There is currently no cure for histamine intolerance.
The key to success is for the patient to learn to adjust to a low-histamine diet and manage the condition(s) until it either goes away, or for life.
The patient needs to avoid stress.
Symptoms can be alleviated (but this is not the overall solution!) with the help of the following options:
ANTIHISTAMINES:
H1, H2, H3, H4,… receptor blockers according to the symptoms of the patient.
DAO ENZYME SUPPLEMENTS:
The same product under different commercial names is available, but in the UK, at the time of writing, is only available via the internet. Success rates are variable depending on the usage and personal threshold of the individual patient. However, there have been reports of successful therapy with the help of this DAO supplement, independently of those reports given for PR purposes by the product’s manufacturer.
VITAMIN AND MINERAL SUPPLEMENTS:
Following supplements have been suggested. It is however advisable to try to ingest these elements by eating foods that contain them and only to resort to taking supplements when absolutely necessary and in accordance with the doctor’s advice or that of a dietician:
- Vitamin C: lowers the histamine level in the blood
- Vitamin B6: is an important co-factor of the enzyme diamine oxidase and its activity
- Calcium: reduces the development of wheals and flushing of the skin
- Zinc: has anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory properties and constrains histamine release
- Copper: is able to elevate the plasma level of DAO slightly
- Magnesium: a Magnesium deficit lowers the allergic reaction threshold
- Manganese: elevates diamine oxidase activity [viii]
- Vitamin B1
- Vitamin B12
- Folic Acid [ix]
DRUGS THAT IMPAIR DIAMINE OXIDASE (DAO) ACTIVITY (Go back to top)
Some drugs interfere with the DAO enzyme, reducing its activity:
| ACTIVE INGREDIENT | NAME |
| |
| Aminophylline | Phyllocontin, Uniphyllin, Nuelin, Slo-Phyllin |
| Amitriptyline | Triptafen |
| Chloroquine | Avloclor, Malarivon, Nivaquine, Paludrine/Avloclor |
| Clavulanic Acid | Augmentin, Co-amoxiclav |
| Isoniazid | |
| Metoclopramide | Maxalon, Paramax |
| Propafenone | Arythmol |
| Verapamil | Cordilox, Securon |
| |
| Anti-inflammatory/painkilling drugs can increase histamine release in allergy sufferers |
| |
| ACTIVE INGREDIENT | NAME |
| |
| Mefenamic acid | Ponstan, |
| Diclofenac | Voltarol, Dicloflex, Diclomax, Motifene, Arthrotec |
| Indometacin | Indacid, Rimacid |
| Flurbiprofen | Froben |
| Naproxen | Naprosyn, Synflex, Napratec, Arthroxen |
| Ketoprofen | Orudis, Oruvail |
| Acetylsalicylic acid | Aspirin, Caprin, Anadin and many others |
[viii]Patienteninformation, Histaminunverträglichkeit, Histaminintoleranz, Facharztpraxis Labor Doz. Schön, pg. 11
[ix]Jarisch pg 90: „Um eine ausreichende Aktivität der histaminabbauenden Enzyme (Diamineoxidase) zu erreichen, sollte neben den üblichen Aspekten für eine gesunde Ernährung auf eine ausreichende Zufuhr von Vitamin B1, Vitamin B12, Folsäure, Kupfer und Vitamin C geachtet werden.“
FAQs
Histamine intolerance (HIT) is assumed to be due to a deficiency of the gastrointestinal (GI) enzyme diamine oxidase (DAO) and, therefore, the food component histamine not being degraded and/or absorbed properly within the GI tract.
How to reverse histamine intolerance? ›
People with histamine intolerance can usually manage their condition by changing their diets. In severe cases, taking DAO supplements or other medications can help. Sometimes the intolerance is temporary, and you can eventually go back to eating foods that you'd been avoiding.
What doctor treats histamine intolerance? ›
That would be for example a gastroenterologist if you have stomach or bowel problems, a dermatologist if you have skin problems, an allergologist or an immunologist, because they need to make sure that you don't have any other illness.
How can I flush histamine out of my body? ›
Stay hydrated: Drinking enough water can help flush out histamine and other toxins from the body. Aim for at least 8 cups of water a day. Avoid triggers: Certain triggers, such as tobacco smoke and certain medications, can increase histamine levels. Avoiding these triggers can help reduce histamine levels in your body.
How to heal your gut with histamine intolerance? ›
A low histamine diet involves reducing the intake of high-histamine foods, such as aged cheeses, processed meats, fermented foods, and alcohol – this falls into the remove phase of the 4 R's. It also means avoiding foods that block DAO enzymes, including certain fruits, vegetables, and artificial additives.
What vitamin deficiency causes histamine intolerance? ›
Another significant link between B6 and histamine intolerance, is B6's role in supporting DAO function to break down histamine. When vitamin B6 is too low, DAO cannot be produced effectively, as B6 plays an important role in the process of DAO formation (3,4,5).
What autoimmune disease causes histamine intolerance? ›
Mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) develops when mast cells become overactive and release their contents, which include histamine and other substances that cause inflammation and allergy symptoms.
What is the strongest natural antihistamine? ›
What is the most powerful natural antihistamine? Researchers haven't yet established any natural product as the “best” or “most powerful.” Natural antihistamines with the most research backing their use include stinging nettle, vitamin C, quercetin, butterbur, bromelain, and probiotics.
What are the worst histamine foods? ›
Highest-histamine foods
- Alcoholic beverages.
- Canned and semi-preserved fish.
- Cured meat.
- Dry-fermented sausages.
- Cheese.
When the body is hydrated, it can better manage histamine production, which is linked to allergic reactions. However, water is not a cure-all and should be combined with other allergy management strategies.
Coffee is high in histamine which can set off what looks like an allergic reaction but it doesn't occur through the typical allergy mechanism. Instead, the histamine from the coffee causes an inflammatory reaction that can be quite severe in some people.
What supplements help with histamine intolerance? ›
Vitamins and minerals that may benefit people with histamine intolerance include:
- vitamin B6.
- vitamin C.
- copper.
- magnesium.
- zinc.
- calcium.
- vitamin B1.
- vitamin B12.
High histamine levels are often caused by a deficiency in the enzyme DAO, which helps to break down histamine. Such a deficiency could be caused by: Medications that block DAO production or function. Certain foods that block DAO.
What disease causes high histamine? ›
People with mastocytosis have an increased risk of developing a severe and life-threatening allergic reaction. This is known as anaphylaxis. The increased risk of anaphylaxis is caused by the abnormally high number of mast cells and their potential to release large amounts of histamine into the blood.
