Dietary Considerations for Mast Cell Activation SyndromeDietary Considerations for Mast Cell Activation Syndrome
Food & Nutrition

Dietary Considerations for Mast Cell Activation Syndrome

Embarking on an elimination diet may go a long way in discovering what foods trigger symptoms in MCAS—the good thing is—it doesn’t have to be forever.
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Some foods, such as aged hard cheeses, tomatoes, and red wine, contain high concentrations of histamines. Franc-o/Shutterstock
By Ashley Turner BCDHH
Updated:
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This is part 3 in “Demystifying Mast Cell Activation Syndrome”

Mast cell activation syndrome afflicts many people with a bewildering array of symptoms, making it easy to misdiagnose. In this series, we explore what MCAS is, its many symptoms, and how diagnose and treat it.

For people who experience mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS), a change in diet can significantly reduce even the most undesired symptoms. Often, people believe they are eating a healthy diet—and they very well may be—but even some healthy foods may be high in histamines that spur symptoms of MCAS, such as irritable bowel syndrome, itching, sneezing, and insomnia.

Eating to reduce MCAS symptoms requires removing high-histamine foods and eating a low-histamine diet that contains histamine liberators. There is conflicting information online about how to do this; this article should provide clarity and direction on where to start this major change in your diet and lifestyle—and take you another big step in your journey toward healing.

Foods That Aggravate Histamine Concerns

Often, people who struggle with histamine issues find it helpful to do an elimination diet wherein they remove all high-histamine foods for a period of time to allow the body to heal.