In functional medicine, we always want to be looking upstream and trying to gather as many clues and evidence through testing and intake to determine what is at the root cause of the chronic symptoms in question. We then work to treat and resolve the underlying problem(s) and this helps to reduce symptoms and restore health long term. But what happens when someone is reacting to or not tolerating the treatment needed to resolve their root cause problems? This is the biggest challenge I see for those who have MCAS and histamine intolerance. Their immune systems are so hyper-reactive and overly sensitive that they will often have trouble tolerating the treatment needed to resolve the root cause issues like parasites, lyme, SIBO, retroviruses, or mold. I experienced this personally when I was being treated for Lyme disease and mold illness aggressively for 2 years before knowing that MCAS was playing a role in my symptoms. My MCAS manifested as extreme body pain, even after 2 years of Lyme disease treatment my pain wasn't getting any better, in fact, it was getting worse!! I also found myself becoming very sensitive and reactive to foods, smells, chemicals, EMF's, and even most of the medications and supplements that were treating my illness. I could not tolerate treatment and was just getting sicker and feeling worse. Figuring out I had MCAS and adding in both pharmaceutical and natural anti-histamines and mast cell stabilizers was a game changer for me. My pain levels dropped slowly, my energy improved, my rashes disappeared and my food reactions lessened. Overtime I finally started to be able to tolerate the treatment I needed to resolve my root causes. After my personal experience and professionally working with lots of mast cell clients, I now understand that its imperative to get the immune system to calm down and be less reactive before you will be able to tolerate treatment for and resolve what's at the root cause of your MCAS. My practice is now close to 80% MCAS patients and every client is unique in what combination of anti-histamines and mast cell stabilizers work to calm down the immune response and be less reactive. I use special lab testing to help give me clues about each clients bio-individual triggers, metabolism, and root cause issues. This helps me make educated recommendations in the area of natural anti-histamines and mast cell stabilizers that will work for each personal individually. There are some nuances to choosing the right combination of supplements and it often takes some trail and error. This is why I highly recommend working with a practitioner who knows and understands this well to help guide your choices. You will want to choose clean formulations with minimal or no fillers and avoid magnesium or vegetable stearates. I suggest single active ingredient items so that you know what is helping or hurting you. Lastly, never try more than one of these at the same time. Always try anything that is new to you alone with no other changes or adjustments in food or medications, titrate up to the recommended dose slowly and then add the next item. I typically recommend a 3 day trial before increasing the dose or adding the next supplement. Here are the natural options that I use most in my practice... 15 Natural Anti-Histamines & Mast Cell Stabilizers:
These are my go-to natural mast cell stabilizers, which for some people can be used in combination with pharmaceuticals like ketotifen, chromolyn, singular, and over the counter anti-histamines like Benadryl. I highly recommend working with an experienced practitioner who can help you choose the products that meet your needs best. Always keep in mind these anti-histamines and mast cell stabilizers are not going to fix the underlying, or root problem(s) that are causing the MCA symptoms. They will simply help to lower reactions and calm the immune response down so that you can start to treat the underlying reasons your mast cells are over-stimulated in the first place. In the coming weeks, I will be doing a blog on the Common Root Causes of MCA and Histamine Intolerance. So I hope you tune in again soon! If histamine intolerance and mast cell activation are a topic of interest to you, check out my FREE ONLINE WEBINAR coming up this Saturday, 9/29 at 10:30am MT. Click the image below to register and reserve your spot today. References:
16 Comments
Sharon Carpenter
9/28/2018 01:19:35 pm
Billie, your info is short and powerful. I really love what your putting out and gain from the knowledge. I like it better than Chris Kresser.
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Billie Shellist
10/1/2018 11:37:25 am
Thanks for the great feedback Sharon!
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Justin
11/19/2018 03:14:36 pm
Do you have a recording of the webinar?
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Billie Shellist
11/21/2018 07:21:56 am
Hi Justin, Yes I do have the webinar recorded. Here is a link to listen to the recording:https://www.functionaldiagnostichealing.com/mcas-webinar-recordings.html
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S
12/29/2019 10:14:35 pm
Did you ever make that blog post about common root causes of MCAS/Histamine Intolerance?
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Billie Shellist
12/30/2019 06:16:52 am
Hello S - I dont have a blog, but do have a recorded webinar on MCAS that includes a complete discussion on the root causes. Click this link here to check that out:https://www.functionaldiagnostichealing.com/mastcellactivationwebinar.html
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Penny Jean Wilson
5/16/2020 02:16:23 pm
Billie,
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Billie
5/17/2020 06:41:25 am
HI Penny,
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Amy Plath
5/26/2020 06:05:39 am
Penny - I would love to hear your ideas, too. Can you link your vlog or possibly contact me at plathtones@gmail.com. Many thanks!
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Sarah
8/4/2020 08:18:37 pm
Penny, I'd love to hear more from you about this as well. My medical training is limited (emergency medicine) so I don't have near the insight that you do. But I have MCAD and have contracted COVID twice. It has been quite the journey, to say the least. And the mast cell impact has been substantial. I searched for you in Facebook, because I'd love to see your vlogs, but wasn't able to find you. And you don't seem to be in the MCAS/COVID Facebook group either. If you're willing, would you reach out and share your vlog? I'd like to compare stories. venmk@hotmail.com is the best way to reach me.
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christopher tishlias
1/11/2021 11:39:58 pm
Hi Pennie,
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Ann
9/8/2020 02:53:21 pm
I purchased herpes herbal medicine and received it within 7 days and used it as prescribed, I tested negative within 3 weeks use, do not loose hope to contact him early If you need help meet him on his email address dr,chalaherbalhome@gmail.com
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Devon
9/22/2020 09:04:09 am
Do you treat children?
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Amy Smith
11/14/2020 12:55:22 pm
I desperately need help with histamine intolerance/possibly mast cell activation syndrome. I am fighting for my life right now, and I need help figuring out what to do to get better. I need help immediately please. I have been to four doctors, the ER, tried multiple approaches, and I am not getting better. i seem to be sensitive to everything. I know that you are booked up, but I am begging for help. I know that you want to help people...please help me. I would love to have a consultation as soon as possible. I am just struggling so much! Thank you for your time and consideration!
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Babsi
1/5/2021 08:50:58 am
Which of these natural antihistamines can be taken with salicylat intolerance?
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Billie Shellist
1/6/2021 07:55:30 am
If you are salicylate sensitive, the items I recommend starting with are DAO, No-Fenol Enzymes, Nettle Leaf, Vitamin C, Pycnogenol, Baikal Skullcap, L-theanine and GABA. The ones you are less likely to tolerate would be quercetin and luteolin.
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Billie Shellist, FDN-P
I practice functional nutrition, an approach that allows me to look at your entire health history and help you find the "root causes" of your chronic health complaints. This cuts out the trial and error process and helps you get real symptom relief and resolution! Food is medicine and knowledge is power -I hope you enjoy my anti-inflammatory recipes which are gluten, dairy, and soy free as well as very low grain and sugar. If you'd like to heal from the root cause(s) of your chronic symptoms, try starting with a complimentary 15-minute consultation. Click here to request your free session. |