Mast Cell Activation Syndrome: The Functional Medicine Approach

On this episode of Pathways to Well-Being, Greg Plotnikoff, MD, will explore a topic that has been the subject of an increasing amount of research lately: mast cell activation. He’ll discuss how the functional medicine approach can help recognize when hyperactive mast cells may be contributing to a patient’s dysfunction and how we can begin to address this complex issue.

[savagebunny]

It makes sense that MCAS is linked to abandonment trauma. Because if you are an infant or child that has been abandoned, your safety is threatened. You live your life in a state of hypervigilance trying to survive. Is it any wonder that your mast cells become hypervigilant too.

[erinhession]

This was great, thank you! I'm a Naturopath with MCAS that was triggered by Lyme/CIRS. I found that Amlexanox peptides were VERY effective at helping me regain foods back and it's not talked about a lot within the community. It's definitely something that practitioners should consider for their MCAS patients.

[simonakromkova]

Thank heavens for doctors like you. I got so many WOW - moments. Thank you for educating us

[IlGattonero]

Thank you for this thoughtful, enlightening discussion on MCAS. While you touched on nutraceuticals as a potential treatment approach, the only one explicitly mentioned was quercetin. Are there others (stinging nettle, digestive enzymes, etc.) that are worth trying? Many patients prefer a natural approach over OTC antihistamines, which can have side effects and generally are not sustainable long-term solutions. And unfortunately many people with MCAS are trying to navigate a sea of conflicting information on their own, without any help from the conventional medical community. So your guidance is welcome.

[helendillard]

I think physical and emotional trauma are connected to this dysfunction. That is my experience as a trauma therapist.

[lillianvalentine]

It’s wild people are actually listening, it took almost 10 years to get diagnosed. Most Drs ignore my MCAS as if it’s imaginary/fake.

[jackiesicilian]

ANY CONNECTIONS with esonophila esophageal problems?

[LoveleePhotography]

Both of you need to ring the bowl for this amazing conversation. This will be extremely helpful in helping me navigate the topic of histamine intolerance and mast cell activation with my doctor as I battle these crazy hyperpigmentation skin lesion reactions I've been having the last 6 months. They've made me highly insecure, wearing more makeup than I have ever worn and one even had a biopsy done on it now creating a huge scar to go with this hyperpigmentaion.🤦🏾‍♀️ Through it all my doctor hasn't had one answer for me that made sense.

[LeTrashPanda]

It was actually my Functional providers that recognized that I might have EDS, my Allopathic providers didn't have a clue. Oxylates can be a problem too along with Histamine.

[GenaBee]

One thing I never heard mentioned was hormonal causes of mast cell activation. Even in studies using different types of medications from my experiences it needs to be well over 3 weeks to go through a full and complete cycle because something within the cycle is causing the reaction for me. And I cannot get anybody to daily test hormones to see what is setting it off.

[mbprevs]

More videos about this please. Doctors don’t seem to know

[moiseslgaristo]

❤ everything said was speaking to my soul, he said everything I’ve ever felt about this subject and she asked all the right questions

[sheilayagodzinski]

I have MCAS and Ketotifen helped me a lot . I was taking many antihistamines at rhe same time but when the doctor an allergist prescribed Ketotifen it made a hugh difference everything calmed down. I stopped having so many allergic reactions. What started it all was an allergic reaction to a flu shot for seniors, I did already have some allergies to some medications. He's right about dosing of foods.

[maddyL]

My tryptase was normal but I definitely have MCAS. All other symptoms for it are positive. So it's still unknown. Histamine and Salicylate allergy plays a big part too.

[srezzy]

Wow, wow and wow…..explained so well. I have MCAS and someone asked me the other day, I told them I didn’t know….I read about it all the time, TRYING TO FIGURE IT OUT… who knew(pepperonis) hyperactive immune response…bingo! So thank you very much!

[sarahb.]

I have had a gastro tell me that my problems were caused by "my thoughts" and I had a natural doctor quit on me because I was "too sensitive" to everything.. My PCP wanted to send me to a shrink so clearly she thinks its from my "thoughts" as well and she thinks going on a shrink drug is supposed to fix everything so I can then eat all the countless foods I react to! Well I am not THAT stupid. This has only led to doctor anxiety and me NOT trusting doctors. And I totally REFUSE to take anything as these long years has only taught me I REACT TO EVERYTHING. Taking anything is not safe. I can take apple cider vinegar in water - that is about it. But I have a serious problem with all grains, esp CORN. And corn is hidden in EVERYTHING. And I react to it no matter what derivatives it is. I even react to fumes from restaurants while I am walking past outside and to fumes from perfume and air freshener and even to white vinegar. Its impossible to take these anti histamines as they all have hidden corn in them! So how is an over the counter product full of corn supposed to STOP a reaction also caused by corn? That idea is sheer madness! I am down to eating 3 foods. Mostly living on grass fed beef. I have autism and EDS. I have a script for the MCAS test (the big one with all the fancy tests) but after that they say I need to take antihistamines. Well they all have corn in them. So I will be only reacting! And I have a long list of foods I react to & have to avoid, including bananas and flaxseeds. Flax makes me burp 50+ times in less than 30 minutes if I eat any..also am celiac.. Maybe I have that triptase gene. I would not be surprised. My mother seemed to have these issues too. Anyway now each time I am exposed to hidden corn I get the Pots. 😟 and all my hair is falling out too. Been grain free since 2019 in July. Dairy + egg free in Nov 2020. And I have read Dr Afrin's book. He said the drugs to treat MCAS are powerful TOXINS. I want no part of toxins. My mast cells are WARNING me about chemicals and toxins. Corn is full of toxins. So is wheat. Roundup. GMO.. Veggies have toxins too like oxalates, nightshades, lectins plus they are sprayed with stuff! Same with fruit. That stuff is NOT SAFE TO EAT. Its full of poison.. We are meant to be carnivore. The problem is no one makes shampoo and stuff without CORN! And those fumes are everywhere even outside. Plus early this spring somehow I ended up with a pine tree allergy too! 😡

[staceya.]

Okay, so how do we get ACTUAL help???

[Inty]

I feel that I may have this. Always just been told it's in my head. I've spent 10+ years being ignored, I've even been forced on anti-psychotics. Lost complete faith in Western medicine. Quality of life is awful.

[amandaleahspears]

I'm incredibly allergic to nickel and I had no idea that foods had nickel

[superalien]

thank you for sharing this video, i am on anti histamine h1, h2 and helps a bit, my question is does it cause cognitive and memory los too ? thank you .