Understanding Histamine Intolerance
Today, we’re digging into a lesser-discussed topic in the realm of intolerances. What does it MEAN to have an intolerance to histaMINE?! (I couldn’t help myself… 🙃)
What is histamine?
Histamine is a chemical signal that’s in charge of a few major body functions, including:
Releasing stomach acid to aid in digestion
Sending communications to the brain
Releasing an immune response after an allergic reaction or injury
What is a histamine intolerance?
In its simplest form, histamine intolerance (HIT) means you have high levels of histamine in your body. When there’s too much histamine, your body can develop an intolerance to it and struggle to break it down appropriately. In turn, this can affect many of the body’s typical functions.
It’s estimated 1 to 3 percent of the population has a histamine intolerance, but that number has yet to be scientifically verified.
How do you develop a histamine intolerance?
The body naturally produces histamine and the digestive enzyme diamine oxidase (DAO). Simply put, DAO is in charge of breaking down the histamine you ingest from foods. If you develop a DAO deficiency (and therefore cannot break histamine down), you’re at risk of developing a histamine intolerance.
A myriad of things can affect your DAO enzyme or histamine levels, including:
Medications: Some medications can block DAO functions or prevent production
Genetics: Some individuals have a genetic mutation that causes the body to produce less DAO or dysfunctional DAO
Diet: Foods rich in histamine can cause DAO enzymes to function incorrectly
GI Disorders: Certain GI disorders, like inflammatory bowel disease, can cause DAO insufficiency
Overgrowth of Bacteria: Bacteria grow when your body can’t digest food properly, causing too much histamine production
Which body systems can a histamine intolerance affect?
HIT symptoms aren’t specific and share symptoms with other conditions. Because of this, a histamine intolerance can be difficult to diagnose.
Many body systems can be affected because there are histamine receptors located all throughout the body, but the most common are gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. One small study found ~97 percent of study participants experience three or more symptoms.
Symptoms can vary from person to person, but may include:
Nausea/vomiting
Bloating or digestive issues
Diarrhea
Constipation
Abdominal pain or gas
Headache or migraine
Fatigue
Runny or stuffy nose
Itching
Rash/hives
Shortness of breath
Fast or irregular heart rate
Flushing
Low blood pressure
Swelling of lips, tongue, or throat
Irregular menstrual cycle
In more severe cases, patients may experience cramping, high blood pressure, anxiety or dizziness, and trouble regulating body temperature.
Is a histamine intolerance the same as a food allergy?
No, HIT is sometimes referred to as a “pseudoallergy” because although it shares symptoms, it has a different root cause. Food allergies are IgE-mediated and can lead to anaphylaxis, a severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction.
Further, histamine intolerance isn’t a condition allergists typically diagnose, although families may mention it to their allergist since there are a lot of nonspecific symptoms associated with it.
Can certain diseases cause a histamine intolerance?
Histamine intolerance often begins because of an issue in your gut. You might be at higher risk of developing a histamine intolerance if you have a GI disorder, such as:
Functional dyspepsia
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Irritable bowel disease (IBD), such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease
Celiac disease
Food allergies
Malabsorption
Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth
Colon polyps
There you have it. Hopefully, this article helps you understand more about what it MEANS to have an intolerance to histaMINE. As always, it’s important to consult a medical professional to aid in diagnosing a histamine intolerance.
Do you have personal experience managing a histamine intolerance? If so, please share your tips and experiences in the comments below!
— Meg and the Amulet Team