Plant-Based Diet is Best for Mast Cell Activation (MCAS)
When you are living with MCAS, the list of foods you can tolerate often becomes shorter over time. It seems like nearly everything you want to eat causes you a reaction. Desperate to figure out what to do, most people lean on protein and meat to retain weight. Little do they know, this choice makes their MCAS symptoms even more severe over time.
My Experiences with MCAS Clients
I’ve been working with MCAS clients for several years now. Over that time, I realized that the people with MCAS were always in the same situation. They were eating a diet that emphasized animal products while having reduced plant fiber. The plant fiber would not agree with their body, so they chose to lean heavier on the meat. Some symptoms improved from the meat-dominant diet, but the MCAS reactions worsened over time. In nearly all cases, the client never considered the possibility that the meat was irritating their immune system. Not only was it disrupting their gut, but it was impairing their detoxification as well.
When I had MCAS, I did the same thing with my diet. Since it was easier to notice reactions to foods that weren’t meat, I became convinced that it was not the issue. Over time, I tried nearly every supplement and made plenty of progress, but I couldn’t get over the hump. Finally, I implemented a plant-based diet, and within less than a month, my symptoms had greatly improved. Years later, I used the plant-based diet with my daughter, and I saw a major difference as well.
After these experiences, I started recommending a plant-based diet to my MCAS clients. Within a short time, I could see that my MCAS clients were also benefiting. Finally, I found the missing link. Now, I could make progress in even the most treatment-resistant situations. This led me to realize that, in most cases, implementing a plant-based diet was necessary to beat MCAS. Scroll down to see all of the reasons why a plant-based diet is better for MCAS.
Why Plant-Based Diet is Best for MCAS
Plant Fiber Feeds Beneficial Bacteria
Plant fiber feeds the good bacteria in your stomach, which keeps your mast cells calm. When the good bacteria ferment these fibers, they produce short-chain fatty acids, which signal the immune system to calm down. If the body stops getting sufficient fiber, then these bacteria produce fewer SCFAs, which leads to an increase in inflammation. In addition, if you consume animal products multiple times per day, you have a tendency to grow histamine-producing bacteria. I have found this to be the case with nearly everyone with MCAS. The overconsumption of animal products, combined with other triggers, leads them to develop MCAS symptoms gradually.
Plants Contain Phytonutrients
Very few people talk about phytonutrients because they have just recently been discovered in the last 20 years. These compounds are found in plants exclusively and carry a broad range of benefits. Not only do they calm down mast cells and regulate genes, but they also increase the growth of bacteria and improve detoxification. In fact, these phytonutrients are the most important compounds found in plants. Recent studies have shown that their benefits greatly exceed that of vitamins and minerals.
Undigested Meat Aggravates the Gut
When meat is not fully digested, various compounds are released that alter the gut microbiome. These include ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, nitrosamines, and plenty more. All of these harm the gut, detox pathways, and immune system. Most people who have MCAS have a deficiency in stomach acid, which prevents them from fully digesting animal products. Unfortunately, most people with MCAS are emphasizing animal products in their diet and are convinced it’s the one food that’s working. The true reality is, animal products are the main reason their gut is still inflamed. Unless they transition to plants, they will be stuck right where they are at on their healing journey.
Most Plants Contain Less Histamine than Meats
Most meats sit out before purchase, are intentionally aged, or are processed somehow. None of these are good choices for someone with MCAS due to histamine content and/or preservatives. In addition, meat often contains dead, pathogenic bacteria. Though you kill this bacteria when cooking it, you still consume the dead pathogenic cells. This can trigger mast cells in the gut if the body is already on high alert. In contrast to meat, most plants contain very little histamine and are rarely contaminated with pathogens. In my experience, you don’t have to worry about the histamine content of plants after you stop eating meat.
Plant-Based Diet Avoids Common Allergens
Plant-based eating avoids common allergens like dairy, eggs, food preservatives, and more. If you avoid gluten and are careful with nuts, you have a low probability of developing food intolerances. The reason is, most plants have simpler protein structures, making them easier to digest. This reduces the likelihood of developing a food sensitivity if you eat it too frequently. To learn about the best plants to start off with, read the hypoallergenic food list. It is very helpful if you are just getting started with plant-based eating.
Plants Increase Alkalinity in the Body
A plant-based diet can dramatically increase the pH level in your body. This is great news for people with MCAS because the mast cells are far less reactive in an alkaline environment. Studies show that the alkalinity reduces the sensitivity of mast cell receptors and ion channels. When the body is acidic (below 7), like it would be on a diet high in animal products or protein, the mast cells are more likely to secrete inflammatory chemicals. This then translates into more severe MCAS symptom flares.
Plants Improve Detoxification of the Body
Plants contain fiber, which stimulates the growth and replication of beneficial bacteria. These bacteria are responsible for eliminating many types of toxins. Plant fiber also has binding properties that help remove waste through the bowels. With insufficient fiber, the liver, kidneys and lymph eventually become stressed. In addition, the bowels get backed up or slowed down. This is the last thing you want. Lastly, plants also contain phytonutrients, which improve the gut and the production of detoxification enzymes.
Undigested Protein is Hard on Kidneys/Liver
Amino acids in animal products can provide some benefits, but they can become a big problem when they’re undigested. In most cases, people with MCAS have difficulty breaking down protein. This is either due to a microbiome imbalance, mold exposure, or other varying factors. When the protein is consumed and not broken down, the undigested proteins stress the kidneys and liver. This is because when the food rots, it produces toxic metabolites like TMAO, which increase the workload necessary for both of these organs. In addition, protein consumption increases nitrogen and urea production, which the kidneys must filter out. There may be some benefit from meat for the healthy individual, but for someone with MCAS, it is more of a RISK than a reward.
Plant-Based Changes Your Genes
Switching to a plant-based diet can positively impact inflammatory pathways like NF-KB and COX-2. These are absolutely critical for maintaining an anti-inflammatory environment. In addition, the plant-based diet is full of nutrients like sulforaphane, which stimulate Nrf2 production. This key transcription factor activates various detoxification enzymes in the body. Overall, plants positively impact your genes, while meat consumption has been proven to do the opposite.
Meat Feeds Parasites and Other Pathogens
Meat consumption upregulates the genes of pathogenic organisms. Whether your problem is bacteria, fungal, or parasitic, meat is not your friend if you have MCAS. On the other hand, by consuming plant fiber, you upregulate the genes of good bacteria, which protects you from pathogens via competitive exclusion. This was a harsh lesson that took me years to learn. I tried to kill pathogens for over a decade while eating meat three times per day, and it was NOT fun! Though I made some progress, I never really rooted out the issue until I went plant-based.
Undigested Meat Reduces DAO Levels
DAO is the enzyme responsible for breaking down histamine in the gut. When meat is undigested, toxic compounds are released that decrease DAO levels in the gut. If you consume meat regularly and do not break down the meat well, you are, in essence, sabotaging your DAO resources. Considering its importance in histamine metabolism, this is the last thing you want to do.
FAQ – Using Plant-Based Diet for MCAS
Do I need to avoid meat completely?
Some people need to avoid meat completely to overcome MCAS. My daughter and I were two people who fit into this category. In addition, plenty of my clients have not been able to beat their MCAS symptoms until either eliminating meat or greatly reducing it. This may not be the case for everyone, but more often than not, animal products need to be severely reduced to heal the gut lining.
How do you get full without meat?
It can be difficult to get full when first transitioning to a plant-based diet. The reason is, you are used to having a heavier food like meat at your meal. The first five days are typically the hardest. Just make sure to eat enough food so you don’t go into a hunger spell. This is a common mistake people make when first starting a plant-based diet. Within a few weeks, you should actually be less hungry than you were when eating meat. This is what happened to me and my clients. Just be patient and stick with it. It will all come together in time.
How do I get enough protein?
There are plenty of plant-based options that are protein-dense. Some of my favorites are beans, lentils, tofu, cruciferous vegetables, flax meal, veggie burgers, and nuts/seeds. Please note, you don’t need as much protein as you think if you have mast cell activation. The reason is, people with MCAS have a difficult time breaking down proteins. If you eat more protein than you can digest, it will aggravate the gut, immune system, liver, and kidneys. Ultimately, you want to focus on eating a diet high in fiber, moderate in carbs, and low in protein and fat. This is safest until you get over the hump.
Which plants are the best to eat for MCAS?
Certain plants have protein structures that are harder to break down than others. For this reason, I created a hypoallergenic food list. This breaks the foods into categories so you can understand which are safest and which carry more risk. Take a look at this list and start with the foods on the GREEN list. You can then move on to the orange and yellow foods a couple of weeks after you get your symptoms to stabilize.
What are some other things that can help MCAS?
You must first identify if there is a mold issue in your home. Mycotoxins are the most common trigger for people who have MCAS. In addition, you need to complete an elimination diet to determine which foods work for your immune system. Lastly, limbic system retraining is very helpful in the right form. My favorite strategy for rewiring the brain is slow deep breathing. Learn more about my technique via the link.
Conclusion- Plant Fiber is Key to MCAS Recovery
When it comes to MCAS, you must focus on how everything affects your immune system, gut microbiome, and detoxification pathways. A plant-based diet can positively impact all three areas, making it the best choice for people struggling with overactive mast cells.
Though you may hear people defending meat and the carnivore diet, trust me, these people have not read the studies. The latest science shows that a diet that emphasizes plants is more beneficial for nearly every condition. If you still don’t believe it, just give it a try for a few weeks. The symptom relief will be well worth the sacrifice.
If you’re having trouble creating a diet to support your MCAS recovery, get in touch. I am willing to help and blessed to have the opportunity.
Happy healing everyone!
Matt Nedin
Certified Holistic Nutritionist
EndSickness, Founder
Phone: (734) 846-8619
WhatsApp: +17348468619
Email: endsickness@gmail.com
