I am curious at to your definition of raw food. Do you mean non-processed foods or uncooked veggies and fruits? The reason that I ask is that uncooked veggies and fruits are common triggers for people, so it is important to be aware of that. Now that doesn't mean that mast cell people cannot eat uncooked veggies or uncooked fruits. Everyone is different, and some aren't affected by food at all. However, there are some foods which tend to make us sick more often than others, and I know that raw foods are on that list.

I happen to be one of the people who get dangerously ill from eating raw things. It is crazy that I cannot even eat half of an apple or a handful of little carrots, but if I do it will feel as if I ate a bunch of knives! LOL. Yikes! I have a bit more luck if I eat cooked veggies, but even then only certain ones won't make me sick.

Now, in regard to eating unprocessed foods, that is a TERRIFIC idea. I am all about that! Definitely the chemicals and who knows what in the processed foods make many of us feel terrible. I  tend to eat more natural foods if possible, and I know for a fact that it helps.

Thanks for your responses ladies.  Sorry it took so long for me to respond, as I haven't been on here much in the past few weeks.  

Deborah, yah, chemicals make me so sick, and I do so much better of them.  Other than a low histamine/salicylates/possibly low oxalate or GF/cassien free diet, I was wondering if others have gone the route of using food as your medicine.  Right now I'm in the camp of "limiting the things that make me feel worse" and moderation for the rest of what I take in.  

Marcia, I have been reading up on Dr Wahls and have watched two of her videos so far.  A friend lent me the DVDs of her complete set.  

I've also been reading up on methylation issues and bypassing genetic defects through appropriate supplementation to restore biochemical pathways in order to breakdown histamine, estrogen, dopamine, salicylates, sulfa/sulfur/sulfites, as well as dozens of other hormones, co factors and enzymes necessary for the body to function properly.  

I see Dr Wahls has incorporated some things to overcome her MTHFR (specific enzyme needed to convert inactive form of folate to active form) genetic defects.  Have you had your genes tested, like through 23andme?  Marcia, I'm wondering how you are incorporating supplementation specific to your own genetic issues into Dr Wahls program.  

Thanks,
Lyn      

Marcia,
I haven't yet started any methylation directed treatments yet, but am reading up on this concept form multiple angles.  I'm reading/viewing about various protocols and am finding great pearls of wisdom that literally explain why I react to various things based off my 23andme data and tracking down the implications on this messed up biochemistry through each of the folks I am following:  Dr Yasko, Dr Ben Lynch, Dr Kendal Stewart, Dr Rich Van Konynenberg, Sterling Hill, Dr Tim Jackson, Dr Terry Wahls, and others.  I am fascinated that this concept has been used to reverse autism, CFS/ME, MS, cancer, Alzheimers and Dementia, Lupus, and other disorders.  I figure if I understand the science enough to figure out where my biochemistry is broken, I can then fix those broken pathways and regain wellness.      

I started reading about methylation and supplements, but that was way too confusing for me, so I set out to find resources that explained the biochemistry side of it all.  I learned a long time ago that taking the wrong form of a supplement or wrong amount can cause me problems, so I try to be as informed as possible so not to make me worse.    

I hear you on the biases in healthcare, it makes me so crazy, that I tend to over-research a topic, just so I make sure I am not suckered down a path to line someone's pockets.  

I'm finding great value in having my genome results from 23andme, as I can literally track which SNPs I have and see what biochemical pathways are blocked.  While the fields of epigenetics and nutrigenomics are really new, there is ample scientific data to the various recovery protocols out there to get my attention.  

For example, I do not have MTHFR, but have issues with COMT causing issues with breaking down estrogens and catecholamines, such as dopamine, epi and norepi.  My CYP 1B1 SNP adds to my estrogen metabolism woes.  I have VDR SNPs meaning I can't properly make/convert Vit D.  MAOA SNP leads to issues with serotonin.  MTRR SNP leads to issues with folate and methionine metabolism. CBS SNP involves issues with transulfonation meaning it backs up the conversion of sulfa/sulfites/sulfur into sulfates.  Since many many supplements and foods contain sulfur, I supect my ongoing issues lie in this camp.  Taurine is a sulfur based amino acid. This CBS SNP can back up just about every function, eventually leading to gluatathione depletion and making the body unable to properly get rid of toxins, unmetabolized hormones, cofactors or enzymes, and a score of other problems.  One of these SNPs is responsible for histamine not to be broken down properly, bringing it back to mast cells.  

And I have several blocked CYP 450 pathways, leading to poor metabolism of certain drugs and sensitivity to alcohol, benzene, PEG, cigarette smoke and other items.  

Seriously, I have learned more information with this one test which validated more symptoms and reactions than any other single test I have taken in the past 15 years.  I am opting for a comprehensive approach to recovery and believe there is much value in all this.  

It wasn't until I got knee deep into this research that it hit me:  just as autism, CFS/ME, cancer, IBS, autoimmune disease rates skyrocket due to an epidemic of broken chemical pathways in each of us, we are taxing our immune systems to a new limit and this is likely part of why MCAS was only recognized a few years ago.  And all of these disorders are driven by massive inflammation.  

Which points to allergens, gluten, casien and other proteins we can't properly break down - they cause inflammation.  They say healing has to start in the gut, and when you can properly assilimilate nutrients, then it is advised to address these methylation defects.  Until then there are topical or subligual supplements that bypass the liver detox system and can get to the areas that need em the most.  

I recently learned about Cholacol and Ox Bile, two enzymatic supplements that support those without a gallbladder.  Have you looked into a bile supplement?  

Dr Kendal Stewart has 5 15 videos on You Tube.  His talk is geared to an autism audience, but he talks about neuroimmune disorders in general.  He gives a great explanation on b cell and t cell imbalances and how this can lead to hypersensitivity of the immune system and make people be allergic or sensitive to just about everything.  Sounds like MCAS/SM to me.            

As the epigenetic experts say:  Your genes loads the gun and your environment pulls the trigger --> dysfunction.  

Oh, as you can tell  I'm really torqued up about all this.  I really hope some of this can help someone connect some dots.  

Best wishes on your journey to wellness,
Lyn