detoxing with MCAS
Detoxing with MCAS needs to be specialized to your constitution. From genetic testing, I know that I carry gene variants that make it more difficult for my body to detoxify. Yet I feel better when I have less inflammation and less toxic load on my body. I’ve run into problems trying to detoxify because the typical methods of detoxification can cause mast cell activation.
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Detoxification refers to the process of excreting bioaccumulated toxins from muscles, adipose tissues & organs.
The most common toxins in humans are:
Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) is a chronic condition that affects all organ systems. MCAS is serious and disabling and people with MCAS experience often significant and debilitating symptoms daily, including anaphylaxis, which can be fatal.
MCAS is often found in combination with other chronic conditions such as Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS).
Frequently healthcare providers do not know about MCAS, and the tests for MCAS are problematic because they are not uniformly reliable. MCAS can be difficult to manage. Treatments include blocking mast cell mediators with anti-histamines and mast cell stabilizers, as well as avoiding triggers.
Check out this post on how to manage MCAS.
In my pre-Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS), pre-thyroid nodules diagnosis life I used to enjoy a beautiful daily beet-lemon-kale-ginger-cucumber raw juice every morning. Unfortunately, beets are very high in oxalates, citrus and ginger can liberate histamine, and plain kale and cucumber really don’t cut it for me.
Before that, when I followed the GAPs protocol of healing I ate bone broth and homemade ferments every day (both are extremely high in histamine). Alas!
Other detox protocols that worked for me in the past, like binding with activated charcoal, clay, modified citrus pectin, or chlorella, also were problematic. Once my MCAS was in full swing I found that I couldn’t skip my antihistamines and mast cell stabilizers, and I couldn’t risk having a binder mop up the effectiveness of those medications. So binders are off the table.
As well, the liver detox herbs that I used to take now cause MCAS reactions; detox foot baths cause me huge Herxheimer reactions now; I can’t tolerate any of the herbal detox preparations I used to use; I used to use homeopathic detox remedies, but because I am using a constitutional homeopathic remedy, that is contraindicated; I can no longer eat legumes and many fibrous foods due to MCAs; I can’t do essential oils anymore due to MCAS reactions; I have heat intolerance now and can’t get into a sweat as comfortably as before; so I am always looking for ways to sneak detox and drainage into my routine.
Mast Cell 360 says this about attempting to detox when you are highly sensitive: “Unfortunately, we’re constantly exposed to more and more toxins. Some of the nastiest ones are mold toxins. And they need to be detoxed, too.”
“… Your detoxification or elimination organs include:
“… These organs in your body work to detox your system. But your organs can only handle a certain amount of toxins at one time. This is called your toxin load.” – Mast Cell 360
Fortunately, there are many ways to detox when you have MCAS. By watching your symptom progression you can make sure you are not exceeding your toxic load.
If you used to be able to jump into a new detox routine you may instead need to start slowly, log your symptoms carefully, and proceed with caution until you know you tolerate any of the following detox ideas.
The bucket theory offers a helpful analogy for understanding symptom reactions with MCAS.
Think of your body as an empty bucket that you want to keep from overflowing. Different foods and activities fill your histamine bucket at different speeds but they combine to form the total level of histamine in your body (how full your bucket is). A fuller bucket means you have more histamine symptoms. When you manage triggers, reduce exposure to known triggers, and take medications and supplements to reduce histamine, you can manage the level of your bucket.
One of the keys to understanding the level of your bucket is knowing your symptom progression. It is helpful to keep track of the symptoms you are having and to evaluate whether they are escalating. Symptom escalation means that the level of your bucket is rising.
Knowing your symptom progression in a symptom flare is the key to developing your rescue plan. In this post, I discuss how to determine your own symptom progression. Once you know what typically happens in your symptom progression you can design a rescue plan to address those symptoms.
Want a tool to easily keep track of your symptoms? Sign up for my newsletter and you will receive my free 50-page ebook of lower-histamine, grain-free, sugar-free, Keto recipes, my free symptom log, and a free two-week meal plan!
I discuss homeopathy for MCAS and chronic illness in this post. I use Energetix homeopathic remedies for many facets of MCAS, from sleep to addressing infections, to detoxing.
Energetix homeopathic products are prepared according to the HPUS guidelines (Homeopathic Pharmacopeia of the United States) and are formulated to effectively address a wide variety of modern concerns. The pleasant-tasting liquid form of Energetix remedies is easy to dose and use.
Energetix makes three types of homeopathic remedies: Paths, Tones, and Chords.
With Energetix remedies you are best off combining a Chord with a Tone; the Chord addresses toxicity in the body, while the Tone provides drainage support to excrete the toxins. Paths can be taken without the support of a Tone.
Here is my list of go-to Energetix Remedies for detoxing when you have MCAS or other chronic illnesses.
Isopathic Phenolic Rings supports those with multiple sensitivities
MycoCan-Chord is for symptoms of candida mold toxicity
Para-Chord is for addressing parasites
Viru-Chord is helpful for clearing viral infections such as EBV
Neuro-Chord is helpful for neurotoxins
Hepata-Chord pairs with Hepatic-Tone, and is for general liver toxicity
Tox-Chord is for chemical toxicity
Drainage Tone supports detox pathways
Lymph-Tone II assists with detoxing chronic issues
Lymph-Tone III is helpful in detoxing issues due to hypersensitivities and neuropathy
It is important to pair Chords with Tones, so if you would like help choosing remedies for your specific situation please schedule a session with me for individualized support. Click here to schedule a session.
Frequency is another powerful tool for detoxing. I have a custom Healy program for detoxing that I run daily.
Healy is an individualized specific microcurrent device (ISM) that runs beneficial electrical currents directed by an app on your phone. Healy can be used to magnify your intention and to get the most out of your life. Check out this post for more about Healy. And this post provides some tips and tricks for Healy.
A bodyworker I saw when I was in severe pain and couldn’t walk a block recommended that I try a chi machine. My practitioner had a paralyzed patient who received a lot of benefits from using a chi machine and he thought it would help me with lymph drainage and detox while passively moving my body.
A chi machine is a device that mechanically swings your legs back and forth rhythmically. The action pumps the lymph in your body in the same way that exercise does. To use a chi machine, you lay on the floor with your ankles resting on the chi machine’s two saddles. The chi machine operates on a timer, so you can turn it on and rest while it works, and it will turn itself off.
I have never been able to tolerate more than a few minutes of the chi machine. It stirs up your energy (Chi or Qi is the term for energy in traditional Asian healing). When the machine stops I feel a rush of energy similar to the neurological energy waves I experience from MCAS. So, the feeling is not entirely pleasant. But with 1-2 minutes of using the chi machine 4-5 days a week, I do feel a difference in my body. I feel more fluid and less stagnant, I have less stiffness and more energy.
Often chiropractors and body workers have chi machines for use, so you might be able to try a chi machine before purchasing one. Start with just 30 seconds on the first day, then wait a day before trying it for a little longer duration. Some people work up to using it for 45 minutes to an hour, but as I say, I only tolerate 2 minutes at a maximum.
Hot baths are excellent for detoxification, but the heat can be triggering for those with MCAS. If you can tolerate hot baths, then great! If not, try a cooler water temperature.
Epsom salt and baking soda can be added to the bath to assist with detoxification. I use 1/2 c. of each in my daily detox bath. I used to enjoy using up to 2 cups of both Epsom salt and baking soda but found with MCAS I needed to take it easier.
Dry body brushing before bathing is an excellent way to prepare your body for detoxification. The skin is the largest organ of the body, and it is a major part of detoxing the body.
To use a dry brush, gently brush the skin surface in the direction toward the heart. Avoid sensitive areas, broken skin, or areas where you might be likely to break out in hives from MCAS. Start with just brushing part of the body, for instance, the legs
An infrared sauna is wonderful for reducing inflammation, which can be an issue for those with MCAS. The infrared sauna I love is the Clearlight Sanctuary 2, which is also low in EMFs. The “2” refers to how many people it is supposed to fit. I’m 5’2″ and I can just fit lying down on the seat with my legs up the wall. That way I can relax, get the benefit of an inverted pose (for blood return to the heart), and I can even fall asleep. In addition to assisting with inflammation, infrared saunas also facilitate detoxification through sweating.
Saunas are a bit controversial for those with MCAS because heat can be an issue for those with heat intolerance. Too much detoxification too quickly can cause Herxing. If you want to know more about safe detoxification using an infrared sauna, this article from a trusted source is very thorough and covers some of the ways to mitigate the issues that accompany detoxing.
Yet another way to assist with detoxification is to facilitate lymph drainage. I reviewed Earthley Lymph Cream here. I tried several lymph drainage creams and find this one to be the most pleasant, mostly because it is unscented. I use Earthley Lymph Cream twice a day on my neck, and twice a week for self-breast massage.
When I was at the height of my MCAS symptom flare I was not able to do any of these detox measures. Gradually over the last two years, I have implemented all of these things, starting one at a time, going slowly, and logging my symptoms to make sure I was not exceeding my toxic load.
It’s been a lot of trial and error. Because I no longer tolerate herbal supplements in alcohol my functional practitioner has been creative about suggesting new detox supplements for me to try. After wasting $$$ on supplements I couldn’t tolerate, she has generously given me samples of her own supply so that I could try them before I buy. And on average I only tolerate about a tenth of what she suggests. See this post on supplements for MCAS.
So, while I’ve stabilized my mast cells and histamine response I’ve gradually gotten liver support on board. After using the sauna for 50 minutes, I restarted with just one minute and gradually increased to fifteen minutes per day. As I mentioned I can only tolerate 1-2 minutes of the chi machine per day, and I’m fine with that. I do dry body brushing followed by a detox bath before bed each night and use Earthley Lymphatic Cream twice a day. At some point, I want to try using binders again, but at this point, I still need to have continuous antihistamines and mast cell stabilizers in my system, so I’ll wait on that.
Rocks and Roots: Solo Backpacking My Way to Health on the Superior Hiking Trail
This 240-page book chronicles Betsy’s journey solo backpacking the Superior Hiking Trail and overcoming nervous system dysregulation, gut dysbiosis, and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome symptoms to hike 328 miles successfully.
All preorder books will be signed by Betsy and shipped by December 15, 2024.
Healy is an individualized specific microcurrent device (ISM) that runs beneficial electrical currents directed by an app on your phone. Healy can be used to magnify your intention and to get the most out of your life. Check out this post for more about Healy. And this post provides some tips and tricks for Healy.
I provide one-on-one in-person and remote chronic illness and caregiver coaching and Sacred Self-Healing Sessions based on the Sacred Self-Healing Method, a proven novel co-creative healing modality detailed in my Books.
Click here for more information.
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The preceding material does not constitute medical advice. This information is for information purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, cure or treatment. Always seek advice from your medical doctor.
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