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Immune Supports and Supplements that May Reduce Risk of Cold or Flu in Mast Cell Activation Syndrome and Histamine Intolerance

No one likes to get sick. But when you have Mast Cell Activation Syndrome or Histamine Intolerance, you want to avoid it as much as possible. 

Colds and flu often last longer for people with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome or Histamine Intolerance.

This is because these viral infections can set off a cascade of mast cell reactions lasting weeks or a few months.

These are the things I do when everyone around me seems to be coming down with a cold or the flu.

Immune Supports that may reduce risk of cold or flu in Mast Cell Activation Syndrome and Histamine Intolerance

  1. One of the big things I do is follow these Cold and Flu Prevention Tips for Mast Cell Activation Syndrome and Histamine Intolerance.
  2. I also get lots of extra sleep. Sleep supports your immune system. It also helps keep you from getting sick.
  3. I increase the humidity in my house to 50%. This is because viruses thrive in dry conditions. But humidifiers can get nasty with mold and bacteria buildup. I use this fully washable humidifier:

Completely Washable Modular Sanitary Humidifier

    1. I start using a silver nasal spray like the one below – 2 sprays/nostril 2 times per day. If you use a different nasal spray, just watch out for the mast cell triggers: citric acid, postassium sorbate, sodium benzoate.

(If you create an account at Full Script with the link below, you can get 15% off any order.*)

Immune Support Supplements that may reduce risk of cold or flu in Mast Cell Activation Syndrome and Histamine Intolerance

I also boost a few supplements that support the immune system. These are my top favorites.

Of course, if you have medical conditions or are taking medications, run these by your health care provider or pharmacist first. I strongly recommend if you haven’t taken these before, that you start with a sprinkle first and slowly increase. This is because people with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome can react to anything.

If you are very sensitive to supplements, please work with a Functional Practitioner before taking these.

Zinc picolinate – I take 15mg in the morning with food. Sometimes I’ll increase this temporarily to 30mg.

D3 with K2 – I take 5,000IU D3 daily in the morning with food. When I might be coming down with something, I’ll personally boost this to 10,000 IU daily.

This one is a 5000IU capsule:

If you aren’t used to taking Vitamin D, go slow and take a smaller amount. This liquid one is easy to absorb and you can microdose it:

Probiotic with both Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium – probiotics can go a long way in supporting the immune system. If you aren’t using a probiotic, start with sprinkles and slowly increase. Do not use this if you have SIBO, though.

Probiotic alternative for SIBO – If you are dealing with SIBO, then I wouldn’t do the probiotic above. Most people with SIBO and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome do ok with this gentle spore based probiotic instead. Again, start with sprinkles and slowly increase.

Elderberry and Black Currant – has some great immune supporting properties. Most elderberry syrups have things like citric acid or potassium sorbate. Here is a very clean source.

Be sure to get plenty of rest! Stay hydrated. And take good care of yourself during cold and flu season.

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Comments

  1. Scott

    I don’t see a silver spray on this page. Can you please list the name because I am also not seeing ingredients on labels when looking online,

    1. Beth O'Hara

      Hi Scott, we have added the silver spray as well. Thank you for letting us know it was not showing up!

  2. Ingrid

    Hello,

    I can not seem to find the links for the supplements mentioned above in the text – could you help me with this?

    Thank you!

    Kind regards,
    Ingrid

  3. Terri

    Hi Beth I wrote to you earlier but I called you Michelle so please forgive me. Do you have any multivitamins you feel good about that I can try I know everyone is different. Having to stop some of my Supplements because of reactions. Nothing severe but something noticeable. I wanted to try something new and I thought I would ask you first thank you for all your help Terry

    1. Suz, Mast Cell 360 Team

      Hi Terri,
      Generally, when someone is having sensitivities to supplements, we don’t recommend a multivitamin as it makes it harder to pinpoint what the reactions are caused by. If you aren’t tolerating single ingredients, we recommend looking into Nervous System support. You can learn more about Beth’s Master Class on the subject here:
      http://www.mastcell360.com/mastcell-reboot

  4. Tiara

    What are your thoughts on pure elderberry tea, like the one made by Buddha Teas?

    1. Suz, Mast Cell 360 Team

      Hi Tiara,
      We don’t typically recommend elderberry for our community.

      1. Lu We

        The article specifically recommends taking elderberry. I don’t get it.

        1. Jamie, Mast Cell 360 Team

          Hi Lu sorry for the confusion. Elderberry isn’t something we typically recommend taking daily or long term, but as an immune support it can be helpful. The one recommended above in the article has cleaner ingredients for those in our community who may choose to give it a try. Since we are unfamiliar with your individual case, we cannot say if this supplement will or will not work for you.

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