Top 22 Triggers of Mast Cell Activation
Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) is something that is becoming more and more common.Though it is not classified as an autoimmune disease, the science has shown, they are both driven by the same thing: a highly overactive/overabundant mast cell population (1), and an imbalance in regulatory T cells (2). This leads to an immune system which can be triggered by nearly anything.
In most cases, MCAS exists when the body has become so overloaded with toxins and pathogenic byproducts, that it starts to identify anything as a potential pathogen. It does so to induce the process of identification, degradation, and removal from the blood. After the body removes the irritant typically through a process called phagocytosis (3), it remembers it. Now, the more you expose yourself to the irritant, the stronger the immune response gets over time.
Since this cycle can get exponentially worse, FAST, I wanted to do the best I could to help. In this article, I will reveal the 22 most common triggers of mast cell activation. This will help you identify internal liberators, lifestyle triggers and environmental factors which may be contributing to your symptoms. Afterwards, I will answer commonly asked questions about mast cell triggers. Refer below for details:
Top 22 Triggers of Mast Cell Activation
1. Acute/prolonged stress/trauma (4)
2. Instant/delayed food sensitivities (5)
3. Nearly any form of strenuous exercise (6)
4. High histamine/histamine liberating foods
5. Exposure to mold/irritants inside home (7)
6. Deficiency in DAO/intracellular magnesium
7. Parasites/Lyme/viruses/pathogens (8)
8. Blockage in bile duct/bile insufficiency
9. Elevated levels of estrogen/aromatase (9)
10. Synthetic fragrances in ANY PRODUCT (10)
11. Eating the same foods for extended periods
12. Environmental irritants (mold, pets, scents, chemicals) (11)
13. Elevated blood or brain histamine levels (12)
14. Substance abuse in any form, alcohol, etc.
15. Eating processed foods/pre-packaged meals
16. Artificial flavors/preservatives(13)
17. Leftovers/condiments/dried herbs/strong flavors
18. ANYTHING NOT derived from natural sources (14)
19. Interrupted sleep patterns, disruption of circadian rhythm (15)
20. Antibiotics/RX/synthetic supplements (16)
21. Leaky gut due to bacteria, yeast, or commensal organisms (17)
22. Prolonged heat, sun, cold even EMF from mobile devices (18)
Keep in mind, these are in no particular order. The reason being, each person will be more reactive to certain things. This will be dependent upon their exposure to it, genetic makeup, and current health. Even though it seems like a lot of restrictions, the fact is, you can’t beat MCAS without increased awareness of the potential triggers. This allows you to really pay close attention when you do various things in your life that could potentially trigger symptoms.
The good news is this, the longer you allow your immune system to calm down, the better it will tolerate all of the things above. The key to is to be patient, start slow with everything and live a life in moderation. Take it from me, I beat MCAS, autoimmune disease and various other “permanent conditions”.(About Author) Let’s go over some common questions about mast cell triggers in the section below.
Questions – Triggers of Mast Cell Activation
What the most common triggers of mast cell activation?
The root cause and the triggers are two different things. The root case may be a protozoan infection, multiple bacterial infections, or other pathogens which can initially trigger the immune system. Once the immune system is triggered, then the reactions to things in the environment become more likely. The more the toxins from the infection/environment accumulate in the body, the more sensitive you become to anything that ENTERS the body. Typically, when MCAS has become advanced, the primary triggers are food, air borne allergens, mold. chemicals, fragrances, additives, skin products, and of course, emotional trauma.
Can mast cell medication decrease the frequency of triggers?
I cannot recommend anything related to medication. What I can tell you is, in my experience, mast cell modulators such as Cromolyn have short term relief. Though it helps initially, the problem starts when 10-14 days later, things change for the worse. I believe it is because these synthetic mast cell modulators are STILL CHEMICALS. Though they may help control immune response, they also may cause oxidative/toxic/genetic stress on the body. For this reason, anything that is used to modulate mast cells, CANNOT have a negative effect on gut health or detoxification. Otherwise, you end up in a giant circle because they BOTH directly effect mast cell reactivity.
Are there any natural supplements for mast cell activation?
Yes, there are plenty of mast cell modulators which are naturally sourced. Most of those are plant derived, but there are some that come from other natural sources. Those supplements which are NOT naturally derived are considered synthetic or lab made. In my experience, if suffering from mast cell activation, they will eventually cause irritation. The body knows what is real and what is not, though it may take 10-14 days for it to recognize. Keep in mind, MCAS is very similar to multiple chemical sensitivity. In short, anything that is not natural eventually will backfire, in my experience.
What is the most important factor when overcoming MCAS?
Overcoming mast cell activation syndrome requires a multi-faceted approach. You cannot simply make one change and expect complete relief. In my experience, you must reduce the dietary, environmental, chemical and stress triggers all at once. In addition, you must take 3-5 different supplements to modulate the immune response from different angles. All supplements must reduce histamine levels, modulate mast cells or balance regulatory T-cells. If they don’t, they are worthless, based on my experience.
Which diet is least likely to trigger mast cell activation?
The low histamine diet is by far the best choice for mast cell activation syndrome. The reason being, histamine is a signaling molecule in the body which is responsible for allergy response and various other inflammatory activities. Since histamine degradation is typically impaired in most people with MCAS, anything in the diet which contains histamine or induces the liberation of histamine should be strictly avoided. In my experience, how well someone follows the low histamine diet is directly correlated with symptom severity and remission.
What are some common mistakes when battling MCAS?
There are plenty. The most common is eating foods that have strong flavors, preservatives, sweeteners, spices or additives in them. The next is taking supplements which are NOT derived from natural sources, AND have not been proven to modulate mast cells. Lastly, not having a multi-faceted approach that modulates the immune system from multiple angles simultaneously.
Can nutritional deficiencies be related to mast cell activation?
Yes, but it’s unlikely it to be the only cause. The key deficiencies are vitamin A, D, K, and magnesium. Though A, D, and magnesium are good mast cell modulators, that usually isn’t enough. Though restoring key deficiencies is important when overcoming MCAS, it is still just part of a comprehensive plan. Without approaching mast cell activation from multiple angles simultaneously, progress is limited.
How does the gut microbiome effect mast cell activity?
The gut microbiome is the foundation of the immune system. Studies show that it may account for up to 70% of your total immune response. The organisms in the gut create by-products (SCFA, etc), which signal the immune system to either induce or suppress inflammation. In essence, the balance of the organisms in your gut affect the ratio of molecules in your blood, which signal the immune system. For this reason, gut health must also be taken into account when overcoming MCAS. If you don’t, your progress will be limited once again.
Summary- Avoid Triggers to Beat Mast Cell Activation
As you can see, mast cell activity depends on various dietary choices, lifestyle behaviors and environmental factors. Though you can’t avoid ALL of these triggers, it is best to reduce your exposure to them as much as possible. By doing so, you are limiting inflammatory chemicals within the body, which will increase your overall health.
If you are struggling with mast cell activation, and would like further information, read my article – How I defeated mast cell activation syndrome. By combining the knowledge you just acquired, with the steps I outlined in this article, you should be able to tackle this issue once and for all.
If you still have questions on mast cells, please get in touch. Mast cell modulation is my niche, and more importantly, it is my favorite topic to discuss! Thanks for reading, and happy healing everyone!
Matt Sikora
EndSickness.org
Phone: (734) 846-8619
Email: endsickness@gmail.com
