**Photo: Via Readers Digest**
What is Histamine?
It is a compound that is involved in immune responses. It also acts as a neurotransmitter in the brain. Histamine has, also, been suggested to be a regulator of “whole brain” activity.(NCBI)
It also helps you break down your food via being a component to stomach acid.
CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE ON HISTAMINE.
Where does it come from: Histamine is made in the body and is found in food.
CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE ON HISTAMINE.
Where does it come from: Histamine is made in the body and is found in food.
Histamine can affect your lungs, brain ( neurological and psychological), cardiovascular system, skin and more. If you have an intolerance many issues can arise within any of these systems causing your doctor to be confused.
What is a Histamine Intolerance?
Histamine is needed by the body, but a build up of histamine can cause many problems. Too much histamine is never a good thing, and it's more common than you think. In addition, Approx.1% of people, also, will experience adverse reactions to "normal" amounts of histamine in food.
A Histamine Intolerance can show up in many different ways.
One example would be that you "suddenly" seem to have many food sensitivities.
Rashes, Hives, Dermatitis, and Heart Palpitations seem to be a thing of the norm for you. Sometimes after your eating these symptoms come on ,or maybe even hours later.
Here is a list of some associated symptoms/ailments:
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Skin Issues/dermatitis
- Anxiety
- GERD
- Nausea/Vomiting
- Stomach Cramps
- Unexplained Inflammation
- Sinus/Nasal Congestion/Runny Nose- Issues
- Mental Disturbances
- Vertigo
- Heart Arrhythmia/tachycardia
- Hypertension
- Respiratory Problems
- Hives
- Generally feeling sick
- Sleep Difficulties
- Chest Pains
- Conjuctivitis
- Attention/Memory Issues
- Dark Circles under the eyes
- Irritability
- IBS
Why is this happening?
A.) There are many reasons why a person may become histamine intolerant. One very important reason is the breakdown of histamine via an enzyme called DAO(Diamine Oxidase). This enzyme is very important in the breakdown of histamine; along with HNMT. Having lower levels of either enzyme will inhibit the proper breakdown of histamine. Most research points to higher likelihood of lower DAO than HNMT.
)Why would someone have low DAO?
1.Some medications, even some antibiotics, block the production of this important enzyme. Ex: pain killers such as aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), some diuretics (“water pills”)and anti depressants.
2. Some Foods are DAO Blocking: Alcohol, Energy Drinks, and Black Tea; just to name a few.
3.Genetics/Certain SNP's/polymorphisms are also associated.
4.Poor Methylation - Article coming soon!
*** There are ways to help with the production of DAO****
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B.) Histamine Rich Foods can raise Histamine Levels
(List below)
C.) Gastro Disorders : ex: leaky gut
D.) Food Allergies (IgE)
E.)Fermented Foods: Alcohol, Ex: Wine( Especially red) and Beer
F.) Your environment: Colognes, Scented Soaps, Perfumes, plants, pet fur, candles, etc
B& E. ) Foods to AVOID : High in Histamine and Fermented-AVOID- Bad
- Fermented alcoholic beverages, wine, champagne & beer
- Fermented foods include : Vinegar ( contradiction for you apple cider vinegar drinkers) sauerkraut, yogurt, soy sauce, & kombucha,
- Vinegar containing foods such as : pickles, olives and mayo
- Sour foods: Sour cream, buttermilk
- Luncheon Meats
- Most Citrus Fruits
- Oranges,Cranberries, Raisins
- Aged Cheese
- Vegetables: avocados, eggplant, spinach (however, this is good in the support of methylation) , and tomatoes
- Certain types of fish and smoked fish : tuna
- AVOID LEFT OVERS!! Bacteria will act on protein at room and refrigerator temperatures, resulting in histamine production.
- 🙀Histamine Releasing Food- Bad- Avoid
- Bananas
- Chocolate
- Cola Drinks
- COW'S Milk (Casein is also mast cell trigger, along with inflammation)
- Cheese: any kind of fermented cheese such as Cheddar, , Colby, Blue , Brie, Camembert, Feta, Romano, etc.
- Cheese products such as processed cheese, cheese slices, cheese spreads
- Cottage, Ricotta cheese.
- Nuts
- Strawberries
- Pineapple
- Tomatoes
- Artificial Dyes and preservatives
- Nuts
- Wheat Germ
- bouillon and broth
- junk foods & drinks containing dyes & artificial flavors
- Alcohol
- Certain Seasonings: cinnamon, curry powder, chilly powder
- Shellfish
( Scroll down for Low-Histamine foods to eat)
* Some Tips to lower Histamine*
A low histamine diet
LOW-HISTAMINE FOODS TO EAT- Good Foods
- dairy substitutes: coconut milk, rice milk, almond milk
- GLUTEN free grains
- fresh fruits: grapes, mangos watermelon, pears, apple, kiwi, cantaloupe,
- leafy herbs/ herbal teas
- pure peanut butter
- fresh meat
- fresh vegetables (except tomatoes, spinach, avocado, and eggplant)
- fresh fish
- coconut oil
2. Get a good probiotic specific for low histamine to treat your stomach ( Consult physician first) ; Strains to get for those with histamine problems include: Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Bifidobacterium strains.
4. Good B vitamins (b6), 1000mg of Vitamin C a day- or more if tolerated. Vitamin C helps in the creation of DAO. Hence the reason Vitamin C can help in some skin disorders (higher dosage), etc.
5. Anti-Histamine if needed. Anti-histamine's work by lowering histamine (good thing), but many also lower DAO ( bad thing) putting you in an endless cycle. If you need to take an anti-histamine taking Benadryl is your best route. Benadryl actually helps in the production of DAO.
This is NOT A cure all , as it is only a part of the problem! It will, however, definitely help!! Follow me to get more ideas how to treat your body/system as a whole.
These are just some small tips to help you get started! I will post another blog about what I have used to help combat certain ailments. I would love some feedback so feel free to leave a comment below or ask a question!Thanks!
Trae All Day
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