A 20-year-old college student in Los Angeles has revealed that an immune disorder prevents her from enjoying the city’s kale-strewn menu.
Jenna Nasteller (20) was diagnosed with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) in March 2021 after months of stomach cramps, bloating and post-meal nausea.
She claims she is now limited to only glucose water and eight foods: turkey, fish, zucchini, cucumber, green beans, olive oil, salt and lime.
Ms de Nasteller says she is “disappointed” and “upset” that she won’t be able to go out with friends to a restaurant – but the good news is that grocery shopping only takes three minutes.
Jenna Gestetner, 20, a Los Angeles college student, is only allowed to eat eight foods because she has the immune disorder Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS).
She has had several allergic reactions over the years, including severe stomach cramps and nausea. She is pictured above in the hospital undergoing tests that later confirmed the disease
MCAS is caused by the body’s measles, a type of white blood cell found throughout the body, including in the skin, lungs, intestines and near blood vessels.
Patients with this condition see their cells fail and begin to attack harmless substances that are considered toxins.
Symptoms of the condition include hives, swelling, low blood pressure, difficulty breathing and severe diarrhea after exposure to an allergen.
Treatment initially focuses on antihistamines and aspirin to relieve the immediate symptoms of allergy.
But doctors will then work with patients to determine what is causing the allergic reaction and what they can and cannot consume.
The cause of the condition is unknown, but doctors say it is unlikely to be related to another disease or obvious cause.
Ms Nashuatec says her restrictive diet requires her to eat six meals a day to ensure she gets enough nutrients
In the photo above, she is being tested to determine which substances she is allergic to and which she is not
How a tick bite can cause a meat allergy
The condition is known as Alpha Gal syndrome, named after a carbohydrate found in most mammals except humans and monkeys — and the saliva of some ticks.
Ms. Nashuatec said that she started getting warning signs of MCAS as a child.
However, the condition was only diagnosed in March 2021 after urine and blood tests.
She said: “I was always the struggling child and it always sounded like an excuse. Eventually I just stopped telling people something was wrong.
“My parents knew about my struggle but they didn’t know all the details – when they found out that I was diagnosed, they were shocked.
She added: “I’m very lucky that my family supports me and helps me get the support I need.”
Before the diagnosis, she tried various foods but reacted to them.
When asked about Life Now, she said it was a “mixed experience”.
Because of the diet, she has to eat six times a day to make sure she gets enough nutrients.
She can’t try anything new or visit restaurants with friends at the moment either.
Ms. Gestetener admitted that she keeps a cupboard full of snacks such as candy, popcorn, fries, sauces and condiments in her apartment, which she rolls out for friends when they come over.
She said: “Over the years I have become much more used to how I should eat.
“Food is social, so I often feel left out when I can’t eat with my friends, but I’ve found my own way to adapt, whether it’s by bringing my own food or before I go out.”
Mrs. Nashuatec is now trying to stabilize her measles with medication so she can enjoy eating more.
She is a full-time student at the University of Southern California, where she studies Art, Technology and the Business of Innovation.
She explained why she was open about her condition: “Diet is just part of health and health is subjective.
“I want to make other people feel recognized. There is so much online about being healthy, but what is good for one is not always good for another.
“Having a chronic illness does not always mean you have a medical device or life-threatening allergic reactions; People have invisible illnesses that you wouldn’t know about from the outside.
“Those who have these challenges can still lead normal lives – there are just extra things to consider when traveling or even leaving home.
“It’s about living your life to the fullest within the limits of your own health. I’m just trying to figure out what it means to me to be healthy.”
Scientists initially thought that MCAS was a rare condition, but as awareness increases, more and more people are being diagnosed with the disease.
A Canadian health service estimates that about 14 to 17 percent of people have the condition.
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Crystal Leahy is an author and health journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a background in health and wellness, Crystal has a passion for helping people live their best lives through healthy habits and lifestyles.
