Red wine. Aged cheese. Citrus fruits. Sauerkraut. Bacon. These foods are frequently consumed by those on a healthy whole foods diet, and are often found in a variety of Paleo-friendly recipes and meal plans. Even conventional doctors frequently recommend including many of these seemingly unrelated foods daily as part of a healthy diet. After all, even a raw vegan probably wouldn’t argue against eating foods like oranges, spinach, or cinnamon.
It may surprise you to learn that these and other popular foods are capable of causing numerous symptoms in certain people, including migraines, hives, anxiety, heartburn and GERD, and nasal congestion, just to name a few. If you’re experiencing strange reactions to certain foods that most would consider healthy, you may be suffering from a little known but not uncommon cause of food intolerance and disease: histamine intolerance.
Still having strange symptoms on a real food diet? You could be suffering from histamine intolerance.
Never heard of histamine intolerance? You’re not alone. This food intolerance is difficult to diagnose, has a multifaceted symptom profile, and is often confused with a variety of other conditions. Many doctors and nutritionists have never even heard of histamine intolerance, and often treat the symptoms without ever addressing the underlying cause. In my practice, I see it especially with headaches and migraines, skin problems and mental health issues. It’s a fairly common, yet poorly understood, food sensitivity.
Histamine Intolerance: Not Your Typical Food Allergy!
Deficiency in the DAO enzyme system, found in the intestinal mucosa, has been suggested as the most probable cause of histamine intolerance. (2) There are likely genetic variations in individual enzyme function, but when activity of either of these enzymes is insufficient, the resulting excess of histamine may cause numerous symptoms resembling an allergic reaction. Common symptoms of histamine intolerance include: (3)
- Pruritus (itching especially of the skin, eyes, ears, and nose)
- Urticaria (hives) (sometimes diagnosed as “idiopathic urticaria”)
- Tissue swelling (angioedema) especially of facial and oral tissues and sometimes the throat, the latter causing the feeling of “throat tightening”
- Hypotension (drop in blood pressure)
- Tachycardia (increased pulse rate, “heart racing”)
- Symptoms resembling an anxiety or panic attack
- Chest pain
- Nasal congestion, runny nose, seasonal allergies
- Conjunctivitis (irritated, watery, reddened eyes)
- Some types of headaches that differ from those of migraine
- Fatigue, confusion, irritability
- Very occasionally loss of consciousness usually lasting for only one or two seconds
- Digestive upset, especially heartburn, “indigestion”, and reflux
Histamine intolerance is unlike other food allergies or sensitivities in that the response is cumulative, not immediate. Imagine it like a cup of water. When the cup is very full (high amounts of histamine in the diet), even a drop of additional water will cause the cup to overflow (symptoms activated). But when the cup is less full, it would take more water (histamine) to cause a response. This makes histamine intolerance tricky to recognize.
In addition, histamine intolerance is closely related to SIBO and dysbiosis, which suggests that curing the latter may alleviate the former. Many integrative practitioners, including myself, believe that a primary cause of histamine intolerance is an overgrowth of certain types of bacteria that make histamine from undigested food, leading to a buildup of histamine in the gut and overwhelming the body’s ability to catabolize the excess histamine. This causes a heightened sensitivity to histamine-containing foods and an increase in symptoms that are commonly associated with allergies.
For more detailed information on histamine intolerance, including causes, symptoms, and treatment, check out this article by Dr. Janice Joneja, a Ph.D. in medical microbiology and immunology and former head of the Allergy Nutrition Program at the Vancouver Hospital and Health Sciences Centre.
What to Do If You Have Histamine Intolerance
Histamine intolerance can be a challenging diagnosis to manage, since many foods contain histamine and for some patients, their gut bacteria is producing the excess histamine that is causing the symptoms. Fermented foods are some of the biggest culprits, since even beneficial bacteria produce histamine during fermentation. In fact, reacting to fermented foods is a classic sign of histamine intolerance, especially if probiotic supplements are well-tolerated. Other foods that are high in histamine include:
- Seafood: shellfish or fin fish, fresh, frozen, smoked or canned
- Eggs
- Processed, cured, smoked and fermented meats such as lunch meat, bacon, sausage, salami, pepperoni
- Leftover meat (After meat is cooked, the histamine levels increase due to microbial action as the meat sits)
- All fermented milk products, including most cheeses
- Yogurt, buttermilk, kefir
- Citrus fruits – eg. oranges, grapefruit, lemons, lime
- Most berries
- Dried fruit
- Fermented foods: sauerkraut, kombucha, pickles, relishes, fermented soy products, etc.
- Spinach
- Tomatoes- including ketchup, tomato sauces
- Artificial food colors and preservatives
- Spices: cinnamon, chili powder, cloves, anise, nutmeg, curry powder, cayenne
- Beverages: Tea (herbal or regular), alcohol
- Chocolate, cocoa
- Vinegar and foods containing vinegar such as pickles, relishes, ketchup, and prepared mustard
Individual sensitivity varies tremendously. I have one or two patients that cannot tolerate any amount of histamine in food, and others that are only sensitive to the foods highest in histamine.
In order to improve your tolerance to histamine-containing foods, it is crucial to heal the gut and address any dysbiosis or SIBO issues that may exist. I recommend working with a qualified practitioner who can help you address any bacterial imbalance and create a treatment plan that is tailored to your needs.
Like what you’re reading? Get my free newsletter, recipes, eBooks, product recommendations, and more!
What Can You Eat on a Low-Histamine Paleo Diet?
You may be feeling overwhelmed by the list of foods to avoid – I don’t blame you! It can be especially challenging to eat low-histamine foods on a Paleo diet. There aren’t many resources available for this condition, and everyone reacts in their own unique way to excess histamine and certain high histamine foods. For example, a person may do fine eating berries and citrus fruits, but they may have horrible reactions to wine or sauerkraut. If you’re dealing with histamine intolerance, you will need to determine your own trigger foods, and reduce or eliminate them accordingly.
For help figuring out what to eat, those with histamine intolerance may want to check out my Paleo Recipe Generator. It contains over 600 Paleo-approved recipes, and allows you to exclude many high histamine foods from your meal plan, including fermented dairy, eggs, tomatoes, eggplant, fruit, certain spices, vinegar, alcohol, and seafood.
Of course, you’ll have to pay attention to whether or not the recipe contains cured meats like bacon or sausage, other spices like cinnamon or cloves, and certain fruits and vegetables like citrus and spinach. Some of these issues can be addressed by excluding fruit and pork from the meal plan, which isn’t necessary but can help make your low-histamine recipe search a little easier. You’ll still need to double check the ingredients of each individual meal, but this search function makes it much easier!
Once you’ve made your selections for foods to exclude, you can plan meals for a full day, a week, or simply find a recipe for a single meal. Even with a histamine intolerance, you can still enjoy many delicious Paleo recipes: Lamb Roast with Fennel and Root Vegetables, Beef Brisket with Mushrooms, Sourdough Buckwheat Pancakes, and even Chicken Pot Pie, just to name a few.
There are few other online resources for low-histamine meal plans, and most are not Paleo compliant. The Low Histamine Chef has a “Low Histamine Diamine Oxidase Boosting Recipe Book” which some people may find helpful, though many of the recipes contain less-than-desirable ingredients such as grains, legumes, and sugar. It’s important to focus on healing the gut and identifying your specific trigger foods in order to reduce symptoms without indefinitely following a strict low histamine diet. Just remember, individual results will vary!
Better supplementation. Fewer supplements.
Close the nutrient gap to feel and perform your best.
A daily stack of supplements designed to meet your most critical needs.
Back in 2004 I took a hepatitis a vaccine before my first trip to southeast Asia, and after that I have been relly troubled with hives. The first year was the worst since I did not know what caused it, but as I started to read foodlabels, they all had one thing in common: Preservatives in the form of citrus. It turns out I can`t eat any citrus fruits, white vinegar, dark readwines, white wine, betakaroten laden food like red palm oil. I get theese very intense chest pains hours before the rash breaks out and then the hives lasts for about a week. I am able to manage the problem but every now and then I slip up, usually when on vacation and other people prepare my food for me. I have to be really carefull, but attleast I had to clean up my diet, so it hasn`t been a total waste. I am alot more healthyer now than I used to be.
Thanks for this article.
what your view on ray peats work?
Hi, Thank you so much for this information. I have heartburn (check) and hives (check) – but my headaches are TENSION headaches. Every day, for years now (about 4). Could tension headaches be a sign of histamine intolerance, when combined with heartburn and hives? The hives, however, are a new condition, only about 3 1/2 weeks.
I was recently told to try the low histamine diet, and I’ve found it to be helpful. But it’s impossible to follow. I’ve begun to have palpitations off and on, and my doctor says I’ve cut out too much protein. Nuts were a big part of my diet, so I’ve been eating butter instead on toast. I can’t cook all darn day, and can’t eat a lot of the allowed foods.
The whole thing is a pain !! And why the heck is this so common now that people can’t eat a normal diet??
Hang in there. It took me 3 months or so before I could tolerate meat without severe phlegm in my throat. Then another 3 or 4 and I could tolerate a few higher histamine foods every now and then. It can take a while to heal from this and empty your histamine bucket. I also learned to make extra and freeze it. Soups and paleo pancakes are great for this. That way I can just grab and go. Just cook for a few hours on a Sunday and you are set for the week.
Hi! Curious about the reaction of phlegm in your throats that you mentioned in response to eating meats… I have what I call “sick gunk” in my throat that is my worst symptom! Haven’t determined specifically what causes it but I am now beginning to wonder if it’s a histamine intolerance reaction or possibly not digesting fats and proteins optimally…it’s been the worst symptom out of all my digestive symptoms and was wondering if you have this reaction with anything else besides meats? I do get it terribly bad after eating sweet potato as well!!! ?
The phlegm issue is a histamine one for me. It’s not just meat that does it. If I eat high histamine foods I start clearing my throat, along with other symptoms. No harm in trying out a low histamine diet for a while to see if that helps.
SUGAR causes junk in my throat. And it breaks me out in rashes and hives. I sing quite often in public and I cannot touch anything with sugar for 2 days before.
Gunk in the throat sounds similar to a LPR symptom. Considering histamine can cause gerd, it’s probably in relation. Laryngopharyngeal reflux has odd symptoms different from the common heartburn- it may be your problem
Did you eat meat even during your first three months? I’m curious because I am reacting to meat that I purchased frozen from a local farm and do not believe I have options to get it any fresher. I am considering not eating meat and trying to add lentils back in. I’m also worse off following my SIBO treatment. I’m starting to be concerned I lost my good flora as well.
I really limited my meat intake for about a month, like once a day and very small portions. I ate some egg yolks for protein every once in a while too and that seemed okay. Just a lot of veggies, squash and fat since I can not do beans. It was tough, so I ended up adding it in and just dealing with the symptoms. Eventually, I started feeling better. It took about 6 to 8 months before I noticed a significant change. And then I kept gradually getting better. Cutting alcohol completely made the biggest difference. That is a HUGE trigger for me. Hang in there. For some people it just takes a lot of time. Have you tried Atrantil for the SIBO? That works really well for me. And for gut flora, I use Probiota Bifido from Seeking Health. It’s for folks with histamine issues. Good luck!!
I hear you! It sucks! I react to almost everything having several asthma like symptoms of coughing and loss of breath with post nasal drip! I tried this diet before and gave up, but now I’m back to try it again. I can’t live like this and doctors are no help at all!
Hi all, I started in July 2016 with a case of hives. They were extremely bad because I was using oxiclean powder for laundry detergent. I went to the allergies. I was on all the mess n it got much better. Now it’s September n I have some kinda hive or blotch everyday. I try to go without any allergie medication, but I have to shrink them some how. I noticed on the list that everything I eat n love r on them. I had a lot of stress for the months before that triggers this effect too. I am an anal person n nurse n look at everything I eat to see what can bring them on. I have been on acidodolpolis vitamins for about 2 yrs 4 times a week n q10. I’m at my last leg .. I have not gone to a dermatologist as of yet. The issue is much less than the first episode. I really learned from this site that I’m not alone. I have cut my acid down, staying away from seafood, I am a true believer in fruit n veggies.this is a hard diet to follow.especially when your Italian!! Any new info please post..thank u n let’s get ourselves back!!
AVOID all sugar. Eat meat and greens only.
Just so I understand, if a child (myself since i was a child and a couple of children) has large bumps due to mosquito bites and bee stings which are caused by histamine theres most likely a genetic issue with either some enzymes that break down histamine or undermethylation or even both?
Dave, I would be interested in reading info regarding your comments above. My son has always had really bad reactions to mosquito bites, ie: huge welts. Do you have any links you could post regarding the genetic issue you mention. I am looking but not finding anything on the web. Thanks.
Hi,
I was diagnosed with chronic idiopathic urticaria and swelling of the lips and hands several years ago and began on H1 antihistamines.. they worked quite well and I was able to wean myself off of them and was hive free for over a year. Now they are back every day and my doctor suggests getting the Xolair injection but I am trying to avoid that at all costs. Wondering if anybody else has had this problem or knows of any success stories of people with same condition restricting their diet like the article suggests. Hoping this is the light at the end of my tunnel!
I commented about my hives after drinking kombucha and histamine issue. My dermatologist today diagnosed Pityriasis Rosea. Six weeks of this will soon, well it may take as long as four months. It is worth looking into since it started with a virus and spun into this rash. The low histamine diet helped me turn a corner. Thanks
My daughter had the flu and then began with eczema outbreaks ever since … they put her on Zyrtec said her body is creating too many histamine but didn’t tell me why … today she woke up and said her face burns and tingles …. did u have any burning or tingling? I’m trying to decipher between food allergy and rosea
I have burning in my legs and back
julie I would look into mold in our house.Histamine issue and mast cell activation is very often due to mold toxins.YOur daughter can also be susceptible to mycotoxins-HLA DR gene and her body does not recognise mycotoxins and she cannot clear it so It accumulates in the body and activate a mast cell.Burning,body aches,fatigue and many more can be due to mold affecting the histamine and causing chronic inflammation
Hi I’ve been breaking out in these awful hives and itching since I had surgery last September. I’ve been to so many Dr’s it’s unreal. I take 4 antihystamines a day along with omeprazole. I’ve been tested for everything. I also take 3 allergy shots a week I can’t hardly work all I want to do is lay around. I’ve always been an outdoorsey person now I hate to even go outside in the heat. Help please
I speak from 58 years of allergies, and having to do my own research. If I had known what I know, now, my life would have been so much easier.
Remove these biggies from your diet:
Grains (including corn)
GMO’d anything
Dairy
Soy
Artificial sweeteners, colors, preservatives
Sweeten only with raw honey or raw sugar
High histamine foods (including all alcohol) (www.lowhistaminechef.com for more complete lists)
High oxalate foods
Use only all natural products on your skin that don’t have those things in them.
Do this exclusively for one month. Then you can add a small amount of one thing at a time once a week until you figure out your demons. Make a daily diary of your consumption and symptoms. Remember, most problems are accumulations.
You should be able to wean off of all allergy meds, but keep them on hand for emergency.
Hi Kim,
I’ve recently developed asthma and would like to get more tolerant of allergens and gradually get off the Advair. Can you help me out by telling me what you ate for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks when you were on the diet you mention? Also, what natural products do you use?
I get the xolair injections. Have been for over a year. Try them. They are expensive. My insurance recently cut off my shots and I have had the worst outbreak ever. They finally approved them again. I am going to try low histamine diet I still break out after eating. Hives will drive you crazy.
I had chronic hives for 12 years. I was first diagnosed with idiopathic urticaria, then after 5 years I was diagnosed with auto immune urticaria. Doctors told me I was allergic to myself, I didn’t believe one word of it and kept digging to find a cure. In December 2015 I started to suspect meat as an allergen. I went to the doc and asked for a test. As it turns out I have an allergy call Alpha-galactose or alpha gal. I am allergic to all mammal meat, mammal ingredients and mammal by-products. I highly suggest anyone diagnosed with idiopathic urticaria get tested for alpha gal allergy.
I’m not sure where to begin. A year ago, July 2015, it all started I ended up in the ER and since then have been to every specialist I could think of including three different rheumatologist the first one claiming I had RA and finally the last one saying I didn’t. I have facial swelling in my left temple and left cheek. It’s not only just on the outside I can feel the swelling in my jaw and throat, horrible heartburn and monthly doses of prednisone. Now, they want to put me on Xolair, a monthly shot. I have eliminated so much from my diet and still no improvement. Just when I think I found something that might be causing the swelling it starts all over again…sometime worse than before. I have yet to find anyone that has similar symptoms and yet to find something that helps except for the “bandaid” prednisone. I’m at my wits end…any and all suggestions will be greatly appreciated. I have facial swelling, indigestion, fuzzy thinking, no energy or desire to do anything. This is not quality of life at the age of 61 I want.
Hi Shirl,
Have you done any research into SIBO? There is a lot of info out there and it’s not very conflicting (like HIT is). I have all the symptoms you mentioned at the end and notice when I eat high FODMAP foods (carob powder, asparagus, broccoli, apples) I get the same symptoms. I’m am treating myself b/c the usual antibiotic is unaffordable to me and it can be done with herbals (but always check with your doc first obviously). I would suggest researching the topic and then discussing with your doctor.
As an aside, I also have histamine issues (HIT). But from what I’ve read, if I can get my SIBO under control, the histamine issues should resolve itself, often they go hand in hand. My doctor told me my symptoms were all over the place, then I realized I probably have SIBO and HIT, all symptoms covered.
I hope you figure it out!
So true about the connection between SIBO and HIT, but my HIT symptoms got much worse AFTER I treated my SIBO. The reason I believe is too much bone broth and leftover meats while on a GAPS diet to help keep the SIBO at bay. And other higher histamines foods seemed to be daily staples for me. Now I only focus on being low in histamines, paleo and low to no sugar. That helps keep SIBO away and my overall histamines low, therefore I am relatively symptom free. Careful with those leftovers and broth folks!
AliO, how do you eat Paleo without eating leftover meat?? There is so much meat in the Paleo diet, and I don’t know how folks do it who have HIT. Does it help to freeze leftover meat right away?
Yes!! You have to freeze the meat immediately. I know it sounds crazy but if it is in the freezer too long, I am pretty sure I get a histamine reaction to it. I dont know how long is too long yet, cause I usually consume within a week or so. Recently, I consumed some leftovers that were frozen for a while and noticed a reaction.
Thank you I will investigate it…at least is something new to look in to.
Hi Shirl, I too have had the symptoms you are describing. Swelling in face, throat, tongue, lips, and even my jaw. I had large hives on my arms and legs. I also had indigestion whereas I burped all the time, especially after eating. I embraced the low histamine eating regiment and have been on the road to recovery during the last 5 months. This diet truly does work. I had to eliminate so much and found that eggs were my biggest problem. My lip swelling disappeared within two days of not eating eggs. I have had allergy tests done and I am not allergic to anything. One problem that I do see in your case is that you are taking regular doses of prednisone. This is not good. I was given one prescription of prednisone early on due to having a horrible rash/irritation/eczema on my hands. I had a reaction to the prednisone and it made my problems worse as described earlier. Anti-histamine drugs are also very bad. They deplete the enzymes that are so badly needed in your gut. Bottom line, you need to heal your gut, hence going on low histamine all natural eating regiment. There are many low histamine lists online. I was literally only able to eat 15 foods when I started. I am now up to about 35-40 foods. I recommend eliminating these items first: Dairy, eggs, and processed foods. After about a week you should feel better than before. Then keep eliminating. I sure hope you find relief. I sure did, but you have to be strict with what you eat.
After a month of home made kombuca, home made kefir, home made sauerkraut and powdered bone broth, I broke out in a horrible rash which eventually was accompanied by a severe sore throat and fluid-like cough. Missed two weeks of work…..My Integrative MD was quick to discuss histamine issues. Too much kombuca!!! + all other fermented items. My regular Internist was clueless and referred me to a dermatologist. I started the histamine diet and will recover. Man, scarey.
Hi. I am almost 100% sure I have histamine intolerance. Most all of the foods listed cause me discomfort. I have a mild case of SIBO, so I know I need to address that first in order to help with the histamine intolerance. I read a few posts, and the GAPS diet was mentioned as a way to heal the gut. My issue is I get instant migraine headaches from consuming fermented foods. Is it possible to do the GAPS diet without eating fermented foods? Any other suggestions?
Thank you 🙂
You can definitely do GAPS without fermented foods. If you know you have histamine issues, you will need to modify whatever diet you try until you start healing. Careful with bone broth and left over meats while on GAPS.
Wow! I have finally found out what has been happening to me! I’m a female in my mid 40’s and have always just thought I had reoccurring rosacea on my face and neck. Being of Scott-Irish descent… made sense, right? Recently I had a large spinach salad with balsamic vinegarette dressing and within 30 minutes I felt creepy crawly headed and my face around my chin and lips became red rashy and swollen. Of course, I start feeling panicky and took some benadryl which put me to sleep and I woke up fine. After reading the list of foods containing histamine and/or triggers it ALL MAKES SENSE NOW! For example, everytime I drank red wine this would happen… I just thought I was a “light weight” and would jokingly tell friends I must be allergic to alcohol… come to find out… I AM! So glad I found this site. I’m going to totally change my eating habits and will keep you guys posted on how things turn out. Best wishes to all ~ Sheri
I couldn’t read all the comments, so I apologize if this has already been brought up. I have extreme Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. I have had nothing else diagnosed but have been sick for many years. What I DO know is almost all food makes me tired. I have learned what foods make me much worse, but that is still not much relief. After looking at the list of high histamine foods, I realize that I don’t eat ANY of them. I still eat quite a variety of foods, but this entire list is apparently bothersome to me. My question is, is there anything more I could be doing about histamine in foods, like is there very extreme cases that take this low histamine approach much further? Or if the symptom is basically only fatigue, is this probably another dead end road for me?
You could go on a gut healing protocol like GAPS intro in order to address the gut dysbiosis which is the biggest cause of histamine intolerance. Removing foods is ultimately like putting a bandaid on a gaping wound. Dr. Natasha of the GAPS diet says that pathogenic microbes in the gut produce more histamine that any food you may consume. So until you heal the gut and address your dysbiosis, you will have your own histamine factory right inside your own body. Maybe you will be able to tolerate the foods you didn’t before after going through with GAPS. That’s what I am doing for me and my son currently. Hope that helps! Peace on your journey.
Thanks so much for the advice! 🙂
WOW! had no idea the bacteria could produce SO MUCH HISTAMINE. Dx SIBO and trying to cure, but need to keeping working. thanks for mentioning that.
I’m trying to cut high histimes out of my diet theses hives are driving me insane. I’m already taking 3 allergy shots a week
You might also want to look into Mast cell activation syndrome. Identical symptoms to histamine intolerance.
Has anyone seen a relationship with psoriasis and histamine intolerance? I had a recent breakout when eating a lot spinach salad with leftover chicken and balsamic vinegar which I learned are all high in histamines. I am curious if a low histamine diet will help psoriasis
Yes I have seen some corolation. I have had rashes most of my life and depending on what I eat, they can get better or worse. I’m now researching a diet without histamine. I thought I was glutin intolerant but symptoms persist with no glutin.
Good luck in your journey.
Histamin sensitivity is new to me. As a pediatrician I see many patients with recurrent urticaria and now I have expanded my differential diagnosis.
Today I had an allergic reaction at lunch after eating left over from previous night and had ER visit. The dish was new to me, brown jasmine rice cooked with coconut oil, with fresh ginger root, cumarin (tumaric) powder ( high amount), onions, flavored with little cinnamon and raisins added after cooked. I specifically wanted the cumarin and ginger flavor and used a lot. Salad with tomatoes, lettuce, olives, pumpkin seeds with balsamic vinegar and olive oil. While eating developed little headache, shortly after felt heat on face and became flushed (same as when I drink red wine). Soon after flush spread to chest and arms, with intense heat, I took benadryl, heat and flush spread to legs, the diarrhea and off to ER. You have answered many questions in this article. Thank you. AP
Has anyone looked into the amount of histamines in products like collagen hydrolysate or gelatin? I am wondering if I could use this to add in extra protein while being on a strict low histamine diet, since I can not tolerate beans or a lot of meat (fresh or not). Any thoughts? Also, I heard egg whites had the high histamines and yolks should be fine. Any science behind this?
Hi AliO,
I used Bulletproof’s version of protein collagen and as I was drinking it, my head became severely congested and my sinuses started draining, which turned into a headache (I tried several times). I also don’t do well on homemade bone broth (tried that several times, as well). Through my research, I did find that those types of proteins can have an affect on us with histamine issues. I haven’t tried the Vital Proteins, I’ve decided to eat my protein (of course, cooked and frozen immediately).
But as far as histamine levels in the product, I don’t have that information, just my experience with it.
Thank you for sharing your experience. I get a much less severe reaction when I have the collagen powder (phlegm in my throat) which also leads me to believe it is on the high side for histamines. I’ve tried Vital Proteins and Great Lakes, so I dont think it’s the brand that will make a difference. I’ve been doing okay on freshly cooked meat lately so Im going to stick with that. 🙂
Hi, I just found this article and was reading your comment and thought I would chime in. I have issues with histamines, but I get the worst reactions from bone broth, gelatin, collagen, and homemade fermented foods. I was eating yhese foods and getting the worst diarrhea ever. I thought I was eating healing foods but they were making me so sick. So be careful with the bone broth and gelatin.
Thanks Robyn. I think my symptoms were at their worst when I was consuming a ton of bone broth. I too thought I was being soooo healthy. 😉 I should mention that the last couple months have been really good to me. I have reduced my overall histamine levels after going low histamine about 6-7 months ago. Im still on a lowish histamine diet, but sprinkle in higher histamine foods often with little to no reaction. I am also consuming collagen powder on a regular basis and I am fine. There is hope for some of us, it just takes time. A lot of time!!!
Thank you for this informative article about histimines issues. I have been researching and studying his very subject after being recently diagnosed with Hashimotos’ Throiditis, leaky gut adrenal depleation, throat nodules and and chronic fatigue. In order to try to heal my leaky gut I began the autoimmune protocal and have been seeing a Functional Medicine Practitioner. Again, thank you.
Wow! I have adrenal fatigue hypothyroidism, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, hormonal imbalance and now itchy arms. What is your protocol if you don’t mind sharing
Thx
Marianne
Marianne
I had most of that. I would encourage you to google Dr Andrew Cutlers work amalgam illness. People that have many chronic illnesses often have heavy metal toxicity causing it. It was such a relief to find out what was making me sick all the time. He only sells books and he gives much of his time away. Not a expensive deal.
Cutler says that ALA can liberate mercury and send it to the brain so he has his own protocol.
He’s the only one who says this and ALA is a very popular supplement so I’ve always wondered if this is true or not.
He scared me away from using ALA and I would love to take it because it is such a good antioxidant and good for the liver, blood sugar, etc