11 Secrets to Beating Histamine Intolerance
Histamine intolerance is a new condition which is dumbfounding most in the medical community. Despite this confusion, there is plenty of scientific literature which I used as a guide to heal myself of both histamine intolerance and mast cell activation. In this article, I will reveal the 11 secret tips to overcoming histamine intolerance, and provide 17 supporting studies. Ready? Let’s take a look below!
11 Secrets to Beating Histamine Intolerance
REMOVE HISTAMINE PRODUCING FOODS
Remove dietary sources of histamine with strict adherence to the low histamine diet. This has been proven in studies to dramatically reduce histamine in the body. (6) After successfully adhering to the diet for 10 days, evaluate which foods you’re still craving and remove them also from the diet. In most cases, when chronically ill, the foods you REALLY crave either feed bad bacteria or do not digest properly. Either way, both of these scenarios will increase histamine in the body which we do NOT want. The reality is, gut bacteria influence eating behaviors, (1) so just keep that in mind at all times!
RESTORE DAO ENZYME LEVELS
Histamine can build up in the gut and blood. To remove the histamine from the blood, you must focus on increasing the natural production of DAO enzyme. Rather than just taking DAO enzyme supplement, you are best served to supplement with a magnesium glycinate product (I used “Doctors Best” brand). This will naturally increase DAO production, which will then reduce histamine in the blood.(2) Lastly, make sure to strictly adhere to the low histamine diet. Studies have shown that the diet not only reduces symptoms, but also increases serum DAO levels.(11)
REPLACE LOST BIFIDOBACTERIUM
Histamine builds up in the blood, but also in the gut. That is where it can cause many of the symptoms of histamine intolerance. To reduce levels of histamine in the gut, you must increase the bacteria responsible for breaking it down. In humans, Bifidobacterium is the species primarily responsible. The main strains involved in histamine degradation are bifidobacterium longum (3), b. breve, b. bifidum, and b. lactis. So in short, find a quality probiotic with just these 4 strains. Sound impossible? Well, it isn’t because Seeking Health creates a product called probiota bifido which has been a life saver for me.
TREAT CHRONIC INFECTION
Histamine levels are directly linked to immune health in the body. If your immune system is fighting any infection, it will increase mast cell degranulation. This is the process in which mast cells release histamine, which makes your histamine intolerance symptoms flare up. To reduce histamine release in the body, you must treat the underlying infection if there is one present. This is most commonly parasitic in origin, or bacterial if overgrowth is severe enough. Either way, you need to either cleanse of parasites, or treating the bacterial issue before permanent improvement will come.
MAST CELL MODULATORS
Since chronic infection is one of the hardest things to get rid of, it’s best to focus FIRST on mast cell modulation techniques. This means using various supplements or lifestyle activities to control your body’s response to environmental stressors. In short, you want to make your body think that nothing is wrong, even if it’s battling infection, nutrient deficient, etc. – the most effective histamine modulators are bovine colostrum, Bifidobacterium, chelated magnesium glycinate, fulvic/humic minerals, CBD oil (5) , vitamin K2/D3 (7, 8), etc.. Also, please note, all of these have DOSE-SPECIFIC effects on mast cells so do NOT overdo it.
INCREASE GABA LEVELS
Next you want to decrease histamine by increasing it’s opposite, GABA! To increase levels, you do NOT want to take the GABA supplement. Instead, you want to consume precursors like l-glutamine (10). If consumed on an empty stomach separate from other amino acids, glutamine will produce GABA in the brain. Why does this matter again? Simple, when GABA increases, histamine declines(12).
REMOVE HIDDEN HISTAMINE SOURCES
If you are taking any supplements other than what I listed, stop for the love of god! Little do most realize, many supplements they’re taking could be making their histamine intolerance symptoms worse. This was the case for me until I came to my moment of clarity. In short, anything NOT on that list is not needed until you get the histamine intolerance under control. Once your histamine intolerance symptoms clear, you can add these things back as needed.
DETOXIFY HEAVY METALS FROM BODY
If you do NOT have symptoms of infection, but are still dealing with histamine intolerance, you may want to focus on metal detoxification. In many cases, even after infection has been resolved, there are heavy metals and other toxins that can be aggravating mast cells. (13, 14) In short, to reduce mast cell sensitivity, detoxification of heavy metals is imperative if toxicity is indeed present.
RESTORE ANTIOXIDANT LEVELS
Histamine levels are directly correlated with blood levels of glutathione. What does this mean? It means your antioxidant defenses directly influence your immune system’s response to environmental stressors. If your body is in “oxidative debt” it over-reacts to new toxic stressors, if it has sufficient antioxidants, it reacts normally. To increase antioxidant defenses, the best methods are: using liposomal glutathione (15) (one week loading phases, then steady dose), and juicing antioxidant rich vegetables. Once the GSH levels get back up, the toxic burden reduces, which in turn communicates to mast cells there are no threats present.
MODERATE YOUR MEAT CONSUMPTION
Meat protein can convert into histamine in the body. In addition, those with histamine intolerance typically have low stomach acid due to chronic histamine release. This means that much of the meat may pass through the intestines undigested, creating histamine as it putrefies. How do you fix this issue? You eat meat a maximum of 1x per day and replace it with beans or whey protein (no fillers) when possible. When eating meat, it’s also best to consume fresh ginger root with honey directly prior. This will help assist in protein breakdown(16).
AVOID MAST CELL TRIGGERS
Mast cells can be set off by a number of things: sudden temperature changes, intense exercise, spices/herbs used on food, unhealthy relationships, unrealistic expectations of self, inconsistent sleep patterns, food additives, chemical fragrances, bacterial imbalance, lack of fiber, not enough sunlight, etc. Try to avoid these histamine trap at all costs. In many cases, you can reduce histamine in one area of your life, and you subconsciously will attempt to replace it with something else that produces histamine. Why? Remember, because histamine produces wakefulness (17) and that can be quite addictive (18) to some people.
Summary of Histamine Intolerance Secrets
As you can see, overcoming histamine intolerance is NOT simple. It took me literally thousands of hours of research to figure out, but at least NOW you have the tools to make it quick. Remember, you MUST teach yourself to prefer a relaxed state versus a constant state of alertness.
A major part of overcoming histamine intolerance is making this shift in preference. The longer you’re able to stick with this low histamine protocol, the easier it will be to notice the things which cause histamine release.
I hope you enjoyed this secret guide to overcoming histamine intolerance and mast cell activation syndrome. It was the result of 16 years of research… and plenty of blood, sweat and tears.
Thank you for reading. Happy healing everyone!
Matt Nedin
EndSickness.org
Phone: (949) 444-2111
Email: endsickness@gmail.com
