Gut Health

Mast Cells & Histamine: What’s the Connection?

March 23, 2023 By Dr. CeCe 7 min read

OH, HISTAMINES. WE CAN’T LIVE WITH YOU, BUT WE CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT YOU.

Histamine intolerance has become super popular in the natural health world.

Symptoms of a ‘high histamine’ human may include:

Itchy skin, eyes, ears, and nose
Hives
Eczema
Swelling of the soft tissues in the face, mouth, or throat (often described as “throat tightening”)
Nasal congestion
Red, watery eyes
Low blood pressure
Chest pain
Rapid heart rate
Feelings of panic or extreme anxiety
Fatigue, irritability, or confusion
Joint and muscle pain
Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
Gastrointestinal distress

Typically, someone who is high histamine or experiencing histamine intolerance will show an exacerbation of symptoms after eating foods that are high in histamineorfoods that stimulate the release of histamine. So, being high histamine or having histamine intolerance realllyyyy isn’t a true diagnosis as much as it is a description of symptoms.

I mean I could argue that about pretty much any ‘diagnosis’… but I digress.

But what if we take it a step further? What if we go past the histamine?

WE WOULD FIND MAST CELLS.

Mast Cell Activation Disorder is when part of the innate immune system becomes hyperactive, releasing histamine and other chemicals that pretty much affect every organ system in the body.

Most functional medicine practitioners [now] find that patients suffering from histamine intolerance are actually dealing with this over activation of mast cells. There are a few factors that can contribute to, or cause, histamine tolerance, including:

Excess histamine production
Diamine Oxidase enzyme deficiency
HMNT mutation
& Poor methylation

TOO MUCH SCIENCE, CECE.

ALRIGHT, LET’S BACK UP.

What are Mast Cells?

Mast cells are white blood cells found in all human tissues, especially in places where the body interfaces with the environment, like the gut & the skin. Though best known for their role in allergies, mast cells are also involved in the formation of new blood cells, wound healing, the development of immune tolerance, defense against pathogens, and the maintenance of blood-brain barrier function.

Mast cells are the sentinels of the innate immune system, on the lookout for environmental changes or insults to the body. They respond by releasing mediator molecules that influence the behavior of other cells and tissues in an effort to maintain normalcy, or “homeostasis.”

There are over 200 of these mediators stored within the granules of mast cells, including tryptase, prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and histamine.

Histamine often gets a particularly bad rap, but it does have tons of important physiological functions in the body: acting as a neurotransmitter (where it’s actually neuroprotective when within an optimal range), regulating stomach acid secretion, and playing a role in the local and systemic immune response. The key takeaway here is that weneedmast cellsandtheir mediators for normal body function. Ultimately, they’re trying to protect us. The issue arises when these cells become overactive, as they do in individuals with mast cell activation disorder or histamine intolerance.

AND NOW THAT WE’VE MASTERED THAT SCIENCE LESSON…

What exactly is Mast Cell Activation Disorder?

Mast cell activation disorder is characterized by the accumulation of mast cells that are genetically altered (mastocytosis) and/or the abnormal release of mast cell mediators (Mast Cell Activation Syndrome). Because mast cells are found in all human tissues, and mast cell mediator receptors are found on almost every cell in the body, MCAD has the potential to affect every organ system.

MCAD presents clinically as a chronic, multisystem pathology that typically follows an allergic and inflammatory theme, and has been associated with obesity, diabetes, skin conditions, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), depression, and more. MCAD does have a genetic component, and tends to cluster in families, but everyone is different. So even related individuals may present with very different symptoms.

MCAD is estimated to be more prevalent than other diseases of mast cell dysfunction, but also a little more difficult to recognize – because for most patients, it often doesn’t cause any abnormalities in routine lab testing.

Okay, okay, but is there a Root Cause of MCAD?

In the functional medicine model of which I practice, we seek to address the root cause of disease or illness, as opposed to just treating or masking symptoms.

SO, WHAT ARE SOME ROOT CAUSES OF MCAD?

Good question. Some root causes, include:

HEAVY METAL TOXICITY

Heavy metals like aluminum and mercury have been shown to destabilize mast cells. This makes sense, as the very purpose of using these as vaccine adjuvants is to elicit a heightened inflammatory immune response. Lead, cadmium, and bismuth have also been found to activate mast cells and cause mast cell mediator release.

INFECTIONS OR GUT DYSBIOSIS

The gut is home to 70% of the immune system , including a pretty big number of mast cells. Parasitic infections, bacterial/viral infections, or bacterial/fungal overgrowth activate mast cells. Helminth parasites and Candida have been shown to be potent stimulators of mast cell activation. Mast cells regularly interact with microbes, and gut dysbiosis itself may lead to MCAD.

CIRS

Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome could also play a role. Those who are particularly susceptible to mold and have a reduced ability to clear mycotoxins from the body, which leads to a constant activation of mast cells.

NUTRITIONAL DEFICIENCIES

Some nutrient deficiencies can trigger MCAD. Vitamin D is required to maintain the stability of mast cells, and a deficiency has been shown to activate them. Zinc is involved in regulating mast-cell function, and there may be a link between magnesium deficiency and inflammation.

What about Treatment?

Conventional treatments for MCAD are pharmacological agents that block the action of mast cell mediators. Although I do use these with patients to provide some much needed immediate relief, these agents aren’t technically solutions to the problem. Additionally, they can come along with some unwanted side effects. Natural, short-term action steps that you can take to provide some relief include:

ADOPTING A LOW-HISTAMINE DIET
- For some people with MCAD, a low-histamine diet provides significant relief. Supplemental diamine oxidase can also help by increasing histamine breakdown. But, it’s important to keep in mind that this is only reducing exogenous (outside) histamine, and not altering the amount produced by your mast cells endogenously (within the body). Histamine is also only one of many mediators produced during mast cell degranulation. Adopting a low-histamine diet can help alleviate some of these symptoms. That can mean making significant lifestyle shifts, like avoiding food additives, prepared foods, certain spices, and alcohol [including wine… booooo].
FOCUS ON NUTRIENTS AND FOODS KNOWN TO STABILIZE MAST CELLS
- Many nutrients, including selenium and vitamin C, have been shown to stabilize mast cells. A number of herbs and spices, like holy basil, peppermint, ginger, thyme, andturmericalso have this effect. I have also seen good results with supplemental forms of quercetin, bromelain, stinging nettle leaf, and n-acetyl-cysteine (or NAC).
REDUCING STRESS
- Corticotropin hormone, released in response to physical or psychological stress, destabilizes mast cells and causes them to release their mediators.
PROTECTING CIRCADIAN RHYTHMS
- Mast cell activity closely mirrors circadian rhythms, so getting enough sleep and avoiding blue light at night is crucial.

Ultimately though, the point is to address the root cause:

REMOVE HEAVY METALS FROM YOUR SYSTEM
- Chelating agents can help to remove heavy metals from your system. This is best done under the guidance of a healthcare practitioner. Removal of old mercury fillings by a trained professional can also reduce the burden of heavy metals in the body.
TREAT INFECTIONS
- A comprehensive stool test can help identify parasites and other infections that could be contributing to mast cell activation.
HEAL YOUR GUT
- Remove inflammatory foods and focus on nutrient density. Include plenty of probiotic, prebiotic, and healing foods in your diet.

Just a light read for this Sunday afternoon.

The Discovery Doc – Dr. CeCe Brooks – Atlanta Holistic NP