MCAS, histamine intolerance and unexplained symptoms
AREAS I SUPPORT
Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) and histamine intolerance are distinct but closely related conditions that can leave you feeling increasingly reactive to foods, your environment and everyday life.
Rather than focusing on symptoms in isolation, I take a whole-person approach to understand the patterns contributing to your health. Alongside my clinical training, I've also navigated this journey personally, bringing both lived experience and professional understanding to the care I provide.
Does this sound like you?
RECOGNISING THE PATTERN
Reacting to foods you once tolerated, including leftovers, fermented foods or alcohol.
Flushing, itching, hives or unexplained skin reactions.
Bloating, reflux or ongoing digestive symptoms.
Migraines, dizziness, palpitations or feeling anxious or "wired."
Symptoms that flare around your menstrual cycle or hormonal changes.
Increasing sensitivity to foods, supplements, exercise, heat, cold or fragrances.
Symptoms that began after COVID-19, another viral illness or a significant immune challenge.
Living with POTS, hypermobility, EDS, Long COVID or other overlapping conditions.
Constantly removing foods or supplements, yet still searching for answers.
Unexplained symptoms that no one has been able to connect.
There isn't one classic presentation of MCAS or histamine intolerance. Symptoms often fluctuate, affect multiple body systems and can seem unrelated. Rather than looking for one symptom, I look for patterns like these:
Understanding MCAS and histamine intolerance
A LITTLE CLARITY
Histamine intolerance and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) are often spoken about together, but they're not the same condition. While the symptoms can look remarkably similar, what's happening inside the body is different.
Histamine intolerance occurs when histamine accumulates faster than your body can clear it, allowing it to build up over time. Mast cells on the other hand, are specialised immune cells found throughout the body that help protect you by releasing chemical messengers, known as mediators, in response to injury, infection or perceived threats. In MCAS, these mast cells become overly responsive, releasing histamine, along with hundreds of other chemical messengers, more readily than they should. This can lead to symptoms affecting multiple body systems.
Although they're distinct conditions, they often overlap, leaving many people feeling confused by symptoms that seem unrelated or difficult to explain.
Recognising the difference helps us identify what may be contributing to your symptoms and, ultimately, how best to support your wellbeing.
Living with MCAS and histamine intolerance has given me a deeply personal understanding of what it means to live in a highly sensitive body. Like many people navigating these conditions, I've searched for answers, explored different approaches and learnt that healing isn't always about doing more. Sometimes it's about understanding more.
Over time, this has helped me to appreciate that the body responds not only to what we give it, but also to how we meet it. Understanding our patterns, recognising our triggers and gently rebuilding trust in our bodies can be just as important as the treatments we choose.
This Work Is Personal
WHY THIS MATTERS TO ME
There is no single MCAS diet that works for everyone, and a low histamine diet is simply one tool. Together, we'll work to understand your body more deeply, recognise the patterns that influence your symptoms and find practical ways to reduce the overall load. The goal isn't a life of increasing restriction, but one where your world can gradually widen again.
How I work with you
WORKING TOGETHER
01
Your initial consultation
A 70-minute consultation, in person in Christchurch or online, where we'll explore your health story, symptoms and the patterns that make your experience unique.
02
Building Foundations
Together we'll focus on nutrition, sleep, stress and lifestyle to reduce the overall load on your body and gradually rebuild variety.
03
Further Investigation
Where appropriate, we'll discuss whether functional testing may provide additional insight and help guide your personalised plan.
04
Ongoing coaching as you progress
Regular follow-up sessions allow us to adapt your plan as your needs change, building understanding and confidence along the way.
Related areas I support
CONNECTED AREAS
Histamine issues rarely travel alone. Gut health and post-viral recovery are common areas of overlap, but they're just two of the many related areas I support.
AREAS I SUPPORT
Gut health & IBS
The gut and histamine are closely linked. If digestion is part of your picture, this is often where we begin.
EXPLORE →
AREAS I SUPPORT
Long COVID and post viral recovery
For some people, viral infections can trigger ongoing inflammation and contribute to MCAS and histamine-related symptoms.
EXPLORE →
COMMON QUESTIONS
Questions people often ask
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Although they often overlap, they're not the same condition. Histamine intolerance occurs when histamine builds up because it isn't cleared efficiently, whereas MCAS involves mast cells releasing histamine and other chemical messengers more readily than they should. Some people experience one, while many experience a combination of both.
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No. A low histamine diet is usually a temporary strategy to help settle symptoms. The goal is always to expand your diet again, creating the most varied and nourishing way of eating your body can comfortably tolerate.
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Yes. Histamine intolerance and MCAS can be complex and often benefit from a collaborative approach. Where appropriate, I work alongside your GP and other healthcare providers to ensure your care is coordinated, evidence-informed and tailored to your individual needs.
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Not necessarily. Functional testing is only recommended when it's likely to provide meaningful information that will change your care plan. In many cases, we can make significant progress through a detailed health history, nutrition and lifestyle changes alone.
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I am currently certified in both Integrative Nutrition and Performance Nutrition and am completing my final year of supervised clinical mentoring towards becoming an Accredited and Registered Clinical Nutritionist and Complementary Medical Practitioner in Australasia. As part of this process, I continue to practise under the guidance of an experienced clinical mentor.
Not sure where to start?
A GENTLE NEXT STEP
A complimentary 15-minute chat is a simple way to connect, ask questions and explore whether we're the right fit. No pressure, no obligation, just a conversation.