Short version : Natural Mast Cells Stabilizers like quercetin, luteolin, apigenin, curcumin, pine bark extract and others are good candidates at becoming part of a pre-pack taken before release in order to lower duration and severity of POIS symptoms.
Longer version : ;-)
I have already written about the fact that I see a link between many POIS symptoms and symptoms that are seen in Mast Cells Activation Disorder ( MACD). This clearly goes toward the auto-immune hypothesis of POIS cause. Allergic and flu-like symptoms are not hard to link to a immune response, and I have already explained my view on how cognitive and emotional symptoms may be also linked to immune response, via TDO and IDO upregulating, shunting the tryptophan metabolism from niacin and serotonin production to kynurenine production and its toxic by-products, quinolinic acid and kynuretic acid.
Recently, Romies have shared his success with a pre-pack containing celecoxib, quercetin/bromelain, curcumin ( see his post at
http://poiscenter.com/forums/index.php?topic=2090.msg19833#msg19833 ) He also, as myself, have symptoms similar to POIS after exercise ( sport, training), but milder than a POIS attack, and successfully uses the same pre-pack to prevent these exercise-induced symptoms, for him being fatigue and brain fog ( see at
http://poiscenter.com/forums/index.php?topic=2090.msg19834#msg19834 ). The three component f his pre-pack have mast cells stabilizing properties, and that was part of the reason he came with this combo.
I had myself included mast cells stabilizers in my pre-pack, and have success with them. So, I though it would be useful to expand a little bit on the subject of natural mast cells stabilizers ( I prefer natural supplements over prescription drugs, as you may have noticed, because they are relatively safer, and easier to obtain, without the need to see a doctor). I truly believe that mast cells stabilizers are useful for POIS relief, in particular when taken before release.
The interest of mast cells stabilizers is that they act one step earlier than antihistamines. They block degranulation, that is, the release of histamine and other pro-inflammatory messengers by activated mast cells. Antihistamine block the histamine receptors, so are used to lower the effects of histamine that has already been release in the tissues,and of course, they work only against histamine, and not the other immune messengers that are released by mast cells and that cause inflammation and symptoms in the body and brain (pro-inflammatory cytokines, etc) . Natural mast cells stabilizers have usually less side effects than anti-histamine, if you use safe doses ( antihistamine have usually a drowsiness side effect, in particular for first generation antihistamine like diphenydramine)
For a great start about natural mast cells stabilizers, here is a excellent article titled "Twenty-first century mast cell stabilizers", listing natural mast cells stabilizers, and providing scientific references for them :
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.12138/full . The text is very informative, and I never saw a so extensive list of natural mast cells stabilizers elsewhere.
In Table 1 there is an extensive list of naturally occurring mast cells stabilizers. Many of them I already uses, like quercetin and luteolin, and this article learned me about interesting others I didn't came across so far, like apigenin.
Reading table one, you may not recognize some of the names, but may know about the plants and supplements that are a source of them. Here are those that I find the most interesting, and their possible sources:
Quercetin: yes, my favorite. I use a supplement of quercetin with bromelain, the later raising the absorption of quercetin. Quercetin supplements are not expensive. However, better look for a preparation that enhance the low absorption of quercetin. Food containing quercetin include red kidney beans and capers, and many other fruits and vegetables. For more info and other food sources, see
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quercetin Luteolin: very interesting flavonoid. If you have brain fog, you should read this article:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26190965 . It states that luteolin is effective against brain fog and other cognitive symptoms. Luteolin is contained in parsley, artichoke leaves, celery, peppers, olive oil, rosemary, lemons, peppermint, sage, thyme and other foods. My favorite sources are artichoke supplement and rosemary essential oils. Olive leaf extract also contains luteolin.
Apigenin: according to the article, it is very potent. Best source is chamomile flower tops. Chamomile tea or supplements are fairly cheap and are safe if used in standard doses. As a bonus, chamomile also contains at least two other mast cells stabilizers: luteolin and chrysin. And, being calming, chamomile is good for anxiety symptoms. I didn't try it so far, but may do so in the following months, even if I already have good anti-POIS supplements ( I am open to find better ones if they are safe to use).
L-theanine: I already use it in my pre-pack. Is contained in green tea, but also available in standalone supplement. Has also a calming effect.
In table one of the article, you may note silymarin, contained in
Milk Thistle, EGCG from
green tea, Ginkgetin from
Ginkgo,
curcumin from turmeric,
resveratrol , and other substances I have already used and talked about, some being part of my current relief method.
Note that most mast cells stabilizers can be also recognized as anti-inflammatory, COX-2 inhibitors, or antioxidants - those notions tends to overlap. If you block mast cells degranulation, you avoid the manifestation of more inflammation symptoms, and so on.
P.S.( 2017-08) I would like to add that
Pine Bark extract/pycnogenol is also an excellent antioxidant that has good mast cells stabilizer properties ( see Nanna1 reference at
http://poiscenter.com/forums/index.php?topic=2505.msg21603#msg21603 ). I have been using it for a long time, and like its antioxidant effects and beneficial use in POIS, but didn't know it was also a mast cell stabilizer too.
