6 Steps To Naturally Treat Histamine Intolerance

aliml

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Joined
Apr 17, 2017
Messages
692

Debunking Histamine Intolerance​

Histamine intolerance comes from an imbalance of consumed/produced histamine and ability to break it down. R
In this post, we will discuss the underlying pathology of the newly demonized phenomenon called histamine intolerance: mast cells, dysbiosis, food poisoning, histamine metabolism/liberators and hormone dysregulation.

Is Histamine Intolerance Real?​

When we look at components to the body, it’s easy to villify a single "evil" culprit as the problem to a disease.
For example, for the longest time the sugar industry had a majority of Americans (even top doctors at the American Heart Association) convinced that fat consumption itself caused heart disease and obesity. R
We now know that is false, as coronary artery disease (COD) comes from multiple inflammatory factors and obesity is a byproduct of an inflammatory reaction of adipose tissue. R
The takeaway is that there is no single culprit in either of those situations and that's why it is important to look at these diseases from multiple angles.
Histamine has been vilified, but it is naturally produced in the body and is very important for blood vasodilation, immune response, neurotransmitter production, circadian rhythms, etc. R
Histamine intolerance is a phenomenon after an epigenetic switch from:
  • Drug-induced histamine receptor (hetero/auto) dysfunction (i.e. chronic histamine liberator/blocker use)
  • Genetics variations in abilities to handle amines (i.e. MAO, DAO, HNMT, VDR)
  • Improper conversion and utilization of biogenic amines and/or lectin sensitivy (i.e. BH4, TH)
  • Infectious/allergic nature (e.g. haptens, dysbiosis, biotoxins, broken NRF2, overactive mast cells, lectins)
After this switch becomes turned on/up, most people have trouble turning it back off/down.
In this post, we will discuss scientific ways to improve and fix this histaminergic phenomenon.

Symptoms Of Histamine Overproduction​

Most people with histamine intolerance will appear to have allergic reactions to everything, especially foods high in histamine.
Allergic-like symptoms from histamine can vary and may include: (not exclusive list)
  • Anxiety
  • Coughing
  • Diarrhea
  • Headaches
  • Insomnia
  • Itchiness (of eyes, skin, throat)
  • Migraines
  • Nausea
  • Runny nose
  • Sneezing
  • Vertigo
  • Vomiting
Histamine plays a role in: (not exclusive list)
  • Allergic reactions (and food allergies) R R
  • Anapylaxis R
  • Arthritis (in psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis) R
  • Cancer Progression R
  • Gastric secretion and appetite R
  • Inflammatory conditions R
  • Learning and memory R R
  • Mastocytosis R
  • Mast cell activation disorder (MCAD)
  • Motor system R R
  • Muscle contraction R
  • Neurological Disorders R
  • Regulating the sleep-wake cycle R R
  • Skin Disorders (like psoriasis, eczema, vitiligo, etc) R R R

Dysbiosis And SIBO​

Dysbiosis, or an imbalance of the gut bacteria, can cause problems with histamine. R
Inflammasomes are sensors that regulate the gut.
When their message gets scrambled or their communication gets damaged, bacterial overgrowth can happen.
One example of communication scrambling is with inflammation, and it hijacks the communication of the bacteria, SIgA, and mast cells (more on mast cells can seen in next section). R R R
If there is an overgrowth of histamine producing bacteria, it may cause excitation in the gut, stimulating mast cells causing further dysregulation.
This is a double edged sword, as histamine is extremely important to keep gastric motility and prevent diseases like Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO). R

Mast Cells And Cellular Stress​

Mast cells are located all over the body and release all sorts of molecules including histamine. R
When mast cells go haywire they can create a variety of effects ranging from inducing inducing/fighting cancer to making one allergic to pretty much everything. R
Stress (corticotropin-releasing hormone or CRH) can cause mast cells to degranulate producing excess histamine. R
CRH along with IL-6, IL-8 and other inflammatory cytokines can increase blood brain barrier's (BBB) permeability. R
Lectins (like ConA) can activate mast cells, since they make the gut leakier (easily getting into the blood stream) and exacerbate histamine intolerance, give you an IgE-like response, and activate mast cells via toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). R R R R R
Leptin and leptin receptors are found in human mast cells (in skin lungs, gut, urogenital tract).
Leptin, which makes you feel full after eating, can be inflammatory by possibly activating mast cells. R R R R
Ghrelin, which makes you feel hungry, can also activate mast cells. R
Nerve growth factor (NGF) can activate of mast cells. R
NGF stimulates histamine release and sensitizes transient receptor potential V1 (TrpV1), which may cause histamine-induced itching. R
Estrogen stimulates mast cells to make more histamine. R
Substance P induces release of histamine via binding to NKR on mast cells. R
VIP, neurotensin and secretin also stimulate histamine release. R
Somatostatin stimulates histamine release from human mast cells. R
Mercury and some heavy metals can cause mast cells to degranulate and release histamine. R
Some wavelengths have shown to also induce histamine levels (405nm and 633nm), which attributes to blue light, sunlight, and LLLT. R
Cellular stress can also activate antioxidant response elements (AREs) and heat shock proteins (HSPs).
When HSPs are activated, they normally block the allergic response of mast cells (increasing HSP70), but if HSPs are broken (as seen in people with chronic infections), HSP increase the activation mast cells and histamine receptors (increasing HSP90). R R

Food Poisoning​

Histamine fish poisoning is caused by histamine-producing bacteria as well as other natural dietary toxins. R
For example, when you eat fish, it usually takes a couple hours or days before it reaches your plate and you eat it. R
This allows enough time for bacteria to grow and produce histamine, while degrading the meat producing extra histidine. R

Diamine oxidase (DAO) and histamine n-methyltransferase (HNMT) are two enzymes that breakdown histamine. R

DAO is dependent on P5P and HNMT is dependent on SAM-e to break down histamine. R
Histamine is usually excreted via urine and metabolites (such as n-methylhistamine). R
In the brain, histamine is highly dependent on MAO-B. R

Histamine-Releasing Factor​

Histamine-releasing factor (HRF), or B cell growth factor, can stimulate histamine release and IL-4 and IL-13 production from IgE-sensitized basophils and mast cells. R
IL-4 acts on a positive feedback loop causing more release of IL-4 by TH2 cells. R
This makes the body shift towards a TH2 dominant immune system. R
HRF can also stimulate secretion of IL-8 (similar to CRH). R

Biomarkers And Tests​

N-methylhistamine (urine) is the most prominent marker that will tell you if you have problems with histamine metabolism and very necessary to get to determine if your problem is histamine related or not. R

Common Biomarkers Of Histamine Intolerance:​

  • Alpha-MSH (this is necessary to make sure it's histamine and not overactive a-MSH levels, since MSH can cause flushing similar to histamine) R
  • Complement C4a R
  • DAO (in blood) R
  • Estrogen
  • IL-6 R
  • IL-8 (this chemokine causes release of histamine attracting neutrophils) R R
  • Leptin R
  • Neurotensin R
  • N-Methylhistamine R
  • Progesterone
  • Tryptase R
  • TGF-b1 R

Protocol To Treat High Histamine​

1. Eat a Low Histamine Diet​

Avoid all these:
  • Additives (in general may cause mast cell response) R
  • Alcohol R
  • Casein R
  • Carnosine R
  • Cheese R
  • Chocolate R
  • Citrus R
  • Coffee R
  • Cimetidine R
  • Dietary Haptens
  • Fermented foods (lactic acid producing bacteria produce biogenic amines) R R
  • Fish, Shellfish, and other seafood (crustaceans too, fish oil capsules are fine) R
  • Imidazoles - such as caffeine (promoting glutamate release in hypothalamus), nicotine, and theobromine R R
  • Gluten R
  • Lectins R R R R
  • Leftover Meats (including long-cooking, cured, crockpot cooking, bone broth, collagen, etc) R
  • Legumes R
  • Licorice R
  • Nightshades (like tomatoes, potatoes, etc) R
  • Nuts R
  • Papaya R
  • Peanuts R
  • Pineapple R
  • Red Wine Vinegar R
  • Sausage R
  • Soy R
  • Spices R
  • Spinach R
  • Strawberries R
  • Turmeric (curcumin) R
  • Yeast R
Essentially, eat very fresh and lower inflammatory foods.
Cooking/browning food with sugar (via Maillard reaction) may help reduce histamine on meats and fish. R R

2. Increase Enzymes to Break Down Histamine​

DAO is the main enzyme that helps break down histamine in the gut and blood. R
Increase DAO:
  • Chronic high doses of Vitamin C (liposomal/IV maybe? - if you have h. pylori, it will inhibit the absorption of vitamin C) R R
  • DAO Enzymes R
  • Heparin R
  • Progesterone (to balance estrogen if it is high)
  • P5P (but can also increase histidine decarboxylase) R
Inhibiting histidine decarboxylase (HDC) will help break down histamine faster, since it is the enzyme that converts histidine into histamine (from strongest to weakest):
Increasing MAO-B and HMNT is beneficial, but stay away from MAO inhibitors. R R
Also stay away from:
  • Curcumin
  • Estrogen (Histamine also increases estrogen, which causes a positive feedback loop to increase histamine from mast cells and decrease DAO production) R R
  • Metformin (blocks DAO production) R

3. Stabilize Mast Cells​

High corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) can degranulate mast cells, increasing histamine, even though coritsol inhibits histamine release. R R
So it's probably best to avoid stress.
Here are all the ways to stabilize mast cells, but I take Brain Gain.
Here the most common mast cell stabilizers that target histamine:

4. Lower Blood Histamine​

I take BH4 as it is very powerful for lowering histamine levels and I am homozygous for the a1298c MTHFR allele.
These will all lower blood histamine:
  • Armbroxol (not natural) R
  • BH4 (or Increase Nitric Oxide) R
  • Butyrate + DHA (Fish Oil) R
  • Cobalt and Emodin (by increasing erythropoietin, which can reduce histamine) R R R
  • Folate or Methyl-Folate
  • Polydatin (resveratrol precursor)- very strong and activates NRF2 R
  • Magnesium (MSM is weak) R R
  • SAM-e (if you are an undermethylator -> Tetrahydrafolate [THF] helps make purines to process histidine, SAM-e helps create THF) R
Also, be weary of neurotransmitters substance P and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), as they are potent histamine liberators. R
Some environmental toxins like cigarette smoke can make histamine levels even worse. R
Avoid drugs that increase histamine: (non-exclusive)
  • Modafanil R
  • NADH R

5. Fix Dysbiosis​

Check out here to effectively fix dysbiosis.
Remove any excess biofilms.
Remove SIBO by:
  1. Antibiotics (Xifaxan) or Natural Antibiotics (FC-Cidal + Dysbiocide + ADP)
    or
  2. Elemental diet
    or
  3. My Protocol (7-14 days)
In gram-positive bacteria, HDC activity is pyruvoyl-dependent, whereas in gram-negative bacteria and in animals, this is a P5P enzyme. R
Avoid histamine (and dysbiotic) producing bacteria:
  • Bacillus licheniformis A7 R
  • Bacillus coagulans SL5 R
  • Candida R
  • Citrobacter (koseri) R
  • Clostridium perfringens ATCC 13124 R
  • C. perfringens R
  • E. coli (certain types see below) R
  • Enterobacter R
  • Enterococcus faecalis CNRZ 238 R
  • H. pylori R
  • K. pneumoniae R
  • Lactobacillus 30a (ATCC 33222) (encoded by hdacA and hdcB) R
  • Lactobacillus buchneri ST2A R
  • Lactobacillus delbrueckii bulgaricus R
  • Lactobacillus casei (controversial) R
  • Lactobacillus hilgardii (IOEB 0006) R
  • Lactobacillus reuteri (may actually help long term, still doing research on this) R R R
  • Micrococcus sp. R
  • Morganella morganii R
  • Oenococcus oeni IOEB 9204 (formerly Leuconostoc oenos 9204) R
  • Proteus mirabilis R
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa R
  • Raoultella planticola R
  • Raoultella ornithinolytica R
  • Staphylococcus R
  • S. thermophilus PRI60 R
  • Tetragenococcus muriaticus JCM 10006 R
It is also a good idea to add histamine degrading probiotics:
Probiotics without an impact on histamine:
  • K. oxytoca R
  • Lactobacillus acidophilus R
  • Lactobacillus lactis R
  • Lactobacillus plantarum R
  • Lactobacillus sakei CRL1862 R
  • Lactobacillus plantarum Tensia R
  • Lactococcus lactis R
*Please post in the comments if you know better places to get these probiotics.*

6. Other​

  • Remediate house for pests and dust - bed bugs and dust can cause excess household histamine R
  • Decrease Nerve Growth Factor (NGF can activate mast cells) R R R
  • Decrease IL-6 R
  • Decrease IL-8 R
  • Decrease Ghrelin R
  • Control Leptin R R R
  • Avoid fluoride R
  • Avoid birth control and other things that increase estrogen (like sugar)
  • Avoid PPIs and NSAIDs R R
  • ACE inhibitors (such as Aloe, Grape Seed Extract, Bromelain) R R R

Problems With Anti-Histamines​

There are four different histamine receptors, named H1R through H4R. R
H1R is involved in the allergic response, smooth and endothelial muscle contraction, and neurotransmission. R R
H2R is expressed in many immune cells, parietal cells and nerve cells. It is mostly targeted for gastric, neurological, and cancer therapies. R R
H3R regulates histamine production in the central nervous system (CNS), regulating neurotransmitters. R R
H4R is regulates the immune system in blood and the CNS. R
Targeting histamine receptors with anti-histamine need to be specific for the right one - for example increasing antagonizing the 3rd Histamine Receptor (H3R) causes an increase of histamine in the brain, as H3R has auto/hetero-receptor properties.

Technical R

  • All four receptors belong to class A family of G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs).
  • H1R couples Gαq/11 proteins, leading to phospholipase C activation, production of inositol phosphate and calcium mobilization.
  • H1R is also expressed in nerve cells, vascular smooth and endothelial cells among others, and takes part in neurotransmission and cellular adhesion respectively.
  • H2R is expressed in many immune cell types, parietal cells and nerve cells.
  • H2R mediates its effects by coupling GαS proteins, stimulating adenylate cyclase and increasing intracellular cAMP levels.
  • H2R in regulates histamine synthesis and cytokine production in immune cells.
  • This prevents stem cells in the bone marrow from differentiating and can even induce stem cells to undergo apoptosis.
  • Due to its broad localization, antagonists of this receptor have been used for treating gastric and neurological disorders, as well as in antitumour therapy.
  • H3R, when located in the presynaptic membrane of histaminergic cells, regulates the production of Hia in the CNS.
  • H3R also regulates the release of many neurotransmitters, acting as a presynaptic heteroceptor.
  • H3R couples to Gαi/o proteins and inhibits cAMP accumulation.
  • It has been demonstrated that several active isoforms of this receptor exist in humans, although their function remain unknown.
  • H4R is expressed in certain immune cells of haematopoietic origin and in the CNS.
  • H4R couples to Gαi/o proteins and inhibits cAMP formation.
  • H4R has been recently targeted as a key component of the immune response as well as being responsible for the mobilization of immune cells.
  • Histamine's regulates both IL-6 production and mRNA expression in mice mast cells via H4R activation.
Ketotifen Fumarate is a H1 antagonist with little side effects. R

Genetics​

DAO​

D-amino acid oxidase is an enzyme that breaks down histamine into histadine. R
Mutations in this gene are associated with:
  • Ulcerative Colitis R
  • Schizophrenia R
  • Migraines R
  • Sensitivity to NSAIDs R
  • Schizophrenia R
  • Bipolar Disorder R
rs10156191 - Each T allele means you have reduced DAO activity. R
rs1049742 - Each T allele means you have reduced DAO activity. R
rs2052129 R
rs2268999 (reduced activity)
rs2071514 (protective)
rs1049748 (protective)
rs2071517 (protective)

HDC​

Histidine decarboxylase converts L-histidine to histamine (via P5P). R
HDC is expressed by mast cells and other immune cells, gastric enterochromaffin-like cells (ECLCs) and histaminergic neurons. R
Mutations in this gene are associated with:
  • Breast Cancer and Cancer Growth R R
  • Chronic Heart Failure R
  • Tourette Syndrome R
  • Bile Acid Secretion R
  • Atherosclerosis R
  • Scleroderma R
  • Rhinitis (TT allele of rs2073440)

HNMT​

Histamine N-methyltransferase regulates histamine methylation. R
SAM-e should help increase this gene as a methyl donor. R
Mutations in this gene are associated with:
  • Asthma R
  • Allergic Rhinitis R
  • Breast Cancer R
  • Bronchiolitis R
  • Pick's Disease R
  • Down Syndrome R
  • Intellectual disability R
  • Huntington's Disease R
  • Parkinson's disease R R
  • Better Outcome in Ischaemic Stroke R
  • Schizophrenia protection R
  • Myasthenia gravis R
  • Anxiety R
  • Aspirin intolerant chronic urticaria R
  • Alcoholism R
rs1050891 - AA will increase histamine and may worsen ADHD. R
rs758252808
rs17583889
rs1801105
rs11558538
rs745756308

Histamine Receptors​

HRH1
HRH2
HRH3
HRH4

Histamine Transporters​

SLC18A2/VMAT2
SLC22A3/EMT

MTHFR​

Being heterozygous or homozygous for either C677T and/or A1298c will predispose you to further histamine problems.
Each allele for both mutations adds the burden for detoxing excess histamine.

VDR​

The Vitamin D Receptor acts as a transcription factor and target for H1R (histamine 1 receptor). R

More Research​

  • For mackerel, at 0 degrees C, neither histamine former nor histamine production was detected up to 14 days of storage. R
  • Mast Cell Activation Symptomatology (Part 1 of 3) V
  • Histamine vs Tyramine producing bacteria in cheese. R
 

youngsinatra

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Dietary copper and methylated B’s - B2 (R5P) and B6 (P5P) for DAO.
Methylated B9 and B12, choline, creatine, methionine, magnesium and glycine for methylation cycle and thus -> HNMT.

Calciotrophic factors such as vitamin D3, K2, calcium and magnesium also lower histamine IIRC.
 

youngsinatra

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Dietary copper and methylated B’s - B2 (R5P) and B6 (P5P) for DAO.
Methylated B9 and B12, choline, creatine, methionine, magnesium and glycine for methylation cycle and thus -> HNMT.

Calciotrophic factors such as vitamin D3, K2, calcium and magnesium also lower histamine IIRC.
But of all these, be most careful with dietary copper. I think it was the most significant factor that reversed my histamine intolerance, but it eventually lead me to histapenia (low histamine levels) which causes a lot of problems too. To my knowledge only an excess copper can continuously depress histamine levels below threshold.
 

Motif

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But of all these, be most careful with dietary copper. I think it was the most significant factor that reversed my histamine intolerance, but it eventually lead me to histapenia (low histamine levels) which causes a lot of problems too. To my knowledge only an excess copper can continuously depress histamine levels below threshold.

How much copper foods did you eat til your histamine intolerance was gone and how long did it take?


Do you think a b complex is enough or would a b2 supplement work different? Cause I take a complex , so probably that’s not my issue.
 

youngsinatra

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How much copper foods did you eat til your histamine intolerance was gone and how long did it take?


Do you think a b complex is enough or would a b2 supplement work different? Cause I take a complex , so probably that’s not my issue.
Copper is pretty tricky and individual.
For me it only took 2-3 months to have massive relief of HIT. (-90% symptoms)

During that time I consumed daily..
around 1-2 oz of grass-fed beef liver, cooked mushrooms, boiled peeled potatoes as the major carbohydrate source and took supplemental whole food vitamin C.

I was on ~7-10mg of dietary copper probably at that time.

I played around with DAO supplementation which helped massively in the process, but if it does not help than you probably don‘t have an DAO deficiency but probably more issues with HNMT enzymes - that‘s where it might be useful to play around with methylated B-vitamins, optimizing SAMe production, homocysteine recycling and so on.
 

Motif

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Messages
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Copper is pretty tricky and individual.
For me it only took 2-3 months to have massive relief of HIT. (-90% symptoms)

During that time I consumed daily..
around 1-2 oz of grass-fed beef liver, cooked mushrooms, boiled peeled potatoes as the major carbohydrate source and took supplemental whole food vitamin C.

I was on ~7-10mg of dietary copper probably at that time.

I played around with DAO supplementation which helped massively in the process, but if it does not help than you probably don‘t have an DAO deficiency but probably more issues with HNMT enzymes - that‘s where it might be useful to play around with methylated B-vitamins, optimizing SAMe production, homocysteine recycling and so on.
It took that long? Ok, I have a blood test now, but I guess there’s still no change. I’m on high copper for 6 months , but was on 40 mg zinc most of that, but no zinc over the last six weeks. Only high copper. Still I don’t think anything changed.


And after that - how much copper did you get after for maintenance ?
 

youngsinatra

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It took that long? Ok, I have a blood test now, but I guess there’s still no change. I’m on high copper for 6 months , but was on 40 mg zinc most of that, but no zinc over the last six weeks. Only high copper. Still I don’t think anything changed.


And after that - how much copper did you get after for maintenance ?
Just 1-3 mg through food.
 

SamYo123

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Essentially, eat very fresh and lower inflammatory foods.

So Coffee/oranges are are not considered "low inflammatory"?
 

JudiBlueHen

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@aliml Thanks for compiling this great resource.

I have probable MCAS (diagnosed) - low DAO, HNMT, and VDR genes, poor CYP3A4 *22 allele. I find famotidine to be the most useful OTC remedy. Plus I usually have to take an H1 blocker but I try to give it a rest periodically. I follow SelfDecode on genetic analysis (though don't agree on all of their advice).

While every recommendation will not be right for every person with these issues, it is great to have a set of references to investigate. Even though our Peat resources may not agree on all points, it is nonetheless a useful compilation - thanks again!
 

Kray

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Debunking Histamine Intolerance​

Histamine intolerance comes from an imbalance of consumed/produced histamine and ability to break it down. R
In this post, we will discuss the underlying pathology of the newly demonized phenomenon called histamine intolerance: mast cells, dysbiosis, food poisoning, histamine metabolism/liberators and hormone dysregulation.

Is Histamine Intolerance Real?​

When we look at components to the body, it’s easy to villify a single "evil" culprit as the problem to a disease.
For example, for the longest time the sugar industry had a majority of Americans (even top doctors at the American Heart Association) convinced that fat consumption itself caused heart disease and obesity. R
We now know that is false, as coronary artery disease (COD) comes from multiple inflammatory factors and obesity is a byproduct of an inflammatory reaction of adipose tissue. R
The takeaway is that there is no single culprit in either of those situations and that's why it is important to look at these diseases from multiple angles.
Histamine has been vilified, but it is naturally produced in the body and is very important for blood vasodilation, immune response, neurotransmitter production, circadian rhythms, etc. R
Histamine intolerance is a phenomenon after an epigenetic switch from:
  • Drug-induced histamine receptor (hetero/auto) dysfunction (i.e. chronic histamine liberator/blocker use)
  • Genetics variations in abilities to handle amines (i.e. MAO, DAO, HNMT, VDR)
  • Improper conversion and utilization of biogenic amines and/or lectin sensitivy (i.e. BH4, TH)
  • Infectious/allergic nature (e.g. haptens, dysbiosis, biotoxins, broken NRF2, overactive mast cells, lectins)
After this switch becomes turned on/up, most people have trouble turning it back off/down.
In this post, we will discuss scientific ways to improve and fix this histaminergic phenomenon.

Symptoms Of Histamine Overproduction​

Most people with histamine intolerance will appear to have allergic reactions to everything, especially foods high in histamine.
Allergic-like symptoms from histamine can vary and may include: (not exclusive list)
  • Anxiety
  • Coughing
  • Diarrhea
  • Headaches
  • Insomnia
  • Itchiness (of eyes, skin, throat)
  • Migraines
  • Nausea
  • Runny nose
  • Sneezing
  • Vertigo
  • Vomiting
Histamine plays a role in: (not exclusive list)
  • Allergic reactions (and food allergies) R R
  • Anapylaxis R
  • Arthritis (in psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis) R
  • Cancer Progression R
  • Gastric secretion and appetite R
  • Inflammatory conditions R
  • Learning and memory R R
  • Mastocytosis R
  • Mast cell activation disorder (MCAD)
  • Motor system R R
  • Muscle contraction R
  • Neurological Disorders R
  • Regulating the sleep-wake cycle R R
  • Skin Disorders (like psoriasis, eczema, vitiligo, etc) R R R

Dysbiosis And SIBO​

Dysbiosis, or an imbalance of the gut bacteria, can cause problems with histamine. R
Inflammasomes are sensors that regulate the gut.
When their message gets scrambled or their communication gets damaged, bacterial overgrowth can happen.
One example of communication scrambling is with inflammation, and it hijacks the communication of the bacteria, SIgA, and mast cells (more on mast cells can seen in next section). R R R
If there is an overgrowth of histamine producing bacteria, it may cause excitation in the gut, stimulating mast cells causing further dysregulation.
This is a double edged sword, as histamine is extremely important to keep gastric motility and prevent diseases like Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO). R

Mast Cells And Cellular Stress​

Mast cells are located all over the body and release all sorts of molecules including histamine. R
When mast cells go haywire they can create a variety of effects ranging from inducing inducing/fighting cancer to making one allergic to pretty much everything. R
Stress (corticotropin-releasing hormone or CRH) can cause mast cells to degranulate producing excess histamine. R
CRH along with IL-6, IL-8 and other inflammatory cytokines can increase blood brain barrier's (BBB) permeability. R
Lectins (like ConA) can activate mast cells, since they make the gut leakier (easily getting into the blood stream) and exacerbate histamine intolerance, give you an IgE-like response, and activate mast cells via toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). R R R R R
Leptin and leptin receptors are found in human mast cells (in skin lungs, gut, urogenital tract).
Leptin, which makes you feel full after eating, can be inflammatory by possibly activating mast cells. R R R R
Ghrelin, which makes you feel hungry, can also activate mast cells. R
Nerve growth factor (NGF) can activate of mast cells. R
NGF stimulates histamine release and sensitizes transient receptor potential V1 (TrpV1), which may cause histamine-induced itching. R
Estrogen stimulates mast cells to make more histamine. R
Substance P induces release of histamine via binding to NKR on mast cells. R
VIP, neurotensin and secretin also stimulate histamine release. R
Somatostatin stimulates histamine release from human mast cells. R
Mercury and some heavy metals can cause mast cells to degranulate and release histamine. R
Some wavelengths have shown to also induce histamine levels (405nm and 633nm), which attributes to blue light, sunlight, and LLLT. R
Cellular stress can also activate antioxidant response elements (AREs) and heat shock proteins (HSPs).
When HSPs are activated, they normally block the allergic response of mast cells (increasing HSP70), but if HSPs are broken (as seen in people with chronic infections), HSP increase the activation mast cells and histamine receptors (increasing HSP90). R R

Food Poisoning​

Histamine fish poisoning is caused by histamine-producing bacteria as well as other natural dietary toxins. R
For example, when you eat fish, it usually takes a couple hours or days before it reaches your plate and you eat it. R
This allows enough time for bacteria to grow and produce histamine, while degrading the meat producing extra histidine. R

Diamine oxidase (DAO) and histamine n-methyltransferase (HNMT) are two enzymes that breakdown histamine. R

DAO is dependent on P5P and HNMT is dependent on SAM-e to break down histamine. R
Histamine is usually excreted via urine and metabolites (such as n-methylhistamine). R
In the brain, histamine is highly dependent on MAO-B. R

Histamine-Releasing Factor​

Histamine-releasing factor (HRF), or B cell growth factor, can stimulate histamine release and IL-4 and IL-13 production from IgE-sensitized basophils and mast cells. R
IL-4 acts on a positive feedback loop causing more release of IL-4 by TH2 cells. R
This makes the body shift towards a TH2 dominant immune system. R
HRF can also stimulate secretion of IL-8 (similar to CRH). R

Biomarkers And Tests​

N-methylhistamine (urine) is the most prominent marker that will tell you if you have problems with histamine metabolism and very necessary to get to determine if your problem is histamine related or not. R

Common Biomarkers Of Histamine Intolerance:​

  • Alpha-MSH (this is necessary to make sure it's histamine and not overactive a-MSH levels, since MSH can cause flushing similar to histamine) R
  • Complement C4a R
  • DAO (in blood) R
  • Estrogen
  • IL-6 R
  • IL-8 (this chemokine causes release of histamine attracting neutrophils) R R
  • Leptin R
  • Neurotensin R
  • N-Methylhistamine R
  • Progesterone
  • Tryptase R
  • TGF-b1 R

Protocol To Treat High Histamine​

1. Eat a Low Histamine Diet​

Avoid all these:
  • Additives (in general may cause mast cell response) R
  • Alcohol R
  • Casein R
  • Carnosine R
  • Cheese R
  • Chocolate R
  • Citrus R
  • Coffee R
  • Cimetidine R
  • Dietary Haptens
  • Fermented foods (lactic acid producing bacteria produce biogenic amines) R R
  • Fish, Shellfish, and other seafood (crustaceans too, fish oil capsules are fine) R
  • Imidazoles - such as caffeine (promoting glutamate release in hypothalamus), nicotine, and theobromine R R
  • Gluten R
  • Lectins R R R R
  • Leftover Meats (including long-cooking, cured, crockpot cooking, bone broth, collagen, etc) R
  • Legumes R
  • Licorice R
  • Nightshades (like tomatoes, potatoes, etc) R
  • Nuts R
  • Papaya R
  • Peanuts R
  • Pineapple R
  • Red Wine Vinegar R
  • Sausage R
  • Soy R
  • Spices R
  • Spinach R
  • Strawberries R
  • Turmeric (curcumin) R
  • Yeast R
Essentially, eat very fresh and lower inflammatory foods.
Cooking/browning food with sugar (via Maillard reaction) may help reduce histamine on meats and fish. R R

2. Increase Enzymes to Break Down Histamine​

DAO is the main enzyme that helps break down histamine in the gut and blood. R
Increase DAO:
  • Chronic high doses of Vitamin C (liposomal/IV maybe? - if you have h. pylori, it will inhibit the absorption of vitamin C) R R
  • DAO Enzymes R
  • Heparin R
  • Progesterone (to balance estrogen if it is high)
  • P5P (but can also increase histidine decarboxylase) R
Inhibiting histidine decarboxylase (HDC) will help break down histamine faster, since it is the enzyme that converts histidine into histamine (from strongest to weakest):
Increasing MAO-B and HMNT is beneficial, but stay away from MAO inhibitors. R R
Also stay away from:
  • Curcumin
  • Estrogen (Histamine also increases estrogen, which causes a positive feedback loop to increase histamine from mast cells and decrease DAO production) R R
  • Metformin (blocks DAO production) R

3. Stabilize Mast Cells​

High corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) can degranulate mast cells, increasing histamine, even though coritsol inhibits histamine release. R R
So it's probably best to avoid stress.
Here are all the ways to stabilize mast cells, but I take Brain Gain.
Here the most common mast cell stabilizers that target histamine:

4. Lower Blood Histamine​

I take BH4 as it is very powerful for lowering histamine levels and I am homozygous for the a1298c MTHFR allele.
These will all lower blood histamine:
  • Armbroxol (not natural) R
  • BH4 (or Increase Nitric Oxide) R
  • Butyrate + DHA (Fish Oil) R
  • Cobalt and Emodin (by increasing erythropoietin, which can reduce histamine) R R R
  • Folate or Methyl-Folate
  • Polydatin (resveratrol precursor)- very strong and activates NRF2 R
  • Magnesium (MSM is weak) R R
  • SAM-e (if you are an undermethylator -> Tetrahydrafolate [THF] helps make purines to process histidine, SAM-e helps create THF) R
Also, be weary of neurotransmitters substance P and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), as they are potent histamine liberators. R
Some environmental toxins like cigarette smoke can make histamine levels even worse. R
Avoid drugs that increase histamine: (non-exclusive)
  • Modafanil R
  • NADH R

5. Fix Dysbiosis​

Check out here to effectively fix dysbiosis.
Remove any excess biofilms.
Remove SIBO by:
  1. Antibiotics (Xifaxan) or Natural Antibiotics (FC-Cidal + Dysbiocide + ADP)
    or
  2. Elemental diet
    or
  3. My Protocol (7-14 days)
In gram-positive bacteria, HDC activity is pyruvoyl-dependent, whereas in gram-negative bacteria and in animals, this is a P5P enzyme. R
Avoid histamine (and dysbiotic) producing bacteria:
  • Bacillus licheniformis A7 R
  • Bacillus coagulans SL5 R
  • Candida R
  • Citrobacter (koseri) R
  • Clostridium perfringens ATCC 13124 R
  • C. perfringens R
  • E. coli (certain types see below) R
  • Enterobacter R
  • Enterococcus faecalis CNRZ 238 R
  • H. pylori R
  • K. pneumoniae R
  • Lactobacillus 30a (ATCC 33222) (encoded by hdacA and hdcB) R
  • Lactobacillus buchneri ST2A R
  • Lactobacillus delbrueckii bulgaricus R
  • Lactobacillus casei (controversial) R
  • Lactobacillus hilgardii (IOEB 0006) R
  • Lactobacillus reuteri (may actually help long term, still doing research on this) R R R
  • Micrococcus sp. R
  • Morganella morganii R
  • Oenococcus oeni IOEB 9204 (formerly Leuconostoc oenos 9204) R
  • Proteus mirabilis R
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa R
  • Raoultella planticola R
  • Raoultella ornithinolytica R
  • Staphylococcus R
  • S. thermophilus PRI60 R
  • Tetragenococcus muriaticus JCM 10006 R
It is also a good idea to add histamine degrading probiotics:
Probiotics without an impact on histamine:
  • K. oxytoca R
  • Lactobacillus acidophilus R
  • Lactobacillus lactis R
  • Lactobacillus plantarum R
  • Lactobacillus sakei CRL1862 R
  • Lactobacillus plantarum Tensia R
  • Lactococcus lactis R
*Please post in the comments if you know better places to get these probiotics.*

6. Other​

  • Remediate house for pests and dust - bed bugs and dust can cause excess household histamine R
  • Decrease Nerve Growth Factor (NGF can activate mast cells) R R R
  • Decrease IL-6 R
  • Decrease IL-8 R
  • Decrease Ghrelin R
  • Control Leptin R R R
  • Avoid fluoride R
  • Avoid birth control and other things that increase estrogen (like sugar)
  • Avoid PPIs and NSAIDs R R
  • ACE inhibitors (such as Aloe, Grape Seed Extract, Bromelain) R R R

Problems With Anti-Histamines​

There are four different histamine receptors, named H1R through H4R. R
H1R is involved in the allergic response, smooth and endothelial muscle contraction, and neurotransmission. R R
H2R is expressed in many immune cells, parietal cells and nerve cells. It is mostly targeted for gastric, neurological, and cancer therapies. R R
H3R regulates histamine production in the central nervous system (CNS), regulating neurotransmitters. R R
H4R is regulates the immune system in blood and the CNS. R
Targeting histamine receptors with anti-histamine need to be specific for the right one - for example increasing antagonizing the 3rd Histamine Receptor (H3R) causes an increase of histamine in the brain, as H3R has auto/hetero-receptor properties.

Technical R

  • All four receptors belong to class A family of G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs).
  • H1R couples Gαq/11 proteins, leading to phospholipase C activation, production of inositol phosphate and calcium mobilization.
  • H1R is also expressed in nerve cells, vascular smooth and endothelial cells among others, and takes part in neurotransmission and cellular adhesion respectively.
  • H2R is expressed in many immune cell types, parietal cells and nerve cells.
  • H2R mediates its effects by coupling GαS proteins, stimulating adenylate cyclase and increasing intracellular cAMP levels.
  • H2R in regulates histamine synthesis and cytokine production in immune cells.
  • This prevents stem cells in the bone marrow from differentiating and can even induce stem cells to undergo apoptosis.
  • Due to its broad localization, antagonists of this receptor have been used for treating gastric and neurological disorders, as well as in antitumour therapy.
  • H3R, when located in the presynaptic membrane of histaminergic cells, regulates the production of Hia in the CNS.
  • H3R also regulates the release of many neurotransmitters, acting as a presynaptic heteroceptor.
  • H3R couples to Gαi/o proteins and inhibits cAMP accumulation.
  • It has been demonstrated that several active isoforms of this receptor exist in humans, although their function remain unknown.
  • H4R is expressed in certain immune cells of haematopoietic origin and in the CNS.
  • H4R couples to Gαi/o proteins and inhibits cAMP formation.
  • H4R has been recently targeted as a key component of the immune response as well as being responsible for the mobilization of immune cells.
  • Histamine's regulates both IL-6 production and mRNA expression in mice mast cells via H4R activation.
Ketotifen Fumarate is a H1 antagonist with little side effects. R

Genetics​

DAO​

D-amino acid oxidase is an enzyme that breaks down histamine into histadine. R
Mutations in this gene are associated with:
  • Ulcerative Colitis R
  • Schizophrenia R
  • Migraines R
  • Sensitivity to NSAIDs R
  • Schizophrenia R
  • Bipolar Disorder R
rs10156191 - Each T allele means you have reduced DAO activity. R
rs1049742 - Each T allele means you have reduced DAO activity. R
rs2052129 R
rs2268999 (reduced activity)
rs2071514 (protective)
rs1049748 (protective)
rs2071517 (protective)

HDC​

Histidine decarboxylase converts L-histidine to histamine (via P5P). R
HDC is expressed by mast cells and other immune cells, gastric enterochromaffin-like cells (ECLCs) and histaminergic neurons. R
Mutations in this gene are associated with:
  • Breast Cancer and Cancer Growth R R
  • Chronic Heart Failure R
  • Tourette Syndrome R
  • Bile Acid Secretion R
  • Atherosclerosis R
  • Scleroderma R
  • Rhinitis (TT allele of rs2073440)

HNMT​

Histamine N-methyltransferase regulates histamine methylation. R
SAM-e should help increase this gene as a methyl donor. R
Mutations in this gene are associated with:
  • Asthma R
  • Allergic Rhinitis R
  • Breast Cancer R
  • Bronchiolitis R
  • Pick's Disease R
  • Down Syndrome R
  • Intellectual disability R
  • Huntington's Disease R
  • Parkinson's disease R R
  • Better Outcome in Ischaemic Stroke R
  • Schizophrenia protection R
  • Myasthenia gravis R
  • Anxiety R
  • Aspirin intolerant chronic urticaria R
  • Alcoholism R
rs1050891 - AA will increase histamine and may worsen ADHD. R
rs758252808
rs17583889
rs1801105
rs11558538
rs745756308

Histamine Receptors​

HRH1
HRH2
HRH3
HRH4

Histamine Transporters​

SLC18A2/VMAT2
SLC22A3/EMT

MTHFR​

Being heterozygous or homozygous for either C677T and/or A1298c will predispose you to further histamine problems.
Each allele for both mutations adds the burden for detoxing excess histamine.

VDR​

The Vitamin D Receptor acts as a transcription factor and target for H1R (histamine 1 receptor). R

More Research​

  • For mackerel, at 0 degrees C, neither histamine former nor histamine production was detected up to 14 days of storage. R
  • Mast Cell Activation Symptomatology (Part 1 of 3) V
  • Histamine vs Tyramine producing bacteria in cheese. R
@alimi

What is the takeaway here? What is your position on treating high histamine, or low histamine, for that matter?
 
Last edited:

joaquin

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What is the preferable form of copper for supplementing in regards to histamine?
 

youngsinatra

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What is the preferable form of copper for supplementing in regards to histamine?
Food sources from biodynamic agriculture, ideally. Potatoes, mushrooms, nuts and optionally freshly slaughtered raw ruminant liver.

Copper needs to be in the soil, then properly taken up by the plants. Copper in food is primarily reduced copper. (copper 1)

MitoSynergy‘s Cunermuspir is probably the closest to Mother Nature‘s design.
 

Peatress

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Although mast cells and basophils are usually the main sources of histamine, experiments have shown that under the most extreme conditions, all of the cells studied produced histamine. Energy deprivation activates the formation of histamine, which activates many “immune” functions, including increasing the TLRs, and production of cytokines and antibodies. Histamine should probably be thought of as one of the signals of danger or damage. It seems to correspond to the catabolic phase of an infection. Ray Peat
 

mad539

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Copper is pretty tricky and individual.
For me it only took 2-3 months to have massive relief of HIT. (-90% symptoms)

During that time I consumed daily..
around 1-2 oz of grass-fed beef liver, cooked mushrooms, boiled peeled potatoes as the major carbohydrate source and took supplemental whole food vitamin C.

I was on ~7-10mg of dietary copper probably at that time.

I played around with DAO supplementation which helped massively in the process, but if it does not help than you probably don‘t have an DAO deficiency but probably more issues with HNMT enzymes - that‘s where it might be useful to play around with methylated B-vitamins, optimizing SAMe production, homocysteine recycling and so on.
Very interesting. Have you done blood work and saw any changes (like serum copper, ceuroloplasmin)?
I'm currently taking 6 capsules daily of a beef liver supplement, which has around 2.6mg copper. I might increase it to 12 or even 18 capsules.
 

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