The Rise of hEDS, POTS, and MCAS Explained
It’s a question I get asked often, “Why are so many people suddenly developing hypermobility, POTS symptoms, and histamine reactions?”
Just a decade or two ago, conditions like Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS), Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) were rare or barely recognized. Now, they’re showing up increasingly in young women, chronically ill individuals, and even children and I see them every single day in my naturopathic detox practice.
Putting the Puzzle Together as a Naturopathic & Functional Genetic Consultant
As a naturopathic physician , I have started to connect the dots.
These syndromes aren't random. They're rooted in collagen breakdown, nervous system dysregulation, toxic exposures, and deep nutritional deficiencies. The more clients I work with, the more I see these patterns repeat. And the more I believe this we are not broken, we are overloaded.
Let me walk you through what I see.
Collagen: The Structural Backbone That’s Falling Apart
Collagen is the most abundant protein in your body, it holds together skin, joints, blood vessels, and even your gut lining. It requires very specific nutrients and conditions to be made properly.
To form strong, stable collagen, your body needs:
Glycine + proline (amino acids from quality protein)
Iron, Vitamin C, and Vitamin A (for hydroxylation and cross-linking)
A well-functioning gut and liver to absorb and activate these nutrients
But here's the problem…
Today, most people are:
Eating low-protein or poorly digested diets
Dealing with gut issues like SIBO, Candida, and dysbiosis that block nutrient absorption and lead to leaky gut and histamine issues
Struggling with chronic stress that suppresses digestion, depletes minerals, and damages fibroblasts (the cells that build collagen)
The result…….Disorganized, fragile collagen that shows up as joint pain, hypermobility, skin issues, gut permeability, vascular fragility and the hallmarks of hEDS and POTS.
Mold + Heavy Metals: Collagen-Killing Toxins
In my practice, I see a pattern over and over: Clients with joint laxity, fatigue, tachycardia, and histamine intolerance often have elevated mold toxins and heavy metals.
One major culprit:
Ochratoxin A — a mycotoxin commonly found in water-damaged buildings and contaminated foods.
It’s been shown to:
Block hydroxyproline formation (a key amino acid in collagen)
Disrupt proline hydroxylation, which is essential for stable collagen structure
Impair mitochondria and detox pathways, making the body even more sensitive
At the same time, heavy metals like mercury, cadmium, lead, and aluminum:
Deplete zinc, copper, and sulfur (needed for collagen enzymes)
Damage fibroblasts
Trigger immune dysregulation and mast cell activation
These toxins create the perfect storm for EDS-like symptoms, even in people without a genetic diagnosis.
COVID: The Trigger That Unmasked It All
For many of my clients, their symptoms got dramatically worse after COVID.
Here’s what the virus is known to do:
Weaken the gut and blood-brain barrier, leading to increased inflammation, food sensitivities, and neurologic symptoms
Deplete methylated B vitamins (like B6, B12, folate), impairing detox and nervous system regulation
Trigger latent infections like Lyme, EBV, or Bartonella
Cause nervous system damage, leading to dysautonomia and POTS
Amplify mast cell activity, worsening histamine intolerance
Many people also experience mineral collapse after COVID , especially magnesium, sodium, potassium, and iron, which are essential for blood volume, collagen stability, and adrenal health.
This leads to:
Orthostatic intolerance (POTS)
Chronic fatigue
Poor wound healing
Brain fog and anxiety
Glyphosate: The Silent Saboteur of Sulfation and Collagen
One of the most overlooked disruptors in chronic illness today is glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup and one of the most widely used agricultural chemicals in the world.
Many of my clients are farmers, children of farmers, or live near agricultural areas, and they’ve had chronic, long-term exposure to glyphosate through soil, water, air, or even well contamination.
And in these individuals, I often see:
Elevated glyphosate with urine testing
Severe mineral depletion
Collagen-related symptoms (joint laxity, gut issues, skin fragility)
Detox intolerance
POTS and MCAS-like presentations
So what does glyphosate actually do?
Glyphosate Mimics Glycine in Protein Synthesis
Glycine is the most abundant amino acid in collagen, appearing every third position in its triple helix structure.
Glyphosate’s structure closely resembles glycine, and research suggests it may be mistakenly inserted into collagen chains during protein synthesis.
This creates misfolded, weak, and disorganized collagen leading to joint instability, skin fragility, gut permeability, and vascular dysfunction.
This may explain the rising rates of hEDS-like symptoms in people with no clear genetic diagnosis.
Glyphosate Blocks Sulfation Pathways
Your body needs sulfur (via sulfation) to detox estrogen, histamine, neurotransmitters, and toxins.
Glyphosate:
Chelates (binds) sulfur and essential minerals like molybdenum and manganese
Inhibits sulfotransferase enzymes, impairing detox and hormone clearance
Disrupts gut bacteria involved in sulfur metabolism and glycine production
Without proper sulfation, the body builds up histamine, estrogen, and inflammatory byproducts, all of which aggravate MCAS, hormone imbalance, and POTS symptoms.
Gut Health, Sulfation, and Histamine Overload
Most people with hEDS/POTS/MCAS also have gut imbalances like:
SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth)
Candida overgrowth
Leaky gut and dysbiosis
These gut issues interfere with:
Sulfation — a major liver detox pathway that requires sulfur, molybdenum, and B6
Histamine breakdown — via the DAO and HNMT enzymes
Protein digestion — reducing the availability of glycine and proline
Mineral & Blood Deficiency: The Invisible Root
Many of these clients also have signs of:
Low blood volume (hypovolemia)
Anemia or borderline iron
Low sodium/potassium
Magnesium and zinc deficiency
These imbalances affect:
Nervous system regulation
Collagen synthesis
Mitochondrial function
Hormone clearance
Mast cell stability
Minerals are the spark plugs for your detox and repair systems. Without them, your body cannot regulate, repair, or rebuild.
My Approach: Healing from the Ground Up
Healing from hEDS-like symptoms, POTS, or MCAS is a process, not a quick fix.
In my work as a naturopathic and functional consultant, I focus on the foundational pillars:
Supporting the gut and digestion
Replenishing minerals and nutrients
Enhancing circulation and lymph flow
Warming and strengthening the body (especially in cold, depleted types)
Taking pressure off the liver and detox pathways
Nourishing the body with collagen-building foods and co-factors like vitamin C, iron, and glycine
Rebuilding nervous system resilience through breathwork, meditation, and different emotional regulation techniques
When you support the terrain, the body can begin to repair itself from the inside out.
“Why This Isn’t Just “Anxiety”, It’s Real, Root-Cause Breakdown
The rise in hEDS, POTS, and MCAS is not in your head — it's the result of modern toxic exposures, chronic infections, poor gut health, nutrient depletion, and post-viral epigenetic activation.
It’s not just about your genes — it’s about how your environment unmasks them.
Ready to Rebuild From the Root?
Explore my Personalized Detox Program
Or book a Bio-Individual Consultation to get started with testing and support.
