Histamine intolerance affects approximately 1% of the population. Those affected are sensitive to histamine and develop allergy-like symptoms after eating foods rich in histamine.
However, avoiding foods that contain histamine is very difficult to achieve in the long term. However, there are promising treatment approaches that can help to get the disease under control.
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What is histamine intolerance?
Histamine is a messenger substance produced by the body that controls inflammatory and defense processes, as well as gastrointestinal movements. Histamine is found in many foods, such as meat, fish, dairy products, cheese and red wine. The body can also produce histamine itself.
Histamine intolerance is caused by an imbalance between the formation and breakdown of histamine. The body has problems breaking down histamine. As a result, people with histamine intolerance are sensitive to foods rich in histamine. [1]
Causes of histamine intolerance
The body breaks down histamine using two different enzymes: histamine N-methyltransferase (HNMT) and diamonioxidase (DAO). It is believed that in people with histamine intolerance, DAO is not active enough.
There can be various reasons for the DAO enzyme not being active enough. Scientists suspect that genetics influence the enzyme's activity. It is also suspected that in Crohn's disease, not enough DAO enzyme is produced. Crohn's disease is therefore strongly associated with histamine intolerance.
Some medications, such as blood pressure medication and antidepressants, can also reduce the activity of the enzyme. Fermented foods, on the other hand, contain biogenic amines that can inhibit the breakdown of histamine.
Symptoms: How to recognize histamine intolerance
Since histamine activates inflammation, histamine intolerance leads to allergy and flu-like symptoms. Headaches and gastrointestinal complaints are also typical. Itching, redness of the face, rashes, watery eyes and a runny nose can also occur.
Treatment of histamine intolerance
If you have histamine intolerance, avoiding histamine in food can help relieve symptoms. However, since histamine is found in almost all foods, this is a big challenge.
There are also antihistamines that block histamine receptors and thus inhibit the effects of histamine.
In addition, the DAO enzyme can be taken in capsule form, which makes histamine-rich foods better tolerated.
Nutritional therapy for histamine intolerance
Nutrients can effectively support the treatment of histamine intolerance. Some nutrients can help to lower histamine levels by activating the DAO enzyme. This allows the body to break down histamine better and the symptoms are less severe.
These include vitamin C and vitamin B6, for example. Vitamin C is important for the function of the DAO enzyme. Therefore, it is not surprising that when vitamin C levels are low, the histamine level in the blood increases. [2]
Vitamin B6 supports the breakdown of histamine in a similar way. [3] The combination of vitamin C and vitamin B6 is particularly effective in histamine intolerance.
Calcium can also help with histamine intolerance. However, the mechanism is slightly different here. Calcium was used to relieve allergy symptoms before the introduction of antihistamines. It seems to limit the damage caused by high histamine levels by sealing blood vessel walls. This prevents large amounts of histamine from entering the tissue. This can relieve itching, rashes and redness. [4]
Conclusion: Nutrients can effectively support the treatment of histamine intolerance
Histamine fulfils important functions in the body. However, problems arise when it cannot be broken down sufficiently. In addition to a low-histamine diet, antihistamines and the intake of DAO enzyme, certain micronutrients can effectively support the treatment of histamine intolerance. Vitamin C and vitamin B6 are important for the function of the DAO enzyme. Calcium, on the other hand, helps to limit the damage caused by histamine.
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[1] https://www.thieme-connect.com/products/ejournals/abstract/10.1055/s-0034-1367613
[2] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7365537/
