Inflammation: Mast Cells

(Inflammation: Mast Cells. This Video excerpt is approx 1min and from the larger 1hr 35min video)

In order to heal inflammation we have to address any mast cell issues and stabilize them. I talk in depth on specifically how to do that in the Histamine video (supporting links/videos below).

MAST CELLS:

Mast cells play an important role in helping defend your body. They’re members of the innate immune system and are often considered first-line immune responders.

These little guys, as we discussed previously, are the master switch to your entire immune system. (please see Cycle of Illness Pt 2 for Master Switch)

When activated, the mast cells start releasing chemicals such as histamine, TNF-a, Tryptase and chymase, amines, leukotrienes, prostaglandins, cytokines, chemokines, and other growth factors. And this assortment of chemicals are all pro-inflammatory.

CONTROLLING MAST CELLS:

Controlling your mast cells will help reduce the amount of histamine in the overall body as well as your inflammation levels. Inflammation is the body’s way of reacting to intruders and mast cells and basophils are called in to help the healing process. However that results in the release of more histamine by the mast cells, which calls in more mast cells and contributes to MORE inflammation.

From a nutritional perspective: You need to increase nutrients and vitamins. Deficiencies in nutrients and vitamins have been known to increase the burden of mast cells.

The primary deficiencies you want to look out for are:

- Selinium

- Vitamin A

- Zinc

This is why many of us say “elimination doesn’t heal, nutrition does.”

Address any Inflammatory Disorders / Diseases You can help control mast cells by addressing any inflammatory disorders and diseases. Finding all of the sources and eliminating/treating the triggers will be extremely beneficial.

Treat your infections. Infections call in extra mast cells which release more histamine. Treating the infection(s), should you have any can be very beneficial in helping to control mast cells.

Reducing Stress is another big one in helping to control mast cells. Mast cells and their related conditions are directly tied to the sympathetic nervous system. One aspect to controlling mast cells is reducing another kind of stress as well: the stories in our head - that running dialogue we tend to have going through our head constantly.

Due to mirror neurons in the CNS your brain can’t tell the difference between actual stress taking place, or the stressful stories / thoughts & running dialogue you have swirling around your brain. Reducing the stress and calming the mind is incredibly beneficial. Starting a meditation practice, yoga, tai chi, qi gong can all help.

When you are under any kind of stress, Corticotropin, a hormone released in response to physical or psychological stress will destabilize mast cells.

Get enough sleep - Mast cells actually mirror your circadian rhythms (just like methylation cycles) and when you do not get to bed on time or get a good nights sleep - you’re prone to more mast cell related / histamine issues.

Many MCAD patients have Excess Histamine production, DAO deficiency, HNMT mutation (not all though), and poor methylation in the liver.

Gluten, alcohol, dairy, meat, sugar, chemicals, drugs, stress, can make all of this worse.

Remove any Heavy metal toxifications. Your physician will test for heavy metal toxicity.

There are many supplements you can take to help control mast cells… however its always safer and better for you if try to get it from your diet. However, if its still not enough you can supplement with some of these. However, I need you to understand that You may have to do some trial and error to figure out which ones work best for you. Because what works for one person may not work for another.

Foods and supplements that help stabilize mast cells are:

Moringa

N- Acetly-L-Cystein (because this one also works as an antihistamine)

Olive oil (as long as you’re not sensitive to oxilates) – you can slather it on your skin and let it soak in. It actually works really well if you can tolerate it.

Peppermint can be hit or miss for some folks, but its important not to take before bed otherwise you loosen what I call "the flapper” – it’s a valve in the stomach that prevents stomach acid from coming up into your esophagus. If you take too much or have it too close to bed, it loosens that valve and the stomach acid comes up causing horrible heart burn.

Bromelain is a natural mast cell stabilizer, but it also lowers your DAO levels.

Stinging Nettle is also a good one and is found some DAO supplements.

Elderberry Crystals

The ever popular Quercitin… lets talk about Quercetin.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t talk about quercetin. Many folks take quercetin, and It’s a very popular supplement for those with mast cell issues or histamine issues.

But I can not stress enough the importance of getting it from your food versus taking supplements. Although it can be helpful in stabilizing mast cells, it can be quite damaging to the body in supplemental pill form.

Due to its high powered antioxidant strength it can contribute to liver intoxication, failure, kidney burnout, contribute to further DNA damage, other autoimmune issues, and even cancer. There’s a lot of conjecture as to what’s safe and when it becomes harmful. This is why Its so important to get it from your food instead.

Sources:

USDA Special Interest Databases on Flavonoids

Nishimuro H, Ohnishi H, Sato M, et al. Estimated daily intake and seasonal food sources of quercetin in Japan.

Larson AJ, Symons JD, Jalili T. Quercetin: A Treatment for Hypertension? A Review of Efficacy and Mechanisms.

The University of Maryland, and Berkeley have researched quercetin and they actually recommend people avoid this flavonol. Especially those who are pregnant, breast feeding, and those with kidney disease. Because our livers are the hardest hit with the medical conditions, the capability of quercetin causing liver toxicity is higher.

The Linus Pauling Institute has also shown it to inhibit multi-drug resistance protein (MRP), basically that means it can affect the transport of many drugs including anticancer drugs.

Because of all these reasons, this is why I personally recommend getting your quercetin from whole foods to help prevent other problems, but that can be a bit difficult to get enough in the body for your body weight.

But 500 mg daily appears to be the minimum threshold needed before positive effects were seen. And that's where the warnings come into play - its too much.

A MUCH safer alternative is buying elderberries in dried crystal form because it has a very high amount of quercetin, but you still need to use caution and pay attention as to how it affects you!! And Elderberry can also help stabilize those blood sugar levels as well, especially if you have insulin resistance.

Elderberries are not native to the Americas or England so its the only way to get them here. Be sure to take with food to help prevent a stomach ache or headache. Do not get the liquid dropper as many of those have alcohol in it, and it will be counter-productive to your healing path.

Stinging Nettle, Bromelain (from pineapple) and N-Acetyl-L-Cystein (NAC) can be very beneficial for helping with a natural source of anti-histamines. There are many kinds of compounds out there with these ingredients - just be sure to get a good quality one!!

If you decide to take quercetin, before you start taking it, do a search on the internet about the benefits and side effects of quercetin as it can affect how your medications work as well.

Warning for those taking Blood Thinners:

According to Brent Bauer, M.D., at the Mayo Clinic, “Bromelain, the enzyme from the pineapple, may have anti-platelet activity. So for people taking blood thinners or who have anti-platelet activity, theoretically there could be increased risk of bleeding.”

Some people take blood thinners or have concern about the adverse effects of bromelain. They have the option of taking quercetin supplements that do not contain this ingredient. (ie like elderberry juice, and quercetin supplements are usually derived from citrus that can cause many more reactions)

By getting the elderberry crystals, or eating fresh fruits and veggies with it; you can be assured as to where its derived from, and get it in lower doses throughout the day versus a huge amount at once that could be damaging.

Who Should Not Take Quercetin?

The University of Maryland Medical Center (along with UC Berkely Medical Research) recommends that some people avoid taking this flavonol. For example, pregnant and breastfeeding women as well as people with kidney disease.

Where as other medical research institutes highly advise against it due to its antioxidant effects can actually cause a host of other health problems in the future like certain cancers, and other autoimmune issues.

Quercetin may also lessen the effectiveness of certain medications and antibiotics. Therefore, people should consult with their doctors before using this supplement.

Because of its sheer high antioxidant qualities, for those who are nervous system sensitive - it can cause worsening and painful symptoms in your nerves and overall nervous system. I would not take if you have MS or other neurological disorders. If you try it, do so under doctor supervision because some people may tolerate it where as others will have side effects.

In order to find more complimenting papers / slides from Inflammation Video - Just type in Inflammation Series in search.

Love and Light,

Happy Healing

SUPPORTING VIDEOS AND PAPERS:

Please see Fixes For Histamine In 7 Steps on how to heal Mast Cells and reduce one aspect of Inflammation:

For More information on Mast Cells being Master Switch, please See Cycle of Illness Part 2:

Complimentary Video on Histamine:

For More Information on Mast Cells and Histamine please see the paper below:

Histamine: The Good, The Bad, and How to Fix it.