This post discusses helpful supplements for MCAS. Supplements can be part of the solution when you have MCAS, in addition to taking medications, addressing the root cause, vagus nerve healing, and reducing inflammation. Supplements can reduce the need for medications, assist with side effects, and even act as mast cell stabilizers.
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What is MCAS?
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.
The bucket theory
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.
Helpful supplements for MCAS
Here is a list of common supplements that are helpful in treating MCAS. This post does not constitute medical advice. Check with your healthcare provider before starting any new supplements.
- Quercetin – 2000 mg daily, dose divided
- Green tea (EGCG, L-Theanine) – 2 to 3 cups daily. Supplement with 500 mg (175 mg of ECGC) twice daily
- Curcumin – 1 to 4 g daily, dose divided
- Chamomile tea (Apigenin, luteolin) – 1 to 2 cups before bed
- Resveratrol – 20 mg twice daily
- Diamine oxidase enzymes (DAO) – 2 capsules with each meal
- Vitamin C – may need a non-citrus source such as rose hips – 1 to 3 g daily
Here is why supplements can be helpful for MCAS
The following information about supplements comes in part from Mast Attack.
Mineral supplements for MCAS
- Mast cell patients are often vitamin or mineral deficient.
- Iron deficiency is extremely common for those with MCAS. This is likely due to anemia of chronic inflammation. Basically, if your body is inflamed long enough, your body hoards the iron and stops moving it from your GI tract into your bloodstream where it can be used. Iron supplements are pretty harsh so patients don’t always tolerate oral supplements. IV iron sucrose is an option if your iron is low enough.
- Many mast cell patients are also magnesium deficient. The exact cause of this is unknown.
Vitamin supplements for MCAS
- Vitamin D – many mast cell patients are vitamin D deficient. There is some evidence to suggest that vitamin D can decrease mast cell activation.
- Vitamine B12 – Vitamin B12 deficiency sometimes occurs in mast cell patients, especially those with mast cell activation syndrome. This can have some interplay with MTHFR mutations, which can affect the form of vitamin B12 best suited to your body.
- Vitamin C – Vitamin C decreases the amount of histamine released by mast cells. It is recommended by some prominent mast cell researchers and many patients respond well.
Mast cell mediator and stabilizer supplements for MCAS
The following supplements can decrease mast cell activation or block the action of mast cell mediators, assisting patients to manage symptoms, especially (source):
- Quercetin – 2000 mg daily, dose divided
- Green tea (EGCG, L-Theanine) – 2 to 3 cups daily. Supplement with 500 mg (175 mg of ECGC) twice daily
- Curcumin (Meriva is a common brand name) – 1 to 4 g daily, dose divided
- Chamomile tea (Apigenin, luteolin) – 1 to 2 cups before bed
- Resveratrol – 20 mg twice daily
- Diamine oxidase enzymes (DAO) – 2 capsules with each meal
- Vitamin C – may need a non-citrus source such as rose hips – 1 to 3 g daily
- Luteolin – 100 mg twice daily
Anti-inflammatory supplements for MCAS
- Turmeric can be helpful in reducing inflammation. However, be aware that turmeric or curcumin can decrease prostaglandin production.
- CBD oil can also help with inflammation. However, marijuana derivatives can interact with medications like tricyclic antidepressants and cause dangerous tachycardia.
- Alpha lipoic acid is sometimes used for neurologic symptoms and neurological pain.
Histamine-blocking supplements for MCAS
- Holy Basil is a popular supplement in the mast cell community. It also decreases prostaglandin production. It can also block the histamine H2 receptor. While I often see people say that holy basil is as effective as an H2 blocker as H2 antihistamines like ranitidine or famotidine, I have never been able to find any evidence that this is true. But it does definitely have some ability to block the histamine H2 receptor.
Homeopathy for MCAS
I discuss homeopathy for MCAS in this post. My favorite form of homeopathy for MCAS is Energetix. 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.
- Paths – Product names ending in “Path” are for symptoms of weakness or imbalance in systems, organs, glands, or tissues.
- Tones – Product names ending in “Tone” are for symptoms of congestion or stress in systems, organs, glands, or tissues.
- Chords – Product names ending in “Chord” are for symptoms related to systems, organs, glands, or tissues that are compromised or overburdened by toxins.
Energetix remedies work best when 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 MCAS.
Relax Tone is one of my favorite supports for restlessness and sleep
Relief Tone is helpful for addressing injuries and trauma
Calm Five – is helpful for trauma
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
Hypothamalapath – assists with neuropathy, concussion, brain fog, sleep, and hot flashes
Metabopath – supports the Krebs cycle and metabolism
Lymph-Tone II assists with detoxing chronic issues
Lymph-Tone III is helpful in detoxing issues due to hypersensitivities and neuropathy
Metabopath supports the Krebs cycle and aids metabolism
BioCatalin Lotion – is for joint and muscle pain and sciatica
MycoDerm – is an ointment for rashes and skin conditions
PhytoGel – is an aloe-based arnica gel
Cautions for using supplements for MCAS
- MCAS patients can be very sensitive, and you can react to a supplement just as you might to a triggering food or environmental exposure.
- Keep in mind that all supplements have the potential to interact with medications or to affect a person adversely if they have certain contraindications.
- Always discuss any supplements you plan to try with your managing provider. Vitamins and minerals can cause toxicity and too much can cause severe side effects and complications.
- Do not assume that just because something is derived from nature or is available without a prescription that it is safer than pharmaceutical medications.
Know your typical symptom progression
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 own 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.
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What do you think?
I’d love to hear what supplements for you in the comments below!
Disclaimer
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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