and stabilizers like cromolyn, which target both H1 and H2 histamine receptors.
• ⛔ Steroids might be used for severe cases of MCAS to block inflammatory mediators when antihistamines are not effective, but they are not recommended for long-term use.
• 🛑 Fasting, under professional supervision, can help reset mass cell activation, but patients might experience worsening symptoms in the first 48 hours before seeing improvements.
• 🌿 Plant-based medicines, especially polyphenols and bioflavonoids like quercetin, can help regulate mass cell activity and decrease inflammation, though not all individuals respond the same way.
• 🧪 Antioxidants, such as glutathione, vitamin C, and vitamin E, are crucial for people with MCAS, as they help reduce inflammatory responses by improving immune cell regulation.
• 🔄 Detoxification through methods like depuration (removal of toxins) and sweating, particularly using heat therapies or saunas, can be useful in managing MCAS symptoms, especially for those exposed to environmental toxins like mold.
• 💧 Proper hydration and electrolyte balance are important when using saunas or other detox methods, especially if one feels sick after heat therapy.
• 🥗 Dietary intervention, particularly a low-histamine diet, is recommended to reduce MCAS triggers. Other diets, like low salicylate or low phenolic, may also be necessary depending on individual sensitivities.
• 🧬 MCAS can be triggered by a variety of factors including genetic predispositions, environmental toxins, diet, and allergic reactions, requiring a personalized approach to treatment.
• 📚 There are many resources and playlists available on managing MCAS, which emphasize integrative therapies, and finding a professional to guide through these interventions is highly advised.

Q & A

What is Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS)?

Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) is a condition where mast cells, a type of immune cell, become hyperactive and release excessive amounts of inflammatory chemicals, leading to various symptoms and reactions.

Why is there a crossover between toxic experiences and mast cell problems?

Toxic experiences, especially exposure to microtoxins, can trigger mast cell activation. This is because toxins can cause inflammation, which in turn activates mast cells, leading to a cycle of increased symptoms.

What is the first step recommended for managing MCAS?

The first step recommended for managing MCAS is to consult a general practitioner, who may prescribe pharmaceutical medications to block inflammatory mediators.

What types of medications are commonly prescribed for MCAS?

Commonly prescribed medications include anti-histamines (like Zaditen, Hydramine, or Cetine), mast cell stabilizing substances (like Cromolyn), and sometimes steroids to cover other inflammatory mediators.

Why might someone with MCAS be given steroids?

Steroids are given to cover other inflammatory mediators that may not be as well managed by histamine drugs, and they can help prevent severe reactions like anaphylaxis.

What role does fasting play in MCAS management?

Fasting can help reset mast cell activation but may initially worsen symptoms. It should be done under medical supervision and is thought to improve balance between chronic inflammation and healing.

How do botanical medicines or herbal supplements help with MCAS?

Botanical medicines, like bioflavonoids and polyphenols, can calm mast cells and basophils by downregulating receptor activity, thus decreasing the amount of mast cell activation.

Why are antioxidants important in managing MCAS?

Antioxidants help to reduce the release of inflammatory chemicals from mast cells and other immune cells, and support the balance of cell-mediated immunity, which is often disrupted in MCAS.

What is the significance of depuration and detoxification in treating MCAS?

Depuration and detoxification aim to reduce the levels of toxins and irritants in the body, which can trigger mast cell activation and inflammation.

How can sweating help with MCAS?

Sweating, especially through activities like sauna use, can help excrete chemical toxins and metal toxicants, thus reducing the body's inflammatory load.

What dietary interventions are suggested for MCAS?

A low histamine diet is commonly recommended, along with potentially low salicylate or low phenolic diets, to reduce the intake of substances that can trigger mast cell activation.

Outlines

00:00

💊 Medical Approaches to Mast Cell Activation Syndrome

The paragraph discusses the medical approach to treating Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS), starting with pharmaceutical interventions that block inflammatory mediators. It mentions the use of antihistamines like Vardax, Diphenhydramine, and Cerine, which target both histamine type 1 and type 2 receptors. Other medications include mast cell stabilizing substances like Cromolyn, which is available as a nasal spray, eye drops, inhalers, and oral forms. Steroids are also used to cover other inflammatory mediators. The paragraph highlights the importance of working with healthcare providers when using these medications, especially considering the potential for life-threatening responses like anaphylaxis. It also touches on the role of fasting, which can reset mast cell activation but may initially worsen symptoms, and the use of atypical anti-inflammatory medications.

05:03

🌿 Botanical and Herbal Medicines for MCAS

This section delves into the use of botanical and herbal medicines for managing MCAS. It explains that these medicines, which include bioflavonoids and polyphenols, work by calming the receptors on mast cells and other inflammatory cells, thereby reducing mast cell activation. The paragraph mentions specific bioflavonoids like Hesperidin and Rutin. It also discusses the importance of antioxidants in managing MCAS, as they can decrease the inflammatory response and support the balance of immune cells. The paragraph suggests starting with core antioxidants like glutathione, vitamin C, and vitamin E, and then considering other fats and omega-3 oils. It also introduces the concept of depuration and detoxification to reduce the body's burden of toxins and chemicals that can trigger mast cell reactions.

10:05

🍽️ Dietary Interventions and Detoxification for MCAS

The final paragraph focuses on dietary interventions, particularly a low histamine diet, as a primary approach to managing MCAS. It emphasizes the importance of finding a well-curated low histamine diet plan, either from a university-based publication or a reputable mast cell resource. The paragraph also mentions other dietary approaches like low salicylate and low phenolic diets. It discusses the role of depuration through sweating, suggesting the use of saunas as a method to excrete toxins and chemical substances. The speaker advises starting slowly and working with a practitioner to manage potential issues like dehydration. The paragraph concludes with a reminder that dietary changes are not a cure but a way to reduce histamine triggers while addressing the inflammatory response.

Keywords

💡Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS)

Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) is a condition where the body's mast cells become overly sensitive and reactive, leading to a wide range of symptoms. In the video, MCAS is discussed as a key focus, with the host exploring various ways to manage symptoms and inflammation associated with this condition. The script mentions pharmaceutical interventions as a common starting point for managing MCAS.

💡Histamine

Histamine is a compound involved in local immune responses and is also part of the body's inflammatory response. The video discusses histamine overload as a significant issue related to MCAS, as mast cells release histamine when activated. The script references the use of anti-histamine medications to block inflammatory mediators.

💡Inflammatory Mediators

Inflammatory mediators are substances in the body that are involved in the inflammatory response. The video script explains that prescription medications often aim to block these mediators to manage MCAS symptoms. The script mentions histamine as a type of inflammatory mediator and discusses the use of drugs to cover both histamine type 1 and type 2 receptors.

💡Cromolyn

Cromolyn is a mast cell stabilizing drug that is mentioned in the script as a potential treatment for MCAS. It is used to prevent mast cell activation and is available in various forms such as nasal sprays, eye drops, inhalers, and oral forms. The script positions cromolyn as a crossover between pharmaceuticals and natural substances due to its flavonoid nature.

💡Steroids

Steroids are a class of drugs that have potent anti-inflammatory effects and are used to manage severe inflammation. In the context of the video, steroids are mentioned as a possible treatment for MCAS when other medications are not sufficient. They are used to cover inflammatory mediators not well managed by histamine drugs.

💡Fasting

Fasting is the act of willingly abstaining from food for a certain period. The video script suggests fasting as a method to reset mast cell activation, although it cautions that it can initially worsen symptoms. The host recommends supervised fasting and acknowledges that it can help improve the balance between chronic inflammation and healing.

💡Botanical Medicines

Botanical medicines, also known as herbal medicines, are derived from plants and used for their therapeutic effects. The script discusses these as an alternative or complementary approach to managing MCAS. It mentions bioflavonoids, which are related to cromolyn, as examples of plant medicines that can help calm mast cells.

💡Antioxidants

Antioxidants are substances that help prevent cell damage caused by free radicals. In the video, antioxidants are highlighted as important for managing MCAS because they can reduce the inflammatory chemistry released by mast cells and other immune cells. The script recommends supporting glutathione, vitamin C, and vitamin E as core antioxidants.

💡Depuration and Detoxification

Depuration and detoxification refer to the process of removing toxins and harmful substances from the body. The video script connects these processes to MCAS management by suggesting that reducing the body's toxicant load can help decrease pro-inflammatory responses. The host emphasizes the importance of working with a practitioner experienced in these areas.

💡Sauna Therapy

Sauna therapy involves using a sauna to induce sweating, which can help with detoxification and depuration. The script mentions sauna therapy as a potential method for managing MCAS by helping to sweat out toxins. It advises starting slowly and working with a practitioner to ensure safety and effectiveness.

💡Low Histamine Diet

A low histamine diet is a dietary approach that aims to reduce the intake of histamine-rich foods to manage symptoms of MCAS. The video script recommends this diet as a primary intervention in MCAS management. It suggests looking for university-based or well-curated resources for specific dietary guidelines and emphasizes that this diet is not a cure but a supportive measure.

Highlights

Mass Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) and histamine overload are interconnected with microtoxins and mast cell issues.

Pharmaceuticals are often the first line of treatment for MCAS, including anti-histamines and mast cell stabilizers.

Anti-histamines like Vardax, Hydramine, and Cerine are used to block inflammatory mediators.

Mast cells are part of a four-part system and interact with other cell types releasing inflammatory chemicals.

Cromolyn, a mast cell stabilizing drug, is available in various forms including nasal spray and inhalers.

Steroids are sometimes prescribed to cover other inflammatory mediators not addressed by histamine drugs.

In cases of severe MCAS, acute medications may be necessary to prevent life-threatening reactions.

Fasting can reset mast cell activation but may initially worsen symptoms.

Botanical medicines and herbal supplements can help calm inflammatory cells.

Flavonoids, like chromolyn, can downregulate receptor activity to decrease mast cell activation.

Antioxidants are crucial for managing MCAS due to increased oxidative stress.

Glutathione, vitamin C, and vitamin E are core antioxidants for MCAS management.

Depuration and detoxification help reduce pro-inflammatory substances in the body.

Toxicants, including metals and environmental chemicals, can trigger mast cell disorders.

Sweating through methods like sauna therapy can help excrete toxins and chemical substances.

Dietary interventions, particularly low histamine diets, can be beneficial for MCAS management.

Low histamine diets are not a cure but can reduce histamine triggers during MCAS flare-ups.

Other dietary approaches like low salicylate or low phenolic diets may also be considered.

Transcripts

so that's why there's a lot of crossover

between toxic experience especially

microt toxins and mass cell problems

because they go hand in

hand hey it's Dr a and on this channel

we talk about all things integrative

therapies and many many other things and

today I'm responding to questions that

have been asked is around Mass Cell

Activation Syndrome or MCAS and

histamine overload of course it's much

broader than histamine overload so let's

get into it and let's talk about seven

big ways that we can help with the mass

cell Spectrum to try and improve the

balance between chronic inflammation and

healing so number one this is where most

people start go to your general

practitioner this is where they will

start it's where most everybody will

start and that would be pharmaceutical

so prescription medications maybe

over-the-counter medications that will

block some of the inflammatory mediators

now what you need to remember is

although we call it Mass Cell Activation

or mass cell disorders Etc mass cells

are part of a four-part system so

they're one of the four parts and there

are different cell types that they they

all release this family of chemistry so

a lot of the times the prescriptions

will start with anti-histamine

substances things such as vadal Dien

hydramine or maybe cerine or maybe other

types of anti-histamines and a lot of

times there'll be a mixture of what we

call histamine type 1 and histamine type

2 receptor blockers because it turns out

that although the histamine type 1 are

you know kind of big drivers of

inflammation they work with histamine

type two and eventually type three and

four and so a lot of times the drugs

that are used try and cover H1 and H2

the next thing would be mass s

stabilizing substances drugs such as

chromaline there are as an

over-the-counter in North America called

nasal Chrome which is a a nasal spray

and helps somewhat with at least inhal

Mass Cell Activation there are eye drops

of chromaline there's inhalers of

chromaline there's liquid forms you can

take in obviously oral forms as well but

chromaline is a drug that falls into a

category that kind of crosses over with

natural substances if you're real bat

off you might be given steroids and and

why would you be given steroids it's

because steroids cover the other

inflammatory mediators that may not be

as well covered by the histamine drugs

for example now this doesn't always work

but those are the categories that are

given in the prescription area one of

the things you need to be thoughtful

about is although the drugs don't always

work sometimes if you are very reactive

and you're having Mass cell disorder

problems Mass Cell Activation Syndrome

in the whole Spectrum there sometimes

you might get so activated that you may

go into a lifethreatening response such

as an asthma attack anaphylaxis allergy

Continuum Etc and at least acutely you

may need these drugs now are they are

they a great long-term solution not for

most people are they something that

might keep you from having a very very

bad medical event or even dying yes

sometimes they are so sometimes they

they do have a place in the structure

there also some atypical type of

anti-histamine SL anti-inflammatory

mediators that are not steroids that are

used in the drug category those might be

things such as say cyproheptadine covers

histamine but some other receptor

blockades lowd do nxone we talk a lot

about talk about that later as well and

other things in the drug area number two

might surprise you we did a whole video

on that we'll probably link that at the

end is fasting and I would do this

supervised we not recommend anyone to go

out and just fast on their own but one

of the things with fasting you have to

keep in mind is it can reset massel

activation but you generally will get

worse the first two days that you are

fasting so let's say you're doing a

control fast with a provider who who is

keeping you safe fasting okay you want

to work with somebody if you're doing

longterm fasting the first two days

you're going to have more mass cell

aggravation because histamine levels

rise and then after the first about 48

Hours the histamine levels and the other

inflammatory markers drop and we have

some collaborations with other providers

we've done where they've done this

fasting approach to resetting mass cells

so fasting can come in to it but you

want to remember it will get worse wor

the first two days so you may need acute

medications or some strategy during that

time the next thing would be our friends

from the Plant World you might call

these Botanical medicines or herbal

medicines or other things like that and

a lot of these are going to cross over

with what we might call you know the

mass cell supplement category but in the

plant medicine end of the world you're

thinking about things that would

actually be structurally related to the

drug chromaline so chromaline is

actually a flavonoid and flavonoids are

under the umbrella of polyphenols which

generally come from plants chromin is a

highly purified extract it comes from

particular type of a plant but there's

others and so some of these you may have

heard about would be like the

bioflavonoids hesperadin

ludin quatin there are many many other

types of polyphenols or bioflavonoids

but the idea behind these is as opposed

to steroid that's going to go and block

the ability to have the inflammatory

Cascade the flavonoids whether it's the

drug chromin or the other bioflavonoids

they go and they sit at mass cells and

basophils eosinophils all the

inflammatory cells and they try and sit

there and calm The receptors so they

downregulate the receptor activity so

that then they can in turn decrease the

amount of mass Cell Activation remember

it's not just mass cells but that's who

we blame so there are some plants that

can come in there now do they

universally work no some people

aggravate by them so this is where

ideally working with somebody could be

very helpful there's other supplements

though that can help with the immune

response so beyond the polyphenols we

might look at things that would

generally decrease the amount of

inflammatory triggering and you might

think well okay I bet you're going to

talk about antioxidants right and a lot

of people this is a side question that

relates in here so I'll put it in here

they'll say why when people are having

allergic phenomenon or mass cell

disorders Etc why are antioxidants so

important well there's a couple of

reasons one of them is the mass cells

and the other cells that send out this

inflammatory chemistry the the better

the antioxidant status the less they

will send out inflammatory chemistry so

that's one the other thing is aside from

that a lot of the pro-inflammatory

immune cell activity separate from the

mass cells and the Basils and the ails

and stuff comes from imbalances in the

tea Helper and T regulatory cells this

part of cell mediated immunity and maybe

even some B cell abnormalities and it

turns out that one of the things that

helps to keep the orchestration of cell

mediated immunity orchestrated is enough

antioxidants so if I have mass Cell

Activation Syndrome mile disorders of

any kind I would be burning up my

antioxidants and so I'm going to need

more than the average person so that's

why antioxidants become important so we

always start with the first the core

three which is support of glutathione we

go whole playlist on glutathione vitamin

C and vitamin E and those together will

work then you might look at fats like

phospholipids phospholine cytool

glycerophosphocholine other types of

phospholipids you might look at omegas

especially omega-3 oils can be useful

here but you have to kind of Stack the

antioxidants you have to remember that

somebody with mass cell disorders of any

kind you're going to burn up

antioxidants faster than otherwise you

know somebody without mass cell problems

would the next thing may be surprising

may not and that would be depuration and

detoxification of the body and so

depuration detoxification of the body

mean to lower the amount of toxicant

substances and maybe toxins that are in

the body so that we have less

pro-inflammatory junk in the system so

to speak now what does that really mean

the massel family remember there's this

sort of quartet mass cells are the name

brand and then there's other ones that

get involved they hyper react in Mass

cell disorders and so they can hyper

react for any number of reasons some are

genetic some are dietary some are

outside influences such as allergic

phenomenon but also some are due to

toxins and toxicants in the body now

many of us here toxin toxicant we think

of like Metals so like Mercury or lead

or something bad for us certainly those

are not good but also there's lots of

chemicals in the environment and there

are things like biotoxins like mold

microtox sins that can be in our

environment but also we can store them

in our body especially in the liver and

a lot of times people will move and they

get out of a very mold toxic microt

toxin Rich environment and they will be

releasing those many of the microt

toxins for a long time afterwards so

that's why there's a lot of crossover

between toxic experience especially

microt toxins and mass cell problems

because they go hand in hand one is

triggering the other and then the other

causes a lot of the symptoms so dep

ating and detoxifying this is something

that should really be worked on with a

practitioner who does that type of work

the next thing that fits into depuration

is sweating and we've got many many

other uh videos on heat therapies and

sweating Etc and so we just want to

think about what ways we could sweat now

certainly if you have a sauna that's a

great way to do it you have to start

small usually if you get really sick

when you go in the sauna often that's

means you have a lot of toxicity that

you're trying to sweat out you might be

dehydrated there's any number of things

so if you get sick when you go on a

sauna again work with a practitioner who

does keep therapies and depuration using

sauna they might need to get you to

really hydrate give you electrolytes and

have you start with really small sauna

increments I've had patients where we

had to start with you know 2 to three

minutes then build up to five and then

build up you know longer over time but

sweating can help not only with the

excretion of many of the chemical

toxicants but even some of the metal

toxicants as well and then the final one

number seven believe it or not is

dietary intervention now in the world of

mass Cell Activation the primary dietary

intervention that people will use would

be a low histamine diet which certainly

if you're going to pick one of the diets

low inflammation diets low histamine

diet would be good but I would recommend

because you can go online and find a

thousand low histamine diets is to look

at either a university-based uh

publication where they they have

specific diets low histamine being one

of them or look at a well curated Mass

cell resource that will have different

types of lisamine diet approaches now I

said in regard to diets low histamine is

the most common one what are other ones

that might be employed and they still do

have some crossover some people are more

sensitive to cicat for example so you

might be on a low cicil diet and then

look at the Hine diet and see where the

crossover is some people are on low

phenolic diets some people are on many

many other types of diets again if you

can do it General low histamine diet

approach the idea is that's not the Cure

but it's like while we're having these

Mass cell responses let's not throw more

hamine in or more histamine triggers

into our body while we sort out what

we're going to do with the inflammatory

response all right I'm Dr a thank you

guys for listening take a look here at

the end we're going to link we've got

long amounts of playlists on mass cell

disorders Etc you can go through there

I've got many other playlists there and

we'll link some of our favorite videos

here and I'll see you all on the next

video thanks