For histamine intolerance (HIT), you'll likely see a GP (General Practitioner) first, who may refer you to specialists like an Allergist/Immunologist (to rule out allergies), a Gastroenterologist (for gut issues), or a Functional Medicine Practitioner, along with a Registered Dietitian experienced in elimination diets to manage symptoms through food.
How do you treat histamine intolerance? Treatment for food intolerances usually involves avoiding foods or beverages that cause your symptoms. To test what you can safely eat, you stop eating any possible triggers for a few weeks. If you haven't had symptoms in that time, you start adding them back in one by one.
Mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) develops when mast cells become overactive and release their contents, which include histamine and other substances that cause inflammation and allergy symptoms.
Histamine intolerance specialists in London
The symptoms of histamine intolerance can be classified into two types: Direct: migraines, migraines, abdominal bloating after eating, diarrhoea, muscle cramps, deregulation of secretions (saliva, tears, vaginal discharge), abortions and infertility, among others.
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.
Individuals with histamine intolerance often present with a constellation of neuropsychiatric symptoms, including:
In the UK your GP can refer you to a lab, where they can measure the DAO activity in your blood serum and your histamine levels. Low DAO activity and high histamine levels are an indicator of HIT. Results are likely to be inaccurate if you are on a low-histamine diet when being tested.
Taylor Swift has severe food allergies to peanuts, tree nuts, dairy, eggs, and peas, requiring extreme caution with food preparation and dining out, even leading to cross-contamination issues like a blender incident with almond milk that contaminated her juice, highlighting the seriousness for anyone with multiple food allergies. Her experiences, including a childhood tree nut allergy (where her dog saved her life) and managing allergies at her own events, underscore her commitment to allergy awareness and safety protocols, says Allergic Living, The International Business Ethics Case Competition, Allergic Living.
[3], HIT was often misdiagnosed as other diseases in the past (e.g., food allergy [4,5], irritable bowel syndrome [6,7], other food intolerance, celiac disease [8], eosinophilic gastroenteritis [9], urticaria, systemic mastocytosis [10], etc.).
People with mastocytosis have an increased risk of developing a severe and life-threatening allergic reaction. This is known as anaphylaxis. The increased risk of anaphylaxis is caused by the abnormally high number of mast cells and their potential to release large amounts of histamine into the blood.
The "worst" autoimmune diseases are subjective but often cited for severity, impact on life expectancy, or organ damage, with top contenders including Giant Cell Myocarditis (highly fatal), Vasculitis (damages blood vessels), Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (Lupus) (multi-organ), Multiple Sclerosis (MS) (nervous system), and Type 1 Diabetes (pancreas, life-long management). Other severe conditions include Scleroderma and Myasthenia Gravis.
They'll make sure you get a complete workup with a specialist, like an allergist. An allergist is a type of doctor who can diagnose and manage many types of allergic conditions.
Vitamin B 6: Often there is a deficiency
In studies and in practice, it was found that many affected people have histamine intolerance, a vitamin B6 deficiency. Some sources state that vitamin B6 is required for the synthesis of the enzyme dao and is involved in the breakdown process of histamine.
While no single "most powerful" natural antihistamine is definitively crowned, Quercetin is widely considered the top contender, acting by stabilizing mast cells to prevent histamine release, with Vitamin C and Stinging Nettle also being very effective natural options for allergy relief, often used in combination with Quercetin in supplements. Other beneficial natural remedies include probiotics, bromelain (pineapple), ginger, and turmeric for reducing inflammation and symptoms.
For example, respiratory symptoms associated with histamine receptor intolerance include rhinorrhea, rhinitis, nasal congestion, dyspnea, and sneezing [19,21]. Histamine receptors are present in the skin; therefore, there will be skin manifestations, including pruritis, flushing, urticaria, dermatitis, and swelling.
Actress Miley Cyrus is the latest celebrity to go gluten-free. The former Disney Channel star tweeted that she has “a gluten and lactose allergy” on April 8 in response to accusations of an eating disorder. “It's not about weight it's about health,” she tweeted.
Margot Robbie — Allergic to Chicken Egg Whites Margot Robbie has an allergy specifically to egg whites, a common ingredient in baked goods, sauces, and protein-heavy meals. The specificity makes avoidance tricky rather than simple.
Ariana Grande, for example, reportedly developed a tomato allergy as an adult. It caused her throat to swell and even forced her to postpone concerts, showing how serious food allergies can appear later in life. If you notice new reactions to foods, it's important to speak with your GP and seek professional advice.
Sourdough – a fermented food in itself – along with all other fermented foods can contribute higher levels of histamine.
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.
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.
Histamine-induced anxiety can feel like restlessness, a racing heart, palpitations, or a sense of unease.
Dysfunction in the vagus nerve can lead to increased histamine production and other inflammatory mediators, contributing to symptoms such as digestive problems, anxiety, and sensitivity to cold.
So if you suffer from histamine intolerance, you should prefer calmer sports such as strength training, Pilates or yoga. Interesting fact: Cardio training releases histamine and other inflammation substances, but the effect only takes temporary (up to 72 hours).