# 13. The role of Mast Cells in complex illness: what they are and how to calm them, with Dr. Theoharis Theoharides

Dr. Theoharis Theoharides ‘The Mast Cell Master’ has been at the forefront of mast cell research for over 30 years. A renowned expert in allergy, neuroinflammation, and mast cell biology, his work centers on understanding the regulation of these critical immune cells. His extensive studies explore their fundamental role in the body, the mechanisms behind their activation and inhibition, and their involvement in a wide range of conditions—from asthma and eczema to neuroinflammatory disorders and complex chronic illnesses.

In this week’s episode, we delve into the role of mast cells in complex chronic disease. Dr. Theoharides explains how mast cells are distributed throughout the body, the various stressors that can activate them, and how their activation may contribute to overlapping symptoms seen in conditions such as migraines and irritable bowel syndrome. The comparisons draw into question whether a degree of mast cell activation is co-morbid in many of these conditions, or indeed whether some of these conditions are a symptom of mast cell activation.

He underscores the urgent need for better diagnostic tools, greater awareness within the medical community, and a broader, more integrative treatment strategy. This includes lifestyle interventions and the use of natural flavonoids, which have been proven to inhibit mast cell activity. Dr. Theoharides also discusses the ongoing challenges in securing research funding and the potential for integrative approaches to address complex conditions – thinking outside the box to treat patients individually, listening to their needs and treating accordingly – which is what he believes they are able to do with his team at NSU

Dr. Theoharides is Executive Director, Center of Excellence for Neuroinflammation Research (CENIR) & Professor, Institute for Neuro-Immune Medicine at Nova Southeastern University.  Prior to this he spent four decades at Tufts University where he was Director of Molecular Immunopharmacology & Drug Discovery.