If you suffer from symptoms of histamine intolerance like hives, headaches, or GI symptoms, one of the best things you can do is work to prevent, control, or stop a histamine reaction. And the best way to do that is by clearing histamine from your body so that it has room for the unavoidable histamine that is part of our daily lives. From diet to lifestyle choices and supplements, here are my top 7 ways to naturally clear histamine from the body.
What is histamine?
Histamine is a molecule produced by the body’s immune and nervous systems involved in various physiological processes, including allergic reactions, inflammation, gastric acid secretion, and neurotransmission.
Histamine, stored in specialized cells called mast cells, is released in response to injury or invasion by foreign substances such as allergens, bacteria, and viruses, causing a range of symptoms, including itching, swelling, redness, and increased mucus production.
What is histamine intolerance?
Histamine intolerance is when a person experiences various symptoms after consuming foods or drinks high in histamine or exposure to environmental factors that cause histamine release. This is due to the body’s inability to break down and eliminate excess histamine effectively.
Symptoms of histamine intolerance can vary widely but may include the following:
- Headache
- Itching
- Flushing
- Hives
- Nasal congestion
- Gastrointestinal issues, including diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting
- Low blood pressure
- Difficulty breathing
Causes of Histamine Intolerance
The exact cause of histamine intolerance is not fully understood, but it is a multifactorial condition related to genetics, diet, and lifestyle. And the underlying cause can vary from person to person.
Some factors that may contribute to histamine intolerance include:
Histamine-rich Foods
Certain foods, such as aged or fermented foods, cured meats, canned fish, and certain fruits and vegetables, can contain high levels of histamine, which can trigger symptoms in people with histamine intolerance.
Enzyme Deficiencies
Enzymes in the body typically break down histamine, including diamine oxidase (DAO) and histamine N-methyltransferase (HNMT) enzymes. If these enzymes are not functioning properly, histamine can accumulate in the body and cause symptoms of histamine intolerance.
Medications
Some medications, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), can inhibit the activity of DAO, leading to an accumulation of histamine in the body.
Gastrointestinal Disorders
People with gastrointestinal disorders, such as inflammatory bowel disease, leaky gut syndrome, or SIBO, may have reduced DAO activity and increased histamine levels, leading to histamine intolerance.
Stress
Chronic stress can lead to an increase in histamine release, exacerbating histamine intolerance symptoms.
Genetics
Some people may be genetically predisposed to histamine intolerance, as certain genetic variations can affect the activity of DAO and HNMT enzymes.
Underlying Medical Conditions
Certain medical conditions, such as mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) and autoimmune disorders, can increase histamine levels in the body and lead to the development of histamine intolerance.
Hormones
Hormonal changes, such as those that occur during menstruation or pregnancy, can affect histamine levels in the body and trigger symptoms of histamine intolerance.
7 Natural Ways to Clear Histamine From the Body
Clearing histamine from the body can help alleviate a range of unpleasant symptoms and prevent severe allergic reactions. By reducing histamine levels through natural methods such as diet, exercise, and stress management, individuals with allergies or histamine intolerance can improve their quality of life while avoiding potentially dangerous allergic reactions.
Here are 7 natural ways to clear histamine from the body:
1. Eat a low histamine diet.
Some foods, such as aged cheeses, fermented foods, processed meats, shellfish, nuts, citrus fruits, chocolate, and tomatoes, are high in histamine. By avoiding these foods and opting for fresh fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins, you can reduce your intake of histamine or foods that can trigger the release of histamine.
2. Take a high-quality probiotic.
Research suggests that certain strains of high-quality probiotics, such as Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Bifidobacterium lactis, and Lactobacillus plantarum, may help to reduce histamine levels in the body. These probiotics improve gut health, reduce inflammation, and promote the growth of beneficial bacteria that can help break down histamine.
3. Incorporate a DAO supplement.
DAO supplements are dietary supplements that can break down histamine when the body’s natural DAO production is insufficient. Even though the research to support DAO supplements for people with histamine intolerance is limited, it’s believed that using DAO supplements can help break down excess histamine in the digestive system, preventing it from being absorbed into the bloodstream and causing unwanted symptoms.
4. Utilize natural antihistamines.
Natural antihistamines found in certain herbs and supplements can help alleviate histamine intolerance symptoms by blocking the effects of histamine on the body. Natural antihistamines that may be helpful with histamine intolerance include the following:
- Quercetin: A flavonoid found in foods such as onions, apples, and berries.
- Vitamin C: A natural antihistamine that can help to reduce inflammation and support immune function.
- Nettle leaf: A natural antihistamine that can help to reduce allergy symptoms.
- Butterbur: A plant with natural antihistamine properties available in supplement form.
- Omega-3 fatty acids: Omega-3 fatty acids found in fatty fish or fish oil supplements can help to reduce inflammation in the body, which may help to alleviate allergy-like symptoms.
These natural antihistamines can be found in many supplements, but we recommend Optimal Reset Histo Relief. Optimal Reset HistoRelief combines many of these natural antihistamines along with proprietary blends that help support the immune system while helping support healthy histamine levels in the body.
5. Drink plenty of water.
Drinking enough water is essential for overall health and can help manage histamine intolerance symptoms. Here’s how drinking water can help with histamine intolerance:
- Histamine is a byproduct of many cellular processes in the body and needs to be eliminated through urine. Drinking enough water can help to flush out histamine (along with other toxins) from the body and prevent it from building up and triggering symptoms.
- Dehydration can trigger the release of histamine in the body, leading to symptoms such as headaches and skin irritation.
- Proper digestion is important for managing histamine intolerance because poorly digested foods can trigger histamine release. Staying hydrated can help support proper digestion.
6. Focus on decreasing your stress.
Stress is a common trigger for histamine intolerance symptoms, as it can increase inflammation and trigger histamine release. So, managing stress through meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises can help reduce histamine levels.
7. Sweat them out.
Regular sweat sessions (i.e., exercise) increase blood flow and lymphatic drainage, which can help to remove histamine from the body. Still, choosing the right type of exercise for your body is important. Here are some tips for exercising with histamine intolerance:
- Choose low-impact activities: High-impact activities such as running and jumping can increase histamine release and trigger symptoms. Instead, try incorporating lower-impact activities such as yoga, swimming, or walking. I also always recommend incorporating resistance training with rests between each set.
- Gradually increase activity levels: If you’re not accustomed to regular exercise, it’s important to increase your activity levels gradually. This prevents overexertion and the release of histamine.
- Consider the timing for exercise: Many people with histamine intolerance find that exercising in the morning can be beneficial when histamine levels are naturally lower. But it’s important to listen to what feels good for your body.
How long does it take to lower histamine levels?
The time it takes to lower histamine levels in the body can vary depending on the individual and the cause of the histamine intolerance. In some cases, such as exposure to a histamine-rich food, symptoms may resolve within a few hours to a few days.
However, it may take longer for those with chronic histamine intolerance to lower histamine levels and alleviate symptoms. Making dietary and lifestyle changes, such as those mentioned above, can gradually help lower histamine levels over time, but only when you get to the root cause of your histamine intolerance will you find full recovery.
It’s important to remember that lowering histamine levels is not a quick fix and may require ongoing management to prevent symptoms from recurring. And if you have any underlying health conditions or are taking medications that affect histamine levels, it’s important to work with your healthcare provider to identify the root cause and determine the best course of treatment for you.
Clear Histamine and Reset Your Body
Deep and lasting healing is only possible when the root causes of illness are addressed. Understanding the core systems of the body, how they are related, and how your function can be restored can prevent and even reverse histamine intolerance.
These 7 natural ways to clear histamine from your body are a great way to start. But resetting your body for true healing can require further investigation and support to uncover the root cause of your symptoms.
When you work with us, we partner to identify the underlying patterns contributing to your symptoms and devise a plan to provide lasting outcomes. Our revolutionary care model allows you to provide your body with the care and love it needs to feel like yourself again.
Schedule a new patient consultation today to get started.
Still preparing for a consultation? Try our Histamine Reset Online Program to begin healing your body on your time.
Resources
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