For histamine intolerance, the best probiotics are "histamine-friendly" strains that don't produce histamine and may help break it down, such as Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium infantis, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus rhamnosus (LGG), Lactobacillus gasseri, and Bifidobacterium breve; these help stabilize mast cells, reduce inflammation, and support gut integrity, but always choose a product free of common allergens and consult a healthcare professional.
When it comes to reducing symptoms, these are the probiotics I recommend to my clients with histamine intolerance.
Medications for histamine intolerance
How do you flush histamines out of your body? Staying hydrated, maintaining electrolyte balance, and supporting liver and kidney function can help flush out histamines. Consuming anti-inflammatory foods and supplements like vitamin C may be helpful.
Lactobacillus reuteri produces histamine. Compounds with TNF inhibitory activity were isolated from L. reuteri cell pellets treated with trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) acidified water and supernatants from liquid cultures of L. reuteri 6475.
Vitamin C. Vitamin C is a very common and well-known nutrient to strengthen the immune system and reduce inflammation. Vitamin C is also required to produce the necessary enzymes for the process of histamine breakdown, making it a vital anti-histamine nutrient.
These bacteria can convert amino acids into histamine during the fermentation process. For individuals with histamine intolerance, introducing or increasing these strains might lead to worsening symptoms.
High histamine levels are often caused by a deficiency in the enzyme DAO, which helps to break down histamine.
Quercetin, a plant pigment found in many proclaimed superfoods, has been shown to be an effective supplement for histamine intolerance by directly blocking the release of histamine from mast cells.
Staying hydrated can support faster elimination of Benadryl. Engage in light exercise: Gentle physical activity can increase your circulation and metabolism, helping your body process the drug more efficiently. Avoid intense exercise, as the sedative effects may affect coordination or balance.
Excess histamine can cause a variety of different symptoms which very often mimic allergic reactions. The most common symptoms are rashes (e.g. hives), itching, flushing, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), indigestion, breathlessness, palpitations, migraines, dizziness, anxiety/panic, joint aches and nasal congestion.
While no single "most powerful" natural antihistamine is definitively crowned, Quercetin is widely considered the top contender due to its ability to stabilize mast cells and block histamine release, with Vitamin C, Ginger, and Black Seed Oil also showing strong potential, often working best in combination or alongside other remedies like probiotics and turmeric.
Vitamin B12 supports the methylation process—a biochemical pathway that helps the body detoxify and regulate histamine levels. When B12 is lacking, methylation slows down, leading to higher histamine concentrations in the blood.
Interestingly, we found higher concentrations of histamine produced by gut-associated Fusobacterium varium, Clostridium perfringens, Limosilactobacillus reuteri and Morganella morganii (8,510––82,400 ng/mL). This work expands our knowledge of histamine production by diverse microbes.
Which probiotic is best for food allergies? The strain Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) is often recommended for food allergies, as it has been shown in studies to strengthen the intestinal barrier and modulate immune responses, potentially reducing allergic reactions.
Saccharomyces boulardii has shown to regulate inflammation and improve contributing causes of histamine intolerance. This probiotic may also reduce overall histamine levels, thereby improving histamine intolerance symptoms.
Here are some foods that are low in histamine:
Non-citrus fruits like apples, blueberries, mangoes, peaches, pomegranates, and more. Avoid grapefruit, lemon, lime, and orange. Non-dairy milk like almond, coconut, or hemp. Fresh vegetables; avoid tomato, avocado, eggplant, squash, and spinach.
Some of the strongest over-the-counter antihistamines include cetirizine 10mg, fexofenadine 120mg, or loratadine 10mg. However, if you have more severe symptoms, you may need a stronger prescription-only antihistamine like fexofenadine 180mg or desloratadine.
Certain supplements: Studies show that vitamin C, copper and/or vitamin B6 supplements may help lower histamine levels. Talk to your healthcare provider before starting any supplements.
Allergens in the Sleep Environment: Dust mites, pet dander, and mold in bedding or pillows can activate mast cells, leading to histamine release. Dietary Triggers: Eating histamine-rich foods (e.g., aged cheeses, fermented foods, alcohol) close to bedtime can overload the body's histamine tolerance.
Lactobacillus paracasei CASEI 431® is a probiotic strain suitable for those with histamine intolerance as it does not produce histamine.
And it also plays a major role in histamine intolerance: Magnesium supports the enzyme dao (Diaminoxidase) as a co-factor, which builds histamine. A magnesium deficiency can reduce the DAO activity and thus help to reduce histamine.
Here are five steps you can take to reduce histamine levels:
There's a small risk of adverse side effects for people with weaker immune systems. This includes people taking immunosuppressant drugs, people with critical illnesses and infants who've been born prematurely. The risk is that a probiotic product might contain a harmful type of microbe along with the helpful types.