A Short Guide To Know About Histamine Intolerance

by Sydney Health Wellness Centre Joanne Kennedy Naturopathy

Histamines are a chemical in the body, which is released in response to injury, inflammation, allergic reactions or autoimmunity. When this occurs, mast cells in connective tissue and basophils and platelets in blood release histamine. Neutrophils and macrophages attracted to the site of injury also stimulate the release of histamine, which causes vasodilation and increased permeability of blood vessels.

There are many foods that stimulate the release of histamine in susceptible individuals including:

Alcohol
Bone soup
Fermented foods
Aged cheeses
Chocolate
Tinned fish
Avocado
Tomato
Citrus fruit
Strawberries
Left over foods

Individuals with the MTHFR Gene may find they have trouble tolerating these foods as they genetically can have issues breaking histamine down.

Histamine Intolerance Treatment: If you find that you have an intolerance to these foods, there may be further reasons why including:

Leaky gut
Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)
Nutritional deficiencies (zinc, magnesium, methylfolate, vitamin B12)
Some pharmaceutical medications
Methylation issues
Excess oestrogen
MTHFR gene mutation

It is advisable that you reduce the intake of foods high in histamine, until the underlying cause of the intolerance is rectified. You can then start to reintroduce these foods after 2 months, one at a time to see if you now tolerate them.

It is advisable for women suffering histamine intolerance to seek treatment for Women’s Hormones Sydney as a hormone imbalance can also contribute to histamine intolerance.

Foods that you can enjoy that are degrade histamine include: