MC and Mast Cells

Lilja · Post by **Lilja** » Fri Nov 13, 2015 1:45 pm

Hi,

I was made aware of Niacin and D, and Niacin and Dermatitis by some friends in the Norwegian vitamin protest group on FB.

I am now D-free, but have a lot of skin problems. Some call it urticaria, some call it mast cell reaction.

Here where I live, there is no expertise as to mast cells diagnosis and treatment, so I have to find my own solutions.

I took 1 Niacin tablet (500 mg) for the first time in my life today, and OMG did I have a solid reaction!

Could my MC have been started by the lack of Niacin?
Could my "urticaria" be a reaction due to the lack of Niacin?

I finally got rid of psoriasis 4 months after going GF, DF and Soy-free.

But, after having ingested barium sulphate for an x-ray of the esophagus two years ago, I got a terrible reaction, and since then my chest has been covered by red spots at the size of a little finger nail.

I fixed my D, thanks to this forum.
I fixed my psoriasis, thanks to this forum.

And now I want to fix my skin problem.

I have read what Tex has written about mast cells. But, I already have such a strict diet, so I don't know how I can cure the mast cell problem through avoiding food, and according to a list one with mast cell problems has to avoid, I am not exposed to any of those things.

I will continue to take Niacin in the hope that the skin problem may be a Niacin deficiency.
But, hopefully some of you have additional thoughts and ideas?

Lilia

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Fri Nov 13, 2015 2:15 pm

I reduced histamine issues big time by fixing magnesium, Vit C and zinc deficiencies.

Taking methionine (key to methylation cycle) has been the other element that has helped.

Based on my reading and research thus far, I am 90% sure that histamine/mast cell is linked to methylation issues, deficiencies and excess toxins in the body.

Diet wise, so long as you are eating freshly cooked meals, or reheating from freshly defrosted, there should be minimal histamine issues.

Post by **tex** » Fri Nov 13, 2015 3:47 pm

Lilia wrote:Could my MC have been started by the lack of Niacin?
Could my "urticaria" be a reaction due to the lack of Niacin?

Sure. A niacin deficiency can cause diarrhea, dermatitis, and other symptoms. Chronic diarrhea can lead to MC.

But it's also just as possible that your MC caused the niacin deficiency.

Pellagra

Tex

Lilja · Post by **Lilja** » Sat Nov 14, 2015 3:21 am

Thank you Gabes and Tex!

I will try to take a smaller dose of Niacin by opening the capsules of 500 mg, and spread it out with meals, during the day.

Lilia

Deb · Post by **Deb** » Sat Nov 14, 2015 6:56 am

Lilia, the niacin flush is a pretty common reaction. DH has been taking niacin for a long while and still reacts regularly. It's generally harmless. I was on niacin for a while but used the timed-release version but learned that wasn't as effective for my usage (I was trying to lower my cholesterol at the time).
http://www.livestrong.com/article/47072 ... lush-last/

crervin · Post by **crervin** » Sat Nov 14, 2015 9:01 am

Gabes,

I am interested in taking vit c, zinc, and methionine. I found zinc on Iherbs that is vegan and corn free and bluebonnet L-methionine. Vitamin C confuses me because is it not derived from corn?

Can't seem to get anyone to do a vitamin deficiency test on me. Just wondering what dose would be safe. Guess i could just use the dose suggested. I'm starting to have allergies to food as I am reintroducing small amounts, just curious if this might help that.

Thank you

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Sat Nov 14, 2015 3:27 pm

Crevin
the hard part is that there is no accurate reliable blood test for this type of vitamin /mineral deficiencies/imbalances etc.
and the role of methylation in health and wellness is not accepted by mainstream medicine as yet

the only accurate way would be tissue sampling and cell analysis. which is something that is not done unless you are chronically ill.
It has been a combo of blood tests (most of which I paid out of pocket for) and hair mineral analysis (again that I paid for) and symptoms that my nutritionist and I came up with most likely causes and best way forward.

Re Zinc
two things - iHerb have a zinc mineral liquid as well. I use this to brush my gums etc. as a lingual way to absorb the zinc.

most importantly, I have had a serious zinc deficiency most of my life due to a condition called kryptopyrrole. (which also causes excess copper build up)
before taking high doses of zinc, please have your zinc/copper serum blood levels checked. you may need to take copper as well.

L-Methionine
I buy now foods brand from iHerb, the label says that it is corn free.

Vit C
I use a powder that is produced here in Australia. ( and I do not have issues with corn)
I did quick google search 'corn free Vit C' and there are products available...

there is also Vit c in orange sweet potato and cauliflower, which are my safe vegetables.

Guidelines on dosages
Vit C - the RDA is 75-125mg to correct deficiencies you can go up to 2000mg per day.
space it out over the day to avoid gut issues. I took at least 1000mg per day for 8-12 weeks

Zinc - RDA is 15mg per day to correct deficiencies you can go up to 90mg
I would not advise going above 50mg per day unless you have had the zinc/copper testing done.

L-Methionine just start at 500mg per day... give a few weeks and see how you go

while you are so sensitive and so much is going on, start them one at a time, low low dose and work up gradually.
dont shock your system too much.
it took me a couple of months to work up to full doses. and keep expectations realistic, it will take 6-8 weeks of full doses to start to correct these deficiencies, based on where things are at, this could be a 6 month process for you.

hope this helps

crervin · Post by **crervin** » Sat Nov 14, 2015 3:44 pm

Thank you Gabes, this helps a lot.

Jeanie · Post by **Jeanie** » Thu Nov 19, 2015 10:58 pm

I just looked up Mast Cells and found the comments on taking Niacin. I took Niaspan (basically the same I believe, but a metered dose) for many years. I had a big problem with flushing every now and then during the night and about 3 years ago I woke up with a severe reaction that lasted about four hours. That was it, I quit taking it. I was taking it for my cholesterol but I also take other medicine for that.

A year ago, a friend gave me a newspaper clipping (July 27, 2014) and the article stated that two studies revealed more side effects and the studies' bottom line was that it didn't help prevent heart problems any more than statins alone do. Dr Donald Lloyd-Jones of NW University in Chicago stated that Niacin should not be used routinely in clinical practice at all. (The article was in a Minneapolis, MN newspaper.)

I have had my severe D problem for most of the last 50 years and it did not seem to be affected at all by the Niaspan. I was not diagnosed with the MC until around 2007 but I was consistently misdiagnosed. It might be something worth checking into.

Jean

Lilja · Post by **Lilja** » Sun Nov 22, 2015 7:06 am

Gabes-Apg wrote: L-Methionine
I buy now foods brand from iHerb, the label says that it is corn free.

Gabes,

What does the L in L-Methionine stand for?

I tried to find methionine on my distributor's list (BigVits in UK), but this came up when I searched for methionine.

Is SAMe and L-Methionine the same thing?

http://www.bigvits.co.uk/product.php?pid=1239

Lilia

Post by **tex** » Sun Nov 22, 2015 9:51 am

Lilia,

It's already Monday in Australia, so Gabes may not see your question before she goes to work. So I'll offer a brief explanation:

L-methionine (also known as simply methionine) is an essential amino acid, meaning that the body cannot produce methionine, so it must come from food. The body uses methionine to produce SAMe.

SAMe is also known as S-Adenosyl-L-methionine, S-adenosyl methionine, S-adenosylmethionine, or SAM-e in the United States. I believe it's called ademetionine in Europe.

Tex

Lilja · Post by **Lilja** » Sun Nov 22, 2015 12:48 pm

Thank you, Tex.

I have been taking the active form of B12, B9 and B6, in the ratio equivalent to the ingredients of Metanx, since my last question regarding this (I think it was November last year). I have recently discovered that my fingers have become so thick and swollen, and I'm trying to find out why.

Maybe my intrinsic factor has started to kick in, or my absorbtion has gotten better, and I don't need the active forms of B12, B9 and B6 any more? Or, maybe it's the Niacin I have been taking these last 2 weeks?

I know that swollen fingers is a symptom of something happening, but I don't know what.

My MC is behaving excellently, by the way :-)

Lilia

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Sun Nov 22, 2015 1:03 pm

Lilja
one of the reasons i started taking the L-methionine is because it is the pre-curser to SaMe, and way way cheaper than SaMe
as I did further reading it made alot of sense and with my MC safe eating plan, i have limited resources to get it from foods...

it may well help with your circulation/fingers issues

Because it serves as a lipotropic, L-Methionine is important in processing fats and maintaining the good condition of the liver by preventing fat build up and aiding in the elimination of fatty substances that block arteries especially those responsible in the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart, kidneys and the brain.
Methionine also eases fatigue and can also alleviate allergies since it reduces the release of histamine. Medical professionals have also found it useful in the treatment of rheumatic fever. In addition, it is directly accountable for the manufacture of creatine naturally found in muscle tissues, providing these tissues the energy needed to move. Creatine is identified with good muscle function, supporting heart and circulatory systems. That is why people into heavy workouts are encouraged to take L-Methionine supplements.

http://www.naturalwellbeing.com/learnin ... Methionine

another article with some links
http://jonbarron.org/herbal-library/nut ... methionine

The other thing that may help with your fingers is CoQ10...

Hope this helps

Lilja · Post by **Lilja** » Thu Nov 26, 2015 12:29 am

Gabes-Apg wrote:Lilja
one of the reasons i started taking the L-methionine is because it is the pre-curser to SaMe, and way way cheaper than SaMe
as I did further reading it made alot of sense and with my MC safe eating plan, i have limited resources to get it from foods...

it may well help with your circulation/fingers issues

Because it serves as a lipotropic, L-Methionine is important in processing fats and maintaining the good condition of the liver by preventing fat build up and aiding in the elimination of fatty substances that block arteries especially those responsible in the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart, kidneys and the brain.
Methionine also eases fatigue and can also alleviate allergies since it reduces the release of histamine. Medical professionals have also found it useful in the treatment of rheumatic fever. In addition, it is directly accountable for the manufacture of creatine naturally found in muscle tissues, providing these tissues the energy needed to move. Creatine is identified with good muscle function, supporting heart and circulatory systems. That is why people into heavy workouts are encouraged to take L-Methionine supplements.
http://www.naturalwellbeing.com/learnin ... Methionine

another article with some links
http://jonbarron.org/herbal-library/nut ... methionine

The other thing that may help with your fingers is CoQ10...

Hope this helps

Thank you, Gabes

Oh, that's interesting, that L-Methionine is the precursor to SAMe! Maybe I will get rid of my skin problems as well (urticaria or mast cell reaction, hard to tell).

I ordered L-Methionine from iHerb, arrived yesterday. I'm excited to see if it helps. I have a feeling it will, because this morning I woke up at 05.30, and that has not happened in a very, very long time.

I already take CoQ10.

Lilia

Post by **tex** » Thu Nov 26, 2015 9:11 am

Lilia wrote: know that swollen fingers is a symptom of something happening, but I don't know what.

I'm sorry, I've been having Internet connection problems, and that caused me to overlook your post earlier. I have a hunch that's an allergic reaction to niacin, and if you stop taking the niacin, your fingers will stop swelling:

Possible side effects of niacin:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Diarrhea; dizziness; headache; heartburn; increased cough, indigestion, or upset stomach; nausea; temporary skin redness, itching, tingling, or feelings of warmth (flushing); vomiting.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; unusual hoarseness); black, tarry, or bloody stools; changes in vision (eg, cloudy or blurred vision); decrease in urine or dark-colored urine; fainting; fast or irregular heartbeat; flu-like symptoms (eg, chills, fever, persistent sore throat); increased sweating; loss of appetite; muscle pain, tenderness, swelling, or weakness (with or without fever and fatigue); numbness or persistent tingling of the skin; severe dizziness or headache; severe or persistent diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting; shortness of breath; stomach pain; swelling of the hands, legs, or feet; unusual bruising or bleeding; vomit that looks like coffee grounds; yellowing of the skin or eyes.

Niacin

Tex