Mast Cells

The next step on our journey of understanding allergies is to look closer at mast cells and why they are important in managing allergies.

What Are Mast Cells?

Mast Cells are prevalent in tissues that interact with the outside world, respiratory, gastrointestinal, genitourinary systems and the skin. Mast cells hold multiple inflammatory chemicals, including histamine, that are triggers to be released when the IgE from T cells attach to the outside of the mast cell.

In addition to histamine, mast cells contain many other chemicals that participate in wound healing, inflammation (both causing and resolving), and protecting the body from invaders. When the inflammatory chemicals are released excessively, this can cause problems, like in Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) when mast cells are overreactive and send out these chemicals when they are not needed and lead to general inflammation and the pain, swelling, and other symptoms that accompany inflammation. Interestingly, histamine can trigger mast cells to release chemicals, so one way to help with MCAS is to manage histamine well so that it does not contribute to mast cells releasing chemicals.

How Can We Stabilize Mast Cells?

There are several natural ways that we can stabilize mast cells.

Quercetin is a phytonutrient (chemical in plant foods that gives color and has an effect the body. It works at multiple stages of the allergic reaction pathway and stabilizes mast cells. You can get quercetin from foods or supplements. Below are foods that are good sources of quercetin or other mast cell stabilizing components. Many people with seasonal allergies find that taking quercetin helps reduce their symptoms if taken regularly leading up to and during their allergy season.

•Apples-quercetin

•Watercress-inhibits histamine release from mast cells

•Onions-stabilizes mast cells/may lower histamine in blood

•Peaches-inhibit mast cell release of histamine

•Pomegranate-mast cell stabilizer

•Stinging Nettle (tea)-antihistamine/mast cell stabilizer

•Tarragon-mast cell stabilizer/antihistamine

Including these foods into your normal eating plan can help keep your mast cells stabilized. As always, if you have negative reactions to any of these foods, do not incorporate them into your diet.

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I am not a doctor. The information contained on this Website are for educational and informational purposes only. The information contained on this Website and the resources available for download through this Website is not intended as, and shall not be understood or construed medical or health advice.

•Patel RH, Mohiuddin SS. Biochemistry, Histamine. In: StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; May 1, 2023.

•Jafarinia M, Sadat Hosseini M, Kasiri N, et al. Quercetin with the potential effect on allergic diseases. Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol. 2020;16:36. Published 2020 May 14. doi:10.1186/s13223-020-00434-0

•Banafea GH, Bakhashab S, Alshaibi HF, Natesan Pushparaj P, Rasool M. The role of human mast cells in allergy and asthma. Bioengineered. 2022;13(3):7049-7064. doi:10.1080/21655979.2022.2044278

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•Ried K, Travica N, Paye Y, Sali A. Effects of a Probiotic Formulation on Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis in Adults-A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial: The Probiotics for Hay Fever Trial. Front Nutr. 2022;9:887978. Published 2022 May 23. doi:10.3389/fnut.2022.887978

•Foodsforbetterhealth.com