Support for Mast Cell Activation Syndrome with Functional Medicine
Are you suffering from MCAS? Read below how Functional Medicine can help support you.
How Can Functional Medicine Help with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS)?
Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) is a condition where certain immune cells, called mast cells, become overly sensitive, releasing chemicals that cause inflammation and a wide variety of symptoms. 1,2
Mast cells are found throughout the body. They help protect us from infections and assist with wound healing, but they’re also key players in allergic reactions. When triggered, mast cells release substances like histamine, which can cause itching, swelling, congestion, and other common allergy symptoms.
In MCAS, this process happens too often or too strongly, even in response to things that aren’t typically harmful, such as foods, stress, temperature changes, or environmental exposures. The result? A confusing mix of symptoms that can affect nearly every body system.
MCAS can show up on its own, or overlap with other conditions like fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, IBS, anxiety, migraine, or eczema. Because symptoms and triggers vary so much between individuals, many people struggle for years without clear answers. If you’ve been experiencing a wide range of symptoms that seem unrelated or have been told “everything looks normal” despite feeling far from it MCAS may be worth exploring.
Researchers estimate that up to 17% of the population may be affected to some degree, although the causes of MCAS are still being uncovered. Genetics, immune sensitivity, allergic tendencies, and gut health may all play a role.
At Embracing Nutrition, we take a functional medicine approach to MCAS, helping you uncover the root causes of your symptoms and supporting your body in reestablishing balance.
What is MCAS?
In MCAS, mast cells become overactive and release chemical mediators like histamine, cytokines, and prostaglandins too easily or too often. This can lead to widespread inflammation and a wide variety of symptoms, including 1,2:
- Skin issues (flushing, itching, hives)
- Itching and swelling (typically of the skin, mouth, nose or throat)
- Digestive problems (bloating, nausea, diarrhoea)
- Respiratory symptoms (wheezing, congestion, sneezing, trouble breathing)
- Neurological effects (brain fog, anxiety, headaches)
- Cardiovascular symptoms (palpitations, dizziness, sudden low blood pressure)
- Eye irritation, itching and watering
- Fatiguing very quickly on exertion
- Bone, or muscle pain
Because mast cells are found throughout the body, MCAS symptoms can be diverse and unpredictable.
What Causes MCAS?
- Gut imbalances such as leaky gut, bacterial overgrowth, or dysbiosis 3
- Chronic infections e.g. Long COVID, Lyme disease and Epstein-Barr virus 4
- Environmental toxins such as mycotoxins 5
- Poor detoxification capacity
- Hormonal fluctuations, especially changes in oestrogen levels in women that are common around perimenopause. 6
- Chronic stress is a common trigger for MCAS, often tied to what’s called the “Cell Danger Response”—a protective mechanism where the body shifts into a prolonged state of threat detection, keeping mast cells on high alert even after the initial stressor has passed. 7,8
- Nutrient deficiencies (e.g. vitamin C, magnesium, zinc)
- Genetic predispositions affecting histamine breakdown
Conventional Treatment for MCAS
The medical approach to MCAS involves using specific types of antihistamine medications and drugs that stabilise mast cells.
While these can help to lessen symptoms, many people find that medications alone don’t fully resolve their symptoms, especially when underlying root causes remain unaddressed.
How Can Functional Medicine Help?
We take a personalised, whole-body approach to MCAS that includes:
Comprehensive Testing
We may recommend advanced testing to assess:
- Gut health and microbiome balance
- Food sensitivity testing
- Genetic testing to look at histamine pathways and detoxification
- Hormonal balance and adrenal function
- Environmental toxin exposure
- Testing for chronic infections
Targeted Nutrition
Many people with MCAS benefit from a low-histamine, anti-inflammatory diet. This may include:
- Fresh, unprocessed foods
- Avoiding fermented, aged, or leftover foods
- Elimination of foods causing known sensitivity reactions
We’ll work with you to create a plan that’s both nourishing and sustainable.
Lifestyle & Stress Support
Stress is a major trigger for mast cell activation. We’ll help you explore:
- Nervous system regulation (e.g. breathwork, mindfulness)
- Sleep hygiene and circadian rhythm support
- Gentle movement and pacing strategies
Natural Support for Mast Cell Stability
We may also recommend supplements to help stabilise mast cells, support histamine breakdown and nourish the gut and nervous system. All recommendations are tailored to your unique needs and sensitivities.
You’re Not Alone
Living with MCAS can feel overwhelming, but with the right support, it’s possible to reduce symptoms, restore balance, and feel more like yourself again. At Embracing Nutrition, we’re here to listen, investigate, and guide you with compassion and clarity.
If you suspect MCAS may be affecting your health, we’d love to help you explore the next steps.
Tests we may recommend
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Digestive Function and Microbiome Test – GI Effects
£395.00 Add to basket -
Detoxification Genetic Test – Lifecode
£379.00 Add to basket -
DUTCH Complete Hormone Test – Regenerus
£284.00 Select options -
Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth Test
£188.00 Add to basket -
Mycotoxin profile
£426.00 Add to basket -
Food Reactivity Screen – 180 foods – Cyrex 10
£625.00 Add to basket
References
- Özdemir Ö, Kasımoğlu G, Bak A, Sütlüoğlu H, Savaşan S. Mast cell activation syndrome: An up-to-date review of literature. World J Clin Pediatr. 2024 Jun 9;13(2):92813. doi: 10.5409/wjcp.v13.i2.92813. PMID: 38948000; PMCID: PMC11212760.
- Valent P, Akin C, Nedoszytko B, Bonadonna P, Hartmann K, Niedoszytko M, et al. Diagnosis, Classification and Management of Mast Cell Activation Syndromes (MCAS) in the Era of Personalized Medicine. Int J Mol Sci. 2020 Nov 27;21(23):9030. doi: 10.3390/ijms21239030. PMID: 33261124; PMCID: PMC7731385.
- Afrin LB, Khoruts A. Mast Cell Activation Disease and Microbiotic Interactions. Clin Ther. 2015 May 1;37(5):941-53. doi: 10.1016/j.clinthera.2015.02.008. Epub 2015 Mar 12. PMID: 25773459.
- Sumantri S, Rengganis I. Immunological dysfunction and mast cell activation syndrome in long COVID. Asia Pac Allergy. 2023 Mar;13(1):50-53. doi: 10.5415/apallergy.0000000000000022. Epub 2023 Apr 28. PMID: 37389095; PMCID: PMC10166245.
- Palmer RF, Dempsey TT, Afrin LB. Chemical Intolerance and Mast Cell Activation: A Suspicious Synchronicity. J Xenobiot. 2023 Nov 12;13(4):704-718. doi: 10.3390/jox13040045. PMID: 37987446; PMCID: PMC10660865.
- Zierau O, Zenclussen AC, Jensen F. Role of female sex hormones, estradiol and progesterone, in mast cell behavior. Front Immunol. 2012 Jun 19;3:169. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2012.00169. PMID: 22723800; PMCID: PMC3377947.
- Alysandratos KD, Asadi S, Angelidou A, Zhang B, Sismanopoulos N, Yang H, Critchfield A, Theoharides TC. Neurotensin and CRH interactions augment human mast cell activation. PLoS One. 2012;7(11):e48934. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0048934. Epub 2012 Nov 14. PMID: 23155429; PMCID: PMC3498358.
- Kanamori A, Tanaka F, Ominami M, Nadatani Y, Fukunaga S, Otani K, et al. Psychological Stress Exacerbates Inflammation of the Ileum via the Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone-Mast Cell Axis in a Mouse Model of Eosinophilic Enteritis. Int J Mol Sci. 2022 Aug 1;23(15):8538. doi: 10.3390/ijms23158538. PMID: 35955675; PMCID: PMC9369025.