Help! I’m Having a Histamine Reaction

Do you occasionally experience a stuffy nose or watery eyes after you finish a meal? Or do some foods cause you to break out in hives or give you uncomfortable digestive symptoms? If you answered yes to either of these questions, you may be experiencing a histamine reaction. 

The good news is that when you experience a histamine reaction, there are things you can do right away to help ease your symptoms and improve your response. 

Here are my top seven strategies for dealing with a histamine reaction.

Distinguishing Between an Allergy and Histamine Intolerance

Allergies and histamine intolerance can be hard to distinguish because they simply have so much in common. Allergies and histamine intolerance can both cause similar symptoms, such as skin rashes, itching, runny nose, and digestive issues. However, the underlying mechanisms and triggers are different. 

An allergy is an immune system response to a substance, such as pollen, food, or animal dancer. When a person with allergies is exposed to an allergen, their immune system overreacts and produces an antibody called immunoglobulin E (IgE), which triggers the release of histamine and other chemicals. This can lead to common allergy symptoms such as hives, swelling, itching, and breathing difficulties.

On the other hand, histamine intolerance occurs when a person’s body has difficulty breaking down histamine, a naturally occurring compound found in some foods and produced by the body. This can lead to an excess of histamine in the body, which can cause symptoms similar to those of an allergy.

To distinguish between an allergy and histamine intolerance, you must identify the trigger and underlying mechanism causing the symptoms. Allergy testing can be done to identify specific allergens that cause a reaction. In contrast, histamine intolerance is diagnosed by tracking symptoms after consuming foods high in histamine or other triggers, such as alcohol, certain medications, or stress.  

Read more about how you can keep your allergies under control by tackling the root cause. 

What is a histamine reaction?

A histamine reaction is the body’s response to the release of histamine, a chemical mediator released in response to allergens, infections, or other triggers. Histamine is released by specific immune cells, such as mast cells and basophils, and it can cause various symptoms depending on the trigger, location, and amount of histamine released.

In addition to histamine release during an allergic reaction, histamine can also be released in response to certain infections or as part of the body’s immune response. For example, histamine is released during an inflammatory response, which can cause redness, warmth, and swelling at the site of infection or injury. 

Histamine can also cause symptoms in people with histamine intolerance. This occurs when the body has difficulty breaking down histamine, leading to excess histamine in the body. This can cause headaches, flushing, digestive issues, and skin rashes.

Symptoms of a histamine reaction?

Symptoms of a histamine reaction can vary depending on the underlying cause and the amount of histamine released. Here are some common symptoms associated with histamine reactions:

Allergic Reactions: Histamine is released in response to an allergen, causing symptoms such as:

• Itchy, watery eyes
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Sneezing
• Skin rashes, hives, or itching
• Swelling, particularly of the face, lips, and tongue
• Difficulty breathing, wheezing, or coughing

Histamine Intolerance: Histamine intolerance occurs when the body has difficulty breaking down histamine, leading to excess histamine in the body, causing symptoms such as:

• Headaches, migraines
• Digestive issues, such as bloating, diarrhea, or abdominal pain
• Skin rashes, itching, or flushing
• Low blood pressure
• Heart palpitations
• Anxiety or panic attacks

Inflammatory Response: Histamine is released as part of the body’s immune response, leading to symptoms such as:

• Redness, warmth, and swelling at the site of injury or infection
• Pain or tenderness at the site of injury or infection
• Fever or chills

Root Causes of a Histamine Reaction

The root causes of a histamine reaction can vary depending on the type of reaction and your specific triggers. Here are some common causes of a histamine reaction:

Allergies and inflammation:

Histamine reactions are often associated with allergic reactions and inflammatory responses, which occur when your immune system mistakenly identifies a harmless substance as a threat and produces histamine in response.

Histamine intolerance:

This occurs when your body has difficulty breaking down histamine, leading to excess histamine in the body. This can be caused by a deficiency of the enzyme diamine oxidase (DAO), which breaks down histamine in the digestive tract, or by an imbalance of histamine and other neurotransmitters in the body.

Dietary sources:

Some foods are naturally high in histamine or can trigger the release of histamine in the body. These include fermented foods, such as sauerkraut, aged cheeses, wine, and certain fruits and vegetables, such as citrus fruits and tomatoes. Because histamine can be surprisingly high in healthy and all-natural foods, I created my low-histamine cookbook to help inspire your low-histamine cooking.

Methylation deficiency:

Methylation is involved in the breakdown of histamine, and a deficiency in methylation (from MTHFR gene mutations or nutrient deficiencies such as folate, B12, or B6) may lead to decreased clearance of histamine and production of neurotransmitters, leading to a buildup of histamine in the body.

Gut flora imbalance:

Gut flora, the community of microorganisms in the digestive tract, breaks down histamine in the body. When the balance of gut flora is disrupted, the ability to break down histamine may be compromised, leading to increased histamine levels in the body. 

Estrogen dominance:

Evidence suggests that estrogen dominance can increase histamine production in specific cells, leading to increased histamine levels in the body.

Environmental triggers:

Exposure to certain substances in the environment, such as environmental toxins or mold, can cause the immune system to release histamine, leading to a range of symptoms such as itching, hives, nasal congestion, and more.  

Medications:

Some medications, such as NSAIDs and antibiotics, can cause the release of histamine in the body or interfere with the breakdown of histamine.

Stress:

Emotional or physical stress can trigger histamine release in the body.

Identifying the specific triggers of a histamine reaction can be challenging and may require working with a healthcare professional specializing in histamine. But once you identify the underlying cause, appropriate treatment and management strategies are available to help you minimize or prevent histamine reactions.

 

Top 7 Strategies for Managing a Histamine Reaction

Now that you have a little more insight into what may be causing your histamine reaction, it’s time to learn how to stop a histamine creation and clear histamine from the body fast. 

Here are my top tips for managing the symptoms of a histamine reaction.

1. Use Mast Cell Stabilizers

Mast cell stabilizers are medications used to prevent or reduce the release of histamine and other inflammatory mediators from mast cells. They work by stabilizing the membranes of mast cells, which prevents the release of histamine and other inflammatory molecules in response to allergens or other triggers, helping to calm your reaction. 

When selecting a mast cell stabilizer, it’s important to choose a supplement specially formulated to address histamine intolerance, such as HistoRelief, which contains a synergistic blend of nutrients that helps balance your immune response during a histamine reaction.

2. Increase DAO Enzymes

Diamine oxidase (DAO) is an enzyme that helps break down histamine in the body. Because DAO is primarily produced in the small intestines, it is crucial to maintain a healthy gut for optimal DAO function. In addition, some nutrients, such as vitamin C, vitamin B6, copper, and zinc, are essential for the production and function of DAO, and deficiencies in these nutrients can contribute to low DAO levels.

In a pinch, DAO supplements can help increase DAO levels in the body and help break down histamine from food. But while DAO supplements can be helpful for some people, they may not be effective for everyone. Trying other natural methods to increase DAO enzymes may be a better option for controlling histamine reactions during their occurrence.

3. Apply a Cool Compress

For skin reactions, applying cool compresses or taking cool baths can help to reduce inflammation and itching, while moisture can help to soothe dry or irritated skin. It’s important to avoid using hot or warm compresses, as they can exacerbate the symptoms of a histamine reaction. Try applying a cool compress to an affected area for 10-15 minutes, repeating several times a day as needed. 

4. Practice Stress Management Techniques

Emotional or physical stress activates the immune system and increases inflammation, triggering a histamine reaction in some individuals. Managing stress through techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, exercise, or yoga can help reduce the frequency and severity of histamine reactions.

5. Sleep It Off

Getting enough sleep is essential for overall health and can help reduce histamine reactions. While sleeping, the body repairs and regenerates tissues, reduces inflammation, and reduces stress, all of which can help reduce the severity of a histamine reaction.

6. Ginger

A low-histamine diet is one of the best long-term strategies for preventing histamine reactions. However, if you’re experiencing a histamine reaction consuming antihistamine foods can help calm the reaction while it’s happening. And one of the most potent known antihistamine and anti-inflammatory foods is ginger. 

If you’re experiencing a histamine reaction, try chewing on fresh ginger, drinking ginger tea, or cooking with ginger to help quickly reduce inflammation and support digestion. 

7. Use Other Natural Remedies

Several natural treatments may help manage a histamine reaction. Here are some of my favorite options:

Quercetin. Quercetin is a plant-based compound in foods such as onions, apples, and berries. It has anti-inflammatory properties and can help stabilize mast cells. Quercetin supplements are available in most health food stores.

Nettle Leaf. Nettle Leaf is a natural antihistamine that can help to reduce allergy symptoms such as sneezing, itching, and congestion. It can be taken in team form or as a supplement.

Vitamin C. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that can help to reduce inflammation and stabilize mast cells. It is found in many fruits and vegetables, such as citrus fruits, bell peppers, and broccoli as well as in supplement form.

It’s important to note that, in some cases, histamine reactions can be severe and require emergency medical attention. If you experience symptoms such as difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or throat, or a rapid heartbeat, you should seek immediate medical attention.

 

Preventing Future Histamine Reactions

I believe having a toolkit of strategies for dealing with a histamine reaction is essential. And while my top seven tips for managing a histamine reaction are an excellent place to start, they will not provide you with the deep and lasting healing you deserve.

Long-lasting healing is only possible when you identify and treat the root cause of your histamine reactions. 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 give your body the care and love it needs to feel like yourself again.

Are you experiencing histamine issues?

Let’s talk!

Schedule a new patient consultation today to get started. 

Want more?

Try our Histamine Reset Online Program to begin healing your body on your time.

Resources I

1. "Allergy Symptoms | AAFA.org." https://aafa.org/allergies/allergy-symptoms/. Accessed 12 Apr. 2023.
2. "Histamine Intolerance: The Current State of the Art - PMC - NCBI." 14 Aug. 2020, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7463562/. Accessed 12 Apr. 2023.
3. "Histamine and histamine intolerance - ScienceDirect.com." https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0002916523280533?via%3Dihub. Accessed 12 Apr. 2023.
4. "Allergies: Overview - InformedHealth.org - NCBI Bookshelf." 23 Apr. 2020, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK447112/. Accessed 12 Apr. 2023.
5. "Histamine Intolerance—The More We Know the Less We ... - NCBI." 29 Jun. 2021, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8308327/. Accessed 12 Apr. 2023.
6. "What is an inflammation? - InformedHealth.org - NCBI Bookshelf." 23 Nov. 2010, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279298/. Accessed 12 Apr. 2023.
7. "Role of Histamine in Modulating the Immune Response and ... - NCBI." https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6129797/. Accessed 12 Apr. 2023.
8. "Histamine Intolerance in Clinical Practice - Peirson Center for Children." https://www.peirsoncenter.com/uploads/6/0/5/5/6055321/maintz2006.pdf. Accessed 12 Apr. 2023.
9. "Histamine Intolerance: The Current State of the Art - PMC - NCBI." 14 Aug. 2020, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7463562/. Accessed 12 Apr. 2023.
10. "Estrogen effects in allergy and asthma - PMC - NCBI." https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3537328/. Accessed 17 Apr. 2023.

Resources II

1. "The Effects of Environmental Toxins on Allergic Inflammation - PMC." 15 Oct. 2014, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4214967/. Accessed 17 Apr. 2023.
2. "Impact of mold on mast cell-cytokine immune response - PubMed." https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30043558/. Accessed 17 Apr. 2023.
3. "[Drug hypersensitivity in patients with presumed histamine ... - PubMed." https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31282837/. Accessed 12 Apr. 2023.
4. "Acute stress modulates the histamine content of mast cells in ... - NCBI." https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2343625/. Accessed 12 Apr. 2023.
5. "Mast Cell Stabilizer - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics." https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/nursing-and-health-professions/mast-cell-stabilizer. Accessed 12 Apr. 2023.
6. "Histamine Intolerance Originates in the Gut - PMC - NCBI." 12 Apr. 2021, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8069563/. Accessed 17 Apr. 2023.
7. "Diamine oxidase supplementation improves symptoms in patients ...." 24 May. 2019, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6859183/. Accessed 12 Apr. 2023.
8. "Ginger extract versus Loratadine in the treatment of allergic rhinitis." https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7171779/. Accessed 12 Apr. 2023.
9. "Quercetin and Its Anti-Allergic Immune Response - PMC - NCBI." 12 May. 2016, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6273625/. Accessed 12 Apr. 2023.
10. "Nettle extract (Urtica dioica) affects key receptors and enzymes ...." https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19140159/. Accessed 12 Apr. 2023.
11. "Impact of oral vitamin C on histamine levels and seasickness." https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25095772/. Accessed 12 Apr. 2023.

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by Peter Saydak

7 Natural Ways to Clear Histamine From the Body

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

1. "Histamine Intolerance: The Current State of the Art - PMC - NCBI." 14 Aug. 2020, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7463562/. Accessed 30 Mar. 2023.
2. "Biochemistry, Histamine - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf." 8 May. 2022, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557790/. Accessed 30 Mar. 2023.
3. "Histamine and histamine intolerance - Oxford Academic." 1 May. 2007, https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/article/85/5/1185/4633007. Accessed 30 Mar. 2023.
4. "Histamine Intolerance Originates in the Gut - PMC - NCBI." 12 Apr. 2021, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8069563/. Accessed 30 Mar. 2023.
5. "What we know about nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug ... - NCBI." 31 Mar. 2016, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4855107/. Accessed 30 Mar. 2023.
6. "Histamine drives severity of innate inflammation via ... - NCBI." 24 Jan. 2018, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5976516/. Accessed 30 Mar. 2023.
7. "Acute stress modulates the histamine content of mast cells in ... - NCBI." https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2343625/. Accessed 30 Mar. 2023.
8. "Genes of the Histamine Pathway and Common Diseases." 2 Feb. 2018, https://link.springer.com/article/10.1134/S1022795418010088. Accessed 30 Mar. 2023.
9. "Role of Histamine in the Pathogenesis of Autoimmune Disease." https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF03259251. Accessed 30 Mar. 2023.
10. "Estrogen effects in allergy and asthma - PMC - NCBI." https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3537328/. Accessed 30 Mar. 2023.
11. "Is There a Diet for Histamine Intolerance?." https://www.jandonline.org/article/S2212-2672(14)01454-3/pdf. Accessed 30 Mar. 2023.
12. "Probiotic Therapy as a Novel Approach for Allergic Disease - NCBI." https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3448073/. Accessed 30 Mar. 2023.
13. "Diamine oxidase supplementation improves symptoms in patients ...." 24 May. 2019, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6859183/. Accessed 30 Mar. 2023.
14. "Quercetin and Its Anti-Allergic Immune Response - PMC - NCBI." 12 May. 2016, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6273625/. Accessed 30 Mar. 2023.
15. "Impact of oral vitamin C on histamine levels and seasickness." https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25095772/. Accessed 30 Mar. 2023.
16. "Nettle extract (Urtica dioica) affects key receptors and enzymes ...." https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19140159/. Accessed 30 Mar. 2023.
17. "The effects of butterbur on the histamine and allergen cutaneous ...." https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14989395/. Accessed 30 Mar. 2023.

18. "Exploring the Effects of Omega-3 and Omega-6 Fatty Acids ... - NCBI." 6 Feb. 2016, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4783952/. Accessed 30 Mar. 2023.

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by Peter Saydak

Histamine Intolerance, Autoimmunity, and Multiple Sclerosis

Did you know that multiple sclerosis (MS) affects about 1 million people in the United States? Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease that affects your brain and spinal cord. It involves an immune-mediated process that involves an abnormal immune response that attacks your central nervous system (CNS) which is made up of your spinal cord, brain, and optic nerves. Symptoms of multiple sclerosis can affect your motor function, eye health, neurological function, and other areas of your health.

You may wonder why am I talking about multiple sclerosis as a functional medicine doctor who specializes in histamine intolerance. My interest is not surprising considering that research suggests that there is a connection between histamine intolerance and autoimmune diseases, such as multiple sclerosis. I regularly see patients who visit my practice because they have done all the steps to address their autoimmune disease yet are still dealing with a variety of chronic symptoms. The answer usually lies in histamine intolerance. Once we address that, they usually see a decrease in symptoms and improved health. If you are still dealing with symptoms despite your effort to recover, histamine intolerance may just be your answer too.

In this article, you will learn what histamine intolerance is. You will understand its main root causes and the most common symptoms. You will learn about autoimmune disorders. I will discuss what autoimmune disorders are, what are the underlying causes and most common symptoms of autoimmune disorders, and how they are diagnosed. You will learn about the connection between autoimmune disorders and histamine intolerance. You will learn about multiple sclerosis. I will discuss what multiple sclerosis is, what are the main causes and most common symptoms of MS, and how it’s diagnosed. I will share my top recommendations to address histamine intolerance naturally if you have any multiple sclerosis or any other autoimmune disease.

What Is Histamine Intolerance

You’ve probably heard about histamine from anti-histamine medications prescribed for allergies. Because of the ‘anti’ part of the word ‘anti-histamine’, histamine gets a bad rap, when in fact, it's actually incredibly important for your health and well-being.

Histamine is an important part of your immune system. It is a critical chemical that is responsible for a variety of functions in your body, including getting rid of allergens as part of your immune response, communicating with your brain, and triggering stomach acid release to aid digestion. Under normal circumstances, your body releases DAO enzymes to take care of and breakdown any build-up of any excess histamine, however, if you don’t have enough DAO enzymes or if you have more histamine that these enzymes can handle, it will result in excess histamine.

Histamine intolerance means that your body has too much histamine, more than it can handle, which can lead to various health issues. Histamine intolerance can affect your entire body, including your gut, brain, lungs, cardiovascular system, and hormonal health. It can lead to inflammation, immune health issues, autoimmune reactions, and symptoms all over your body. Histamine intolerance can manifest in a variety of ways, including hormonal issues, migraines, headaches, skin problems, digestive issues, sleep disturbances, bladder problems, anxiety, fast heart rate, blood sugar issues, seasonal allergies, and more (1). 

Symptoms of Histamine Intolerance

Symptoms of histamine intolerance may differ from person to person. They may affect your entire body. Symptoms of histamine intolerance may include:

• Fatigue
• Sleep disturbances or insomnia
• Headaches or migraines
• Diarrhea
• Nausea or vomiting
• Acid reflux
• Other digestive issues
• Congestion or runny nose
• Eczema, psoriasis, and other skin issues
• Hives
• Flushing
• Facial swelling or other tissues swelling
• Red eyes
• Tightness in the throat
• Asthma attacks
• Seasonal allergies and hay fever
• Crawling sensation on the skin or scalp
• Low blood pressure
• Hypertension
• Tachycardia or fast heart rate
• Heart palpitations
• Drop in blood pressure when standing up
• Vertigo or dizziness
• Anxiety 
• Panic attacks
• Confusion
• Irritability
• Mood fluctuations
• Abnormal menstrual cycle
• Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
• Abnormal menstrual cycle
• Bad morning sickness or hyperemesis gravidarum

Causes of Histamine Intolerance

Histamine intolerance doesn’t just happen out of nowhere. There are a variety of factors that may set you up for histamine intolerance. During your treatment plan, we can uncover potential root causes of your histamine intolerance and address them to achieve a full recovery and optimal health.

The main root cause of histamine intolerance include:

• Mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS)
• Gluten intolerance
• Leaky gut syndrome
• Gut infections
• Inflammatory digestive disease
• Nutrient deficiencies
• Genetic mutations
• Certain medications

What Are Autoimmune Disorders

Your immune system’s job is to defend against foreign pathogens, like viruses, bacteria, yeast, and toxins, and even cancer cells. Under normal circumstances, a healthy immune system is able to protect your body from disease and infection through an immune response. It produces antibodies that help to destroy pathogens. It basically releases an army of fighting cells to attack and destroy any foreign invaders that may harm you. 

If you have an autoimmune disease, your body is no longer able to distinguish between its own healthy cells, unhealthy cells, and foreign invaders. It means that your immune system is malfunctioning and mistakenly attacks its own healthy cells, tissues, and organs.

Having an autoimmune disorder may result in the destruction of body tissue, changes in organ function, and the abnormal growth or function of an organ. Depending on the autoimmune disorder you are dealing with, it may affect only one or multiple organs and tissues. Autoimmune disorders may affect your joints, connective tissues, muscles, skin, endocrine glands, such as your thyroid or pancreas, blood vessels, red blood cells, and brain. These come with an array of symptoms for fatigue, pain, skin issues, digestive problems, to practically any other chronic symptoms. Autoimmune diseases can seriously weaken your bodily functions. They can be debilitating and in some cases even life-threatening when left untreated (2, 3). 

Causes of Autoimmune Disorders

While the exact cause of autoimmune disorders is not yet completely understood, there are multiple factors that may play a role (2, 3, 4, 5, 6):

• Being female over being male 
• Genetics and family history
• Eating an inflammatory diet 
• Pesticides, mercury, and other toxic exposure
• Poor gut microbiome imbalance
• Infections, including gut infections and chronic infections
• Chronic stress
• Ultraviolet radiation

Common Autoimmune Disorders

While there are hundreds of autoimmune disorders out there, the most common autoimmune disorders include (7):

• Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
• Graves’ disease
• Celiac disease
• Multiple sclerosis
• Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
• Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis
• Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis
• Addison’s disease
• Sjögren’s syndrome 
• Type 1 diabetes
• Pernicious anemia
• Myasthenia gravis
• Autoimmune vasculitis

Symptoms of Autoimmune Disease

Symptoms of an autoimmune disease can vastly differ depending on which autoimmune condition you are dealing with. However, early symptoms of many autoimmune conditions may be similar. Early symptoms of autoimmune disease may include:

• Fatigue
• Muscle aches
• Various pains
• Swelling and redness
• Skin rashes
• Numbness or tingling in your hands or feet
• Hair loss
• Brain fog or trouble concentrating
• Weight changes
• Digestive symptoms
• Low-grade fever

Again, your symptoms may vary depending on your autoimmune disease. Symptoms often go in periods of flare and remission. Many of these symptoms may also mimic other chronic health issues, including fibromyalgia, Lyme’s disease, chronic fatigue syndrome, non-autoimmune thyroid disease, non-autoimmune digestive issues, or non-autoimmune skin issues, or other health issues, including histamine intolerance, mast cell activation syndrome, or food sensitivities. Working with a healthcare practitioner, getting the appropriate testing, and receiving the right diagnosis is critical for an appropriate treatment protocol and recovery.

Diagnosis of an Autoimmune Disease

After going through your health history, symptoms, and a physical exam, your doctor will likely order a variety of tests. An antinuclear antibody test (ANA) is commonly used as a first step to determine if you have an autoimmune disorder. Other blood tests may also be used to look for specific antibodies or inflammation. Depending on the type of autoimmune disease you have, other tests, including imaging, may be used for a proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

What Is Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease and a nervous system disease that affects your brain and spinal cord. It affects about 1 million people in the United States alone. It is the most common, non-traumatic cause of neurological disability among young people in both North-America and Western-Europe. MS involves an immune-mediated process that involves an abnormal immune response that attacks your central nervous system (CNS) which is made up of your spinal cord, brain, and optic nerves. This results in inflammation within your CNS that also damages the myelin sheath, a fatty material that surrounds, insulates and protects your nerve fibers and nerve cells. 

MS can result in a variety of issues. When the myelin sheath or nerve fibers are harmed or destroyed, it can negatively affect or even stop important messages within your CNS. Multiple sclerosis refers to multiple areas of scarring because of the scar tissue that develops in the damaged areas of your CNS. Any damage that occurs within your CNS can result in a variety of neurological symptoms. Symptoms and the severity of symptoms may differ from person to person, the progress of the disease, and the success of their treatment (8, 9, 10, 11). 

Causes of Multiple Sclerosis

The causes of MS are not completely understood yet, but the combination of genetic, environmental, immunological, dietary, and lifestyle factors may all play a role. Causes of multiple sclerosis may include (12, 13, 14, 15):

• Genetics and family history
• Abnormal immune response
• Vitamin D deficiency
• Smoking
• Obesity
• Chronic infections, including the Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), human herpes virus, Chlamydia pneumonia, and measles
• Environmental allergies
• Heavy metals and other toxins
• Gut dysbiosis
• Mitochondrial dysfunction
• Eating an inflammatory diet
• Chronic stress
• Geographic and socioeconomic factors
• Lyme disease

Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis

Symptoms of multiple sclerosis may affect your motor functions, vision, and other areas of your health. These may include:

• Numbness or weakness in one or more limbs, usually one on the side or your legs and trunk
• Electric-shock sensations that happen with certain neck movements, such as moving your neck forward, which is also referred to as the Lhermitte sign
• Tremors
• Unsteady gait
• Lack of coordination or balance
• Muscle weakness
• Dizziness
• Tingling in parts of your body
• Pain in parts of your body
• Fatigue
• Blurry vision
• Partial or complete vision loss typically affecting one eye at a time
• Prolonged double vision
• Thinking and memory problems
• Trouble organizing thoughts
• Slurred speech
• Mood swings and irritability
• Problems with bladder, bowel, and sexual functions

Diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis

The timely diagnosis of multiple sclerosis is critical to prevent permanent neurological damage and start appropriate treatment as soon as possible. Diagnosis of multiple sclerosis involves a variety of tests. After going through your medical history and symptoms, your doctor may order a neurological exam, eyes exam, various imaging, and sometimes a spinal tap. Various blood tests may be used to rule out other autoimmune and chronic health conditions (16).

Histamine Intolerance and Autoimmunity

You might’ve noticed that the symptoms of histamine intolerance and common symptoms of autoimmunity overlap. Certain possible causes of histamine intolerance and autoimmune diseases, including gut microbiome balance, chronic infections, an inflammatory diet, and toxin exposure, also overlap. 

Can some of your autoimmune symptoms be contributed to or enhanced by histamine intolerance? Is there a connection between histamine intolerance and autoimmunity? Can histamine intolerance be the missing link in the understanding and treatment of autoimmune conditions? 

Research suggests that both histamine and your mast cells that release histamine play an active role in the development and symptoms of autoimmune diseases. Many autoimmune conditions, including multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis are all characterized by increased mast cell activity, histamine release, and inflammatory agent activity.

According to a 1994 study published in Clinical Immunotherapy, histamine may play a role in autoimmune diseases. The study explains that “histamine participates in the regulation of the immune response via binding to specific histamine receptors expressed on cells of immune origin. Histamine may be involved in the development of autoimmune disease via a pathological change in its regulation of the expression of MHC class II restriction antigens by action on histamine H2 receptors.” Researchers suggest that mast cell stabilizing drugs or specific histamine H2 receptor antagonists may be beneficial in reducing autoimmune activity (17).

A 2015 review published in Mediators of Inflammation explains that autoimmune diseases and allergic diseases share similarities, including a hypersensitive immune response that ends up destroying your own body. Mast cells can counteract T regulatory (Treg) cell function. Mast cells and histamine release have also been shown to promote inflammation in both multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis. The review suggests that targeting mast cells may be a new treatment option for certain autoimmune diseases (18).

A 2012 study published in Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA)  has also connected mast cell activity to autoimmunity. The study explains that your mast cells are innate immune cells that also contribute to pathogenic responses that contribute to autoimmune diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and bullous pemphigoid. Mast cell histamine response is necessary during an encounter with an allergen or an infection. Similar to this role, they also play a role when inflammation occurs. Mast cells are necessary for the recruitment of neutrophils, which make up 40 to 70 percent of your blood cells, around the area of inflammation. While the role of mast cells in recruiting neutrophils is necessary and beneficial in infections, when it comes to inflammation related to autoimmune settings, it can become highly problematic. Neutrophils can promote local vascular permeability which allows inflammatory cells to enter and contribute to the destruction of tissues (19).

Histamine Intolerance and Multiple Sclerosis

Much of the research on the relationship between histamine intolerance and autoimmune diseases has been done on multiple sclerosis. To understand the connection, you have to understand that there are four types of histamine categorized based on their ability to bind to protein: H1, H2, H3, and H4.

Types of Histamine Receptors

• H1 Histamine Receptor: The H1 histamine receptor plays a role in your allergic response. It is allocated throughout your peripheral nervous system, especially in smooth muscles. It plays a role in causing blood vessel dilation promoting blood vessel permeability, stimulating sensory nerves. H1 receptor activation can also cause sneezing, nasal congestion, and runny nose. It can also prevent potassium channels in neuronal cell membranes which leads to the depolarization of neurons and higher neural excitation, which increases the number of neurotransmitters being released by a neuron (20).
• H2 Histamine Receptor: The H2 histamine receptor is located on the parietal cells in your heart, stomach, vascular smooth muscle, and immune cells. H2 receptor activation causes gastric acid release, neutrophil, and basophil activation, T cell stimulation, and increases the activity of the natural killer cells. Together with H1 histamine receptors, H2 activity can cause a runny nose and sinus swelling (20).
• H3 Histamine Receptor: The H3 histamine receptor is found on nerve cells that contain histamine. H3 receptors spread out across your central nervous system, especially in your hippocampus, hypothalamus, thalamus, cortex, caudate nucleus, and olfactory tubercle. This may help the regulation of dopamine, norepinephrine, GABA, and other neurotransmitters in both the peripheral and central nervous systems (20).
• H4 Histamine Receptor: The H4 histamine receptor is located on your immune cells and tissues, including the bone marrow, peripheral blood leukocytes, and the spleen, as well as the colon, liver, and lungs. It may help the movement of disease-fighting white blood cells, and eosinophils, and may upregulate adhesion molecules (20).

Histamine, Histamine Receptors, and Multiple Sclerosis

A 2010 study published in Neuropharmacology has discussed that histamine may play a critical role in the pathophysiology of MS. Histamine can change the blood-brain barrier permeability which can increase infiltrated cells in the central nervous system and cause neuroinflammation. The paper also states that histamine may also play a protective role in MS. It seems that while H1 and H4 histamine receptors may make MS worse, H2 and H3 receptors may help (21).

A 2013 study published in Fluids and Barriers in CNS has looked at the cerebrospinal fluid (CFS) histamine analysis of 36 19-year-old MS patients. They found that the CSF histamine levels were significantly higher in participants with MS than in participants of the control group. These results suggest that histamine may play a factor in multiple sclerosis and chronic inflammatory diseases that affect the central nervous system (22).

A 2018 study published in the American Journal of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, on the other hand, has found lower than healthy histamine and diamine oxidase (DAO) enzyme levels in participants with relapsing-remitting MS. The study enrolled 50 relapsing-remitting MS patients of 41 years of age and used an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test to determine serum levels of both histamine and DAO enzyme levels. Results suggest that while too much histamine can be a problem, too low histamine levels may not be ideal for MS patients. Since both studies were relatively small, further studies are needed for more insight (23).

A 2012 review published in Frontiers in Systems Neuroscience has also looked at the connection between histamine and neuroinflammation. Many studies that aim to understand MS use the murine model of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model for brain inflammation. Models have found that histamine may play an important regulatory role in MS and EAE (24). 

A deficiency in mast cells has also been linked to lower severity of MS. Since fewer mast cells mean lower histamine production, this may mean that less histamine may lead to less severity of symptoms. Looking at EAE models, histamine participates in both the development and the progression of EAE by modulating T lymphocytes, chemotaxis, adhesion molecule expressions, and cytokine behavior. All of these factors play a key role in autoimmune disease and MS. Different histamine receptors may also play a different role (24). 

H1 and H2 receptors modulate cytokine and chemokine production, while H4 modulates chemotaxis. While H2 can downregulate both Th1 and Th2 immune responses, H1 can promote a Th1 response. H3 receptors are mostly confined to the CNS where they restrict the release and synthesis of histamine and control neurotransmitter release. It seems that H3 plays a role as central control of cerebrovascular tone and may reduce the susceptibility to neuroinflammatory diseases. The removal of H3 seems to actually may cause more severe symptoms of EAE (24). 

The H4 receptor is a common target for both asthma and autoimmune disease treatment strategies. H4 can increase inflammation and cause the progression of pathological responses. Introducing H4 antagonists can reduce inflammation in both allergies and autoimmune conditions. However, it seems that H4 may act differently depending on its activation on different hematopoietic cells. We need further research to completely understand the role of the H4 histamine receptor, other histamine receptors, and mast cells in autoimmunity and multiple sclerosis (24). 

Natural Solutions for Histamine Intolerance

Do you have multiple sclerosis or other autoimmune health issues and also experiencing symptoms of histamine intolerance? Here is what I recommend to improve your health naturally:

Eat a Low-Histamine Diet

To improve histamine intolerance, I recommend that you start with your diet. Follow a low-histamine nutrition plan. Start by eliminating all high-histamine foods for one month, then slowly re-introduce them one by one following The 4-Phase Histamine Reset Plan. 

I developed the 4-Phase Histamine Reset Plan to help people like you who are dealing with histamine intolerance and related health issues. This reset plan is a simple, easy-to-follow yet refined system. You have to follow each step carefully to see results so it is critical that you understand and follow each step properly. 

To understand each step and guide your recovery, I recommend that you read my book, The 4-Phase Histamine Reset Plan: Getting to the Root of Migraines, Eczema, Vertigo, Allergies, and More. In this book, I explain everything about histamine intolerance and each phase of the plan in detail. I will also share my favorite delicious low-histamine recipes to nourish your body and support your health. Don’t worry, eating a low-histamine diet doesn’t have to be boring. I trust that you will love these recipes as much as my patients and my family does. Pick up a copy, today to learn more about The 4-Phase Histamine Reset Plan and my recommendations.

Reduce Stress and Improve Your Lifestyle

Chronic stress and poor lifestyle choices are silently damaging our health every day. They can trigger histamine intolerance and autoimmunity and amplify your histamine intolerance, autoimmune, and multiple sclerosis symptoms. While following a low-histamine diet, I recommend that you also improve your lifestyle.

Make sure to get 7 to 9 hours of quality sleep. Move your body throughout the day and exercise regularly. Spend time in nature. Reduce your stress levels through meditation, guided visualizations, breathwork, progressive relaxation, journaling, and yoga. Seek out uplifting activities and try new hobbies. Find a supportive community and spend time with supportive friends and family. Make sure that you also have some quality ‘me-time’ every day. No matter how busy you are, even if it’s just 5 - 10 minutes a day, it’s important to have some time just for yourself. 

Beyond chronic stress, poor sleep, and a lack of movement, bringing toxic products in our lives is another poor lifestyle choice that can contribute to histamine intolerance and autoimmunity. To reduce your toxic load, eliminate toxic personal care and cleaning products as well and instead use organic, natural, or homemade products. Avoid the use of plastics and opt for paper, cloth, glass, wood, bamboo, and stainless steel appliances, tools, and products instead whenever you can.

Try Supplements for Histamine Intolerance

I recommend my Histamine Essential Kit for anyone with histamine intolerance. This kit includes Optimal Reset Liver Love, Optimal Reset HistoRelief, and Optimal Reset Optimal Multi™.

Optimal Reset Liver Love

Liver Love is a synergistic formula designed to support healthy liver function made with a blend of botanical and mushroom extracts, along with N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine (NAC).

• N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine: N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine helps with antioxidant support, detoxification, liver and kidney health, mental health, respiratory health, blood sugar levels, and fertility.
• Reishi (full spectrum): Reishi mushroom supports immune function, liver health, energy levels, mental health, normal blood sugar levels, and heart health.
• Cordyceps: Cordyceps supports immune health, liver function, energy levels, normal blood sugar, levels, and heart health.
• Milk Thistle: Milk thistle helps liver health, brain function, bone health, optimal blood sugar levels, and skin health.
• Chinese Skullcap Extract: Chinese skullcap extract helps with a healthy stress response, relaxation, neuroprotection, circulatory health, and normal blood sugar levels.
• Schisandra Extract: Schisandra extract supports liver health, immune function, healthy blood pressure, optimal blood sugar levels, and the reduction of menopausal symptoms.
• Burdock Extract: Burdock extract offers antioxidant and detoxification benefits and supports your skin health.

Optimal Reset Histo Relief

HistoRelief is a synergistic blend of nutrients, such as quercetin, nettle leaf, and vitamin C, and Tinofend® that provides natural support to help balance the immune response during allergy and support your immune system and optimal histamine metabolism.

• Vitamin C: Vitamin C supports the proper functioning of the immune system and the growth, development, and repair of your tissues.
• Potassium: Potassium helps fluid balance, nerve signaling, muscle function, healthy blood pressure, and normal electrolyte levels.
• Sodium: Sodium supports fluid balance, muscle contractions, nerve signaling, and optimal electrolyte levels.
• Tinofend®: Tinofend® is a patented and clinically researched extract derived from the plant Tinospora cordifolia that helps to regulate key immune mediators and supports the immune system
• Nettle Extract: Nettle extract helps to lower inflammation and reduce the symptoms of hay fever and seasonal allergies.
• Quercetin: Quercetin helps to lower inflammation, reduce symptoms of seasonal allergies and hay fever, and support normal blood sugar levels.
• Bicarbonate Salts: Bicarbonate salts help to relieve heartburn and indigestion and support bowel cleansing.

Optimal Reset Optimal Multi

Optimal Multi is a superior multi that contains optimal amounts of many nutrients not easily obtained in most diets.

• Vitamin A: Vitamin A supports your immune system, eye health, skin health, bone health, and reproductive health.
• Vitamin C: Vitamin C supports the proper functioning of the immune system and the growth, development, and repair of your tissues.
• Vitamin D: Vitamin D supports your immune health, bone and muscle health, dental health, brain function, and mental health.
• Vitamin E: Vitamin E helps to lower oxidative stress and support your immune system, skin health, and eye health.
• Thiamine: Thiamine or vitamin B1 supports optimal energy levels, brain health, and muscle, nerve, and heart function.
• Riboflavin: Riboflavin or vitamin B2 supportive digestive, liver, nerve, muscle, eye, skin, and adrenal health.
• Niacin: Niacin or vitamin B3 supports brain and mental health, healthy cholesterol and triglyceride levels, brain function, normal blood sugar levels, and skin health.
• Vitamin B6: Vitamin B6 supports your mood, mental health, brain health, cardiovascular health and may help with symptoms of PMS and pregnancy.
• Folate: Folate or vitamin B9 supports your energy levels, brain function, digestion, liver health, heart health, skin, hair, and nails.
• Vitamin B12: Vitamin B12 supports your energy levels, brain health, heart health, mental health, bone health, skin, hair, and nails.
• Biotin: Biotin, also known as vitamin B8 or vitamin H, supports your hair, skin, eyes, nervous system, and liver health.
• Pantothenic Acid: Pantothenic acid or vitamin B5 supports your energy levels, immune system, blood pressure, cholesterol, mental health, skin, hair, and nails.
• Iodine: Iodine supports your thyroid health, immune function, cognitive function, and neurodevelopment during pregnancy.
• Zinc: Zinc supports your immune system, cell signaling, wound healing, protein synthesis, DNA synthesis, and gene expression.
• Selenium: Selenium supports the immune system function, brain health, thyroid function, and heart health.
• Manganese: Manganese helps to reduce inflammation and support immune health, blood sugar levels, and bone health.
• Chromium: Chromium supports healthy blood sugar and triglyceride levels and helps your weight loss goals.
• Molybdenum: Molybdenum is a mineral found in organ meats, legumes, and supports dental, metabolic, immune, and gut health.
• High gamma mixed tocopherols: High gamma mixed tocopherols supports skin, heart, gastrointestinal, brain, and bone health.
• Alpha lipoic acid: Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) promotes nerve function, lowers inflammation, supports heart health, and reduces the aging of the skin.
• Boron: Boron helps the development of strong bones, muscle health, testosterone levels, and cognitive function.

Final Thoughts

Multiple sclerosis (MS) affects about 1 million people in the United States and the most common, non-traumatic cause of neurological disability in young adults. Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease that affects your brain and spinal cord and can lead to symptoms affecting your motor function, eye health, neurological function, and other areas of your health. Research suggests that mast cells, histamine, and histamine intolerance may play a role in the development, progression, and severity of the symptoms of multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune disorders. Addressing histamine intolerance may support your recovery and help to reduce or eliminate symptoms that you may experience despite following MS or autoimmune protocols diligently. Follow my recommendations to recover from histamine intolerance to reduce your symptoms and improve your health.

If you are dealing with histamine intolerance and autoimmune disease or multiple sclerosis, I invite you to schedule a consultation with us. We can help to identify the root cause of your condition and recommend a personalized treatment plan to repair your body and regain your health and well-being. Schedule your consultation here.  I also recommend that you check out my Histamine Online Program.

Sources:

1. Maintz L, Novak N. Histamine and histamine intolerance. Am J Clin Nutr. 2007 May;85(5):1185-96. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/85.5.1185. PMID: 17490952

2. Autoimmune disorders. MedlinePlus. Link Here

3. Autoimmune diseases. NIH. Link Here

4. Scott M. Hayter, Matthew C. Cook, Updated assessment of the prevalence, spectrum and case definition of autoimmune disease, Autoimmunity Reviews, Volume 11, Issue 10,201. Link Here

5. Goris A. The Immunogenetic Architecture of Autoimmune Disease. Link Here

6. Sternberg EM, Chrousos GP, Wilder RL, Gold PW. The stress response and the regulation of inflammatory disease. Ann Intern Med. 1992 Nov 15;117(10):854-66. PMID: 1416562

7. Autoimmune disease list. AARDA. Link Here

8. How many people live with MS? National Multiple Sclerosis Society.  Link Here

9. Definition of MS. National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Link Here

10. Multiple sclerosis. MedlinePlus. Link Here

11. Multiple sclerosis information page. NIH. Link Here

12. What causes MS? National Multiple Sclerosis Society.  Link Here

Resources

13. Agmon-Levin N, Theodor E, Segal RM, Shoenfeld Y. Vitamin D in systemic and organ-specific autoimmune diseases. Clin Rev Allergy Immunol. 2013 Oct;45(2):256-66. PMID: 23238772

14. Proal AD, Albert PJ, Marshall TG. The human microbiome and autoimmunity. Curr Opin Rheumatol. 2013 Mar;25(2):234-40. PMID: 23370376

15. Mao P, Reddy PH. Is multiple sclerosis a mitochondrial disease? Biochimica et biophysica acta. 2010;1802(1):66-79.

16. Diagnosing MS. National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Link Here

17. Nielsen, H.J. Role of Histamine in the Pathogenesis of Autoimmune Disease. Clin. Immunother. 1, 250–257 (1994). Link Here

18. Yunzhi Xu, Guangjie Chen, "Mast Cell and Autoimmune Diseases", Mediators of Inflammation, vol. 2015, Article ID 246126, 8 pages, 2015. Link Here

19. Margaret E. Walker, Julianne K. Hatfield, Melissa A. Brown,New insights into the role of mast cells in autoimmunity: Evidence for a common mechanism of action?, Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Molecular Basis of Disease,Volume 1822, Issue 1, 2012, Pages 57-65, Link Here

20. Histamine mechanism. New Medical Life Sciences. Link Here

21. Jadidi-Niaragh F, Mirshafiey A. Histamine and histamine receptors in pathogenesis and treatment of multiple sclerosis. Neuropharmacology. 2010 Sep;59(3):180-9. doi: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2010.05.005. Epub 2010 May 21. PMID: 20493888

22. Kallweit U, Aritake K, Bassetti CL, Blumenthal S, Hayaishi O, Linnebank M, Baumann CR, Urade Y. Elevated CSF histamine levels in multiple sclerosis patients. Fluids Barriers CNS. 2013 May 9;10:19. doi: 10.1186/2045-8118-10-19. PMID: 23659456

23. Rafiee Zadeh A, Falahatian M, Alsahebfosoul F. Serum levels of histamine and diamine oxidase in multiple sclerosis. Am J Clin Exp Immunol. 2018 Dec 20;7(6):100-105. PMID: 30697467

24. Passani Maria Beatrice, Ballerini Clara. Histamine and neuroinflammation: insights from murine experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Frontiers in Systems Neuroscience. Volume 6. 2012. Link Here   

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by Peter Saydak

What’s the Connection Between EMF and Your Mast Cells + What to Do About EMF Hypersensitivity

Relying on WiFi, scrolling your phone, and using technology are part of your everyday life. Chances are, you are reading this on your phone, tablet, laptop, or computer. But did you know that EMF may harm your health?

Unfortunately, we can’t completely escape EMFs. Technology is part of our lives. This does not mean that you shouldn’t get smarter about it. You can still learn more about the risks of EMFs and reduce your exposure to improve your health.

There is increasing evidence suggesting that EMF hypersensitivity and EMF-related symptoms may be connected to mast cell activation. In this article, I want to discuss this connection in detail. I will go over what EMFs are, the types of EMFs, and the symptoms of EMF hypersensitivity. You will learn more about mast cells and mast cell activation. I will discuss how sensitivity to and symptoms related to EMFs may be connected to mast cell activation. Finally, I will offer some simple strategies to reduce EMF exposure, calm your mast cells, and improve your health

What Are EMFs

You’ve probably heard about the potential harm of EMFs. But what are EMFs? Many people throw this term around without having a full understanding of what EMFs mean.

Electric and magnetic fields or EMFs for short are also known as radiation. EMFs are invisible areas of energy linked to electrical power, man-made light, and also natural light.

Not all EMFs are the same. There are two major types of EMFs: non-ionizing and ionizing. Non-ionizing EMFs are low-level radiation and ionizing ones cause high-level radiation. Since ionizing radiation is high-level radiation, it can be way more harmful to your health, even from singular exposure. Though some believe that non-ionizing radiation is safe, it can also be harmful and lead to chronic symptoms and health issues. Non-ionizing EMF may be particularly problematic when you are exposed to it on a regular basis (1, 2, 3).

Non-ionizing radiation includes:

• Microwave ovens
• Cell phones and tablets
• Laptops and computers
• Bluetooth devices
• WiFi routers
• House energy meters
• Power lines
• MRI imaging

Ionizing radiation includes:

• X-rays
• Ultraviolet lights (UV)

Are EMFs Harmful?

The potential harm of EMF exposure is a controversial topic, to say the least. Most people know about the risks of high-frequency radiation. When you get an x-ray, your doctor will ask about the possibility of pregnancy, because x-rays may endanger the baby’s health. Your radiologist will put a shield over the non-examined part of your body and will talk behind a protected area during imaging to ensure protection from radiation.

Most people are also aware of the potential risks of UV damage from the sun. We know to put on sunscreen, avoid staying out in the sun too long, especially mid-day, and wear protective clothing. 

Yet, when it comes to low-frequency radiation, most people are unaware of the risks. We are talking about objects and tools we use every single day, such as cell phones, laptops, WiFi, other electronics, and microwaves. They have to be safe, right?!

Though research is still ongoing regarding the potential risks of low-level radiation, the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARc) states that it may be carcinogenic and harmful to your health (4). Let’s look at what the research says.

Though there are not yet enough studies on the potential harms of EMF, some research suggests that cell phones, WiFi, microwaves, and powerlines may increase your health risks. A  2013 study published in Case Reports in Science Medicine has found that women keeping their cell phones in their bras may increase their risk of developing breast cancer in the same area (5).

The Environmental Health Trust states that WiFi use and EMF exposure may lead to an increase in toxic burden. They believe that it may impact your brain health and lead to a higher  risk of fatigue, weakness, dizziness, concentration issues, and anxiety (6). According to a 2017 research published in BioMed Research International, WiFi may increase the risk of brain cancer (7). 

According to a 2015 animal study published in Cell Journal, WiFi may reduce sperm motility and fertility in men (8). According to a 2018 review published in Environmental Research, WiFi use may increase oxidative stress, neuropsychiatric issues, cellular DNA damage, sperm and testicular damage, endocrine issues, and calcium overload (9). 

According to a 2011 review published in Experimental Oncology, regularly using microwave ovens may increase the risk of cancer from radiation (10). The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that staying further from your microwave instead of in front of it is a good practice as it may lower radiation exposure (11). I recommend ditching your microwave completely. 

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), currently we don’t have any federal regulations for controlling residential or occupational exposure to power lines in the United States (12). Yet, according to a 1979 study published in the Journal of Epidemiology and a 2005 study published in BMJ, powerlines may increase the risk of cancer in childhood have linked power lines to an increased risk of childhood cancer (13, 14). The further you are from power lines, the lower your risk is. If you live in an area where there are powerlines near your home, you may call your power company to bury the line to increase the level of protection.

Symptoms of Chronic EMF Exposure and EMF Hypersensitivity

When it comes to EMF, we all have different sensitivity levels. Some people are more sensitive than others. However, symptoms may develop over time due to chronic exposure. This means that even if you are not yet experiencing negative effects from EMFs, over time you may start to develop symptoms.

Since EMF symptoms tend to resemble chronic symptoms of other chronic health issues, it may be difficult for your health practitioner to pinpoint the problem. This may be particularly an issue because conventional health practitioners tend to be unaware of the risks of EMF exposure.

EMF exposure may affect your brain health, nervous system, energy levels, and entire body. Symptoms can be widespread, anywhere from mild to severe. While ionizing radiation seems to be riskier, you may experience issues from long-term exposure to non-ionizing radiation. You may also be hypersensitive to EMFs and experience more immediate and more severe symptoms than others.

Possible symptoms of EMF exposure and EMF hypersensitivity may include but are not limited to:

• Fatigue
• Insomnia
• Sleep problems
• Brain fog
• Memory issues
• Concentration issues
• Headaches or migraines
• Mood changes
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Dizziness
• Irritability
• Restlessness
• Muscle pains
• Blood sugar issues
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Weight gain 
• Obesity
• Hormonal issues 
• Infertility
• Tinnitus
• Tingling 
• Burning skin

As you may notice many of these symptoms are similar to signs and symptoms of various chronic health issues. Simply looking at your symptoms, it can be difficult to know if your symptoms are due to EMF exposure or not. In most cases, symptoms are a result of a variety of problems. 

In the next sections, I will discuss how EMFs may affect your mast cells and how mast cell activation issues may play a role in your symptoms. Generally speaking, reducing your EMF exposure is critical for reducing your risks of EMF-related issues and supporting your health. It’s important that along with reducing your EMF exposure, you follow a healthy, nutrient-dense diet, and healthy lifestyle, get plenty of sleep, and reduce environmental toxin exposure. At the end of this article, I will discuss some tips for improving your health, but first, let’s get into the connection between EMFs and mast cells.

EMFs and Mast Cells

Before I get into the connection between EMF exposure and mast cell activation, let’s go over what mast cells and mast activation syndrome are.

What Is Mast Cell Activation Syndrome

Your mast cells are essential for your immune and overall health. They are white blood cells that store histamine and other inflammatory mediators. They are located in your digestive tract, respiratory tract, urinary tract, skin, and blood. 

When your body is attacked by an allergen, toxin, or other triggers, it will lead to mast cell activations. Your mast cells will cause an allergic response and release histamine along with other chemicals. This protective mechanism is essential for your immune health.

However, if your mast cells become dysregulated or overactive, it can turn into a serious issue. Mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) means that your mast cells become activated even at inappropriate times when there is no danger. They become triggered by normally safe factors. If you have MCAS it means that your mast cells release too much histamine and other chemicals. This can lead to a variety of symptoms and affect your entire body. You may develop MCAS due to a variety of triggers, including mold, chemicals, toxins, heavy metals, allergens, medications, infections, viruses, food, and alcohol. 

Symptoms of MCAS may include the following:

• Rashes
• Hives
• Itching
• Heart palpitations
• Low blood pressure
• Headaches
• Chest pain
• Weight changes, including rapid weight loss or weight gain
• Digestive trouble, including diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting
• Loss of appetite or low appetite
• Anxiety
• Fatigue
• Vision changes
• Weakness
• Dizziness

The Connection Between EMFs and Mast Cell Activation

A 2009 paper published in Pathophysiology has explained how EMFs may affect your immune system and mast cell physiology (15). The author discussed the phenomenon of electro-hypersensitivity or electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS). This refers to hypersensitivity to EMFs. If you are hypersensitive to EMFs, you may experience acute reactions and chronic symptoms related to EMFs. According to the paper, if you are dealing with multiple chemical sensitivity or environmental illnesses, you may be more likely to develop EMF hypersensitivity too (15, 16, 17). A 2000 study published in Medical Hypotheses has found that about 5 percent of the population is affected by EMF hypersensitivity (18). However, others believe it may be closer to 20 percent.

According to this 2009 paper, EMFs may disturb your immune system. Just like other allergens and toxins, EMFs may disrupt your immune system and trigger various allergic and inflammatory responses causing a hypersensitivity reaction. Now, as you already know, when your immune system gets attacked by allergens, toxins, or infections, it will trigger mast cell activation and the release of histamine and other chemicals. This is the cause of allergic reactions. 

If your immune system is constantly triggered, it may lead to increased mast cell activation and ongoing histamine release, causing histamine intolerance and chronic symptoms. According to the paper, EMF exposure may increase the size and quality of mast cells, increase the rate of mast cell degranulation, and increase mast cell migration and infiltration in people with EMF hypersensitivity (15). 

A 2000 review published in Medical Hypotheses has also found that EMFs may increase mast cell activation, which will release inflammatory mediators causing EMF-related symptoms (19). For example, researchers argue that cardiac mast cells are responsible for cardiac function-related symptoms from EMFs due to degranulation upon EMF exposure.

A 2001 study published in the Journal of Cutaneous Pathology has found that even sitting in front of your personal computer or television can lead to EMF-related mast cell reactions and symptoms (20). According to a 2000 research published in Cell Biology International, using your microwave may also affect your mast cells and cause related issues (21).

A 2006 paper published in Electromagnetic Biology and Medicine has found that people with EMF hypersensitivity have an increased number of mast cells, increased histamine levels, and other increased mast cell markers (22). A 2019 animal study published in the International Journal of Morphology has also found that cell phones may increase mast cell count and mast cell degranulation which may cause sleep issues and headaches (23).

EMFs may also disrupt your gut microbiome. EMF may increase the risk of microbiome imbalance and create an environment where C diff and other bad bugs like to grow. A 2021 study published in Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety has found that EMF exposure may affect the proportions of 6 different bacteria in your gut, increase the risk of gut microbiome imbalance, and lead to related neurobehavioral issues, including depression (24). Poor gut microbiome imbalance may increase mast cell activation and histamine intolerance (25, 26). This may increase MCAS-related chronic symptoms.

Moreover, according to a 2004 study published in Microbiolohichnyi Zhurnal, mold and yeast may grow faster in EMF-affected environments (27). According to a 2000 paper published in Medical Hypotheses, those with EMF hypersensitivity also commonly have mold infections (28). Mold illness and EMF hypersensitivity also have similar symptoms. This is important to note since mold is one of your main mast cell triggers and a common underlying issue is seen in MCAS and histamine intolerance (29). EMFs may increase mold growth and the risk of mold illness, mold illness may increase mast cell activation, which in turn, may increase EMF hypersensitivity.

As you see, EMF exposure, especially in EMF hypersensitivity, may increase mast cell activation and the risk of MCAS. However, having MCAS may also increase your risk of EMF hypersensitivity. If you have MCAS, it means that your mast cells are overreacting to environmental triggers. They may start reacting to environmental triggers that are not problematic for others. This may explain why you may be more sensitive to EMFs if you have MCAS. It also means that addressing both chronic EMF exposure and mast cell activation is important to reduce EMF-related symptoms.

Recommendations for EMF Protection and Mast Cell Health

Unfortunately, it’s impossible to completely eliminate EMF exposure. However, you can take steps to reduce your EMF exposure, lower the risk of mast cell activation issues, and protect your health. Here is what I recommend:

Reduce Your Daily EMF Exposure Levels

Decreasing your EMF exposure from devices and other EMF sources is the first step. Here is what you may try:

• Keep your phone and other devices on airplane mode unless you are using them or need them on.
• Turn off your cell phone, tablet, and other electronic devices at night and keep them out of your bedroom.
• Decrease your WiFi use by using hard-wire internet connection instead of WiFi whenever it’s an option and turning off your WiFi router at night or when you are not using it.
• Try not to use your cell phone while charging.
• Use hard-wire headsets instead of Bluetooth devices.
• When using your electronic devices, keep them away from your body as far as possible.
• Use your landline or face-to-face communication instead of your cell phone, Zoom, or other internet-based communication whenever possible.
• Try using an anti-radiation cell phone pouch or sleeve.
• Don’t forget to take digital detox days.
• Stop using your microwave.
• Sleep as far from any large appliances and circuit breakers as you can.
• Only get x-rays when it’s absolutely warranted.
• Ground your body by walking or standing on grass, soil, or sand barefoot or soaking your feet in natural water, such as the sea, lakes, or rivers (30)
• Try using PEMF mats and an infrared sauna to reduce inflammation and chronic symptoms (31).

Reduce Your Mast Cell Triggers

EMF is not the only thing that can trigger your mast cells. There are many factors that may trigger mast cell activation. Most mast cell triggers tend to come from your environment. Common triggers of MCAS include mold, allergens, chemicals, toxins, heavy metals, viruses, and stress. Reducing your mast cell triggers may help to reduce your symptoms of mast cell activation and histamine intolerance.

Eat an Anti-Inflammatory, Low-Histamine Diet

Histamine intolerance is a common consequence of MCAS. Following a high-histamine diet may further trigger histamine intolerance. I recommend following a low-histamine diet for at least several months until your symptoms improve. 

Remove inflammatory foods from your diet, including refined sugar and carbs, refined oil, artificial ingredients, additives, deep-fried foods, sugary drinks, junk food, and overly processed foods. Follow a nutrient-dense diet rich in greens, vegetables, herbs, sprouts, organic grass-fed meat, organic, pasture-raised eggs and poultry, and fresh wild-caught fish. Choose organic whenever available.

Remove high-histamine foods and foods that can increase your histamine load. High-histamine foods that you should avoid include age cheese (e.g., goat cheese), citrus fruits, canned and cured meat (e.g., pepperoni, salami, bacon, lunch meat, hot dogs, and canned meat), dried fruits (e.g., apricots, dates, raisins, figs, and prunes), fermented foods (e.g., kefir, sauerkraut, soy sauce, and vinegar), fermented alcohol (e.g., beer, wine, and champagne), legumes (e.g., beans, lentils, soy, and peanut), certain nuts (e.g., cashew and walnuts), soured foods (e.g., buttermilk, sour milk, sour cream), smoked fish and certain types of fish (e.g., mackerel, mahi-mahi, anchovies, sardines, tuna, and fish sauce), certain vegetables (e.g., avocados, tomatoes, eggplant, and spinach), vinegar-containing foods (e.g., pickles and olives), and all overly processed foods because of the high histamine load from preservatives. 

Avoid histamine-liberating foods that are low in histamine but trigger histamine release in your body, including alcohol, nuts, bananas, papaya, pineapple, strawberries, tomatoes, chocolates, wheat germ, cow’s milk, shellfish, and many artificial preservatives and dyes. Avoid DAO enzyme-blocking foods and drinks, such as alcohol, black tea, green tea, mate tea, and energy drinks.

Low-histamine foods

Choose low-histamine foods, including organic animal protein, most greens, vegetables, and fresh fruits (except as listed earlier), and healthy fats, such as coconut oil, grass-fed butter, ghee, and organic extra-virgin olive oil. Try new recipes. I recommend all the low-histamine recipes in The 4-Phase Histamine Reset Plan: Getting to the Root of Migraines, Eczema, Vertigo, Allergies and More and my recipe books, Fifty One Low Histamine Air Fryer Recipes and Low Histamine Cooking in Your Instant Pot. My book also has a detailed list of low- and high-histamine foods you can and cannot eat.

Try Some Mast Cell-Stabilizing and Histamine-Reducing Foods and Supplements

You can boost the benefits of your anti-inflammatory, low-histamine diet by adding some foods that may help to reduce your levels of histamine and stabilize your mast cells. Quercetin helps to reduce histamine. Add quercetin-rich foods to your diet, such as grapes, apples, cranberries, black plums, cherries, black currants, chokeberries, blueberries, olive oil, cruciferous vegetables, kale, romaine lettuce, chicory greens, red leaf lettuce, cabbage, sprouts, asparagus, snap peas, peppers, and red onion. You may also try a quercetin supplement.

I also recommend adding foods that can help to stabilize your mast cells, including onion, peaches, nettle, apples, chamomile, moringa, watercress, Thai ginger, and fiber-rich foods. You may also try a DAO enzyme supplement to support histamine breakdown and HistoRelief. 

HistoRelief is a synergistic blend of nutrients that provides natural support to balance your immune response. This blend features Tinofend®, a patented and clinically researched extract derived from the plant Tinospora cordifolia, which has a powerful ability to support immune regulation and immune response. As a result, it boosts your body’s ability to fight interstitial cystitis symptoms. It includes quercetin, nettle leaf, vitamin C, and bicarbonate salt to help inhibit histamine release, supports normal histamine metabolism, and improves immune health.

Improve Your Gut Health

Your gut microbiome health is closely connected to mast cell activation and histamine intolerance. Gut health issues, including leaky gut syndrome, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), candida, and other gut infections are common underlying issues in mast cell activation and histamine intolerance. EMF exposure may also increase gut microbiome imbalance and gut infections.

Addressing any gut health issues and improving gut microbiome imbalance may help to improve your chronic symptoms and help to regain your health. Along with a gut-friendly anti-inflammatory diet, I recommend that you take a high-quality probiotics supplement to support your gut microbiome balance. For further gut-supporting supplements and a specific gut-health protocol, I recommend working with a functional medicine practitioner, like us.

Reduce Your Histamine Bucket

If you are dealing with symptoms of histamine intolerance, reducing high-histamine foods is not enough. High stress, poor sleep, not moving your body, and high toxin exposure may add to your toxin load. Stress and toxins may also cause mast cell activation. Improving these areas of your lifestyle may help to reduce your histamine bucket and lower the risk of mast cell activation.

Reduce Your Stress Levels 

Chronic stress can increase mast cell activation and histamine intolerance. To decrease your stress levels, I recommend practicing breathwork, meditation, positive affirmation, journaling, yoga, grounding, and time in nature for stress and anxiety reduction. Taking an Epsom salt bath is another great way to relax your muscles, calm your mind, and detoxify your body. 

Get Enough Sleep Sleep

Inadequate and poor sleep is another major underlying issue behind histamine intolerance. Chronic EMF exposure may also increase sleep issues and fatigue. Improving your sleep is absolutely essential for your health. Your goal should be to sleep at least 7 to 9 hours a night. Lower your stress levels throughout the day but especially in the evening time to support sleep. Take a bath, read a good book, listen to some music, journal, try coloring, and spend time with your family. Avoid sugar, alcohol, and heavy food in the evening. Sleep on a supportive mattress with comfortable and supportive pillows and blankets, and quality, organic cotton sheets.

Move Your Body

A lack of movement may also increase the risk of histamine intolerance and chronic health issues. Moving your body is a great way to reduce stress, improve detoxification, and improve your overall health. Move your body throughout the day. Stretch regularly. Take a stroll in the nearby park. Find creative ways to incorporate movement, such as an impromptu dance session, learning a new TikTok dance, playing with your kids or pets, taking the stairs, trying a treadmill desk, or practicing chair yoga. Exercise at least 20 to 30 minutes five days a week and move your body regularly. I recommend getting 10 to 15K steps in a day if you can. Add resistance and strength training to your routine. 

Remove Toxins

Toxin overload can lead to mast cell activation, histamine intolerance, chronic inflammation, and related chronic symptoms. It’s critical that you lower your daily exposure to environmental toxins. Choose purified water over tap water. Use a high-quality air filtration system for better indoor air. Choose natural, organic, and homemade cleaning, personal hygiene, and beauty products instead of conventional brands loaded with chemicals. Choose glass, bamboo, wood, organic cotton, silicon, and other natural alternatives instead of plastic. Avoid BPA plastic completely. Choose organic food whenever possible and avoid overly processed packaged foods. If you must buy non-organic produce, follow the Dirty Dozen, Clean 15 list, and always wash and peel non-organic vegetables and fruits.

Reduce Mold Exposure and Address Any Mold-Related Issues

Since EMFs may increase mold growth, mold may increase mast cell activation, and mold illness and EMF hypersensitivity may co-occur, you need to remove mold from your home, reduce mold exposure, and address any potential mold issues. 

Remove Mold from Your Home and Reduce Mold Exposure

First things first, if you have mold in your home, you need to remove it (unless you can move to a mold-free home!). If the mold-affected area is over 10 square feet or 1 square meter, call a professional mold remediation specialist. The problem is bigger than you can handle on your own. However, if you are only dealing with a smaller area, you can probably take care of it yourself.

You may try these self-removal options to take care of your mold problem:

• Try a mix of one teaspoon of baking soda and 2 cups of water to use on affected surfaces
• Use undiluted white vinegar on hard surfaces in your bathroom and kitchen
• Use a 50/50 mix of ammonia-water solution as a spray. Leave it on the affected surface for 2 to 3 hours then rinse it well.
• Use a bleach solution mix (one cup of bleach mixed with a gallon of water) on affected areas without rinsing.
• NEVER mix all-purpose cleaners or bleach with ammonia. They can create toxic fumes that can be dangerous to your health.

Don’t forget about addressing any underlying problems that may drive mold:

• Remove any moldy and old rugs, carpeting, paint, or wallpaper
• Clean or dispose of any moldy shower curtains, clothing, and other items
• Fix moisture leaks and water damage issues
• Reduce indoor humidity and keep it between 30 and 50 percent
• If you hang your clothes to dry, ideally, do it outside
• Always wipe down wet tiles after you shower
• Keep the detergent compartment of your washing machine open
• Make sure your home is ventilated well
• Use a high-quality indoor air filtration system
• Check your indoor plants and keep the mold off of them
• Clean and repair the roof gutters of your home
• Direct any rain or melted snow or ice away from your house
• Keep your home clean
• Check for signs of mold growth regularly and address any mold immediately

A word on exposure at work:

Unfortunately, mold exposure may happen at your workplace. At least half of the buildings in North America are affected by mold. This can be difficult if you are unknowingly exposed. If you can use a high-quality air filtration system at your office or office area. Talk to HR and encourage them to do regular mold checks and use prevention strategies. If you notice any signs of mold, speak with HR immediately. If there is an ongoing mold issue at your job, you may want to consider looking for new employment if it’s possible.

Get Tested for Mold Toxicity

If you have symptoms of mold toxicity or have been exposed to mold, it is important to get tested. Working with a functional medicine doctor, like myself, can help you with this. Just schedule a consultation today.

Detoxify Your Body from Mold

If you have been affected by chronic mold exposure and mold toxicity, you need to detoxify your body from mold. 

• Hydrate well: Start your day with 16 to 32 ounces of water and drink throughout the day. Water helps the elimination process.
• Support detoxification through sweating: Exercise and move your body regularly. Use infrared sauna therapy for further support.
• Support your gut: Support your gut health and digestion with ProBiota HistaminX probiotics. Seek functional medicine support for a more personalized gut-supporting protocol.
• Follow a gut-friendly diet: Follow an anti-inflammatory, gut-friendly, low-histamine, nutrient-dense diet as outlined earlier.

Final Thoughts

Symptoms related to EMF exposure and your mast cells may be connected. Underlying mast cell activation issues are not uncommon in EMF-related health issues. If you are dealing with chronic symptoms, I recommend looking into potential underlying mast cells and histamine-related issues and addressing them as well.

If you are dealing with symptoms of MCAS or histamine intolerance, I invite you to schedule a consultation with us. We can help identify the root cause of your condition and recommend a personalized treatment plan to repair your body and regain your health and well-being. Schedule your consultation here. You can also get started on your own with my Histamine Online Program.

Sources I:

1. Electric and magnetic fields. NIH. Link Here
2. Radiation: electromagnetic fields. WHO. Link Here
3. EMF (electric and magnetic fields). CDC. Link Here
4. IARC CLASSIFIES RADIOFREQUENCY ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS AS POSSIBLY CARCINOGENIC TO HUMANS. WHO. Link Here
5. West JG, Kapoor NS, Liao SY, Chen JW, Bailey L, Nagourney RA. Multifocal Breast Cancer in Young Women with Prolonged Contact between Their Breasts and Their Cellular Phones. Case Rep Med. 2013;2013:354682. doi: 10.1155/2013/354682. Epub 2013 Sep 18. PMID: 24151509
6. WIRELESS RADIATION/ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS INCREASES TOXIC BODY BURDEN. Environmental Health Trust. Link Here
7. Calberg M. Evaluation of Mobile Phone and Cordless Phone Use and Glioma Risk Using the Bradford Hill Viewpoints from 1965 on Association or Causation. 2017. Link Here
8. Shih YW, O'Brien AP, Hung CS, Chen KH, Hou WH, Tsai HT. Exposure to radiofrequency radiation increases the risk of breast cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Exp Ther Med. 2021 Jan;21(1):23. doi: 10.3892/etm.2020.9455. Epub 2020 Nov 9. Retraction in: Exp Ther Med. 2021 May;21(5):472. PMID: 33262809
9. Martin L. Pall, Wi-Fi is an important threat to human health, Environmental Research, Volume 164, 2018. LInk Here
10. Yakymenko I, Sidorik E, Kyrylenko S, Chekhun V. Long-term exposure to microwave radiation provokes cancer growth: evidences from radars and mobile communication systems. Exp Oncol. 2011 Jun;33(2):62-70. PMID: 21716201
11. Radiation: Microwave ovens. WHO. Link Here
12. Radiation Resources Outside of EPA. EPA. Link Here
13. Wertheimer N, Leeper E. Electrical wiring configurations and childhood cancer. Am J Epidemiol. 1979 Mar;109(3):273-84. doi: 10.1093/oxfordjournals.aje.a112681. PMID: 453167
14. Childhood cancer in relation to distance from high voltage power lines in England and Wales: a case-control study. BMJ 2005. Link Here
15. Johanson O. Disturbance of the immune system by electromagnetic fields—A potentially underlying cause for cellular damage and tissue repair reduction which could lead to disease and impairment. Link Here

Sources II:

1. Radiation and health. WHO. Link Here
2. Dieudonné M. Electromagnetic hypersensitivity: a critical review of explanatory hypotheses. Environ Health. 2020 May 6;19(1):48. doi: 10.1186/s12940-020-00602-0. PMID: 32375774
3. Gangi S, Johansson O. A theoretical model based upon mast cells and histamine to explain the recently proclaimed sensitivity to electric and/or magnetic fields in humans. Med Hypotheses. 2000 Apr;54(4):663-71. doi: 10.1054/mehy.1999.0923. PMID: 10859662
4. Gangi S, Johansson O. A theoretical model based upon mast cells and histamine to explain the recently proclaimed sensitivity to electric and/or magnetic fields in humans. Med Hypotheses. 2000 Apr;54(4):663-71. doi: 10.1054/mehy.1999.0923. PMID: 1085966
5. Johansson O, Gangi S, Liang Y, Yoshimura K, Jing C, Liu PY. Cutaneous mast cells are altered in normal healthy volunteers sitting in front of ordinary TVs/PCs--results from open-field provocation experiments. J Cutan Pathol. 2001 Nov;28(10):513-9. doi: 10.1034/j.1600-0560.2001.281004.x. PMID: 11737520
6. Harvey C, French PW. Effects on protein kinase C and gene expression in a human mast cell line, HMC-1, following microwave exposure. Cell Biol Int. 2000;23(11):739-48. doi: 10.1006/cbir.1999.0436. PMID: 10736198
7. JOhanson O. Electrohypersensitivity: State-of-the-Art of a Functional Impairment. Link Here
8. Tumkaya. The Effects of Mobile Phone Exposure on Mast Cells in Rat Dura Mater. 2019. Int J Morph. Link Here
9. Luo X, Huang X, Luo Z, Wang Z, He G, Tan Y, Zhang B, Zhou H, Li P, Shen T, Yu X, Yang X. Electromagnetic field exposure-induced depression features could be alleviated by heat acclimation based on remodeling the gut microbiota. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf. 2021 Nov 15;228:112980. doi: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2021.112980. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 3479402
10. Shimbori C, De Palma G, Baerg L, Lu J, Verdu EF, Reed DE, Vanner S, Collins SM, Bercik P. Gut bacteria interact directly with colonic mast cells in a humanized mouse model of IBS. Gut Microbes. 2022 Jan-Dec;14(1):2105095. doi: 10.1080/19490976.2022.2105095. PMID: 35905313

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1. Triana GMast Cells in Gut and Brain and Their Potential Role as an Emerging Therapeutic Target for Neural Diseases. Link Here
2. Voĭchuk SI, Podgorskiĭ VS, Gromozova EN. Vliianie radiochastotnogo élektromagnitnogo izlucheniia na fiziologicheskie osobennosti Saccharomyces cerevisiae UKM Y-517 [Effect of radio-frequency electromagnetic radiation on physiological features of Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain UCM Y-517]. Mikrobiol Z. 2004 May-Jun;66(3):51-7. Russian. PMID: 15456218
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4. Kritas SK, Gallenga CE, D Ovidio C, Ronconi G, Caraffa Al, Toniato E, Lauritano D, Conti P. Impact of mold on mast cell-cytokine immune response. J Biol Regul Homeost Agents. 2018 Jul-Aug;32(4):763-768. PMID: 30043558
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by Peter Saydak

Acid Reflux, Silent Reflux, and Histamine Intolerance: The Connection

You go out for lunch with friends. It’s a delicious meal. A spinach-strawberry salad followed by a BLT sandwich with avocado. You split a chocolate-walnut brownie for dessert. Then suddenly you are not feeling too well. Heartburn, indigestion, acid reflux…not again. Why is it happening to you all the time? 

It was a high-histamine meal. Is it possible that histamine intolerance is causing your acid reflux? The answer is yes. Histamine intolerance originates in your gut and is a common cause of symptoms of acid reflux and silent reflux.

In this article, you will learn what acid reflux and GERD are. I will go over their symptoms. You will understand what is silent reflux, its symptoms, and how it’s different from acid reflux and GERD. You will understand what histamine intolerance is. I will explain the connection between histamine intolerance, acid reflux, and silent reflux. Finally, I will offer some solutions to improve your health naturally if you have histamine intolerance, acid reflux, or silent reflux.

What Is Acid Reflux

Acid reflux and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are often used interchangeably. Though the two are closely related, they are not the exact same thing. 

Acid reflux may also be referred to as gastroesophageal reflux (GER), heartburn, or acid indigestion. It refers to a backward flow of stomach acid back. When stomach acid flows back into the pipe connecting your mouth, esophagus, and stomach. Acid reflux may cause irritation and a burning sensation called heartburn.

Anyone can experience time to time. You may feel some irritation, discomfort, or heartburn after drinking coffee or alcohol, finishing a large meal, or eating a sour or spicy meal. If you are experiencing acid reflux on a regular basis, it can progress into GERD. Just like acid reflux, GERD happens when stomach acid backflows from your stomach. However, it is usually a chronic and more frustrating condition. If you have GERD, you may experience acid reflux and heartburn several times a week. Some people experience acid reflux from GERD on a daily basis. It may cause difficulty swallowing, pain, coughing, wheezing, indigestion, and difficulty sleeping (1).

Symptoms of Acid Reflux and GERD

Symptoms of acid reflux and GERD may include:

• Irritation in your throat and chest
• Heartburn after meals
• Heartburn that may get worse at night
• Feeling like you have a lump in your throat
• Difficulty swallowing
• Chest pain
• Regurgitation of sour liquid or food
• Belching
• Nausea
• Chronic cough
• Disrupted or poor sleep
• Laryngitis
• New or worsening symptoms of asthma

What Is Silent Reflux

Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) is also known as silent reflux. It is a similar condition to GERD caused by the backflow of stomach acid. However, the symptoms of silent reflux and GERD are different. If you have silent reflux, you will likely not experience heartburn and irritation in your chest. Instead, it can cause irritation of your throat and vocal cords, discomfort, coughing, throat clearing, and hoarseness. Silent reflux and GERD may be linked and some people may have symptoms of both conditions (2, 3).

Symptoms of Silent Reflux

Symptoms of silent reflux may include:

• Sore throat
• Chronic cough
• Having a burning sensation in your throat
• Bitter taste in your throat or mouth
• Hoarseness
• Difficulty swallowing
• Need to clear your throat frequently
• Feeling like you have a lump in your throat
• Feeling like you have mucus buildup or post-nasal drip
• Red, swollen, or irritated vocal cords or voice box (larynx)
• Asthma

Silent reflux may lead to:

• Chronic cough or sore throat
• Swelling of your vocal cords
• Ulcers on your vocal folds
• Chronic or repeated laryngitis
• Recurrent pneumonia
• Development of masses (granulomas) in your throat
• Development of oral cavity disorders
• Increased risk of lung and breathing disorders, laryngeal cancer, and esophageal cancer
• Having frequent and worsening symptoms of asthma, bronchitis, and emphysema

What Is Histamine Intolerance

Histamine is an essential chemical in your body. It is necessary for a multitude of functions. Histamine supports your immune system by getting rid of allergens. This can lead to an allergic response, such as itching, redness, swelling, or sneezing. This explains why we are commonly recommended to take antihistamines for allergy-symptom relief by conventional medicine practitioners. 

In addition to dealing with allergies, histamine also communicates with your brain and triggers stomach acid release to support digestion affecting your entire body. You will see how this becomes important when it comes to the connection between acid reflux and histamine intolerance.

Though histamine is absolutely necessary for your health, if there is too much histamine in your body causing a build-up, it can turn into a problem. Histamine intolerance is not a sensitivity to histamine. Histamine intolerance means that your body has too much histamine. In a healthy body, your body sends enzymes (eg. DAO) to break down histamine in order to prevent too much build-up. However, when there is too much histamine, it becomes difficult to break it down and metabolize it. Your body may also be dealing with trouble making DAO enzymes which can also lead to histamine intolerance.

Histamine intolerance can affect your entire body, including your gut, brain, lungs, and cardiovascular system. This may mean a long list of widespread symptoms, including skin problems, red eyes, low blood pressure, fast heart rate, anxiety, hormonal issues, headaches, seasonal allergies, digestive issues, sleep disturbances, bladder problems, and more. You can learn more about histamine intolerance, its symptoms, causes, and treatment options, in this article.

Acid Reflux, Silent Reflux, and Histamine Intolerance

According to a 2021 review published in Nutrients, histamine intolerance originates in your gut, thus it can cause various gastrointestinal problems (4). I have written about the connection between your gut health and histamine intolerance before. You can read it here. Understanding this connection, it may not be surprising to hear that histamine intolerance can play a role in acid reflux and silent reflux.

Histamine Triggers Stomach Acid Release

As you know, one of the main jobs of histamine is to trigger stomach acid release to support digestion. If the cells in your stomach’s mucous lining release histamine, it will increase stomach acid production by binding with histamine H2 receptors (5). It’s not surprising that Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) and other medications that work as H2 antagonists can prevent stomach acid production (6). 

Increased stomach acid production from increased histamine release may result in inflammation, oxidative stress, tissue damage, and gastrointestinal issues, including acid reflux and silent reflux However, if H2 antagonists block stomach acid production, it may lead to too low stomach acid levels. Low stomach acid may also result in symptoms of acid reflux and silent reflux. According to a 2004 review published in the American Journal of Medicine, stomach acid production decreases with age and the risk and frequency of GERD and other acid-related health issues increase with age. This suggests a possible link between low stomach acid and reflux disorders (7).

High-Histamine Foods May Trigger Acid Reflux 

Furthermore, a histamine reaction to a high-histamine food may also cause gastrointestinal problems. It presents as acid reflux or silent reflux along with other digestive symptoms, such as bloating, diarrhea, or nausea.

A 2007 study published in the Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, esophageal cells in the esophagus may experience an allergic reaction from certain food triggers causing symptoms of acid reflux (8). A 2020 case report published in the Ear, Nose, and Throat Journal, the symptoms of silent reflux may be triggered by histamine intolerance (9).

Gut Dysbiosis, H Pylori, and SIBO May Cause Acid Reflux

Gut Dysbiosis

Moreover, histamine intolerance is often linked to gut dysbiosis and small intestinal overgrowth (SIBO). An overgrowth of certain bacteria and pathogens in your gut can result in a buildup of histamine and cause a variety of symptoms, including acid reflux, silent reflux, and other gastrointestinal issues. However, gut dysbiosis, bacteria overgrowth, and SIBO, are some of the common underlying causes of acid reflux and silent reflux as well.

H Pylori

H Pylori is a type of bacteria that’s able to survive in your stomach’s acidic environment. A 1997 study published in Gastroenterology has found that H Pylori may reduce stomach acid secretion which can cause acid reflux, silent reflux, and other issues (10). A 1998 study published in the American Journal of Physiology has found that addressing an H Pylori infection with antibiotics may improve both stomach acidity and symptoms (11).

According to a 2019 study published in the Journal of Thoracic Diseases, there may be a link between microbiome health and esophageal diseases, such as GERD, acid reflux, and silent reflux (12). Microbiome imbalance and bacterial overgrowth may cause symptoms of acid reflux and silent reflux. SIBO, specifically, can cause extra gas which may lead to heartburn, belching, and other symptoms of acid reflux. On the other hand, treating SIBO with PPIs can reduce stomach acid and worsen the condition (6). 

SIBO

H pylori infection, SIBO, and other bacterial overgrowth can further trigger increased histamine release which can feed the cycle of histamine intolerance and related symptoms. If you want to stop the cycle of histamine intolerance, acid reflux, silent reflux, and other symptoms, you have to address all players and root causes of the problem instead of putting a bandaid on your symptoms. In the next section, I will offer my best natural solutions for histamine intolerance, acid reflux, and silent reflux.

Natural Solutions for Acid Reflux and Silent Reflux

If you are experiencing symptoms of acid reflux and silent reflux, as well as, histamine intolerance, I recommend the following strategies to improve your health naturally:

Follow an Anti-Inflammatory, Low-Histamine Diet

Changing your diet is the first step to health. According to a 2019 study published in the Journal of Thoracic Disorders, your diet may play a critical role in the development and treatment of acid reflux and silent reflux (13). Simply removing simple sugars, spicy foods, mint, caffeine, and chocolate and avoiding large, calorie-dense, or late-night meals may help to reduce your symptoms. If you are dealing with histamine intolerance, however, removing these few foods won’t be enough. You need to focus on a low-histamine diet.

First step

Your first step to getting better is removing all inflammatory foods, including refined sugar, refined oils, canned and processed meat, artificial ingredients, junk food, and highly processed foods. These foods may taste good at the moment, but they are highly inflammatory and going to wreck your digestion.

To reduce histamine intolerance, you also need to remove high-histamine foods, such as fermented food (eg. sauerkraut, kimchi, fermented vegetables, kombucha, etc), fermented alcohol (eg. beer, wine, champagne, etc), aged food (eg. aged cheese, processed and canned meat, canned fish, etc), over-ripe fruits and vegetables, soured food (eg. buttermilk, sour cream, sour milk, etc), vinegar-containing foods (eg. vinegar, olives, pickles, etc), smoked and certain other fish (eg. mackerel, anchovies, tuna, mahi mahi, etc), legumes (eg. beans, lentils, etc), processed foods, leftovers, and foods that are naturally high in histamine ( eg. avocadoes, eggplant, spinach, dried fruits, etc). In addition to high-histamine foods, avoid foods that may trigger histamine release, such as tomatoes, most citrus, bananas, most nuts, and dairy. Also avoid foods that may block the DAO-enzyme, including black tea, green tea, alcohol, and energy drinks. 

Now comes the yummy part. Follow a nutrient-dense, anti-inflammatory, and low-histamine diet rich in greens, vegetables, herbs, spices, fruits, healthy fats, and organic meat. Low-histamine foods include most fresh leafy greens and vegetables, non-citrus fruits, such apples, pear, papaya, and grapes, fresh grass-fed meat, pasture-raised poultry and eggs, and wild-caught fish, olives, extra-virgin olive oil, ghee, coconut oil, leafy herbs, and herbal tea. My book, The 4-Phase Histamine Reset Plan includes an extensive list of foods that you can eat and should avoid on a low-histamine diet.

Following an anti-inflammatory, low-histamine diet

Following an anti-inflammatory, low-histamine diet is delicious and fun. Yes, I said fun. I firmly believe that the key to any new diet or lifestyle change is experimentation and fun. Have fun in the kitchen and try new recipes. I recommend all the low-histamine recipes in The 4-Phase Histamine Reset Plan and my new recipe book, Fifty One Low Histamine Air Fryer Recipes. They are all simple, easy to make, low-histamine, gluten-free, Paleo-friendly, and super healthy. The best part: you don’t have to give up social and shared meals either. These low-histamine, healthy meals are so delicious that your family and friends will love them too. 

Address Your Gut Problems

Your gut health affects your entire body. Poor gut flora, H Pylori overgrowth, and SIBO can lead to histamine intolerance, acid reflux, and silent reflux. You may benefit from working with a functional medicine doctor (hint: set up your consultation here) and getting some gut testing done for signs of gut dysbiosis and gut infections.

Along with a gut-friendly anti-inflammatory diet, I recommend working with a functional medicine practitioner (like me) to test your gut and see if opportunistic bacteria, yeast overgrowth, parasites, H. pylori and/or leaky gut can be what is driving your histamine issue. 

Improve Stomach Acid Levels

If you want to reduce acid reflux, GERD, or silent reflux, you need to improve your stomach acid levels. Drinking plenty of water is important for detoxification, bowel motility, and healthy stomach acid levels. I recommend drinking at least 10 glasses of water throughout the day. However, avoid drinking water at least 30 minutes before, during, and 30 minutes after your meal. Drinking water before, during, or after meals can dilute your gastric juices, but holding off on water can support digestion and proper stomach acid activity.

In order to make enough stomach acids, your body need to be relaxed and activate your parasympathetic nervous system. Being stress and busy will reduce stomach acid production and may cause acid reflux or silent reflux. To ensure that your body makes plenty of stomach acid for healthy digestion, eat your largest meal when you feel the most relaxed. Your body will start pumping out stomach acid at the beginning of your meals. If you are starting your meal with protein instead of greens and veggies, stomach acid production may increase even further. I recommend that you eat your salad and vegetables along with or after protein, instead of starting with a salad. 

Lower Your Stress Levels and Get Better Sleep

Lowering your stress level and sleeping better are critical for improving histamine intolerance, acid reflux, and silent reflux. Chronic stress and poor sleep can both add to your histamine bucket and increase histamine intolerance. They may also contribute to reflux issues. 

According to a 2007 study published in the Journal of Clinical Biochemistry and Nutrition inflammation may contribute to or worsen acid reflux and silent reflux (15). Beyond diet, chronic stress and poor sleep are some of the major causes of inflammation. A 2018 study published in the European Archives of Otorhinolaryngology has found a link between poor sleep, sleep apnea, and silent reflux (16). Poor sleep can also contribute to chronic stress and chronic stress can cause poor sleep leading to an endless cycle of stress and poor sleep unless you address both players.

To reduce your stress levels, I recommend practicing meditation, breathwork, guided visualization, positive affirmations, gratitude, journaling, yoga, Tai Chi, and Qi Gong. Spending time in nature and moving your body regularly may also help to lower stress. Taking an Epsom salt bath is another great way to relax your muscles, calm your mind, and detoxify your body. Seek out a supportive community and time with friends and family. Don’t forget about some me-time though. Even if it’s just 10 minutes in your busy day, it’s important to have some time for yourself.

My recommendation

I recommend that you sleep at least 7 to 9 hours a night. Invest in a supportive mattress and pillows and comfortable bedding. Create a calm and peaceful sanctuary in your bedroom where you can unwind, relax, and sleep well. Organic candles, essential oils, a salt lamp, dim lights, and your favorite books are just some ideas. Avoid electronics a few hours before going to bed and leave electronics outside your bedroom. Instead of using your phone, invest in an actual alarm clock so you are not tempted to check social media or the news before going to sleep or upon waking. Try some blackout curtains or an eye mask to create a dark space supporting your sleep.

Reduce Your Histamine Bucket

High-histamine foods are the number one common culprit behind histamine intolerance. However, they are not the only factors that can contribute to histamine intolerance. Chronic stress, poor sleep, a sedentary lifestyle, environmental toxins, and other lifestyle factors can fill up your histamine bucket and lead to histamine intolerance and related symptoms, such as acid reflux and silent reflux.

We have already covered the importance of reducing stress and improving your sleep. Moving your body regularly is another way to reduce inflammation, decrease stress, and lower your histamine bucket. Move your body throughout the day. Dancing in your living room, stretching and shaking out your body, and playing with your pets and kids are just some fun ideas to sneak some movement in.

For exercise, I recommend resistance training to a level that makes you feel good after, not exhausted. I also recommend trying to get between 10k - 15k steps per day. Going on a walk date with a friend, joining a walking group, scheduling family walks or hikes, or passing time with an audiobook or good music are great ways to have a good time while getting your steps in. However, a solo walk with silence can be a calming and meditative experience, especially in nature.

Exercise should be fun. Experiment with different workouts until you find what brings you joy. But remember, strength and resistance training is non-negotiable to maintain muscle mass, protect your bones, feel energized, and have a toned, youthful body. 

Besides improving your sleep, reducing stress, and exercising regularly, reducing environmental toxicity is also incredibly important for reducing histamine intolerance. Environmental toxins can contribute to inflammation, cause histamine release, and result in chronic symptoms. Toxins can hide everywhere though from your food to your cleaning products.

My recommendation

I recommend that you choose organic produce and food to reduce exposure to pesticides, herbicides, and hormones. Drink filtered water instead of tap water. Check your home for mold and if you find any, get it professionally removed. Use a high-quality HEPA air-filtration system to clean your indoor air. Switch from chemical-filled conventional cleaning, hygiene, and beauty products to organic, natural, and DIY options instead. Opt for cloth bags, glassware, glass containers, bamboo bowls, stainless steel bottles and pans, and silicone zip lock bags instead of plastic bags and plastic products.

Try Supplements for Histamine Intolerance

I recommend HistoRelief to support your recovery and to alleviate the symptoms of interstitial cystitis This supplement is a synergistic blend of nutrients that provides natural support to balance your immune response. This blend features, Tinofend®, a patented and clinically researched extract derived from the plant Tinospora cordifolia, which has a powerful ability to support immune regulation and immune response. As a result, it boosts your body’s ability to fight interstitial cystitis symptoms.

HistoRelief also includes quercetin, nettle leaf, vitamin C, and bicarbonate salts. Quercetin is a powerful bioflavonoid with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that naturally inhibits histamine release. Research has shown that supplementing with quercetin may help to decrease pain in those with interstitial cystitis. Bicarbonate salts also help to maintain normal histamine metabolism, while nettle leaf and vitamin C further boost your immune system and are often recommended to fight interstitial cystitis

Avoid Antacids, Apple Cider Vinegar, Lemon, and Lime

Lastly, I want to touch on antacid. When experiencing acid reflux or heartburn, it is easy to reach for antacids to relieve pain, burning, and discomfort. Please, don’t do this. Antacids can put a bandaid on your symptoms for a while by reducing acidity. However, eventually, they will stop improving your symptoms. Even worse, they can make your problem worst by reducing stomach acidity. As you know, low stomach acid can lead to acid reflux over time (7). 

By reducing stomach acid with antacids, you are essentially throwing fuel to the fire and making matters worse. Antacids may also deplete your body of essential nutrients, such as B vitamins, vitamin C, iron, magnesium, and calcium (17). Instead, support your body with a healthy, low-histamine diet and lifestyle following the strategies in this article.

Moreover, if you have histamine intolerance or MCAS, certain natural support strategies are not right for you. I’ve already mentioned that though fermented foods and fermented drinks may be beneficial for people without histamine intolerance, if you have you have histamine intolerance, they will cause further digestive problems and other histamine-related symptoms. 

Many practitioners recommend drinking apple cider vinegar water, lemon water, or ginger tea with lemon or lime to relieve acid reflux. Unfortunately, vinegar, including apple cider vinegar and many citrus, including lemon and lime, are high in histamine. Some people, however, do tolerate them. These strategies may be beneficial for the general population, but if you have histamine intolerance, they are not right for you. The good news is that ginger is low in histamine and doesn’t act as a histamine-liberator. You may drink ginger tea to relieve your symptoms just don’t add lemon or lime to your drink.

Final Thoughts

GERD, acid reflux, and silent reflux can come with uncomfortable symptoms. If you’ve tried to improve your symptoms without luck, histamine intolerance may be the missing piece. I recommend following a low-histamine diet and my other strategies to improve your health naturally.

If you are dealing with GERD, acid reflux, silent reflux, or symptoms of histamine intolerance, I invite you to schedule a consultation with us. We can help identify the root cause of your condition and recommend a personalized treatment plan to repair your body and regain your health and well-being. Schedule your consultation here. You can also get started on your own with my Histamine Online Program.

Sources I:

1. Clarrett DM, Hachem C. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). Mo Med. 2018 May-Jun;115(3):214-218. PMID: 30228725

2. Campagnolo AM, Priston J, Thoen RH, Medeiros T, Assunção AR. Laryngopharyngeal reflux: diagnosis, treatment, and latest research. Int Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2014 Apr;18(2):184-91. doi: 10.1055/s-0033-1352504. Epub 2013 Nov 5. PMID: 25992088

3. Mosli M, Alkhathlan B, Abumohssin A, Merdad M, Alherabi A, Marglani O, Jawa H, Alkhatib T, Marzouki HZ. Prevalence and clinical predictors of LPR among patients diagnosed with GERD according to the reflux symptom index questionnaire. Saudi J Gastroenterol. 2018 Jul-Aug;24(4):236-241. doi: 10.4103/sjg.SJG_518_17. PMID: 29652032

4. Schnedl WJ, Enko D. Histamine Intolerance Originates in the Gut. Nutrients. 2021 Apr 12;13(4):1262. doi: 10.3390/nu13041262. PMID: 33921522

5. Beales IL. Easy as 1, 2, 3? Histamine receptors and gastric acid. Gut. 2002 Jun;50(6):747-8. doi: 10.1136/gut.50.6.747. PMID: 12010870

6. Gutiérrez Cabano CA. Histamina y secreción ácida gástrica [Histamine and gastric acid secretion]. Acta Gastroenterol Latinoam. 1980;10(1):77-84. Spanish. PMID: 6159765

7. Greenwald DA. Aging, the gastrointestinal tract, and risk of acid-related disease. Am J Med. 2004 Sep 6;117 Suppl 5A:8S-13S. doi: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2004.07.019. PMID: 15478847

8. Kirsch, Richard*; Bokhary, Rana*; Marcon, Margaret A†; Cutz, Ernest* Activated Mucosal Mast Cells Differentiate Eosinophilic (Allergic) Esophagitis From Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition: January 2007 - Volume 44 - Issue 1 - p 20-26. LinkHere

9. Alnouri. Histamine Sensitivity: An Uncommon Recognized Cause of Living Laryngopharyngeal Reflux Symptoms and Signs—A Case Report. Earn, Nose, and Throat Journal. 2020. LInk Here

10. El-Omar EM, Oien K, El-Nujumi A, Gillen D, Wirz A, Dahill S, Williams C, Ardill JE, McColl KE. Helicobacter pylori infection and chronic gastric acid hyposecretion. Gastroenterology. 1997 Jul;113(1):15-24. doi: 10.1016/s0016-5085(97)70075-1. PMID: 9207257

Sources II:

11. Feldman M, Cryer B, Lee E. Effects of Helicobacter pylori gastritis on gastric secretion in healthy human beings. Am J Physiol. 1998 Jun;274(6):G1011-7. doi: 10.1152/ajpgi.1998.274.6.G1011. PMID: 9696699

12. Okereke I, Hamilton C, Wenholz A, Jala V, Giang T, Reynolds S, Miller A, Pyles R. Associations of the microbiome and esophageal disease. J Thorac Dis. 2019 Aug;11(Suppl 12):S1588-S1593. doi: 10.21037/jtd.2019.05.82. PMID: 31489225

13. Newberry C, Lynch K. The role of diet in the development and management of gastroesophageal reflux disease: why we feel the burn. J Thorac Dis. 2019 Aug;11(Suppl 12):S1594-S1601. doi: 10.21037/jtd.2019.06.42. PMID: 31489226

14. Kines K, Krupczak T. Nutritional Interventions for Gastroesophageal Reflux, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and Hypochlorhydria: A Case Report. Integr Med (Encinitas). 2016 Aug;15(4):49-53. PMID: 27574495

15. Yoshida N. Inflammation and oxidative stress in gastroesophageal reflux disease. J Clin Biochem Nutr. 2007 Jan;40(1):13-23. doi: 10.3164/jcbn.40.13. PMID: 18437209

16. Erdem D, Yılmaz YF, Özcan M, Titiz A, Özlügedik S, Ünal A. Correlation of sleep-disordered breathing and laryngopharyngeal reflux: a two-channel triple-sensor pHmetry catheter study. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2018 Oct;275(10):2585-2592. doi: 10.1007/s00405-018-5107-0. Epub 2018 Aug 28. PMID: 30155640

17. Heidelbaugh JJ. Proton pump inhibitors and risk of vitamin and mineral deficiency: evidence and clinical implications. Ther Adv Drug Saf. 2013 Jun;4(3):125-33. doi: 10.1177/2042098613482484. PMID: 25083257

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by Peter Saydak

Your Thyroid and Mast Cells: The Connection

Health issues rarely come in one. Your body is an interconnected system of cells, organs, tissues, hormones, and so on. If one thing goes wrong, chances are it will affect other areas of your body too. This is the thing with your thyroid.

Thyroid disease doesn’t just happen on its own. Your diet, lifestyle, and overall health all play a role. Increasing evidence suggests that your mast cells may also play a role in thyroid disease.

In this article, I want to discuss the connection between your thyroid and mast cells. You will learn what your thyroid is and what thyroid disease is. You will learn about hypothyroidism and its symptoms. I will go over the function of your mast cells and what mast cell activation syndrome is. You will learn about the connection between your thyroid and mast cell activation. I will discuss the connection between your thyroid, histamine, and your gut health. Finally, I will offer some natural strategies to improve your thyroid and mast cell health and overall well-being.

What Is Your Thyroid?

Your thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland found right in front of your neck. It produces thyroid hormones that your body needs for energy. Your thyroid hormones support your digestion, breathing, heart rate, mood, weight, and other areas of your health (1, 2).

What Is Thyroid Disease

There are a variety of different thyroid diseases that can affect your thyroid health, including hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, goiter, thyroid nodules, thyroid cancer, and thyroiditis. For the purpose of this article, the thyroid disease I want to discuss is hypothyroidism, as it may be the most connected to mast cell activation issues.

What Is Hypothyroidism 

Hypothyroidism is caused by an underactive thyroid. It means that your thyroid gland doesn’t make enough of some crucial thyroid hormones. Hashimoto’s disease is the most common form of hypothyroidism. It is an autoimmune condition where your immune system attacks your own thyroid. However, you can have non-autoimmune hypothyroid issues as well (3, 4, 5).

Causes of hypothyroidism:

• Nutrient deficiencies
• Environmental toxins
• Inflammatory diet
• Food sensitivities
• Gluten
• Chronic infections
• Heavy metals
• Mold
• Leaky gut syndrome
• Chronic stress
• Poor sleep
• Hormonal imbalances

Symptoms of hypothyroidism:

• Fatigue
• Sluggishness
• Sleepiness and sleep issues
• Increased sensitivity to cold
• Constipation
• Muscle weakness
• Muscles aches, stiffness, or tenderness
• Joint pain and stiffness
• Dry skin
• Brittle nails
• Hair loss
• Puffy face
• Depression
• Concentration issues
• Memory issues
• Brain fog
• Irregular periods
• Heavy periods
• Enlarged tongue
• Goiter (swelling of the thyroid)

Mast Cells and Histamine

Mast cell activation issues may be connected to your thyroid health. Before I get into this connection, I want to go over what are your mast cells, what histamine is, why you need them, and potential problems.

What Is Mast Cell Activation Syndrome

Your mast cells are essential for your immune and overall health. They are white blood cells that store histamine and other inflammatory mediators. They are located in your digestive tract, respiratory tract, urinary tract, skin, and blood. 

When your body is attacked by an allergen, toxin, or other triggers, it will lead to mast cell activations. Your mast cells will cause an allergic response and release histamine along with other chemicals. This protective mechanism is essential for your immune health.

However, if your mast cells become dysregulated or overactive, it can turn into a serious issue. Mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) means that your mast cells release too much histamine and other chemicals. This can lead to a variety of symptoms and affect your entire body. You may develop MCAS due to a variety of triggers, including mold, chemicals, toxins, heavy metals, allergens, medications, infections, viruses, food, and alcohol. 

Symptoms of MCAS may include the following:

• Rashes
• Hives
• Itching
• Heart palpitations
• Low blood pressure
• Headaches
• Chest pain
• Weight changes, including rapid weight loss or weight gain
• Digestive trouble, including diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting
• Loss of appetite or low appetite
• Anxiety
• Fatigue
• Vision changes
• Weakness
• Dizziness

What Is Histamine Intolerance

Histamine gets a bad rap because of anti-histamine medications. The  ‘anti’ part of anti-histamine, may make you believe that histamine is bad. It’s the opposite. Histamine is absolutely necessary for your health.

It is a chemical that supports your body in getting rid of allergens. It also supports your digestion by releasing hydrochloric acid to break down food and your brain health by serving as a chemical messenger. Too much of a good thing is rarely good, though.

If your body is releasing too much histamine and your body is unable to keep up and break down all the excess histamine, it will lead to histamine buildup. Histamine intolerance means that there is too much histamine in your body. 

Under normal circumstances, your body sends enzymes to break down excess histamine and prevent build-up. If you have too much histamine or you don’t have enough of these enzymes, it won’t be able to break everything down, which can lead to histamine intolerance. Histamine intolerance can affect your entire body and lead to widespread symptoms.

Symptoms of histamine intolerance include the following:

• Itchy skin, eyes, ears, and nose
• Eczema or other types of dermatitis
• Hives
• Red eyes
• Facial swelling
• Crawling sensation on the skin or the scalp
• Tightness in the throat
• Difficulty regulating body temperature
• Sudden drop in blood pressure when standing up
• Low blood pressure
• Fast heart rate
• Heart palpitations
• Dizziness or vertigo
• Difficulty falling asleep or sleep issues
• Fatigue
• Confusion
• Brain fog
• Irritability
• Anxiety or panic attacks
• Congestion or runny nose
• Seasonal allergies 
• Asthma
• Migraines and headaches
• Hair loss
• Acid reflux
• Diarrhea
• Abnormal menstrual cycle
• Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)

Mast Cell Activation Syndrome vs Histamine Intolerance

I believe that MCAS is the primary cause of histamine intolerance, but it may not be the cause for everyone. But considering the similarities between the symptoms of MCAS and histamine intolerance, you may feel confused. 

Are these two conditions the same? No, they are not the same. Though symptoms of MCAS and histamine intolerance can be similar and are both caused by high levels of histamine, MCAS and histamine intolerance are not the same.

If your body has too much histamine and it can’t handle it, you may develop histamine intolerance. This usually happens due to a high-histamine diet. However, stress, poor sleep, environmental toxins, certain medications, and other factors may add to your histamine bucket as well. If your body has trouble breaking down the extra histamine, it will lead to histamine build-up and histamine intolerance. 

While histamine intolerance simply means you have too much histamine in your body, you develop MCAS if your mast cells get triggered all the time. If you have MCAS, your mast cells get triggered by mold, allergens, or other triggers, they will release histamine and other chemicals into your body. Increased histamine release from mast cell activation can lead to too much histamine in your body. This can lead to a wide range of symptoms that are very similar to the symptoms of histamine intolerance. 

As I mentioned before, MCAS is one of the primary causes of histamine intolerance. However, it is not the cause for everyone. You can have histamine intolerance without MCAS. You can also have MCAS without histamine intolerance. But you may have both MCAS and histamine intolerance. I see patients who have both conditions regularly (1, 2, 3). 

If you have both conditions, your body will have increased difficulty breaking down the excess histamine. This can lead to widespread symptoms of MCAS and histamine intolerance. To figure out, whether you are dealing with symptoms of MCAS, histamine intolerance, or both. I recommend working with a functional medicine doctor who is well-versed in both conditions. (Tips: My team and I would love to help you with your diagnosis and treatment. Schedule your consultation here.)

To learn more about MCAS and histamine intolerance, I recommend reading my book, The 4-Phase Histamine Reset Plan: Getting to the Root of Migraines, Eczema, Vertigo, Allergies and More. 

The Connection Between Thyroid Health and Mast Cells

Research, including a 2015 study published in Mediators of Inflammation, has found that mast cell activation may play a role in a variety of autoimmune conditions, including multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis (6). I have written an in-depth article about the connection between mast cells, histamine intolerance, multiple sclerosis, and other autoimmune issues. You can check out this article here.

It’s logical to assume that mast cell activation may also play a role in autoimmune thyroid issues, thyroid disease, and overall thyroid function. Though there is limited research on this connection, we have increased evidence on the topic. A 2016 review published in Archivos Venezolanos de Farmacología y Terapéutica has found that mast cell activation may be linked to autoimmune thyroid issues (7).

According to a 2019 review published in Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience, thyroid antibodies can attach to the surface of your mast cells (8). When they bind to your mast cells, your mast cells may activate. It seems that if you have too many thyroid antibodies due to Hashimoto’s disease, it may lead to increased mast cell activation. This may increase your risk of MCAS and histamine intolerance (8).

Researchers also found that your mast cells may be able to synthesize and store your T3 hormones. This means that when your mast cells are activated, they not only release histamine and other chemicals, but they may also be affecting your thyroid hormone levels and thyroid function (8).

The review has also found that in hypothyroid conditions, an increased number of mast cells are common (8). A 2022 study published in Animals has also found an increase in mast cells, mast cell degranulation, and histamine in hypothyroidism (9). More mast cells can mean increased mast cell activation. This can lead to the increased release of histamine and other chemicals and consequent symptoms (8).

Researchers have also found that histamine can affect the release of TSH. Thus having an underactive thyroid may increase the chance of developing MCAS and histamine intolerance. Moreover, it seems that your mast cells may not only play an important part in autoimmune thyroid disease and thyroiditis but also in the follicular variants of papillary thyroid cancer (8).

The Connection Between Histamine and Thyroid Health

I also want to touch on how your gut health may play a role in the connection between mast cell issues, histamine intolerance, and thyroid disease. Just to recap, hypothyroidism may increase the number of mast cells. Since your mast cells are responsible for histamine production, more mast cells can lead to increased histamine release. This may lead to histamine intolerance and related issues.

In a healthy body, DAO enzymes can clean up excess histamine. If you have too much histamine, your body may not be able to handle it all. On top of that, if you have low DAO enzyme production, it will further decrease histamine breakdown. This will lead to increased histamine levels. The combination of high histamine levels, low DAO enzyme levels, and a high-histamine diet can set you up for small bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), gut health issues, and histamine intolerance.

A 2007 study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism has found that people with hypothyroidism were significantly more likely to have SIBO compared to those without (10). According to a 2012 study published in the Medicinal Clinics of North America, SIBO may be present in over half of those with hypothyroid issues (11). 

SIBO and gut microbiome imbalance may lead to decreased DAO production, increased mast cell activation, an increase in histamine-producing bacteria, and an increased risk of histamine intolerance. Increased mast cell activation may be negatively affecting your thyroid hormone levels and thyroid function (8). However, thyroid dysfunction itself may lead to further mast cell activation (9). 

On the top of that, increased mast cell activation, histamine intolerance, and a high histamine diet may increase gut health issues. As you can see, this can quickly turn into a vicious cycle of thyroid dysfunction, mast cell activation, histamine intolerance, microbiome imbalance, and gut health issues. We need to address all these underlying and interconnected issues to improve your health.

To learn more about the connection between thyroid health and histamine, I recommend reading this article I’ve written. To learn more about the connection between your mast cells, histamine, and your gut, I recommend this article.

Recommendations for Thyroid and Mast Cell Health

Here are my recommendations to improve your thyroid and mast cell health naturally:

Get a Full Thyroid Panel

I recommend that you work with a functional medicine practitioner (hint: call our office and schedule your consultation here).

A full thyroid panel checks for:

• Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
• Thyroxine (Total & Free T4)
• Triiodothyronine (Free T3 & total T3)
• Reverse T3
• Thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPO)
• Thyroglobulin antibodies

Why should you work with a functional medicine doctor instead of your regular healthcare provider? Most healthcare providers don’t use a complete thyroid panel and only look at your TSH. This doesn’t tell the full picture, and many issues may be missed. 

If your thyroid doesn’t make enough T4 or T3, you have an underactive thyroid. This may indicate an autoimmune thyroid condition, Hashimoto’s disease. If your thyroid makes too much T4 or T3, you have an overactive thyroid condition. In most cases, this is an autoimmune condition, Graves disease. Most doctors only test for TSH instead of ordering a full thyroid panel, and they fail to diagnose thyroid issues. Your TSH may still be fine, while your T3 or T4 may be off already.

Functional medicine doctors also use a slightly different range. This helps us to detect preclinical thyroid issues before full-blown thyroid disease. 

Checking your thyroid levels will not only help us with the proper diagnosis. Your test results can guide us in creating an individualized treatment plan. Regular testing can help us check your progress and adjust your treatment plan if needed.

Eat an Anti-Inflammatory, Thyroid-Friendly, and Low-Histamine Diet

I recommend following a low-histamine, anti-inflammatory, thyroid-friendly, nutrient-dense, whole-food diet. Remove inflammatory foods, including refined sugar, refined oils, canned and processed meat, artificial ingredients, junk food, and highly processed foods. Eat lots of greens, vegetables, herbs, spices, fruits, healthy fats, and organic meat.

Add lots of thyroid-supporting foods to your diet, including organic vegetables, wild-caught fish, olive oil, coconut oil, low-sugar fruits, such as cherries, cantaloupe, and berries, grass-fed and pasture-raised animal products, seaweed, herbs, and herbal tea. My book, The 30-Day Thyroid Reset Plan: Disarming the 7 Hidden Triggers That Are Keeping Your Sick, has some great recommendations for thyroid-friendly foods and meals.

However, if you are dealing with mast cell activation or histamine intolerance, along with thyroid issues, you have to follow a low-histamine diet. For example, fermented food and apple cider vinegar are great options for healthy individuals or those with thyroid issues without mast cell activation or histamine intolerance. However, if you have mast cell activation or histamine intolerance, you need to avoid fermented foods and apple cider vinegar as they are high in histamine. 

Remove high-histamine foods and foods that can increase your histamine load. High-histamine foods that you should avoid include age cheese (e.g., goat cheese), citrus fruits, canned and cured meat (e.g., pepperoni, salami, bacon, lunch meat, hot dogs, and canned meat), dried fruits (e.g., apricots, dates, raisins, figs, and prunes), fermented foods (e.g., kefir, sauerkraut, soy sauce, and vinegar), fermented alcohol (e.g., beer, wine, and champagne), legumes (e.g., beans, lentils, soy, and peanut), certain nuts (e.g., cashew and walnuts), soured foods (e.g., buttermilk, sour milk, sour cream), smoked fish and certain types of fish (e.g., mackerel, mahi-mahi, anchovies, sardines, tuna, and fish sauce), certain vegetables (e.g., avocados, tomatoes, eggplant, and spinach), vinegar-containing foods (e.g., pickles and olives), and all overly processed foods because of the high histamine load from preservatives. 

Avoid histamine-liberating foods that are low in histamine but trigger histamine release in your body, including alcohol, nuts, bananas, papaya, pineapple, strawberries, tomatoes, chocolates, wheat germ, cow’s milk, shellfish, and many artificial preservatives and dyes. Avoid DAO enzyme-blocking foods and drinks, such as alcohol, black tea, green tea, mate tea, and energy drinks.

Try new recipes. I recommend all the low-histamine recipes in The 4-Phase Histamine Reset Plan: Getting to the Root of Migraines, Eczema, Vertigo, Allergies and More and my recipe books, Fifty One Low Histamine Air Fryer Recipes and Low Histamine Cooking in Your Instant Pot.

Try Some Mast Cell-Stabilizing and Histamine-Reducing Foods and Supplements

You can boost the benefits of your anti-inflammatory, low-histamine diet by adding some foods that may help to reduce your levels of histamine and stabilize your mast cells. Quercetin helps to reduce histamine. Add quercetin-rich foods to your diet, such as grapes, apples, cranberries, black plums, cherries, black currants, chokeberries, blueberries, olive oil, cruciferous vegetables, kale, romaine lettuce, chicory greens, red leaf lettuce, cabbage, sprouts, asparagus, snap peas, peppers, and red onion. You may also try a quercetin supplement.

I also recommend adding foods that can help to stabilize your mast cells, including onion, peaches, nettle, apples, chamomile, moringa, watercress, Thai ginger, and fiber-rich foods. You may also try a DAO enzyme supplement to support histamine breakdown and HistoRelief. 

HistoRelief is a synergistic blend of nutrients that provides natural support to balance your immune response. This blend features Tinofend®, a patented and clinically researched extract derived from the plant Tinospora cordifolia, which has a powerful ability to support immune regulation and immune response. As a result, it boosts your body’s ability to fight interstitial cystitis symptoms. It includes quercetin, nettle leaf, vitamin C, and bicarbonate salt to help inhibit histamine release, supports normal histamine metabolism, and improves immune health.

Reduce Your Histamine Load

Beyond a high-histamine diet, certain lifestyle choices may add to your histamine load as well. I recommend improving your lifestyle to reduce histamine intolerance. These lifestyle practices may also support your thyroid health, hormonal health, and overall health and wellness.

Reduce Your Stress Levels 

Chronic stress can increase histamine intolerance, trigger mast cell activation, and impact your thyroid health. To reduce stress and improve sleep, I recommend practicing breathwork, meditation, positive affirmation, journaling, yoga, grounding, and time in nature for stress and anxiety reduction. Taking an Epsom salt bath is another great way to relax your muscles, calm your mind, and detoxify your body. 

Get Enough Sleep Sleep

Inadequate and poor sleep is another major root cause behind histamine intolerance, MCAS, and thyroid issues. Make sure to sleep at least 7 to 9 hours a night. I recommend that you reduce your stress levels throughout the day but especially in the evening time to support sleep. Take a bath, read a good book, listen to some music, journal, try coloring, and spend time with your family. Avoid sugar, alcohol, and heavy food in the evening. I recommend investing in a supportive mattress, comfortable and supportive pillows and blankets, and quality, organic cotton sheets.

Move Your Body

A lack of movement may also increase the risk of histamine intolerance and thyroid problems.. Moving your body is a great way to reduce stress, improve detoxification, support hormonal health, support lymphatic flow, boost your mood, and support your overall health. Stay active throughout the day by taking a stroll in the park, stretching regularly, dancing to your favorite songs, playing with your kids or pets, and finding creative ways to incorporate movement. A standing desk or treadmill desk may be a great idea. Exercise at least 20 to 30 minutes five days a week and move your body regularly. I recommend getting 10 to 15K steps in a day if you can. Add resistance and strength training to your routine. 

Remove Toxins

Toxin overload can increase chronic inflammation, mast cell activation, histamine release, histamine intolerance and thyroid dysfunction. I recommend reducing your exposure to environmental toxins. Use a high-quality air filtration system for better indoor air. Drink purified water to avoid toxins from your tap water.  Avoid conventional cleaning, hygiene, body, and beauty products as they are loaded with chemicals. Choose natural, organic, and homemade options instead. Reduce the use of plastic and avoid BPA completely. Choose glass, bamboo, wood, organic cotton, silicon, and other natural alternatives instead of plastic. Avoid overly processed food products that can contain artificial ingredients. Choose organic food whenever possible.

Reduce Your Mast Cell Triggers

There are a number of triggers that can lead to mast cell activation and related histamine release and symptoms. Mast cell triggers tend to come from your environment. Common triggers of MCAS include mold, allergens, chemicals, toxins, heavy metals, and viruses.

Improve Your Gut Health

As you’ve learned your gut health and gut microbiome imbalance may be closely connected to thyroid disease, mast cell activation, and histamine intolerance. We have to address all areas of the puzzle. Improving your gut health is critical for improving your symptoms and regaining your health. Along with a gut-friendly anti-inflammatory diet, I recommend that you take a high-quality probiotics supplement to support your gut microbiome balance. For further gut-supporting supplements and a specific gut-health protocol, I recommend working with a functional medicine practitioner, like us.

Try Thyroid-Supporting Nutrients

You may also try to add some thyroid-supporting nutrients to your regimen:

Selenium

Selenium is a great nutrient for thyroid function. It may help to protect your thyroid from too much iodine exposure. It may also be important for the conversion of T4 into T3. Selenium may also help to reduce inflammatory activity, which may reduce the risk or symptoms of autoimmune thyroid disease (12). The best part of selenium is that you don’t even need to supplement. Food form is usually better. Only two Brazil nuts a day should cover your selenium needs. Fish and organ meat are also great sources.

Iodine

Iodine is absolutely critical for thyroid hormone synthesis (13). Being a woman at child-bearing age, pregnancy, and being vegan may increase your risk of deficiencies. Children are also at a higher risk. Seaweed, fish, eggs, and beef liver may be good sources of iodine. Iodized table salt has also become popular in the past decades to reduce deficiencies. 

However, too much iodine can also be a problem, especially if there is a selenium deficiency present too. It’s important that you only supplement with iodine if you have an actual deficiency and use a thyroid-specific supplement with a proper iodine-selenium balance.

I recommend that you start with your diet first instead of reaching for expensive supplements. I recommend that you work with a functional medicine practitioner and get some blood testing done before any supplementation. We can help you spot your actual nutrient deficiencies and specific needs. We can figure out what you may benefit from beyond your diet. This will prevent you from spending money on supplements that you may not need and only using the ones that actually support your health and well-being. 

Cod Liver Oil and Vitamin D

Vitamin D is essential for your immune system, bone health, muscle health, brain and mental health, and other areas of your health (14). Vitamin D deficiency may also increase your risk of hypothyroidism (15). Sunshine is the best way to boost your vitamin D levels. However, with our indoor lifestyle, cold climates, and fear of harm from UV damage, most of us don’t meet our needs from sunshine alone. 

Cod liver oil is a fantastic source of vitamin D, A, and E, and omega-3 EPA and DHA. These nutrients may all help to support your immune health and reduce inflammation. For some people, cod liver oil supplementation is enough. Others may require additional vitamin D supplementation.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that may also help to protect your body (16). Lemon, lime, oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, and other citrus are great sources of vitamin C. However, citrus may be triggering histamine intolerance. Some people notice that they can tolerate some citrus fruits and others they cannot. That is why they are on my maybe list. I encourage you to see how you respond. I could always tolerate lime, but couldn't tolerate lemon for a while. Other great and low-histamine sources of vitamin C include kiwi, bell pepper, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, and cauliflower.

Curcumin and Resveratrol

Curcumin is the active compound of the spice turmeric. Resveratrol is a polyphenol found in the skin of grapes, red wine, berries, and pistachios. They offer antioxidant, immune-supporting, and anti-inflammatory benefits that may help to reduce the risk and symptoms of autoimmunity (17, 18). Thus they may help with autoimmune thyroid issues (19, 20). You may benefit from consuming food rich in curcumin and resveratrol. You may also benefit from supplementation.

Iron

Iron deficiency may increase the risk of issues with thyroid hormone production It may reduce thyroid peroxidase activity in the thyroid. However, too much iron can also become an issue. Too much iron may increase the risk of thyroid issues and iron toxicity (21). 

Don’t take iron supplements, unless you actually need it. Consume iron-rich foods, including beef, liver, oysters, clams, and venison. Get your iron levels tested. If your doctor finds iron deficiency, you may benefit from iron supplementation, usually only short-term.

Zinc

Zinc is a powerful mineral that is essential for your immune health and hormonal balance. It plays a role in the conversion of T4 to T3 and supports normal T4 and T3 levels (22). Food rich in zinc include oysters, red meat, poultry, and lobsters. Broccoli, spinach, mushrooms, kale, and garlic also contain plenty of zinc.

Check Out the Health Babes’ Guide to Balancing Your Hormones

To learn more about your hormones and learn how to improve your hormonal health naturally, I recommend our book (co-authored by Dr. Krystal Hohn and myself) The Health Babes’ Guide to Balancing Your Hormones: A Detailed Plan with Recipes to Support Mood, Energy Levels, Libido, and More. This book is not only full of information but with an easy-to-follow plan and easy-to-make, delicious hormone-friendly recipes.

Final Thoughts

Your thyroid health and your mast cells may be connected. Underlying mast cell activation issues are not uncommon in thyroid disease. If you are dealing with thyroid health issues, I recommend looking into potential underlying mast cells and histamine-related issues and addressing them as well.

If you are dealing with symptoms of MCAS or histamine intolerance, I invite you to schedule a consultation with us. We can help identify the root cause of your condition and recommend a personalized treatment plan to repair your body and regain your health and well-being. Schedule your consultation here. You can also get started on your own with my Histamine Online Program.

Sources I: 

1. Thyroid test National Institute of Health. National Institute of Diabates and Digestive and Kidney Disease link Here
2. Beynon ME, Pinneri K. An Overview of the Thyroid Gland and Thyroid-Related Deaths for the Forensic Pathologist. Acad Forensic Pathol. 2016 Jun;6(2):217-236. doi: 10.23907/2016.024. Epub 2016 Jun 1. PMID: 31239894
3. Fasano, A. (2012). Leaky gut and autoimmune diseases. Clinical Reviews in Allergy and Immunology, 42(1), 71–78. PMID: 22109896
4. Mu, Q., Kirby, J., Reilly, C. M., & Luo, X. M. (2017). Leaky gut as a danger signal for autoimmune diseases. Frontiers in Immunology. PMID: 28588585
5. Pollard, K. M., Hultman, P., & Kono, D. H. (2010). Toxicology of autoimmune diseases. Chemical Research in Toxicology. PMID: 20078109
6. Xu Y, Chen G. Mast cell and autoimmune diseases. Mediators Inflamm. 2015;2015:246126. doi: 10.1155/2015/246126. Epub 2015 Apr 5. PMID: 25944979
7. Rojas, J. Mast cell activation disease associated with autoimmune thyroid disease: case report and review of literature Archivos Venezolanos de Farmacologica y Terapeutica 2016
8. Landucci E, Laurino A, Cinci L, Gencarelli M, Raimondi L. Thyroid Hormone, Thyroid Hormone Metabolites and Mast Cells: A Less Explored Issue. Front Cell Neurosci. 2019 Mar 29;13:79. doi: 10.3389/fncel.2019.00079. PMID: 30983971
9. Baccari. Animals. 2022. Mast Cell Population and Histamine Content in Hypothyroid Rat Tissues. 
10. Lauritano, E.C., Bilotta, A.L., Gabrielli, M., Scarpellini, E., Lupascu, A., Laginestra, A., et al. Association between hypothyroidism and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2007;92:4180–4. Link here
11. Almandoz, J.P., Gharib, H. Hypothyroidism: Etiology, diagnosis, and management. Med Clin North Am. 2012;96:203–21. Link Here

Sources II: 

1. Ventura M, Melo M, Carrilho F. Selenium and Thyroid Disease: From Pathophysiology to Treatment. Int J Endocrinol. 2017;2017:1297658. doi: 10.1155/2017/1297658. Epub 2017 Jan 31. PMID: 28255299
2. Chung HR. Iodine and thyroid function. Ann Pediatr Endocrinol Metab. 2014 Mar;19(1):8-12. doi: 10.6065/apem.2014.19.1.8. Epub 2014 Mar 31. PMID: 24926457
3. Aranow C. Vitamin D and the immune system. J Investig Med. 2011 Aug;59(6):881-6. doi: 10.2310/JIM.0b013e31821b8755. PMID: 21527855
4. Mackawy AM, Al-Ayed BM, Al-Rashidi BM. Vitamin d deficiency and its association with thyroid disease. Int J Health Sci (Qassim). 2013 Nov;7(3):267-75. doi: 10.12816/0006054. PMID: 24533019
5. Carr AC, Maggini S. Vitamin C and Immune Function. Nutrients. 2017 Nov 3;9(11):1211. doi: 10.3390/nu9111211. PMID: 29099763
6. Hewlings SJ, Kalman DS. Curcumin: A Review of Its Effects on Human Health. Foods. 2017 Oct 22;6(10):92. doi: 10.3390/foods6100092. PMID: 29065496
7. Meng T, Xiao D, Muhammed A, Deng J, Chen L, He J. Anti-Inflammatory Action and Mechanisms of Resveratrol. Molecules. 2021 Jan 5;26(1):229. doi: 10.3390/molecules26010229. PMID: 33466247
8. Abdelaleem MM, El-Tahawy NFG, Abozaid SMM, Abdel-Hakim SA. Possible protective effect of curcumin on the thyroid gland changes induced by sodium fluoride in albino rats: light and electron microscopic study. Endocr Regul. 2018 Apr 1;52(2):59-68. doi: 10.2478/enr-2018-0007. PMID: 29715188
9. Duntas LH. Resveratrol and its impact on aging and thyroid function. J Endocrinol Invest. 2011 Nov;34(10):788-92. doi: 10.3275/7926. Epub 2011 Sep 23. PMID: 21946130
10. Soliman AT, De Sanctis V, Yassin M, Wagdy M, Soliman N. Chronic anemia and thyroid function. Acta Biomed. 2017 Apr 28;88(1):119-127. doi: 10.23750/abm.v88i1.6048. PMID: 28467346
11. Maxwell C, Volpe SL. Effect of zinc supplementation on thyroid hormone function. A case study of two college females. Ann Nutr Metab. 2007;51(2):188-94. doi: 10.1159/000103324. Epub 2007 May 30. PMID: 17541266

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by Peter Saydak

Lectins and Histamine Intolerance: The Answer to Your Symptoms

You’ve cleaned up your diet. You removed refined sugar, gluten, and refined foods. There is no junk food near your kitchen. You started following a low-histamine diet. Yet, you are still having symptoms. You might’ve noticed some symptoms subsiding, but others are sticking around. What can be the issue? If you are still experiencing symptoms, such as digestive issues, joint pain, fatigue, skin problems, and so on, you may be reacting to another food. Lectins may be the culprit and the missing piece.

Lectins can trigger mast cell activation, histamine intolerance, and chronic inflammation. High-lectin foods can cause and worsen unwanted chronic symptoms. So let’s talk about lectins for a moment.

In this article, you will learn about lectins. You will learn what lectins are. I will discuss potential problems with lectins and the symptoms of lectin intolerance. I will go over the list of foods that are high in lectin. You will learn about histamine intolerance and mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) and the difference between the two. I will discuss the connection between lectins, mast cell activation, and histamine intolerance. Finally, I will offer some natural solutions for lectin intolerance and histamine intolerance.

What Are Lectins

Lectins are a form of carbohydrate-binding proteins. They are found in various plant foods. They are particularly high in beans, legumes, wheat, bell peppers, squash, and nightshades.

Though lectins are commonly referred to as anti-nutrients, they are not completely bad. Lectins offer support for cell communication and cell development. They may also support your immune health by helping immune regulation and immune response (1, 2, 3).

For most people, consuming lectin in moderation in well-cooked foods doesn’t cause any health issues. For other people, however, eating lectin-rich foods, especially in moderate or higher quantities, can turn into a problem. Since lection may increase the risk of chronic inflammation, it can lead to digestion issues, leaky gut syndrome, nutrient deficiencies, and related health issues. If you have histamine intolerance and have already removed all high-histamine foods yet, still struggling with symptoms, you may also be dealing with lectin intolerance.

Problems with Lectins

According to a 2020 study published in Foods, lectins can act as dietary allergens that may lead to allergic reactions (4). Lectins may increase the risk of chronic inflammation and immune reactions. Since lectins may decrease the absorption of zinc, iron, calcium, and phosphorus, it may lead to nutrient deficiencies and related health issues. 

Lectins can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, and other digestive issues. They may increase your risk of gut microbiome imbalance and leaky gut syndrome. Microbiome imbalances and leaky gut syndrome may further increase chronic inflammation, gut health issues, chronic symptoms, and the increased risk of autoimmunity.

A 2015 review published in Alternative Therapies has found that lectins may increase autoimmune reactions (5). A 2000 review published in the British Journal of Nutrition has found that lectins may increase symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis (6). However, eliminating lectins and other problematic foods can reduce symptoms. 

Symptoms of Lectin Intolerance

Symptoms of lectin intolerance may include:

• Gas, bloating, and abdominal cramps
• Nausea, vomiting, and upset stomach
• Fatigue, tiredness, and sleep issues
• Painful and swollen joints
• Skin rashes and other skin problems
• Allergy-like complaints
• Hormonal fluctuations
• Neurological symptoms

Foods High in Lectin

Foods high in lectin include:

• Beans, including kidney beans, fava beans, mung beans, garbanzo beans, and lima beans
• Peas, including green peas and yellow peas
• Other legumes, including lentils, peanuts, and carob
• Corn
• Nuts, including ground nuts
• Wheat, oats, buckwheat
• Quinoa
• Rice
• Nightshades, including peppers, tomatoes, peppers, and potatoes
• Conventionally raised meat when raised on corn and soy
• Vegetable oils, including corn, soybean, and sunflower oil
• Dairy (cow milk), as most cows produce A1 dairy casein protein beta-casomorphin-7, which is a protein similar to lectin

Risk Factors for Lectin Intolerance

You may develop lectin intolerance for a variety of reasons. The main risk factors for lectin intolerance and risk factors for increased symptoms of lectin intolerance may include:

• Frequent use of antibiotics
• Gut microbiome imbalances
• Leaky gut syndrome
• Following a vegan or vegetarian diet high in high-lectin foods, especially legumes and/or grains
• Autoimmune disorders or family history of autoimmune disorders
• Joint problems of rheumatoid arthritis
• Poor sleep and fatigue
• Neurological issues
• Mental health issues
• Skin conditions

Lectins and Histamine Intolerance

Lectins may be a problem if you have histamine intolerance or mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) in a variety of ways. 

What Is Histamine Intolerance?

When you think about histamine, I’m positive that anti-histamines for allergies come to mind first. Because of the ‘anti’ part of anti-histamine, histamine often gets a bad rap. Yet, histamine is absolutely essential for your immune health and overall well-being.

Histamine is an important chemical that helps to remove allergens as part of your immune response. It also aids digestion by releasing hydrochloric acid to break down food and bacteria and supports your brain and mental health by serving as a chemical messenger between your brain and the rest of your body.

At healthy levels, histamine is a good guy that supports your health. Too much histamine, on the other hand, can turn into a serious health issue. If your body is releasing too much histamine and cannot break down excess histamine, it will cause a histamine buildup. This histamine buildup is called histamine intolerance. Histamine intolerance can affect your entire body, including your gut, brain, lungs, and cardiovascular system, causing widespread symptoms (7). 

Symptoms of Histamine Intolerance

Symptoms of histamine intolerance can affect your entire body. They can be widespread, affecting many areas of your body at the same time. Some people may only experience a couple of random symptoms, others may experience every histamine intolerance symptom possible. Some may only experience mild symptoms, while others experience severe symptoms that seriously interfere with their lives. 

As you will notice, many symptoms of histamine intolerance are similar to lectin intolerance. This overlap may not be a coincidence. Lectin intolerance may also worsen your histamine intolerance symptoms, and histamine intolerance may worsen lectin intolerance. Unless you address both, it may turn into a never-ending vicious cycle.

Symptoms of histamine intolerance include the following:

• Itchy skin, eyes, ears, and nose
• Eczema or other types of dermatitis
• Hives
• Red eyes
• Facial swelling
• Crawling sensation on the skin or the scalp
• Tightness in the throat
• Difficulty regulating body temperature
• Sudden drop in blood pressure when standing up
• Low blood pressure
• Fast heart rate
• Heart palpitations
• Dizziness or vertigo
• Difficulty falling asleep or sleep issues
• Fatigue
• Confusion
• Brain fog
• Irritability
• Anxiety or panic attacks
• Congestion or runny nose
• Seasonal allergies 
• Asthma
• Migraines and headaches
• Acid reflux
• Diarrhea
• Abnormal menstrual cycle
• Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)

What Is Mast Cell Activation Syndrome

Your mast cells are white blood cells. They are located in tissues throughout your body, including your digestive tract, respiratory tracts, skin, reproductive organs, surrounding nerves, and blood. Since your mast cells store inflammatory mediators, including histamine, they play an important role in your immune health. When your body encounters allergens, toxins, or other foreign invaders, it will have an allergic reaction. Your mast cells will trigger an allergic response causing the release of histamine and other chemicals.

Though the activation of your mast cells is important, overactivation and other mast cell activation issues can become a problem. Mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) is a complex health issue that involves a number of different systems in your body leading to an array of symptoms. MCAS may develop due to a variety of triggers, including mold, chemicals, toxins, heavy metals, allergens, medications, infections, viruses, food, and alcohol. If you have MCAS, some or all of these triggers can cause your mast cells to release inflammatory mediators, including histamine resulting in unwanted symptoms (8, 9, 10, 11). 

Symptoms of Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS)

Symptoms of MCAS will impact more than one part or system of your body. Symptoms may vary from person to person. Symptoms of MCAS may include:

• Rashes
• Hives
• Itching
• Heart palpitations
• Low blood pressure
• Headaches
• Chest pain
• Weight changes, including rapid weight loss or weight gain
• Digestive trouble, including diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting
• Loss of appetite or low appetite
• Anxiety
• Fatigue
• Vision changes
• Weakness
• Dizziness

Are MCAS and Histamine Intolerance the Same?

MCAS and histamine intolerance are not the same. If you have histamine intolerance, you have  a build-up of histamine from high-histamine foods, stress, environmental toxins, and other histamine-promoting factors that your body cannot break down properly. If you have MCAS, your mast cells get triggered by allergens, mold, toxins, medications, infections, pain, stress, and other triggers, causing an immune response and mast cell histamine release. 

MCAS can cause histamine intolerance. In fact, I’ve found that MCAS is one of the most common driving factors for histamine intolerance. However, you can develop histamine intolerance without MCAS. You may also have MCAS without symptoms of histamine intolerance. Though you may have both conditions, it is absolutely possible to only have one.

Lectins, Mast Cell Activation, and Histamine Intolerance

Now that you understand what histamine intolerance is, let's talk about the connection between lectins and histamine.

Gut Microbiome Imbalance and Leaky Gut Syndrome

I have already talked about how lectins may increase gut microbiome imbalance, gut inflammation, intestinal permeability, or leaky gut syndrome. According to a 1999 review published in the BMJ, lectins may be able to pass through the gut wall and open the gut barrier (12). Lectins may also be able to bind to the gut mucosa causing further gut health problems. As I broke down in this article, leaky gut syndrome, gut microbiome imbalances, and gut infections are some of the main underlying causes of histamine intolerance that can further trigger your symptoms.

Triggering Mast Cell Activation and Histamine Release

A 2020 study published in Foods has found that lectins may act as dietary allergens that may lead to allergic reactions (4). They can aggravate allergies, allergic reactions, histamine release, histamine intolerance, and further sensitivities to other foods.

Your mast cells are home to hundreds of different kinds of receptors. These receptors on the outside of your mast cells help your body notice anything foreign, pathogenic, toxic, or harmful coming their way. A toll-like receptor is a specific receptor on your mast cells that helps to recognize mold, bacteria, viruses, lectins, and other problematic substances. 

Coming into contact with lectins, your mast cell toll-like receptors may set off mast cell activation, especially if you have lectin intolerance, lectin sensitivity, or mast cell activation problems. An overactivation of your toll-like receptors will lead to the release of histamine and other inflammatory mast cell mediators to protect you from harm. However, if you are consuming high-lectin foods regularly, it will lead to increased mast cell activation and histamine release, which can lead to chronic inflammation and chronic symptoms.

Furthermore, if you have leaky gut syndrome, lectins can pass into your bloodstream, where they can further activate your mast cells and other immune cells. This can lead to a further release of histamine and increase histamine intolerance symptoms. 

Immunoglobulin E (IgE) is an antibody that allows your body to recognize allergens. IgE also plays a role in lectin sensitivities and lectin allergens. If you have pre-existing mast cell activation or allergies, lectins may make your symptoms worse when IgEs recognize lectins. A 2007 study published in Clinical and Experimental Immunology has found that foods high in lectins, such as potatoes, may activate mast cells and basophils in those with allergies tendencies and food sensitivities (13). Researchers found that removing high-lectin foods helped to reduce symptoms.

Autoimmune Conditions

Furthermore, there may be a link between autoimmune conditions and lectins. Lectins may increase the risk of autoimmunity and may further trigger existing autoimmune conditions. According to a 2015 review published in Alternative Therapies and 2000 review published in the British Journal of Nutrition, lectins may increase autoimmune reactions (5, 6). 

Many people with histamine intolerance and MCAS also have an autoimmune condition. For example, I see patients all the time with Hashimoto’s disease (an autoimmune thyroid condition) and histamine intolerance. You can learn more about this connection between your thyroid and histamine intolerance here. Irritable bowel diseases (IBDs), such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease are common underlying issues behind histamine intolerance as well.

Solutions for Lectin Intolerance

Lectin intolerance can come with uncomfortable chronic symptoms. Fortunately, you can reduce lectin intolerance with the help of some simple dietary and lifestyle strategies. Here is what I recommend:

Learn a Better Way to Cook Lectins

High-lectin foods generally cause the most issues when you are eating them raw. The good news is that most high-lectin foods are rarely or never eaten raw. However, not preparing them carefully or undercooking them can cause problems too.

Soaking high-lectin foods, especially beans and legumes, before cooking them is important. Boiling, stewing, or using other high-heat cooking methods may also help to reduce lectin levels significantly, making them safe to consume for most people.

However, this may not be enough. If you have poor gut health, chronic inflammation, or other chronic health issues, you may not tolerate lectin well even when prepared and cooked properly.

Some high-lectin foods may have other problems besides lectin too. Beans and legumes are high-histamine foods that can also cause histamine intolerance. Wheat is high in gluten which can increase the risk of gluten-related chronic inflammation, food sensitivities and intolerance, gut symptoms, leaky gut syndrome, and other health problems. Many high-heat cooking methods can increase histamine in your food, increasing histamine intolerance. If you have problems with high-lectin foods despite preparation and cooking, you may benefit from a low-lectin or lectin-free diet.

Try a Low-Lectin or Lectin-Free Diet

If cooking high-lectin foods appropriately and only eating them at moderate amounts doesn’t help, you may benefit from a low-lectin or lectin-free diet. Remove high-lectin foods from your diet, such as beans, legumes, and nightshades. Consume only low-lectin and/or lectin-free foods. Try a low-lectin or lectin-free diet for about a month and see if your symptoms improve. 

If your symptoms improve, you may choose to stay on a low-lectin diet completely. However, once you repair your gut health and reduce chronic inflammation, you may be able to reintroduce well-cooked high-lectin foods in moderate amounts. If you are ready to reintroduce them after 2 to 3 months, begin with a small amount and watch your body’s reactions. If you are reacting to certain high-lectin foods, remove them from your diet. If you are still reacting to all high-lectin foods, stay on a low-lectin diet.

Improve Your Gut Health

Your gut health affects your entire body. Poor gut microbiome imbalance and leaky gut syndrome may increase chronic inflammation, histamine intolerance, lectin intolerance, and related symptoms. Along with a gut-friendly anti-inflammatory diet, I recommend that you take a high-quality probiotics supplement to support your gut microbiome balance. 

Follow a Low-Histamine Diet

If you have both histamine intolerance and lectin intolerance, you may benefit from a low-lectin AND low-histamine diet. I recommend following a low-histamine, anti-inflammatory, nutrient-dense, whole foods diet. Remove inflammatory foods, including refined sugar, refined oils, canned and processed meat, artificial ingredients, junk food, and highly processed foods. Remove high-histamine foods. Follow a nutrient-dense, anti-inflammatory, and low-histamine diet rich in greens, vegetables, herbs, spices, fruits, healthy fats, and organic meat. Try new recipes. I recommend all the low-histamine recipes in The 4-Phase Histamine Reset Plan and Low Histamine Cooking in Your Instant Pot. If you want to go a step further, you should join my Histamine Reset Online Program. 

Lower Your Histamine

Reducing your histamine levels is more than just diet. Following a low-histamine nutrition plan is key to your recovery. However, poor sleep, stress, environmental toxins, and other factors can also increase your histamine load. Improving your sleep, reducing stress, reducing environmental toxins, supporting your liver and gut, and other strategies can all play a role in lowering your histamine bucket and improving your health and well-being. You may also benefit from certain supplements for histamine intolerance.

I recommend that you work with a functional health practitioner (hint: my team and I) to check for histamine intolerance. If you are dealing with symptoms of histamine intolerance, I recommend that you follow my Histamine Reset Plan outlined in my Histamine Online Program.

Look Into Salicylate and Oxalate Issues

If you are following a low-histamine and low-oxalate diet and still noticing issues with certain foods and have some of the same symptoms, it may be time to look further. Oxalates and salicylates are two other food compounds that can cause similar symptoms to histamine intolerance and lectin intolerance. Histamine intolerance can come hand in hand with problems with oxalates and salicylates. You can learn about the connection between oxalates, salicylates, and histamine intolerance by reading this article.

Final Thoughts

Lectins are a form of carbohydrate-binding proteins found in various plant foods, such as beans, legumes, wheat, bell peppers, squash, and nightshades. Lectin intolerance, histamine intolerance, and mast cell activation often come hand in hand. Without addressing all, you cannot eliminate all your symptoms. You may benefit from a low-histamine and low-lectin diet.

If you are dealing with symptoms of lectin intolerance histamine intolerance or MCAS, I invite you to schedule a consultation with us. We can help identify the root cause of your condition and recommend a personalized treatment plan to repair your body and regain your health and well-being. Schedule your consultation here. You can also get started on your own with my Histamine Online Program.

Sources:

1. Lagarda-Diaz I, Guzman-Partida AM, Vazquez-Moreno L. Legume Lectins: Proteins with Diverse Applications. Int J Mol Sci. 2017 Jun 12;18(6):1242. doi: 10.3390/ijms18061242. PMID: 28604616 

2. Jiang QL, Zhang S, Tian M, Zhang SY, Xie T, Chen DY, Chen YJ, He J, Liu J, Ouyang L, Jiang X. Plant lectins, from ancient sugar-binding proteins to emerging anti-cancer drugs in apoptosis and autophagy. Cell Prolif. 2015 Feb;48(1):17-28. doi: 10.1111/cpr.12155. Epub 2014 Dec 9. PMID: 25488051

3. Lepenies B, Lang R. Editorial: Lectins and Their Ligands in Shaping Immune Responses. Front Immunol. 2019 Oct 9;10:2379. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.02379. PMID: 31649680

4. Barre A, Damme EJMV, Simplicien M, Benoist H, Rougé P. Are Dietary Lectins Relevant Allergens in Plant Food Allergy? Foods. 2020 Nov 24;9(12):1724. doi: 10.3390/foods9121724. PMID: 33255208

5. Cordain L, Toohey L, Smith MJ, Hickey MS. Modulation of immune function by dietary lectins in rheumatoid arthritis. Br J Nutr. 2000 Mar;83(3):207-17. doi: 10.1017/s0007114500000271. PMID: 10884708

6. Food Immune Reaction and Autoimmunity. Alternative therapies. 2015. Link Here

7. Maintz L, Novak N. Histamine and histamine intolerance. Am J Clin Nutr. 2007 May;85(5):1185-96. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/85.5.1185. PMID: 17490952

8. Afrin LB, Self S, Menk J, Lazarchick J. Characterization of Mast Cell Activation Syndrome. Am J Med Sci. 2017;353(3):207-215. Link Here

9. Frieri M, Patel R, Celestin J. Mast cell activation syndrome: a review. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep. 2013;13(1):27-32. Link Here

10 Akin C, Valent P, Metcalfe DD. Mast cell activation syndrome: Proposed diagnostic criteria. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2010 Dec;126(6):1099-104.e4. doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2010.08.035. Epub 2010 Oct 28. PMID: 21035176

11. Petra AI, Panagiotidou S, Stewart JM, Conti P, Theoharides TC. Spectrum of mast cell activation disorders. Expert Rev Clin Immunol. 2014;10(6):729-739. Link Here

12. Freed DL. Do dietary lectins cause disease? BMJ. 1999 Apr 17;318(7190):1023-4. doi: 10.1136/bmj.318.7190.1023. PMID: 10205084

13. Pramod, S. N., Venkatesh, Y. P., & Mahesh, P. A. (2007). Potato lectin activates basophils and mast cells of atopic subjects by its interaction with core chitobiose of cell-bound non-specific immunoglobulin E. Clinical and Experimental Immunology, 148(3), 391–401. Link Here

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by Peter Saydak

Mold May Be Driving Your POTS: The Connection Between POTS, Mold, Nervous System Function, Gut Health, and Histamine

Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) affects between 1 to 3 million people in the United States. POTS a type of dysautonomia that causes excessive tachycardia and other symptoms upon standing. Lying down tends to improve the fast heartbeat, lightheadedness, and feeling of fainting.

Addressing POTS can be complex. In my practice, I’ve found that there are usually an array of underlying health issues that can contribute to the condition and worsen symptoms. Nervous system issues, gut health problems, and histamine intolerance are common driving factors behind symptoms. 

Another potential underlying issue that’s rarely talked about is mold exposure. However, uncovering underlying mold exposure may be the missing piece you’ve been looking for on your recovery journey. Understanding the root causes of your issues is essential for finding the right strategies and a key to improving your health.

In this article, I want to discuss the connection between mold and POTS. You will learn what POTS is. Additionally, you will understand the symptoms and causes of POTS. You will understand what mold is and the common symptoms of mold toxicity. Furthermore, I will discuss the connection between mold and POTS. I will also discuss the connection between mold, histamine intolerance, and POTS. I will also explain the connection between mold, gut health, and POTS. You will understand why uncovering mold toxicity, histamine intolerance, and gut health issues is important for addressing POTS. Finally, I will offer some strategies for addressing mold, histamine intolerance, and gut health issues to improve your health and well-being.

What Is POTS?

Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is a type of dysautonomia. Dysautonomia is an umbrella term used for various medical conditions that are related to your autonomic nervous system (ANS). Your ANS is responsible for your body’s automatic functions. These functions include your breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, dilation, temperature regulation, and anything else that you don’t have to consciously think about. 

POTS affects somewhere between 1 to 3 million people in the United States alone and a lot more worldwide. It is a type of orthostatic intolerance (OI) linked to excessive tachycardia or abnormally rapid heart rate and other symptoms upon standing. In OI, the blood that returns to the heart upon standing up is excessively reduced in volume. This can cause lightheadedness, fainting, and an incredibly rapid heartbeat (an increase in over 30 beats per minute or over 120 beats per minute total within 10 minutes of getting up). Lying down tends to improve POTS-related fast heartbeat, lightheadedness, and feeling of fainting (1, 2, 3).

Though you may develop POTS at any age, about 75 to 80 percent of affected individuals are women between the ages of 15 and 50. Some women experience more POTS episodes or more severe symptoms before they begin their period (1, 2, 3). 

Symptoms of POTS

Symptoms of POTS may include:

• Increased heart rate (30 beats/minute resting heart rates, increase to 120 or over when standing)
• Fainting
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Weakness
• Shaking
• Sweating
• Bloating, cramping, diarrhea, and other gastrointestinal issues
• Sleep difficulties
• Shortness of breath

Causes of POTS

The exact cause of dysautonomia is not yet completely understood. While in some cases, they may be inherited, in other cases, it may be the result of a degenerative disease, prolonged inflammatory reactions, injury, or another disease. Symptoms often begin after pregnancy, trauma, major surgery, or a viral illness (1, 2, 3). 

Your gut health may also play a role, as well as mast cell activation. I have already written about the potential connection between POTS and other dysautonomia, small intestinal overgrowth (SIBO) and gut health, and histamine intolerance. You can learn about this connection here.

In this article, I want to discuss a less talked about driving factor behind POTS: mold. Mold exposure and mold illness can lead to a long list of chronic symptoms and health issues. One of these health issues is mast cell activation and histamine intolerance. You can learn more about that connection here. Another issue is POTS. Chronic mold exposure may be driving your POTS symptoms. 

Reducing mold exposure and improving mold illness may reduce your POTS symptoms as well. But before I get into this connection, I want to talk about mold and mold illness for a moment.

What Is Mold?

Mold is a fungus known for its ability to grow on almost anything and thrive under many conditions, especially in a warm and moist environment. There are many forms of mold. Some grow indoors, and some prefer the outdoors. There are about 1,000 species of mold in the United States, with the most common types being Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Alternaria, Memnoniella, Penicillium, and Stachybotrys.

Mold exposure inside buildings is very common. Mold particularly loves to hide and grow in your bathrooms, kitchen, basement, behind old wallpaper, under the carpet, and just about any area that are warm, damp, and wet. Areas with water leakage and water damage are also at high risk for mold.

Mold releases mycotoxins in the air and lead to consequent health issues. Unfortunately, these mycotoxins can spread far and wide. You may initially have mold in one tiny spot in your home, but its microscopic spores can travel far. You may breathe them in through the air. 

Chronic exposure to mold can be dangerous. It can lead to mold toxicity symptoms, including fatigue, brain fog, headache, skin issues, respiratory problems, and nausea. Mold exposure and mold toxicity may also increase the risk of POTS symptoms. You will learn about the connection between mold and POTS once I go over the most common symptoms of chronic mold exposure.

Symptoms of Mold 

Signs and symptoms of chronic mold exposure and mold toxicity may include:

• Fatigue
• Muscle and joint pain
• Symptoms of allergies
• Chronic sinus congestion or runny nose
• Asthma flare-ups 
• Coughing and sneezing
• Coughing
• Throat pain
• Eye irritation
• Skin infections, rashes, and other skin issues
• Nosebleeds
• Nausea or digestive issues
• Headaches or migraines
• Mood changes
• Brain fog
• Numbness or tingling
• Vertigo or dizziness
• Tinnitus
• Rapid heart rate
• Anxiety
• Histamine intolerance or mast cell activation issues

Signs of Mold in Your Home

Do you have mold in your home? There are a number of signs you can look for, including:

• Musty smell in your home
• Rotten smell coming from the walls or the floor
• Black or white, fluffy or slimy spots on your clothes
• Spots, spores, fuzz, or other signs on your furniture
• Spots, spores, fuzz, or other signs on or under your carpet or rugs
• Black or grey spots or other signs on the grout between the tiles or elsewhere in your bathroom
• Peeling or warped wallpaper
• Spotted walls
• Bubbling paint
• Black spots or musty odor coming from your AC
• Past or present water leakage (e.g., flooded sink or toilet, moisture in your water heater closet, or leaky water tank) or water damage
• Flare-ups in allergy and asthma
• Chronic respiratory issues
• Feelin itchy and skin issues
• Constant fatigue or muscle pains
• Other symptoms of mold illness (as explained earlier)

If you think that there is mold in your home, you can use an at-home mold kit to test for mold. You may also hire a professional mold inspector, however, that may cost more money.

The Connection Between Mold and POTS

Mold mycotoxins can enter your body through inhalation, eating mold-contaminated food, and through your skin. Mold mycotoxins can lead to pro-inflammatory cytokine production, chronic inflammation, and all kinds of issues. Some people believe that this can increase your risk of dysautonomias, such as POTS.

If you search the internet, you will find some case studies on functional medicine websites on functional medicine websites, doctors finding success with POTS patients once addressing mold. I have personally seen patients with POTS who struggled to see significant improvements despite dietary changes and supplementation. Once we realized that their home was infested with mold, we were able to address the issue through a protocol addressing mold and removing mold from their home. Addressing mold toxicity was one important piece of the puzzle that helped them to feel better.

There are three ways mold may increase your risk and symptoms of POTS:

• Mold may affect your nervous system function and may lead to neurological symptoms, including balance issues and other symptoms associated with POTS
• Mold may cause chronic inflammation, mast cell activation, and histamine intolerance, which can increase your risk and symptoms of POTS
• Mold may also affect your gut health and increase your risk of gut infection, which may lead to neurological symptoms of POTS and histamine intolerance triggering symptoms of POTS

Let’s look at these three areas where mold and POTS may be connected:

Mold, Your Nervous System, and POTS

At this point, there hasn’t been any larger-scale research on the potential link between mold and POTS. However, some research evidence suggests that there may be a connection. There is increasing evidence that suggests that mold exposure may lead to neurological symptoms. 

A 2003 study published in the Archives of Environmental Health  has also found that living in a home with mold may lead to neurological issues (7). Participants experience neurological dysfunction, including balance issues, inability to walk straight with their eyes closed, and memory issues.

A 2009 study published in Toxicology and Industrial Health has found that mold and mycotoxin exposure from water-damaged and mold-infested buildings may lead to neurological and neuropsychiatric issues (8). They found that mold may lead to coordination, balance, and movement issues, which is a common issue in POTS when standing.

A 2020 research published in Safety and Health at Work has found that working at water-damaged and moldy hospitals exposes hospital workers to high levels of mold, which may affect their central and peripheral nervous systems (9). The study has found that, as a result, affected workers experience arrhythmias (irregular heartbeat), brain fog, multiple chemical sensitivities, pain, and fatigue. POTS patients commonly experience arrhythmias. Arrhythmia from mold issues can also increase arrhythmia and rapid heartbeat from POTS. Increased fatigue from mold combined with fatigue from POTS may also worsen your condition.

A 2020 review published in Antibodies (Basel) has also found that mold exposure can increase inflammation, autoimmunity, chronic fatigue syndrome, and POTS (10). The review mentions a 2018 study published in Autoimmune Reviews. The study has found that mold exposure and mold hypersensitivity syndrome may be risk factors for POTS, chronic fatigue syndrome, and complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) (11). Furthermore, a 2019 study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association and a 2020 review published in Clinical Immunology has both found that mold exposure-related autoantibodies may play a role in the development and symptoms of POTS and autoimmune dysautonomia (12).

Mold, Histamine Intolerance, and POTS

Another potential link between mold and POTS may be histamine intolerance. Chronic mold exposure leads to ongoing inflammation, which may increase your risk of histamine intolerance. Chronic inflammation may force your mast cells to over-produce histamine in order to protect your body from mold mycotoxins. If your body is unable to keep up with all the excess histamine, it can lead to histamine intolerance and related symptoms.

According to a 2007 study published in Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, mold mycotoxins may increase histamine response and allergy and asthma symptoms (12). According to a 2006 study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, mold exposure and mold illness can increase allergic response (13).

Research suggests that prolonged inflammatory reactions due to histamine intolerance and mast cell activation may increase the risk and symptoms of POTS. According to a 2005 study published in Hypertension, MCAS and POTS is a common doubled-diagnosis (14).

Histamine is a chemical that is responsible for a variety of functions in your body, including getting rid of allergens as part of your immune response, communicating with your brain, and triggering stomach acid release for optimal digestion. In a healthy body, at normal amounts, histamine release is beneficial. 

To get rid of excess histamine body releases enzymes to break down histamine build-up. However, if your body has too much histamine and/or your body doesn’t have enough DAO enzyme, it cannot clean up the extra histamine, causing a buildup. If you have MCAS, your body cannot turn off the release of histamine leading to histamine intolerance (15, 16). 

Histamine intolerance means that you have too much histamine, which can lead to various health issues. Symptoms of histamine intolerance include fatigue, headaches, irregular heartbeat, acid reflux, digestive problems, cramps, itching, sleep troubles, and anxiety. You may notice that some of these symptoms are very similar to symptoms of dysautonomia and POTS.

This is not surprising, considering your entire body is connected. However, this also means that your symptoms can drive each other. Chronic inflammation, histamine intolerance, MCAS, and POTS can turn into a vicious cycle with chronic symptoms.

Mold, Gut Health, and POTS

Chronic mold exposure can increase your risk of gut health issues, including gut infections. Mold mycotoxins exposure may compromise your intestinal immunity. This may lead to a susceptibility to viral, bacterial, and parasitic gut infections. A 2013 review published in Toxins (Basel) has found that ochratoxin, a mold toxin, may trigger viral gut infections and increase the effects of gut parasitic infections (17). The review suggests that treating underlying mold toxins is just as important as treating these gut infections.

But if mold can drive gut infections and gut health issues, it may also contribute to related nervous system symptoms. Your gut is in constant communication with your central nervous system (CNS) through the vagus nerve and autonomic nervous system (ANS). According to a 2018 review published in Frontiers in Neuroscience, the microbiota-gut-brain axis is a two-way communication system (18). Your gut health can affect your nervous system and your nervous system health can affect your gut.

Understanding the connection between the gut and the nervous system may help to understand neurological and neurodegenerative issues.  If your enteric nervous system inside your gut experiences imbalance, it affects your autonomic nervous system as well and can lead to chaos all over your body. According to a 2017 study published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology, your gut health may play a role in neuropsychiatric issues (19). 

Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) may increase your risk of various chronic health issues, autoimmune conditions and neurological disorders, including Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s, and fibromyalgia. Stress on your immune system can also cause an increase of norepinephrine from your sympathetic nervous system. This will result in a flight-or-fight reaction. Since your gut microbiome balance is also closely connected to your nervous system, a gut flora imbalance may lead to serious issues. 

Gut bacteria imbalance is stress on the body and can result in the release of norepinephrine. As a result, SIBO can lead to dysautonomia symptoms, including symptoms of POTS (20, 21, 22, 23). One study by Dr. Lenny Weinstock has found that 27 out of 35 patients (69 percent) with POTS also had SIBO. Connecting the dots between these research findings, it is critical that POTS patients get tested for SIBO and receive treatment for it if they have it (24).

To add to the issue, gut infections and other gut health problems can drive histamine intolerance and mast cell activation, which, as you know, may contribute to POTS. Your gut is full of histamine receptors. Under normal circumstances, this is not a problem. However, if you are experiencing gut health issues and gastrointestinal diseases, the expression of these histamine receptors can be altered (25). 

A 2018 study published in the Journal of Physiological Pharmacology has found that both leaky gut syndrome and gut inflammation can lead to a gut bacterial imbalance that may contribute to histamine intolerance (26). According to a 2016 study published in the Canadian Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, about 30 to 55 percent of people with digestive issues also have histamine intolerance due to the overgrowth of histamine-producing bacteria (27). 

A  2010 study published in the Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine has found that SIBO, which is a specific type of gut dysbiosis, can lead to a lower or loss of tolerance to dietary histamine (28). A 2010 review published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology notes that the symptoms of histamines and SIBO often overlap, indicating that at least some people have both conditions (29). 

This doesn’t mean that everyone with SIBO will have histamine intolerance. While, SIBO, other gut health issues, and histamine intolerance often co-occur, this is not always the case. Some people with SIBO, never develop histamine intolerance. Some people with histamine intolerance do not have SIBO or other gut infections. However, testing for underlying gut infections is just as important as testing for underlying mold illness if you are dealing with histamine intolerance. Checking for signs of mold exposure, mold illness, gut infections, and histamine intolerance may uncover important pieces of your POTS puzzle and may help your recovery.

Symptoms of mold illness, SIBO, other gut health issues, histamine intolerance, MCAS, and POTS can all overlap. Some symptoms, such as fatigue, may characterize all issues. Other symptoms may characterize only a couple of them. However, when these issues coexist, symptoms can drive each other, leading to a complex problem. To improve your health, you have to address all areas of the puzzle.

Recommendations for Mold, Histamine Intolerance, Gut Health, and POTS

If you’ve been exposed to toxic mold and experiencing symptoms of POTS, I have good news for you. You can resolve your symptoms by using simple natural solutions. Here is what I recommend: 

Remove Mold from Your Home and Reduce Mold Exposure

First things first, if you have mold in your home, you need to remove it (unless you can move to a mold-free home!). If the mold-affected area is over 10 square feet or 1 square meter, call a professional mold remediation specialist. The problem is bigger than you can handle on your own. However, if you are only dealing with a smaller area, you can probably take care of it yourself.

You may try these self-removal options to take care of your mold problem:

• Try a mix of one teaspoon of baking soda and 2 cups of water to use on affected surfaces
• Use undiluted white vinegar on hard surfaces in your bathroom and kitchen
• Try using hydrogen peroxide spray on moldy surfaces

Don’t forget about addressing any underlying problems that may drive mold:

• Remove any moldy and old rugs, carpeting, paint, or wallpaper
• Clean or dispose of any moldy shower curtains, clothing, and other items
• Fix moisture leaks and water damage issues
• Reduce indoor humidity and keep it between 30 and 50 percent
• If you hang your clothes to dry, ideally, do it outside
• Always wipe down wet tiles after you shower
• Keep the detergent compartment of your washing machine open
• Make sure your home is ventilated well
• Use a high-quality indoor air filtration system
• Check your indoor plants and keep the mold off of them
• Clean and repair the roof gutters of your home
• Direct any rain or melted snow or ice away from your house
• Keep your home clean
• Check for signs of mold growth regularly and address any mold immediately

A word on exposure at work:

Unfortunately, mold exposure may happen at your work. At least half of the buildings in North America are affected by mold. This can be difficult if you are unknowingly exposed. If you can use a high-quality air filtration system at your office or office area. Talk to HR and encourage them to do regular mold checks and use prevention strategies. If you notice any signs of mold, speak with HR immediately. If there is an ongoing mold issue at your job, you may want to consider looking for new employment if it’s possible.

Get Tested for Mold Toxicity

If you have symptoms of mold toxicity or have been exposed to mold, it is important to get tested. Working with a functional medicine doctor, like myself, can help you with this. Just schedule a consultation today.

Detoxify Your Body from Mold

If you have been affected by chronic mold exposure and mold toxicity, you need to detoxify your body from mold. Here is what I recommend:

• Check house & workplace for mold exposure (consider ERMI test)
• Get body tested for mold toxicity
• Detoxify Your Body from Mold
  • Hydrate well
  • Support detoxification through sweating ie. infrared sauna
  • Consider working with a practitioner to help with mold protocol
• There are various other products I use to address mold depending on the person’s history and tolerance to supplements.
• Recover Your Body from Histamine Intolerance and MCAS
  • Eat a low-histamine diet
  • Support your liver
  • Consider histamine supporting supplements like quercetin, nettle & others. My HistoRelief supplement has a blend of these ingredients & more.

Support Your Gut

Chronic mold exposure and mold illness can lead to gut infections and gut health issues. Gut microbiome imbalances and gastrointestinal problems can increase the risk of histamine intolerance and POTS. If you are dealing with gut imbalances, supporting your gut health is key.

Follow a healthy gut-friendly diet rich in greens, vegetables, sprouts, low-glycemic index fruits, herbs, spices, grass-fed meat, pasture-raised poultry, wild-caught fish, and wild game. If you are not dealing with histamine intolerance, you may add some probiotic-rich fermented foods, such as sauerkraut, kimchi, fermented herbs, yogurt, kefir, or kombucha. However, since fermented foods can drive histamine, if you have histamine intolerance or MCAS, avoid these foods.

If you are dealing with both histamine intolerance and gut health issues, I recommend working with a functional medicine practitioner (like me) to test your gut and see if opportunistic bacteria, yeast overgrowth, parasites, H. pylori and/or leaky gut can be what is driving your histamine issue. 

Support Your Body with an Anti-Inflammatory Diet and Healthy Lifestyle Strategies

Following a healthy, anti-inflammatory diet and following healthy lifestyle strategies, such as moving your body, reducing stress, and sleeping enough, are critical for your recovery. I recommend that you follow an anti-inflammatory, nutrient-dense diet. Remove inflammatory foods, including refined sugar, refined oil, artificial ingredients, gluten, food sensitivities, deep-fried food, junk food, and overly processed foods. Eat lots of greens, vegetables, sprouts, herbs, spices, fruits, grass-fed meat, pasture-raised poultry, pasture-raised eggs, fresh wild-caught fish and seafood, and wild game. Drink plenty of water, at least ten glasses per day

Move your body throughout the day. You may try dancing to your favorite songs, taking a stroll in the park, stretching regularly, and playing with your kids or pets. Exercise at least 20 to 30 minutes five days a week and move your body regularly. I recommend getting 10 to 15K steps in a day if you can. Add resistance and strength training to your routine. 

To reduce stress and improve sleep, I recommend practicing breathwork, meditation, positive affirmation, journaling, yoga, grounding, and time in nature for stress and anxiety reduction. Taking an Epsom salt bath is another great way to relax your muscles, calm your mind, and detoxify your body. Make sure to sleep at least 7 to 9 hours a night.

Recover Your Body from Histamine Intolerance and MCAS

As you’ve learned, histamine intolerance is a common consequence of mold exposure or mold-related gut health issues and a common underlying issue behind POTS. If you are dealing with histamine intolerance, addressing mold toxicity and eating an anti-inflammatory diet won’t be enough.

If you have histamine intolerance or MCAS, I recommend that you follow a nutrient-dense and low-histamine diet. Eliminate all histamine foods for one to three months. After this Elimination phase, slowly re-introduce them one by one following The 4-Phase Histamine Reset Plan. To understand each step of this simple yet refined system, I recommend that you read my book, The 4-Phase Histamine Reset Plan: Getting to the Root of Migraines, Eczema, Vertigo, Allergies and More where I explain everything about histamine intolerance and each phase of the plan in detail. You will also find my favorite low-histamine recipes to nourish your body. 

To support your body and reduce histamine intolerance, I recommend HistoRelief. It is a synergistic blend of nutrients, including Tinofend®, quercetin, nettle leaf, vitamin C, and bicarbonate salts, that provides natural support to balance your immune response, inflammation reduction, and histamine release.

Final Thoughts

Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) affects between 1 to 3 million people in the United States. It’s a form of dysautonomia that causes an abnormally rapid heart rate and other symptoms upon standing. Mold exposure, nervous system problems, gut health issues, and histamine intolerance are common driving factors behind symptoms. Addressing the underlying causes of the problem is key for improving your health.

I recommend that you follow my strategies for addressing mold, histamine intolerance, and gut health issues to improve your health and well-being.

If you are dealing with mold illness, histamine intolerance, MCAS, POTS, or other chronic health issues, I invite you to schedule a consultation with us. We can help identify the root cause of your condition and recommend a personalized treatment plan to repair your body and regain your health and well-being. Schedule your consultation here. You can also get started on your own with my Histamine Online Program.

 

Sources: 

14. Postural Tachycardia Syndrome. Blair P. Grubb, Circulation. 2008; 117: 2814-2817. Link Here
15. Postural Tachycardia Syndrome. NIH. Link Here
16. Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome Dysautonomia International Link Here
17. CDC – Mold: Basic Facts. Link Here
18. Gray M. Molds and mycotoxins: beyond allergies and asthma. Altern Ther Health Med. 2007;13(2):S146-52. PMID: 17405693
19. Bush RK, Portnoy JM, Saxon A, Terr AI, Wood RA. The medical effects of mold exposure. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2006;117(2):326-33. PMID: 16514772
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22. Saija Hyvönen, Jouni Lohi, Tamara Tuuminen, Moist and Mold Exposure is Associated With High Prevalence of Neurological Symptoms and MCS in a Finnish Hospital Workers Cohort, Safety and Health at Work, 2020. Link Here
23. Tuuminen T. The Roles of Autoimmunity and Biotoxicosis in Sick Building Syndrome as a "Starting Point" for Irreversible Dampness and Mold Hypersensitivity Syndrome. Antibodies (Basel). 2020 Jun 22;9(2):26. doi: 10.3390/antib9020026. PMID: 32580407
24. Tuuminen T, Jääskeläinen T, Vaali K, Polo O. Dampness and mold hypersensitivity syndrome and vaccination as risk factors for chronic fatigue syndrome. Autoimmun Rev. 2019 Jan;18(1):107-108. doi: 10.1016/j.autrev.2018.08.004. Epub 2018 Nov 5. PMID: 30408578
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26. Shoenfeld Y, Ryabkova VA, Scheibenbogen C, Brinth L, Martinez-Lavin M, Ikeda S, Heidecke H, Watad A, Bragazzi NL, Chapman J, Churilov LP, Amital H. Complex syndromes of chronic pain, fatigue and cognitive impairment linked to autoimmune dysautonomia and small fiber neuropathy. Clin Immunol. 2020 May;214:108384. doi: 10.1016/j.clim.2020.108384. Epub 2020 Mar 17. PMID: 32171889
27. Gray M. Molds and mycotoxins: beyond allergies and asthma. Altern Ther Health Med. 2007;13(2):S146-52. PMID: 17405693
28.  Bush RK, Portnoy JM, Saxon A, Terr AI, Wood RA. The medical effects of mold exposure. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2006;117(2):326-33. PMID: 16514772
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by Peter Saydak

Hair Loss, Mast Cells, and Histamine: What’s the Connection?

You are shedding hair everywhere you go. Your brush is full of hair after each time you use it. Your shower drains are clogged. You notice some hair thinning or a receding hairline. What’s going on, and what can you do about it? Nobody likes to lose their hair. It can be frustrating or even embarrassing. Yet, many people struggle with hair loss for a variety of reasons.

Genetics, age, hormones, stress, medications, health issues, and so many other reasons can cause hair loss. One of the least talked about factors behind hair loss are mast cell activation and histamine intolerance. Yet, addressing potential underlying mast cell issues and histamine intolerance can reduce hair loss, improve hair health, boost your health, and skyrocket your confidence.

In this article, I want to talk about how hair loss may be linked to mast cell issues and histamine intolerance. You will learn about hair loss, different types of hair loss, and their potential causes. You will learn what mast cell activation syndrome and histamine intolerance are. I will go over how mast cell activation and histamine intolerance may be causing your hair loss. You will understand why I don’t recommend antihistamines for mast cell or histamine-related hair loss. Finally, I will share my best natural strategies for hair loss, mast cell activation problems, and histamine intolerance. Let’s get into it.

What’s Normal Hair Loss

Hair loss or shedding hair is normal to a certain extent. If you lose 50 to 100 hairs a day, that’s considered normal. Most healthy people have about 100,000 hairs on average, making this hair loss not noticeable at all. Since new hair will replace the ones you shed, such normal hair loss will not lead to a visible difference (1).

When Hair Loss Becomes a Problem

Losing more than 50 to 100 hairs a day is not normal if it happens on an ongoing basis. Losing too much hair and your body not replacing the lost hair can lead to a receding hairline, bald patches, and other signs of hair loss. 

Hair loss is also known as alopecia. It is more common in men and older adults. However, it can occur at any age, in anyone, sometimes even children. Depending on the issue, it may be sudden and fast or more gradual. In some cases, it may be temporary. For example, hormonal fluctuation, stress, pregnancy, chemotherapy, and other medical treatments may cause temporary hair loss. In other cases, hair loss is permanent. For example, middle-aged and older men often experience hair loss that continues with age.

Signs and Symptoms of Hair Loss

If you have hair loss, you may experience the following symptoms:

• Receding hairlines
• Widening part on your hairline
• Bald patches that likely increase in size over time
• Loose hair
• Shedding too much hair when brushing your hair
• Losing hair in the shower and possibly clogging the drains
• Itching or redness if there is a specific underlying hair or skin condition
• Pain if there is a specific underlying hair or skin condition

Types of Hair Loss

There are a variety of different types of hair loss. Each type of hair has a specific reason.

Androgenic alopecia:

This type of hair loss affects about half of the population. It is a hereditary condition. It is responsible for both male pattern baldness and female pattern baldness. Most people don’t experience symptoms until middle age. However, children, teens, and young adults can experience the condition as well (2).

Alopecia aerate:

This type of hair loss is an autoimmune disease that causes hair loss. It is characterized by bald patches on your head and loss of the eyelashes, eyebrows, or hair in other areas (3).

Telogen effluvium:

This type of hair loss is usually the result of a traumatic event, extreme stress, emotional shock, physical shock, or serious illness. It may also develop due to hormonal shifts, such as menopause, pregnancy, or giving birth. It may happen because of endocrine issues, malnutrition, and certain medications (4).

Anagen effluvium:

This type of hair loss happens because of chemotherapy, radiation, and other medical treatments. It is a rapid hair loss that’s temporary. The hair tends to regrow after the treatment is over (5).

Traction alopecia:

This type of hair loss can develop due to physical tension and pressure on the hair and head, such as pressure from braids or tight ponytails (6).

Tinea capitis:

This type of hair loss develops because of a ringworm that leads to small and itchy bald patches. If it’s addressed with an antifungal treatment, it is temporary and short-term (7).

Other types of hair loss:

Other issues may also cause hair loss, including lupus and lichen planus (8, 9). Mast cell activation issues and histamine intolerance may also trigger or increase hair loss. In the next sections in this article, I will discuss the potential connection between hair loss, mast cell issues, and histamine.

Hair Loss, Mast Cells, and Histamine 

Mast cell activation issues and histamine intolerance may trigger or increase hair loss. Before I get into this connection, I want to go over what are your mast cells, what histamine is, why you need them, and potential problems.

What Is Mast Cell Activation Syndrome

Your mast cells are essential for your immune and overall health. They are white blood cells that store histamine and other inflammatory mediators. They are located in your digestive tract, respiratory tract, urinary tract, skin, and blood. 

When your body is attacked by an allergen, toxin, or other triggers, it will lead to mast cell activations. Your mast cells will cause an allergic response and release histamine along with other chemicals. This protective mechanism is essential for your immune health.

However, if your mast cells become dysregulated or overactive, it can turn into a serious issue. Mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) means that your mast cells release too much histamine and other chemicals. This can lead to a variety of symptoms and affect your entire body. You may develop MCAS due to a variety of triggers, including mold, chemicals, toxins, heavy metals, allergens, medications, infections, viruses, food, and alcohol. 

Symptoms of MCAS may include the following:

• Rashes
• Hives
• Itching
• Heart palpitations
• Low blood pressure
• Headaches
• Chest pain
• Weight changes, including rapid weight loss or weight gain
• Digestive trouble, including diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting
• Loss of appetite or low appetite
• Anxiety
• Fatigue
• Vision changes
• Weakness
• Dizziness

As you will learn later, MCAS may also lead to hair loss.

What Is Histamine Intolerance

Histamine gets a bad rap because of antihistamine medications. The  ‘anti’ part of antihistamine, may make you believe that histamine is bad. It’s the opposite. Histamine is absolutely necessary for your health.

It is a chemical that supports your body in getting rid of allergens. It also supports your digestion by releasing hydrochloric acid to break down food and your brain health by serving as a chemical messenger. Too much of a good thing is rarely good, though.

If your body is releasing too much histamine and your body is unable to keep up and break down all the excess histamine, it will lead to histamine buildup. Histamine intolerance means that there is too much histamine in your body. 

Under normal circumstances, your body sends enzymes to break down excess histamine and prevent build-up. If you have too much histamine or you don’t have enough of these enzymes, it won’t be able to break everything down, which can lead to histamine intolerance. Histamine intolerance can affect your entire body and lead to widespread symptoms.

Symptoms of histamine intolerance include the following:

• Itchy skin, eyes, ears, and nose
• Eczema or other types of dermatitis
• Hives
• Red eyes
• Facial swelling
• Crawling sensation on the skin or the scalp
• Tightness in the throat
• Difficulty regulating body temperature
• Sudden drop in blood pressure when standing up
• Low blood pressure
• Fast heart rate
• Heart palpitations
• Dizziness or vertigo
• Difficulty falling asleep or sleep issues
• Fatigue
• Confusion
• Brain fog
• Irritability
• Anxiety or panic attacks
• Congestion or runny nose
• Seasonal allergies 
• Asthma
• Migraines and headaches
• Hair loss
• Acid reflux
• Diarrhea
• Abnormal menstrual cycle
• Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)

Mast Cell Activation Syndrome vs Histamine Intolerance

I believe that MCAS is the primary cause of histamine intolerance, but it may not be the cause for everyone. But considering the similarities between the symptoms of MCAS and histamine intolerance, you may feel confused. 

Are these two conditions the same? No, they are not the same. Though symptoms of MCAS and histamine intolerance can be similar and are both caused by high levels of histamine, MCAS and histamine intolerance are not the same.

If your body has too much histamine and it can’t handle it, you may develop histamine intolerance. This usually happens due to a high-histamine diet. However, stress, poor sleep, environmental toxins, certain medications, and other factors may add to your histamine bucket as well. If your body has trouble breaking down the extra histamine, it will lead to histamine build-up and histamine intolerance. 

While histamine intolerance simply means you have too much histamine in your body, you develop MCAS if your mast cells get triggered all the time. If you have MCAS, your mast cells get triggered by mold, allergens, or other triggers, they will release histamine and other chemicals into your body. Increased histamine release from mast cell activation can lead to too much histamine in your body. This can lead to a wide range of symptoms that are very similar to the symptoms of histamine intolerance. 

As I mentioned before, MCAS is one of the primary causes of histamine intolerance. However, it is not the cause for everyone. You can have histamine intolerance without MCAS. You can also have MCAS without histamine intolerance. But you may have both MCAS and histamine intolerance. I see patients who have both conditions regularly (1, 2, 3). 

If you have both conditions, your body will have increased difficulty breaking down the excess histamine. This can lead to widespread symptoms of MCAS and histamine intolerance. To figure out, whether you are dealing with symptoms of MCAS, histamine intolerance, or both. I recommend working with a functional medicine doctor who is well-versed in both conditions. (Tips: My team and I would love to help you with your diagnosis and treatment. Schedule your consultation here.)

To learn more about MCAS and histamine intolerance, I recommend reading my book, The 4-Phase Histamine Reset Plan: Getting to the Root of Migraines, Eczema, Vertigo, Allergies and More. 

The Link Between Hair Loss, Mast Cell Activation, and Histamine

Your mast cells and mast cell activation issues may play a role in hair loss in a variety of different ways.

Male and Female Pattern Hair Loss Due to Inflammation

According to a 2010 review published in the Journal of Inflammatory Research, inflammation may be an underlying factor behind the male pattern and female pattern hair loss (11). Furthermore, according to the review, high levels of inflammation and mast cell infiltration have been found in about one-third of tissue samples in male pattern hair loss. 

According to one of the studies, perifollicular inflammation may be present in almost three-fourths of all male pattern and female pattern hair loss samples. Based on these results, researchers believe that addressing underlying inflammation and mast cell activation may help to reduce male pattern and female pattern hair loss.

Autoimmune Hair Loss due to Stress and Immune Dysfunction

According to a 2018 review published in Skin Appendage Disorders, immune dysfunction and high stress, can increase the risk of autoimmune hair loss issues, such as lichen planopilaris and alopecia areata (12). Immune dysfunction and immune-mediated inflammation can increase mast cell degranulation, perifollicular inflammation, pro-inflammatory cytokine release, and related hair loss. 

Stress itself may lead to temporary hair loss. However, researchers found that chronic stress is often the trigger of mast cell degranulation and inflammation. This may lead to an autoimmune reaction and autoimmune hair loss.

Hair Loss Due to Mast Cell Degranulation

According to a 2017 study published in the International Journal of Trichology, mast cell degranulation may increase the risk of telogen effluvium (13). In this study, researchers compared the scalp biopsies of patients with various different hair loss. They found higher levels of mast cells in telogen effluvium than in other types of hair loss they examined. 

Other studies, including a 2014 study published in PLoS One and a 2003 study published in the Journal of Cutaneous Pathology, have found increased mast cell degranulation and inflammation in alopecia areata and scarring alopecia as well (14, 15). According to a 2020 review published in the Journal of Biomedical Science, mast cell activation may also increase androgenic alopecia, cicatricial alopecia, and other hair loss disorders (16).

Hair Loss and Skin Microbiome

According to a 2019 study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, your skin microbiome may also play a role in mast cell-related hair loss (17). The study found that the scalp microbiome may activate toll-like receptors and trigger progenitor cells from a type of skin cell called keratinocytes to become mast cells. 

They also noticed a change and an increase in mast cell behavior, immune inhibition, and increased inflammation. They found that in alopecia areata, a change in the skin microbiome of the scalp can interfere with immune cells, leading to hair loss. On the other hand, they found that in androgenic alopecia, the skin microbiome interferes with how mast cells behave, leading to symptoms and disease.

Hair Loss and Histamine Intolerance

A 2022 study published in Experimental Dermatology has linked high histamine levels to scalp inflammation and scalp or hair issues (18). A 2021 review published in Dermatology and Therapy has found that using antihistamines may help to reduce symptoms and improve hair growth in certain hair loss, such as androgenic alopecia (19). 

These results indicate that histamine intolerance can increase the risk of hair loss. This, however, doesn’t mean that antihistamines are the answer. In the next sections, I will discuss potential problems with antihistamines and what to do instead.

Hair Loss, Estrogen Dominance, and Histamine

Estrogen Dominance may also play a role in hair loss. According to a 2012 study published in PLoS One, estrogen can lead to hair cycle retardation (19). According to a 2012 study published in the British Journal of Dermatology, excess estrogen may increase hair loss due to an ESR2 gene variation (20).

Noting the potential role of estrogen dominance here is important because estrogen dominance and histamine intolerance are often linked. I’ve written about the histamine-estrogen connection in this article. Histamine, estrogen, and progesterone are closely linked in your body. They need to be in balance for ideal health and function.

Estrogen plays many roles in your body, including stimulating mast cells to make more histamine. By stimulating your mast cells, estrogen can increase the chances of a histamine response and histamine intolerance. Though men can also develop estrogen dominance and histamine intolerance, women are at a higher risk. This is not surprising since women tend to have more estrogen than men, which can increase the risk of histamine intolerance as well.

A 2012 study published in Frontiers in Immunology has found that estradiol, a form of estrogen, can affect mast cells and trigger asthma (21). According to a 2013 study published in Current Opinions in Allergy and Clinical Immunology, estrogen may increase the risk of histamine-triggered allergies and asthma (22).

If your estrogen levels are normal and you are leading a healthy lifestyle, keeping your histamine levels at bay should not be an issue. However, if you are dealing with estrogen dominance and/or histamine intolerance, this can turn into a vicious cycle.

Estrogen will trigger your mast cells to release histamine. Increased histamine levels will lead to higher estrogen levels. As a response, all that excess estrogen will prompt your mast cells to create even more histamine, which will lead to even more estrogen in your body. As this cycle continues, it will lead to more and more symptoms of histamine intolerance and estrogen dominance. The connection between estrogen dominance and histamine intolerance may explain increased hair loss.

What About Antihistamine for Hair Loss?

As I mentioned, according to a 2021 review published in Dermatology and Therapy,  that using antihistamines may help to reduce symptoms and improve hair growth in certain hair loss, such as androgenic alopecia (23). According to a 2021 study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Nutrition, antihistamines, corticosteroids, and cryotherapy combined may be effective for hair loss (24). According to a 2021 study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Nutrition has a 2018 review published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology Symposium Proceedings, antihistamines may help to reduce hair loss by targeting mast cell-related histamine release (25). 

However, using antihistamines may not be a smart idea. Antihistamines are simply a bandaid that may offer a temporary solution but may also lead to further issues down the line. Antihistamines can interfere with your body’s ability to create enzymes that break down histamine. They may decrease your body’s ability to handle histamine and histamine intolerance by itself. 

Moreover, like many medications, antihistamines can cause uncomfortable side effects. Supporting your body’s ability to decrease mast cell activation and lower histamine intolerance naturally is a much better and safer idea. In the next section, I will share how to support your body in reducing mast cell activation and histamine intolerance through diet, supplementation, and lifestyle. This way, you may reduce hair loss naturally.

Natural Strategies for Hair Loss, Mast Cell Activation, and Histamine Intolerance

Reducing histamine intolerance and addressing mast cell activation issues may help to reduce hair loss and improve your hair health. Here is what I recommend:

Eat an Anti-Inflammatory & Low-Histamine Diet

I recommend following a low-histamine, anti-inflammatory, nutrient-dense, whole foods diet. Remove inflammatory foods, including refined sugar, refined oils, canned and processed meat, artificial ingredients, junk food, and highly processed foods. Remove high-histamine foods. Follow a nutrient-dense, anti-inflammatory, and low-histamine diet rich in greens, vegetables, herbs, spices, fruits, healthy fats, and organic meat. Try new recipes. I recommend all the low-histamine recipes in The 4-Phase Histamine Reset Plan: Getting to the Root of Migraines, Eczema, Vertigo, Allergies and More and my recipe books, Fifty One Low Histamine Air Fryer Recipes and Low Histamine Cooking in Your Instant Pot.

Remove Certain Histamine-Increasing Foods

I recommend certain foods from your diet that can increase your histamine load. High-histamine foods that you should avoid include age cheese (e.g., goat cheese), citrus fruits, canned and cured meat (e.g., pepperoni, salami, bacon, lunch meat, hot dogs, and canned meat), dried fruits (e.g. apricots, dates, raisins, figs, and prunes), fermented foods (e.g., kefir, sauerkraut, soy sauce, and vinegar), fermented alcohol (e.g., beer, wine, and champagne), legumes (e.g., beans, lentils, soy, and peanut), certain nuts (e.g., cashew and walnuts), soured foods (e.g., buttermilk, sour milk, sour cream), smoked fish and certain types of fish (e.g., mackerel, mahi-mahi, anchovies, sardines, tuna, and fish sauce), certain vegetables (e.g., avocados, tomatoes, eggplant, and spinach), vinegar-containing foods (e.g., pickles and olives), and all overly processed foods because of the high histamine load from preservatives. 

Avoid histamine-liberating foods that are low in histamine but trigger histamine release in your body, including alcohol, nuts, bananas, papaya, pineapple, strawberries, tomatoes, chocolates, wheat germ, cow’s milk, shellfish, and many artificial preservatives and dyes.  Avoid DAO enzyme-blocking foods and drinks, such as alcohol, black tea, green tea, mate tea, and energy drinks.

Try Some Mast Cell-Stabilizing and Histamine-Reducing Foods and Supplements

I recommend adding some specific foods to your diet to reduce histamine and stabilize your mast cells. Quercetin helps to reduce histamine. Add quercetin-rich foods to your diet, such as grapes, apples, cranberries, black plums, cherries, black currants, chokeberries, blueberries, olive oil, cruciferous vegetables, kale, romaine lettuce, chicory greens, red leaf lettuce, cabbage, sprouts, asparagus, snap peas, peppers, and red onion. Furthermore, you may also try a quercetin supplement.

You may try some foods that help to stabilize your mast cells, including onion, peaches, nettle, apples, chamomile, moringa, watercress, Thai ginger, and fiber-rich foods. You may also try a DAO enzyme supplement to support histamine breakdown and HistoRelief. HistoRelief is a synergistic blend of nutrients that provides natural support to balance your immune response. This blend features Tinofend®, a patented and clinically researched extract derived from the plant Tinospora cordifolia, which has a powerful ability to support immune regulation and immune response. As a result, it boosts your body’s ability to fight interstitial cystitis symptoms. It includes quercetin, nettle leaf, vitamin C, and bicarbonate salt to help inhibit histamine release, support normal histamine metabolism, and improve immune health.

Move Your Body

A lack of movement can also increase the risk of histamine intolerance. Moving your body is a great way to reduce stress, improve detoxification, boost your mood, and support your overall health. Stay active throughout the day by dancing to your favorite songs, taking a stroll in the park, stretching regularly, and playing with your kids or pets. Exercise at least 20 to 30 minutes five days a week and move your body regularly. I recommend getting 10 to 15K steps in a day if you can. Add resistance and strength training to your routine. 

Reduce Stress and Improve Sleep

Stress and poor sleep are major contributing factors to histamine intolerance and can trigger MCAS as well. Stress may also contribute to hair loss, telogen effluvium specifically. To reduce stress and improve sleep, I recommend practicing breathwork, meditation, positive affirmation, journaling, yoga, grounding, and time in nature for stress and anxiety reduction. Taking an Epsom salt bath is another great way to relax your muscles, calm your mind, and detoxify your body. Make sure to sleep at least 7 to 9 hours a night.

Improve Your Gut Health

Your gut health affects your entire body. Poor gut flora can increase your risk of histamine intolerance and related health issues, including hair loss. Poor gut health can also increase hormonal imbalance and estrogen dominance-related hair loss. Along with a gut-friendly anti-inflammatory diet, I recommend that you take a high-quality probiotics supplement to support your gut microbiome balance.

Remove Toxins

Toxin overload can increase chronic inflammation, mast cell activation, histamine release, and histamine intolerance. I recommend reducing your toxin load. Drink purified water to avoid toxins from your tap water. Use a high-quality air filtration system for better indoor air. Reduce the use of plastic and avoid BPA completely. Choose glass, bamboo, wood, organic cotton, silicon, and other natural alternatives instead of plastic. Avoid conventional cleaning, hygiene, body, and beauty products as they are loaded with chemicals. Choose natural, organic, and homemade options instead. Avoid overly processed food products that can contain artificial ingredients.

Remove Xenoestrogens

Xenoestrogens are artificial hormone-mimicking compounds that mimic the effects of estrogen and contribute to estrogen excess or prevent the beneficial effects of natural estrogen in your body. Xenoestrogens can increase estrogen dominance and related issues, including histamine intolerance and related hair loss. I recommend that you remove xenoestrogen-containing products, including conventional cleaning, body, and beauty products, and choose natural and organic alternatives.

Try Some Topicals and Supplements for Hair Health and Hair Loss

There are a number of topicals and supplements you may try to reduce hair loss and improve hair and scalp health. Research, including a 2021 study published in Scientific Reports and a 2015 study published in Skinmed, has shown that massaging coconut oil or geranium on your scalp may help to improve hair growth, hair health, scalp health, and scalp microbiome health (26, 27). A 2012 study published in The Journal of Dermatology has found that using onion juice may support circulation in the scalp and boost hair growth (28). According to a 2017 study published in BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, geranium oil may also be great against hair loss (29).

According to a 2012 study published in the Journal of Clinical Aesthetic Dermatology, biotin supplementation may help to reduce hair loss (30). A 2021 review published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology has found that vitamin D may also help to reduce hair loss (31). According to a 2015 study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, supplementing with antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids for 6 months may decrease hair loss in women (32).

 A 2009 study published in the Annals of Dermatology has found that zinc supplementation may be helpful for hair loss (33). According to a 2015 study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food, red ginseng extract may also improve hair growth and hair health (34). 

According to a 2019 review published in Dermatology and Therapy, deficiencies in vitamin B, C, D, and E, iron, zinc, and selenium may all increase the risk of hair loss (35). Thus it may be a good idea to check for deficiencies in any of these vitamins and minerals and adjust your diet and supplementation protocol accordingly.

Final Thoughts

Hair loss is a fairly common problem, especially in older people and men. However, hair loss can occur at any age due to a variety of issues, including stress, hormonal changes, medications, and health issues. Mast cell issues and histamine intolerance can both play a role in hair loss. If you are dealing with hair loss, I recommend looking into potential underlying mast cells and histamine-related issues.

If you are dealing with symptoms of MCAS or histamine intolerance, I invite you to schedule a consultation with us. We can help identify the root cause of your condition and recommend a personalized treatment plan to repair your body and regain your health and well-being. Schedule your consultation here. You can also get started on your own with my Histamine Online Program.

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by Peter Saydak