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Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS): Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment

Hi Friends,  

Have you heard of Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS)? It’s actually a common condition and the literature speculates it affects up to 17% of the population! Unfortunately, due to limited awareness, even among medical professionals, MCAS often goes undiagnosed.

I was inspired to create a comprehensive video on MCAS to help spread awareness of this condition. Hopefully, it can help people looking for answers to their healthcare puzzle 🧩.

If you or a loved one have multiple symptoms that can’t be explained by standard tests and don’t respond to standard treatments, please check out my video to see if MCAS may be a possibility. 🔍 

MCAS is a disorder of mast cells. Normally mast cells play an important role in our immune response towards food 🥜 and environmental 🌳 allergens. They are our fastest immune cells to respond, swinging into action in mere seconds!  As shown in the electron microscope picture above, mast cells are unique because they are packed with granules, which contain over 1000 different inflammatory mediators including histamine and tryptase.

MCAS is an acquired disorder where mast cells go awry and start overreacting. They start releasing their granules at the wrong times in the wrong places in the body. This causes chronic multi-system inflammation. People with MCAS start reacting to foods 🍆, temperature and atmospheric changes ⛈️, fragrances, mechanical pressure, and even electromagnetic fields (EMF)💻.

Symptoms can affect every organ system!  Patients suffering from MCAS are often chronically ill for decades before getting a diagnosis. After seeing multiple specialists, patients are often misdiagnosed as having fibromyalgia, chronic urticaria (hives), or multiple chemical sensitivity syndrome. Sadly, some MCAS patients are even labeled as having psychosomatic symptoms, suggesting that their condition is psychological. MCAS can be the ultimate chameleon!

What triggers mast cells to go awry causing MCAS?  How do we make a diagnosis of MCAS?

What’s the difference between MCAS and Histamine Intolerance?

How do you treat MCAS?

To learn more about this fascinating topic, please check out the video and share it with anyone you know who may have these symptoms!

One supplement that can be helpful to those suffering from MCAS as well as allergy symptoms 🤧 is Histamine Support.  This is our natural antihistamine supplement that has Quercetin, Vitamin C, Stinging Nettle, Bromelain, and N-acetyl cysteine (NAC).  It works to stabilize mast cells and can help with allergy symptoms.  It’s best taken at a dose of 2 capsules twice a day. 

Now that we are in the midst of cold and flu season 😷, here are my favorite supplements to help strengthen your immune system:

✅ Vitamin C500-2000 mg daily
✅ Vitamin D3 with K2:  Most people need 5000 IU with K2 daily to optimize blood levels to 60-80 ng/mL
✅ Zinc:  50 mg can be taken every other day after food to optimize blood levels to > 90 mcg/dL 
✅ Viramune:  2 capsules daily can be taken as a preventative dose if exposed to sick individuals.  The dose can be increased to 2 capsules after every meal if you feel any viral symptoms.
✅ Oregano Oil: Has natural antimicrobial properties against viruses, bacteria, and yeast.

Green Pea and Mint Dip

It’s amazing how simple ingredients can come together to make such a refreshing and healthy dip! 

Bright and green, it’s perfect for a holiday party! 🎄

1 pound of frozen peas
1/2 cup of fresh mint leaves 🌿
1/4 cup walnuts
Zest of 1 lemon + 3 Tbsp lemon juice
1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon of salt 
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Raw vegetables for dipping like red bell peppers, cucumbers 🥒 and carrots 🥕

1) Steam the frozen peas for 5 minutes, then rinse with cold water
2) Add all ingredients to food processor and pulse.  
3) Adjust the thickness to your preference by adding more olive oil or water if needed
4) Serve with your favorite vegetable crudités, crackers or sliced bread

Warm regards,

Rajsree Nambudripad, MD