The immune system in our bodies is a kind of built-in defense system. The immune system's main job is to protect us from infections, toxins, viruses, and allergens. The body makes histamines naturally, and we also get histamines from certain foods that we eat. However, when too many histamines accumulate in our bodies, they become overwhelming, so much so that we can’t eliminate them. What ensues is histamine intolerance.
When the body senses an allergen threat, mast cells release a chemical called histamine to eliminate the allergens in any location where histamine inflammation occurs. You see visual confirmation of this when you get a bug bite that causes redness, swelling, and pain. These symptoms are the result of histamines being released to the bite location. It’s important to remember that histamines also have another role for the body as they assist in regulating stomach acid production and the breakdown of foods. This is the reason that gut health needs to be taken into consideration when talking about histamine intolerance.
Histamine intolerance can be caused by a few situations, including specific conditions and other medications that may be taken. Examining histamine intolerance requires a broad approach to see if there is a single root problem or a combination of a few problems. Histamines can also play a role in sleep, mood (anxiety), and PMS. When each of these elements of histamine problems is combined, they can create the perfect storm for histamines to get out of control.
Histamine build-up happens when there are:
A lack of DAO enzyme – an enzyme naturally made in your body that helps to break down histamines
A genetic predisposition– genes that impair the breakdown of enzymes
Unresolved gut issues – any infection, overgrowth, or imbalance that can influence histamine levels
Methylation problems – poor detox – your body isn’t able to get rid of histamines
Chronic stress – Stress doesn’t cause allergic reactions, but when you’re living in a state of stress, histamine levels can increase
Food sensitivities and gluten – your body sees some foods as threats and generates an immune response
Nutrient Deficiencies, Certain Medications, Hormone imbalances, and Toxins are other things to be explored when it comes to histamine intolerance.
Symptoms of histamine intolerance may vary, and triggers are different for each person. Common histamine intolerance symptoms include:
Itchy skin
Rashes
Hives
UTIs, PMS, Fatigue
Crawling sensation on the skin
Rapid heartbeat (especially after food)
Diarrhea
Congestion, Runny Nose
Asthma
Dizziness
Hypertension,
Low blood pressure
The Problem with Anti-histamines
Urologists may recommend antihistamines as a treatment for Interstitial Cystitis. The problem with antihistamines is that they act to stop the symptoms by blocking the short-term, but they do not prevent the production of histamines. The use of antihistamines over the long term disrupts the body's natural regulatory system and can cause an increase in sensitivity. In addition, antihistamines reduce the DAO enzymes that are key in breaking down histamines. Some medications are also culprits in breaking down DAO enzymes. These can include but are not limited to:
NSAIDs
Antibiotics
Ibuprofen
Zoloft and other antidepressants
Pain medication – Elavil (commonly given for IC pain)
Zantac, Allerga, Zytrec, Pepsin
Natural Alternatives for Histamine Intolerance?
While knowledge is power, the information above may have you feeling overwhelmed. The good news is that some natural alternatives can assist with histamine issues without harmful side effects. Always consult with your physician or primary healthcare giver before making any changes to your medical regimen, including adding supplements. Natural alternatives to antihistamines include:
DAO supplements
Quercetin
B6
Histazyme by Amy Meyers
Histablock by Dr. Ben Lynch
Vitamin C. If you have IC, it’s important for your immune system to experiment and find a low-acid Vitamin C (such as buffered) you can tolerate. Another way to get more Vitamin C is from foods like red peppers, broccoli, cauliflower, and berries.
Histamine testing and the connection to the Gut
Histamines are randomly released in the body, making it more challenging to measure the amount in the body. One way is to measure histamines in urine or blood multiple times during the day to establish a baseline trend for your specific body. An allergist or immunologist can do a tryptase test to measure the mast cell activation issues, which is also used to help identify food sensitivities. Dealing with histamine production can be tricky because there are also some bacteria that are histamine producing. I offer the GI Map for a fee to clients. The GI Map tests for overgrowths, dysbiosis, pathogens, and infections. Any gut imbalance or intestinal permeability can raise histamine levels.
Histamine connection to the Bladder
When bladder mast cells are released, they can cause vasodilation, which is a widening of the blood vessels, and this can cause damage to the mucosa when the mast cells attack inflammatory cells. It can be compared to a kind of domino effect as allergens breach the bladder lining, which causes the immune response. When this happens, you will see bladder flares that may increase pain or frequency. A common problem that happens for people suffering from IC during allergy season is an increase in the symptoms they experience. The increase is due to allergens in the air that contribute to the levels of histamines in the body. Adding to the condition is the possibility of consuming high-histamine foods that can cause poor sleep and stress management.
Some Common high-histamine foods
Dairy or wheat
Canned or pickled foods
Matured–aged cheeses
Smoked meat – salami, ham, sausages, deli lunch meats, hot dogs
Shellfish
Citrus fruits
Beans, chickpeas, soybeans
Peanuts
Chocolates
Avocado
Banana – a liberator that can raise histamine
Nuts – cashews are higher histamines. Almonds are considered lower histamine.
Keep in mind that this list is not exhaustive. It's advisable to pinpoint your specific triggers in collaboration with a professional who can delve into the underlying causes of your histamine-related concerns, chronic bladder issues, or digestive problems. Given the intricacies and potential confusion surrounding histamine intolerance and its symptom causes, enlisting the assistance of a knowledgeable guide can help alleviate some of the stress. If you're interested, I offer a complimentary 20-minute consultation to discuss your primary health concerns and determine if I can assist.
For more information, you can contact me at https://www.insideoutwellnesswithjulie.com/work-with-me
If you’re new to my website, I encourage you to look around and download my free Bladder Recovery Ebook & 3-Step Approach to Autoimmunity. Grab your free ebooks at https://www.insideoutwellnesswithjulie.com/ebook. To learn more about histamine intolerance and interstitial cystitis, please check out my latest podcast interview with the IC Wellness Podcast.