Healing from mold illness can be tricky because mold and mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) and even histamine intolerance can complicate your roadmap. You might also have a misdiagnosed root cause because mold can be the driver of MCAS, histamine intolerance and many other conditions. It’s time to better understand the truth about how they are connected.
The Connection Between Mold and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome
Mast cells are a critical part of your immune system. Without them, you won’t heal from an injury. But when mast cells become overactive, they can cause serious problems in your body, which is known as mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS).
Mold, chemicals, allergens, viruses, heavy metals, and toxins can all trigger MCAS. But mold is probably the number one instigator.
When you have mold illness, the most telling sign that you also have MCAS is the presence of neurological symptoms. You might also experience skin reactions including hives and flushing, especially if you are currently being exposed to mold or detoxing it.
More generally, the following symptoms can indicate MCAS.
fatigue
poor memory
brain fog
inability to focus
mood disorders
migraines
rashes
hives
low blood pressure
racing heart
light-headedness when standing quickly
diarrhea
abdominal pain
constipation
nausea
bloating
severe PMS symptoms
allergy-like symptoms
asthma
wheezing
shortness of breath
How MCAS and Histamine Intolerance Complicate Mold Illness
Histamine intolerance tends to come alongside Mast Cell Activation Syndrome because when you have MCAS, your mast cells release histamine as a mediator.
Histamine intolerance occurs when you have a buildup of histamine in your body. But people often mistake histamine intolerance as food allergies and gastrointestinal diseases.
Histamine intolerance becomes problematic because it causes blood-brain barrier permeability and gut permeability, which allows particles into your bloodstream that shouldn’t be there.
Usually, the enzymes Diamine Oxidase (DAO), and Histamine N-Methyltransferase (HNMT), break down ingested histamine and prevent it from being absorbed into your gut and entering your bloodstream.
So when you have mold illness, your mast cells can become overactive, releasing more histamine in your body. Then the buildup of histamine can result in leaky gut and an onslaught of more sensitivities or intolerances, particularly to foods.
If you know you have mold illness, leaky gut adds a layer of complication as you try to heal without making your symptoms worse. If you don’t know you have mold illness, you could be chasing a slew of other symptoms and even root causes instead of addressing the mold!
This is why it’s important to understand the connection between mold and mast cell activation syndrome, as well as histamine intolerance. So how can you troubleshoot?
Ways You Can Help Prevent Histamine Intolerance
Knowledge is power, right? Know that many factors can influence your chances of developing histamine intolerance:
- Alcohol – which can also cause leaky gut, and affect your liver and blood sugar levels.
- Leaky Gut – because it allows food particles and other things into your bloodstream, inhibiting your nutrition and immune system.
- Liver conditions – your liver can get clogged up with mold mycotoxins and cause damage.
- Deficiencies of vitamins B-6 and C, and zinc and copper, all needed by your body for detoxification processes.
- Low oxygen levels caused by mold.
- Temperature extremes that can put too much stress on your body.
- Extreme or chronic stress is the number one cause of everything because it down regulates your genes, over uses cortisol, causes leaky gut, and brings a whole host of other problems.
1 To get your histamine under control, first change to a low-histamine diet (link to https://mastcell360.com/low-histamine-foods-list/) that is high in nutrients. Follow a simple menu for dinner such as rosemary chicken, broccoli noodles with garlic, and white chocolate chip cookie dough for dessert. You can find these MCAS-friendly recipes online here.
2 Take DAO enzymes, either by eating organic, grass-fed beef kidney or taking the supplement.
3 Consider taking natural antihistamines and mast cell stabilizers like stinging nettle, bromelain, ginger, quercetin and vitamin C, Designs for Health is a great high quality brand. Please don’t use over the counter antihistamines often because your body can become dependent on them and require more and more of them to get the same effects.
4 Increase your exercise and sweating to get your blood pumping and remove toxins from your cells and out of your body more quickly. Just don’t overdo it to the point where your body can’t recover easily.
Now you can see why it’s easy to mistake mold illness for other conditions and how your roadmap to healing can become hard to read! You can also better understand how mold and mast cell activation syndrome wreak havoc and cause a flurry of symptoms.
But even if you struggle with histamine intolerance, mold and mast cell activation syndrome, it’s critical to believe your body can heal. It doesn’t have to be overwhelming and lonely. Receive help from someone who’s experienced, trained and equipped with a roadmap that will guide you to healing and living a purposeful life again. Click here to schedule your free Breakthrough call today.
