Simply stated, histamine intolerance (HIT) is due to a buildup of histamine in the body. A histamine intolerance test from Naperville Integrated Wellness could help.  Many of us are able to breakdown and deactivate this chemical effectively. Therefore these people do not suffer from noticeable histamine intolerance. Yet others suffer with symptoms and struggle to keep histamine levels under control. Common symptoms of histamine intolerance may include: diarrhea, stomach upset, headache, flushing, rash, hives, runny nose, nasal congestion, coughing, sneezing, watery eyes, itching or swelling of the body.

Functional Medicine and Histamine

Although some of these uncomfortable and annoying histamine responses are often attributed to environmental allergens, these symptoms along with diarrhea, stomach upset, bloating and abdominal pain can be triggered by certain foods. While there is no histamine intolerance test that will diagnose a person with HIT, there are ways to assess, identify and treat this condition.

It is important to understand that histamine is not “bad” and serves important vital functions in your body. Histamine is produced by various cells in your body and plays vital role in the immune response. It also serves as an essential neurotransmitter (this a chemical produced by and used by nerve cells to communicate to each other). Histamine intolerance is caused by an imbalance of histamine in the body.  More specifically, HIT occurs when -the histamine levels are too high for the body to manage properly. In addition to being produced by the body, histamine is also found in relatively high amounts in various foods.

Histamine Intolerance Test

Doctors who treat people for allergies are not the same as those who treat individuals with histamine intolerance.  This is because while some of the symptoms of HIT and food allergy may be similar, HIT is not the same thing as a true food allergy It follows then that traditional skin testing and blood tests for food allergies may not be helpful in. determining the source of this type of problem.

This is because HIT is considered to be an accumulation of histamine in the body which may be from a combination two different mechanisms: 1. histamine release from within the body, and 2. a build-up of histamine from ingested food. A food allergy, rather, is evidenced by a sudden release of excessive histamine from within (food allergy). For this reason, HIT symptoms may not be immediate and may only occur when your “histamine-threshold” has been reached. This can make it more challenging to determine which foods are causing the problem.

How To Test For High Histamine

Functional medicine doctors test for high histamine levels by looking at symptoms, such as headaches, fatigue, anxiety, and difficulty breathing. They will also look at blood tests that measure the levels of histamine and its breakdown products in the body. Additionally, they may use a urine test to measure the amount of histamine metabolites being excreted from the body.

They may also use a skin prick test, where a small amount of histamine is injected into the skin, which will cause a reaction if there is an allergy or sensitivity. Furthermore, a functional medicine doctor may recommend a diet and lifestyle changes to reduce the amount of histamine in the body. All of these tests help to determine if high histamine levels are present, and if a treatment is recommended.

High Histamine Foods

There are many foods that can create a histamine reaction in the body. Some foods are known to be high in histamine including alcohol, preserved foods (that are canned, pickled or smoked), some meats, some cheeses, a variety of vegetables, shellfish, beans, nuts and chocolate. There are also foods that are likely to cause the release of histamine in the body and these are called histamine liberators. 

Histamine liberating foods include: some fruits, chocolate, nuts, beans, and tomatoes. This is by no means a complete list of high histamine foods and histamine liberators but as you can see, many of these foods are common in our diet. Both high histamine foods and histamine liberators contribute to a histamine intolerance in susceptible individuals.

Enzymes

In healthy people, histamine is deactivated primarily by an enzyme called diamine oxidase (DAO). The intestines produce this enzyme; thus providing a local defense against histamine found in foods. For adequate amounts DAO to be produced, one must have a healthy intestinal tract. Any disease or impairment of the digestive system can be a source of a histamine tolerance problem. 

For example, people suffering from food sensitivities, leaky gut, inflammatory bowel disease, IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), SIBO (small intestine bacterial overgrowth), celiac disease or gluten intolerance tend to be more prone to histamine intolerance. Certain foods like alcohol and some teas may actually interfere with DAO function, thus intensifying HIT symptoms.

Epinephrine

Your body also produces another very important chemical called epinephrine; it too combats excessive histamine in the body. Epinephrine is one the body’s most potent antihistamines and is the same chemical used EpiPens for severe allergic reactions. Histamine intolerance essentially means that the production and ingestion of histamine is not balanced with histamine-neutralizing chemicals in the body. Epinephrine is one of the body’s greatest defenses against histamine and low levels should not be overlooked as a possible link in the cause of HIT.

Functional Medicine Solutions

In the office we take a functional medicine approach to histamine intolerance in our office. Instead of constantly trying to avoid problematic foods, we think differently.  We believe the appropriate long-term solution is to discover WHY your body is not able to keep histamine under control. The key is to restore balance must be restored between histamine and the body’s natural defenses against it. There are 3 primary areas that should be assessed in every individual suffering from histamine intolerance. These three areas proper digestion, adequate epinephrine-production and the availability of key nutrients.

As noted earlier, a healthy digestive system is necessary for adequate production of the DAO enzyme that breaks down and deactivates histamine in the body.

We have several methods and diagnostic tests to assess the health and function of the digestive tract, but this topic is quite extensive and therefore will not to be covered in detail at this time. See our blog page for more information on gastrointestinal health.

Production of Epinephrine

The second function to consider is adequate production of epinephrine. Epinephrine (adrenaline) is an extremely potent antihistamine and inadequate levels of this chemical can make you much more susceptible to histamine intolerance. Taking antihistamine drugs are the most common remedy but are not a good long-term solution to high histamine. because Antihistamines, like all drugs, often provide symptomatic relief, yet also cause abnormal function in the body.

Histamine Reduction Through Diet

Attempting to reduce histamine through dietary modification can be helpful and necessary as an early intervention, but it does not address the real underlying problem and does nothing to restore normal function to the body. The functional medicine solution is to restore the natural histamine/epinephrine balance in the body. For many suffering with an epinephrine imbalance, it is due to a relative deficiency of nutritional epinephrine precursors. These precursors are key nutrients required to produce sufficient levels of epinephrine in the body. The third area to investigate is the nutrient status of the individual. 

A lack of key vitamins and minerals in sufficient quantities can make it very difficult for your body maintain a healthy digestive tract.  In addition, keep the immune system in balance and permit adequate production of the DAO enzyme and epinephrine. Testing is available to help determine if you suffer from a nutrient deficiency.

Mast Cells and Epinephrine

Epinephrine has a powerful effect on mast cells. When it binds to their surface receptors, it causes the cells to release chemical mediators like histamine, leukotrienes, and prostaglandins. These chemicals induce symptoms like inflammation, swelling, and an increase in vascular permeability that lead to the typical allergic reaction.

In addition, epinephrine stimulates mast cells to secrete cytokines, which are important in the development of an immune response. The combination of these reactions leads to an increase in the number of mast cells in the area and a heightened response to allergens and other antigens.

Common High Histamine Symptoms

Common high histamine symptoms may vary from person to person, however, some of the most common symptoms include headaches, fatigue, anxiety, depression, itching, hives, flushing of the skin, eczema, asthma, nasal congestion, sneezing, runny nose, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and menstrual irregularities. High histamine levels can also cause difficulty sleeping, nausea, and dizziness.

Additionally, they can cause a feeling of heat in the face, chest, or hands. Allergies to food, medications, and insect bites may be increased with high histamine levels as well. It is important to note that some of these symptoms can be caused by other medical conditions, so it is always best to consult with a premier functional medicine doctor.

Schedule A Histamine Screening Today

The functional medicine approach to histamine intolerance is to find and address the underlying cause of the condition in order to re-establish normal and healthy function to the body once more. In addressing HIT or any health concern, health restoration is the goal ultimate objective of functional medicine.

If you would like more information on histamine intolerance, functional medicine or Dr. Sexton go to napervilleintegratedwellness.com

Do your own research, inform yourself and ask lots of questions. When collecting information you MUST consider the source. There is no shortage of false, misleading, outdated, profit-driven and utterly biased information in healthcare today.