Histamine Intolerance vs. Mast Cell Activation: What’s Really Going On?
Histamine Intolerance vs. Mast Cell Activation: What’s Really Going On?
Have you ever felt like your body was reacting to everything—foods, smells, stress, even emotions—and no one could tell you why?
Maybe you’ve been told it’s “just allergies”… or worse, that it’s all in your head.
But what if your body isn’t broken? What if it’s sending a message… and that message is asking you to go deeper?
Let’s talk about two often-overlooked root causes behind a wide range of mysterious symptoms: Histamine Intolerance (HIT) and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS).
What Is Histamine?
Histamine is a natural chemical your body makes. It plays a role in digestion, immune responses, and acts like a “first responder” when something seems off.
But when histamine builds up faster than your body can break it down, you get histamine overload—and that’s when symptoms start to show up.
Histamine Intolerance (HIT)
Histamine Intolerance is not an allergy—it’s a build-up of histamine in the body due to poor clearance.
Common Triggers:
Aged, fermented, or leftover foods
Gut dysbiosis (leaky gut, candida, SIBO)
Stress or trauma
Nutrient deficiencies (like DAO enzyme, vitamin B6, C, zinc)
Impaired detox pathways (liver, kidneys, lymph)
Common Symptoms:
Headaches or migraines
Flushing, rashes, hives, or itching
Runny nose or congestion
Heart palpitations
Anxiety or panic
Fatigue or brain fog
Digestive upset (bloating, nausea, diarrhea)
If you feel worse after eating certain foods (even healthy ones like avocado or spinach), histamine overload could be to blame.
Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS)
MCAS goes deeper.
Mast cells are immune cells that act like bodyguards—they release histamine and other chemicals when they sense a threat. In MCAS, these cells become hyper-sensitive, overreacting to even harmless things.
Common Triggers:
Food, chemicals, temperature changes, fragrances
Mold exposure
Emotional trauma or stress
EMFs or environmental toxins
Infections like Lyme, viruses, or parasites
MCAS vs. HIT:
Histamine Intolerance Mast Cell Activation Syndrome
Main Problem Too much histamine, not broken down Mast cells releasing too many chemicals
Symptoms Food-related, digestive, mild allergic Unpredictable, widespread, systemic
Root Cause Enzyme deficiency, gut/liver issues Immune dysregulation, trauma, toxins
Treatment Focus DAO support, gut healing Mast cell stabilizers, nervous system calm
The Emotional & Spiritual Roots
From a holistic and faith-based perspective, both conditions share a deeper thread: the body doesn’t feel safe.
Long-term stress, grief, or trauma (especially when unprocessed) can lock the nervous system in “fight or flight” — which keeps mast cells and histamine on high alert.
As someone who’s walked the road of caregiving, chronic illness, and emotional healing, I can tell you: the body remembers… and healing begins when we feel truly safe—spirit, soul, and body.
Healing Is Possible
You are not “too sensitive.” You’re not making it up. And you don’t have to walk this path alone.
Whether you’re just beginning to explore these root causes, or you’ve been dismissed by doctors one too many times, I want to encourage you:
Your body is wise.
Your symptoms are signals.
There is a way forward.
-Ready to Get2theRoots™?
As a CHHP and someone who has lived through this, I guide clients in addressing the root causes of histamine and mast cell issues using:
AO Inner Voice scans for emotional insight
Gentle detox and gut support
Nervous system regulation
Christ-centered emotional and spiritual healing
If you’re ready to feel seen, heard, and supported — I invite you to book a Discovery Call today.
With Love & Wholeness,
Lee Mauldin, CHHP, CBP, CLS, RT, M.Min
Get2theRoots™: Spirit, Soul & Body Restoration
Get2theRoots.com