LOW-HISTAMINE DIET

A low histamine diet is a dietary approach aimed at reducing the intake of foods that are high in histamine or that trigger the release of histamine in the body to help find relief from histamine-related symptoms in people that suffers from Histamine Intolerance; it is also used for other medical conditions such a MCAS (mast cell activation syndrome); when mast cells are triggered, they release histamine and other mediators. Constant mast cell activation can lead to a steady stream of histamine in the body.

Histamine is a chemical compound that is made and used everywhere in our body. It is mainly stored in basophils and mast cells. Histamine plays three critical roles among others: in the stomach to aid the production of gastric acid, which helps to break down and digest food effectively; as a neurotransmitter communicating important messages between neurons in the nervous system and, as an inflammatory response mechanism is released among other compounds from mast cells to neutralize offending organisms including, allergens, viruses and, bacterias.

We also consume histamine from foods and beverages and have histamine produced by some of our gut bacteria.

Excess histamine is broken down by two enzymes: diamine oxidase (DAO) in the digestive tract and histamine n-methyltransferase (HNMT) in the central nervous system. If histamine is not properly broken down, it will accumulate in the body, and we may eventually develop histamine intolerance.

COMMON SYMPTOMS OF HISTAMINE INTOLERANCE

• BRAIN FOG                         

• FATIGUE     

• SLEEP DISTURBANCES

• HEADACHES OR MIGRAINES

• ECZEMA

• RASHES

• ACNE

• ROSACEA

• FLUSHING

• HIVES (URTICARIA)

• CRAWLING SKIN SENSATIONS

• SEASONAL ALLERGIES

• NASAL CONGESTION

• SNEEZING, RUNNY NOSE

• SYMPTOMS OF ASTHMA

• ITCHY EYES, TEARING

• IRREGULAR MENSTRUAL CYCLES

• PMS

• ANXIETY

• MOOD SWINGS

• HEART PALPITATIONS                    

• ABDOMINAL PAIN

• BLOATING

• NAUSEA

• ACID REFLUX

• CONSTIPATION OR DIARRHEA

• LOW BLOOD PRESSURE

• HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

• DIZZINESS OR VERTIGO

• TINNITUS