Overcoming Histamine Sensitivity: Quick Relief through Diet Changes
Many women experience persistent symptoms like bloat, nausea, headaches, and fatigue, often linked to histamine sensitivity—a condition associated with a deficiency in the enzyme diamine oxidase (DAO). Research suggests that more than 70% of histamine sensitivity cases can be attributed to DAO deficits.
Histamine, a chemical produced by the immune system in response to allergens, triggers inflammation. When histamine accumulates in the body, symptoms such as fatigue, anxiety, and allergy-like reactions can occur. For many women with histamine intolerance, a shortage of DAO, responsible for breaking down excess histamine in the gut, is the root cause.
Genetic differences, digestive disorders, and medications are factors contributing to DAO deficits. Up to 75% of women with histamine intolerance have genetic variations linked to DAO deficiency. Digestive disorders, such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, can damage enterocytes, reducing DAO levels. Additionally, certain medications, including NSAIDs, antibiotics, antidepressants, and acid suppressors, can inhibit DAO activity.
Recognizing histamine intolerance involves assessing symptoms like fatigue, anxiety, abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, headache, dizziness, nasal congestion, and skin rashes. While blood tests can measure histamine and DAO activity, symptoms often provide valuable clues.
To combat histamine sensitivity, consider dietary and lifestyle changes:
- Supplements: Taking a DAO supplement, such as Histazyme, 15 minutes before meals can be beneficial. Wild-caught salmon and olive oil, rich in fatty acids, can also boost DAO levels.
- Avoid Histamine-Boosting Foods: Eliminate red wine, aged meat and cheeses, tomatoes, and MSG from your diet for six weeks. Gradually reintroduce these foods to identify triggers.
- ‘Apple Supplement’: Quercetin, found in apples and onions, acts as a powerful antihistamine. Taking 2 capsules (250-300 mg each) daily, along with 500 mg of vitamin C three times a day, can provide relief.
This comprehensive approach, focusing on DAO supplementation, dietary adjustments, and natural antihistamines, offers a practical and holistic solution for women struggling with histamine sensitivity. The quick relief experienced by one woman serves as a testament to the effectiveness of these strategies in restoring health and vitality.
Re-reported from the article originally published in The firstforwomen
