Posted By:
Denise Clark
Category:
Immune Support
Tags:
MAST
By Denise Clark, ND Chronic health conditions can be complicated by many factors, including, lifestyle, diet, multiple infections, and immune dysfunction. One area that can be overlooked in some highly sensitive individuals is Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS). Traditionally, MCAS was considered a rare disease generally focusing on the mast cell mediators tryptase and histamine and the blatant symptoms of flushing and anaphylaxis. New research indicates that it play a large role in many chronic health conditions. Mast cells are coordinators of our immune systems response to allergens, infections, and toxins. When activated they secrete over 200 chemical mediators, the most well known is histamine, serotonin and tryptase. A wide variety of stimuli can activate them, including, chronic infections, such as Lyme disease, mold toxicity, viruses, parasites, and environmental toxins. Symptoms of MCAS can be similar to many other diseases, which makes it difficult to diagnose. The most common symptom is rapid onset after eating of flushing, palpitations, itching, tongue swelling, wheezing, gas, bloating, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and dizziness. Research indicates that It is an under recognized contributor to neurologic and psychiatric symptoms1, as well as multiple chemical sensitivities. A key to diagnosis is if water or food, any food,...