What are the symptoms of Histamine Intolerance?
Histamine is produced by Mast Cells as a reaction to something the body perceives as a threat like a food, pollen, mould etc. It can include itching skin or eyes & ears, hives, swelling of the face or tongue, a feeling of throat constriction, low blood pressure or feeling dizzy when you stand up quickly, anxiety or panic attack, heartburn and reflux, among others.
What causes Histamine Intolerance?
1.Producing too much Histamine due gut dysbiosis (overgrowth of bad bacteria)
Some types of bacteria produce histamine and others break it down. The production and breakdown of histamine is very important in the gut, because histamine intolerance can lead to leaky gut and multiple food intolerances.
2.Over activity of the mast cells which produce Histamine due to sensitization over time to things it considers a threat. This could happen as a result of leaky gut due to dysbiosis or over consumption of gluten, dairy & sugar
3. Impaired ability to break down Histamine due to poor methylation which is dependent on sufficient activated B6, B12 & Folate. The Histamine degrading enzyme N-methyltransferase depends on good methylation. This is the enzyme which breaks down Histamine in the brain, so poor methylation can result in brain fog, anxiety, irritability, poor motivation, poor memory and fatigue.
4. Impaired ability to break down Histamine due to insufficient good bacteria.There are certain healthy bacteria in the gut which break down Histamine & these can be taken in capsule form to help lower Histamine levels
5. Impaired ability to break down Histamine due a genetic or nutritional issue of not making enough diamine oxidase which is the other enzyme that breaks down histamine, in the tissues.
Foods which increase Histamine
Some foods are high in histamine or trigger your body to make more of it. These include all fermented foods like alcohol, kimchi & sauerkraut, yoghurt, matured cheeses, pickles & vinegar. Also all cured, smoked, or tinned meats & fish like bacon, salami, smoked salmon, tinned tuna etc, and meat that is close to its use by date or leftovers. Chocolate, artificial additives & preservatives, raw eggwhite and stress can also be culprits.
What can be done?
1. Clean up Candida & Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth
2. Introduce good bacteria that break down Histamine
3. Provide activated methylating nutrients so your body can make N-methyltransferase
4. Avoid high Histamine foods & other foods you react to
If you have an issue with Histamine intolerance call Sunshine Coast nutritionist and Kinesiologist Karen Emans on 0408748532 to make an appointment
Histamine is produced by Mast Cells as a reaction to something the body perceives as a threat like a food, pollen, mould etc. It can include itching skin or eyes & ears, hives, swelling of the face or tongue, a feeling of throat constriction, low blood pressure or feeling dizzy when you stand up quickly, anxiety or panic attack, heartburn and reflux, among others.
What causes Histamine Intolerance?
1.Producing too much Histamine due gut dysbiosis (overgrowth of bad bacteria)
Some types of bacteria produce histamine and others break it down. The production and breakdown of histamine is very important in the gut, because histamine intolerance can lead to leaky gut and multiple food intolerances.
2.Over activity of the mast cells which produce Histamine due to sensitization over time to things it considers a threat. This could happen as a result of leaky gut due to dysbiosis or over consumption of gluten, dairy & sugar
3. Impaired ability to break down Histamine due to poor methylation which is dependent on sufficient activated B6, B12 & Folate. The Histamine degrading enzyme N-methyltransferase depends on good methylation. This is the enzyme which breaks down Histamine in the brain, so poor methylation can result in brain fog, anxiety, irritability, poor motivation, poor memory and fatigue.
4. Impaired ability to break down Histamine due to insufficient good bacteria.There are certain healthy bacteria in the gut which break down Histamine & these can be taken in capsule form to help lower Histamine levels
5. Impaired ability to break down Histamine due a genetic or nutritional issue of not making enough diamine oxidase which is the other enzyme that breaks down histamine, in the tissues.
Foods which increase Histamine
Some foods are high in histamine or trigger your body to make more of it. These include all fermented foods like alcohol, kimchi & sauerkraut, yoghurt, matured cheeses, pickles & vinegar. Also all cured, smoked, or tinned meats & fish like bacon, salami, smoked salmon, tinned tuna etc, and meat that is close to its use by date or leftovers. Chocolate, artificial additives & preservatives, raw eggwhite and stress can also be culprits.
What can be done?
1. Clean up Candida & Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth
2. Introduce good bacteria that break down Histamine
3. Provide activated methylating nutrients so your body can make N-methyltransferase
4. Avoid high Histamine foods & other foods you react to
If you have an issue with Histamine intolerance call Sunshine Coast nutritionist and Kinesiologist Karen Emans on 0408748532 to make an appointment