Your genetic make-up is what makes you unique. This doesn’t mean, however, that all your genes are perfect. Genetic mutations and variations may occur. MTHFR gene mutation is one of the more common issues that people may experience. While MTHFR mutations may increase your symptoms of histamine intolerance and related symptoms, you shouldn’t be worried if you have MTHFR issues. Through natural dietary and lifestyle strategies, you can support your body and regain your health even with MTHFR mutation.
In this article, I will discuss what genes and enzymes are involved in histamine regulation. You will learn what MTHFR is and everything you need to know about MTHFR mutation. You will understand the connection between MTHFR mutation and histamine intolerance. I will explain how to get tested for MTHFR mutation. I will also offer some natural solutions for MTHFR issues and histamine intolerance.
Genes and Enzymes Involved in Histamine Regulation
Before I jump into talking about MTHFR and its connection to histamine intolerance, I first want you to understand the genes and enzymes that are involved in histamine regulation.
- MTHFR: Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene is necessary to make the MTHFR enzyme. This enzyme is necessary to convert homocysteine into methionine and plays a critical role in methylation and detoxification as well. You will learn more about MTHFR later in this article.
- HNMT: HNMT is a gene that is needed to process, regulate, and break down histamine.
- SAMe: S-Adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe) is a cofactor of HNMT. It helps the formation, activation, and breakdown of a variety of hormones, proteins, and drugs in your body. Supplementing with SAMe is often beneficial for those with anxiety, depression, PMS, premenstrual dysphoria disorder, and fibromyalgia when their body is unable to naturally produce SAMe.
- MAO: Monoamine oxidase (MAO) is an enzyme that helps the breakdown of histamine.
- DAO: Diamine oxidase (DAO) is an enzyme that is critical for the breakdown of histamine.
What Is MTHFR?
MTHFR is an enzyme that is the catalyst of various critical biochemical reactions that occur in your body. It is responsible for methylation, which is the process of converting vitamin B9 (folate) into methyl-folate. Methylation is important for your body for repairing damaged cells, processing hormones, detoxification, optimizing DNA cell function, regulating neurotransmitters, and metabolizing B vitamins. Clearly, MTHFR and methylation are absolutely critical for all areas of your health, including hormonal health, mental health, behavior, and sleep.
Converting homocysteine into methionine is one of the most important functions of methylation. Methionine is important for detoxification, repairing cells, building protein, processing fats, and supporting your body’s healthy inflammatory response. Methionine also produces a potent detoxifier, glutathione. Your liver breaks down methionine into SAMe, and anti-inflammatory superhero that helps to break down neurotransmitters and repair cellular damage (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7).
What Is MTHFR Mutation?
Your MTHFR gene is one of the 20 to 25,000 genes you have in your body. It is responsible for the production of the MTHFR enzyme.
As with any gene, genetic mutations or variations may occur. In fact, MTHFR mutations are incredibly common affecting about half of the population. They often lead to methylation issues and a variety of health issues, including histamine intolerance, allergies, hormonal issues, food and chemical sensitivities, anxiety, depression, sleep issues, and more. MTHFR genetic mutations are referred to as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). One SNP represents one single DNA building block difference. SNPs are fantastic biomarkers that can help us identify the genes that are associated with your symptoms and disease. The more MTHFR SNP mutations you have, the less effective your MTHFR enzymes will be resulting in decreased methylations and more health issues (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7).
So how is this all related to histamine intolerance? Great question. Let’s learn more about genetic links to histamine intolerance.
MTHFR: Genetic Links to Histamine Intolerance
If you remember from earlier, HNMT is a gene that is absolutely critical for histamine processing. It also requires SAMe as a cofactor to do its job. However, SAMe requires a functioning MTHFR enzyme in order to be produced. Now you can understand that if your body is dealing with MTHFR genetic mutation, it will lead to lower MTHFR function and disrupt the HNMT’s work. This can slow the removal of histamine from your body leading to an array of symptoms associated with histamine intolerance, including anxiety, skin problems, digestive troubles, headaches, migraines, fatigue, and an abnormal menstrual cycle.
Moreover, MTHFR gene mutation also interferes with methylation. Methylation is critical for detoxification. Methylation problems may lead to your body’s inability to effectively remove toxins creating a build-up of histamine, which increases histamine intolerance and symptoms. Furthermore, mutations may occur in DAO, MAO, and HNMT as well, which can further interfere with removing histamine from your body and further increasing histamine intolerance and symptoms (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7).
Testing for MTHFR Mutations
Your healthcare provider may be able to order an MTHFR blood test for you. However, these tests are usually not covered by insurance, can cost up to a thousand dollars, and are also less definitive and less comprehensive than cheaper alternatives.
As of right now, 23andMe test is the standard test for genetic mutations using SNP testing. While your results do not include all the genetic SNPs listed earlier, you can enter your results into a third-party company for a throughout the genetic report to determine that you have MTHFR or other genetic mutations. Be vary of the list of supplements these companies may try to sell you. Having a genetic SNP does not necessarily mean that you have a health condition. I prefer StrateGene genetic analysis from Dr. Ben Lynch for accurate results you can trust. I recommend that you go over your results with a functional health practitioner, like myself for treatment and supplementation protocol as needed.
Solutions for MTHFR Mutations and Histamine Intolerance
If you have an MTHFR mutation and histamine intolerance, don’t worry. There are natural solutions you can try to start feeling better and live a healthy life free from symptoms.
Focus on Natural Folate
MTHFR mutations interfere with your body’s ability to methylate and convert B vitamins. I recommend that you consume natural folate and stay away from folic acid. Dark leafy vegetables are a fantastic source of folate and are low in histamine. Asparagus, broccoli, and avocados (unfortunately high in histamine) are also great options. If you are taking B vitamins, make sure to always take pre-methylated forms.
Support Your Digestive Health Issues
Digestive health issues, including leaky gut and irritable bowel syndrome, can increase histamine intolerance and its symptoms. Supporting your gut with healthy nutrition and probiotics is critical. To learn more about leaky gut syndrome and how to support your gut health, read this article.
Manage Stress
Chronic stress can increase mast cell activation and histamine intolerance and histamine-related symptoms. 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.
Improve Sleep
Inadequate and poor sleep may rigger histamine and histamine-related issues. 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.
Support Detoxification
Reduce your toxic load and support detoxification. 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. Support your detoxification pathways through hydration, exercise, infrared sauna, dry-brushing, and eating lots of low-histamine vegetables.
Follow an Anti-Inflammatory and Low-Histamine Diet
Following an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant-rich, and nutrient-dense diet is important for your health. Reducing inflammation itself may help to reduce symptoms. Reducing histamine may help to decrease histamine-related symptoms.
Remove inflammatory foods, including refined sugar, refined oils, canned and processed meat, artificial ingredients, junk food, and highly processed foods. Avoid high-histamine foods, such as fermented food (e.g., sauerkraut, kimchi, fermented vegetables, kombucha, etc.), aged food (e.g., aged cheese, processed meat, canned fish, etc.), over-ripe fruits and vegetables, leftovers, and foods that are naturally high in histamine (e.g., avocadoes, eggplant, spinach, dried fruits, etc.). Avoid foods that may trigger histamine releases, such as tomatoes, most citrus, bananas, most nuts, and dairy. Avoid foods that may block the DAO enzyme, including black tea, green tea, alcohol, and energy drinks.
Eat 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 as 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.
If you are new to a low-histamine diet, remember to have fun experimenting with new foods and recipes. I promise low-histamine meals can be delicious. 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. Not to mention how delicious they are — your family will love them too.
Support Your Liver and Hormone Levels
Your liver is a major detoxifying organ that’s critical for your recovery from histamine intolerance. I recommend Optimal Reset Liver Love, a powerful blend of botanical and mushroom extracts and N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine (NAC) for optimal liver function, detoxification, hormonal health, and brain function (8).
Reduce Histamine Intolerance with Supplementation
I recommend HistoRelief. It 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 histamine-related symptoms. It includes quercetin, nettle leaf, vitamin C, and bicarbonate salt to help inhibit histamine release, support normal histamine metabolism, and improve immune health (9).
Final Thoughts
MTHFR is a very common genetic mutation. While it may increase your risk of histamine intolerance and related symptoms, you can support your body with the help of natural dietary and lifestyle strategies. Follow my tips to support your body, regain your health, and live a happy life with MTHFR mutation.
If you are dealing with symptoms of histamine intolerance and related symptoms, 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. I also recommend that you check out my Histamine Online Program.
