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Mastocytosis

Low Histamine Meal Plan Alert! Get your Free Download here!

Mastocytosis and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome often require a low-histamine diet to reduce symptoms. Improving nutrition can help.

woman eating spaghetti

Things have been rough for the whole world these past few months. Many of us are quarantined, our brains filled with what-ifs. Some of us have lost loved ones to this dreaded virus, COVID-19.

For those with mast cell disease, times of stress can really wreak havoc on the system. Brain fog can make it difficult to make decisions, including what to eat. Healthy meals that keep mast cell mediators from running amok are super important right now. Avoiding the ER is at the top of everyone’s list.

To help you through this difficult time, I have created a 7 day Low Histamine Meal Plan complete with a food shopping list, easy to follow recipes, and a handy daily guide. You can download both the guide and the meal plan by clicking below.

As with any general plan, this does not address individual intolerances, or allergies. If you cannot tolerate a food item listed, find a suitable substitute. If you need more of an individualized plan, feel free to contact me HERE

7-Day-Low-Histamine-Prep-GuideDownload
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How To Use The Low Histamine Diet To Improve Your Symptoms of Mast Cell Disease.

Question

A low histamine diet consists of eliminating foods that are either high in histamines or provoke a histamine response the body. Histamine is, in medical terminology, a biogenic amine. This means it can cause mast cells to release chemicals that will result in the following  symptoms:

  • Hives
  • Itchiness
  • Swelling
  • Flushing
  • Congestion
  • Gastrointestinal issues
  • Headaches
  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Low blood pressure
  • Trouble breathing
  • Anaphylaxis

DAO (diamine oxidase) is the main enzyme for metabolizing histamine. Some foods can also inhibit this enzyme, which can lead to more circulating histamine in the body. Higher blood histamine levels will elicit the symptoms mentioned above.

So who needs a low histamine diet? Those who are diagnosed with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS), Mastocytosis, and those who suspect they might be suffering from histamine intolerance. It is important to note that unlike an IgE-mediated allergy, where even a small amount ingested can cause a reaction, with mast cell disease and histamine intolerance, the amount of histamine ingested and/or generated is important in determining if a reaction will occur and how severe it will be.

And, guys, this is where implementing the diet can get tricky; not every person will react to the same foods! The Swiss Interest Group Histamine Intolerance (SIGHI) has put together a comprehensive list of foods to avoid which are high in histamine and foods that are histamine liberators, meaning they provoke the body to release histamine. The list can be found HERE and it is considered a good place to start. However, a skilled registered dietitian is necessary to help you eliminate foods and then reintroduce them, looking for patterns to identify your individualized triggers. 

Why the need to be monitored by a health professional? Because it is important not to limit yourself to only a few safe foods. A registered dietitian specializing in a low-histamine diet can make sure you are not compromising your nutrient intake. If you have a mast cell disease and want to trial a low histamine diet, click HERE to grab your complimentary meal plan.

Click HERE to watch me speak more about nutrition and how to eat to reduce symptoms of mast cell disease and mastocytosis.

Evidence-Based Nutrition

There is always going to be a study supporting one diet or product over another. So how are we to decide what is sound medical/nutrition advice? Let’s break it down into the right questions to ask:

1. Can you find the source of the study? You will find many Instagram posts, diet guru articles, and news outlets stating “Studies show….”. If a specific study is cited, find it and read it. Find out who sponsored the study, how large the study was, etc. For example, if a study is done on the positive effects of soy on health, but  was sponsored by the American Soybean Association and had only 10 patients in it, we don’t put much stock in that. However, if the study was out of an unaffiliated center, and had hundreds of participants, we can consider it more valid. (There are still many other factors involved, but this info will quickly tell you if you should close your browser window on an article or keep reading).

2. Who is giving you the information? There are many influencers on social media today who are paid to give their two cents. Are they experts? No! They are  the modern day equivalent of a paid T.V. commercial ad. Ask yourself, is this a medical professional? What is their degree? Is it accredited and nationally recognized? 

3. Are they trying to sell you something? Many times you will find what is called “click-bait” online. Pseudo-practitioners will cite studies showing that they have a miracle product. If something seems too good to be true, it is. Real medical practitioners know that science is an ever-changing field of study, and will not promote miracle cures. Any product or supplement that claims to “cure everything” will at best swindle you out of your money, or at worst, harm you with unsafe ingredients. 

Those with chronic illnesses such as Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, and Mast Cell Disease are at particular risk of being taken advantage of since there aren’t many treatments available. Be careful what you read out there- ask questions! Knowledge is power, but only if the knowledge comes from reputable sources. 

My New Year’s Wish For You- Good Health!

Floating candles

Many people like to start off the new year with a resolution or two. I prefer to start it off with a blessing for all of my followers. When we put things out into the universe, the universe hears us! 

So for all of you reading, may you be blessed with the ability to try new remedies and to figure out your triggers (and avoid them). May your troubles improve, and your happiness & health leap to new bounds. 

I wish for you a year filled with better things! You don’t know how strong and capable you are until you try! 

To your health,

Bonnie Nasar RDN

Mast Cells and Food: What You Need To Know

Blank notebook

While there are different names for mast cell diseases, most of them have similar symptoms. Some people get the diagnosis of Mast Cell Activation Sydrome (MCAS), while others might get a diagnosis of Mast Cell Activation Disease (MCAD). The truth is, they both fall under the umbrella of Mast Cell Disease, as does Mastocytosis.

No matter the diagnosis, it can be difficult to figure out which foods are causing an issue for mast cell patients. The best way to address it is by keeping a food & symptom diary. You can use a notebook or an app to jot down what you ate, what time you ate it, and any symptoms you experience. 

 A food diary allows me, as the dietitian detective, to look for patterns. Sometimes I find a specific food is a culprit, other times I have to scrutinize the data. More often than not there is a common additive in foods that are being eaten unbeknownst to the patient. So, while there is no pattern in the foods consumed, the ingredient list shows otherwise. 

Talk to your doctor or dietitian about keeping a food and symptom diary. 

Want to try a low-histamine diet to see if it will help your mast cell disease symptoms? You can see a list of the complete low histamine foods to avoid HERE. Check out my low-histamine meal plan giveaway HERE.