Microbiome imbalances can also release histamine and trigger symptoms. Problems like leaky gut syndrome, SIBO, and candida overgrowth could be fueling your histamine intolerance.
Leaky Gut. In our practice, we often see histamine intolerance in conjunction with leaky gut. Since your intestines are where most of the DAO enzyme is produced, your body may produce less DAO when the gut is inflamed or damaged, thus leading to a build up of histamine.
This dysbiosis could also provoke mucosal inflammation, a condition that impairs DAO functionality. Therefore, an over-representation of histamine-forming bacteria in the gut could be another possible origin of histamine intolerance.
Leaky gut syndrome, SIBO, dysbiosis, and candida have all been shown to influence mast cell activation and increase histamine production. Gastrointestinal symptoms are one of the most frequent symptoms of MCAS.
Histamine intolerance (HIT) is assumed to be due to a deficiency of the gastrointestinal (GI) enzyme diamine oxidase (DAO) and, therefore, the food component histamine not being degraded and/or absorbed properly within the GI tract.
I have found that histamine intolerance is often caused by a gut health issue, particularly Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO). In fact, SIBO was the culprit of my histamine intolerance. Other common contributors include Candida overgrowth, Leaky Gut, and gluten intolerance.
Preliminary research suggests that a nutrient-dense diet with plenty of fiber may help calm mast cells [5, 7]. A Paleo diet removes many of the most common inflammatory foods to the gut, such as grains, legumes, and dairy, and can really help heal the gut lining and calm down any inflammatory response.
In this study, we hypothesized that magnesium, as a known calcium channel blocker, can stabilize the mast cell membrane and reduce mast cell degranulation, which could be one of the mechanisms of its effect on neuroinflammation and its analgesic effect.
Avoid DAO-blocking foods like caffeinated beverages and alcohol. Of course, you should also be following a low histamine diet, avoiding environmental allergens, and focusing on gut healing to address the root cause of your histamine build-up.
Histamine intolerance is not widespread, affecting only about 1–3% of the population, but it's often mistaken for a food allergy or gastrointestinal disorder. It should be ruled out as a potential cause for the symptoms the patient is experiencing.
The symptoms of histamine intolerance vary widely.
These include: Flushing, difficulty regulating body temperature, sudden excessive sweating. Hives, rashes, swelling, itchy skin, eczema.
Treating Histamine Intolerance: Diet, Probiotics, & Supplements. A low histamine diet, coupled with a DAO enzyme and gut health support is the best option available to help you reduce your histamine burden and resolve histamine intolerance symptoms.
Gut infection and overgrowth of certain gram-negative bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium can lead to increased histamine release. Therefore, imbalanced gut microflora can contribute to histamine overload.
This leaking of matter from the gut into the bloodstream can cause infections and widespread inflammation, and it may even increase the risk of certain autoimmune disorders.
Studies suggest that vitamin B12 can trigger histamine release in the body. Certain bacteria or yeasts can convert histidine into histamine in the body, triggering an allergic reaction. Fermented foods high in certain types of microorganisms can trigger a histamine allergy in the body.
Magnesium is involved in over 300 reactions in the body and depletion of this nutrient can cause significant interruptions in standard biological processes. Magnesium can also contribute to mediating the threshold for histamine symptoms - therefore, magnesium can directly impact one's ability to tolerate histamine.
There is no cure for the condition. You will need to avoid triggers and use medications. If you have anaphylactic reactions, your doctor might also give you an auto-injector epinephrine pen to use in emergencies.
Common symptoms of systemic MCA are acute urticaria, flushing, abdominal cramping, diarrhea, tachycardia, hypotension, and syncope [1,2,3,4].
The skin is one of the most affected organ systems by mast cells. Hives, itching, swelling of the lips, cheeks, eyelids, reddish-brown spots under the skin and occasional hemangiomas are noted. One may see reddish or pale complexion, itchiness with a burning feeling, and Dermatographism is common.
Vitamin D contributes to mast cell stabilization.
What is the most powerful natural antihistamine? Researchers haven't yet established any natural product as the “best” or “most powerful.” Natural antihistamines with the most research backing their use include stinging nettle, vitamin C, quercetin, butterbur, bromelain, and probiotics.
If you're experiencing a histamine reaction, try chewing on fresh ginger or pouring boiling hot water over sliced ginger to make fresh ginger tea. In general, you can also drink ginger tea before bed to act as a natural antihistamine and prevent histamine reactions.
High histamine symptoms
In histamine intolerant individuals, high levels of histamine are capable of producing such histamine intolerance symptoms that may seem similar to an allergic reaction. Think hives, rashes, itching and congestion.