Histamine Intolerance

A histamine intolerance is when histamine accumulates in the body and does not get broken down and degraded. This results in too much histamine in the body. An intolerance is not necessarily a sensitivity to histamine, but rather an excess of it.Histamine is a neurotransmitter involved in the allergic response and inflammatory response. It is also part of hydrochloric acid and helps break down food. Our bodies break down histamine through two enzymes: HMT and DAO. HMT breaks down histamine in the CNS, and DAO breaks down the histamine in our ingested foods. It seems that issues with DAO are the main cause of histamine intolerances. Often, we do not have enough of the enzyme to break down histamine-rich foods. Other causes of histamine intolerace are dysbiosis, GI disorders, and exposure to UV light.Some of the symptoms of histamine intolerance are stomach pains, anxiety, fatigue, headaches, acid reflux, itching, issues falling asleep, low or high blood pressure and sinus problems.To treat a histamine intolerance, one should follow a low histamine and low protein diet. A low histamine diet will avoid foods that contain histamine, foods that aid in histamine release, and foods that inhibit DAO. Additionally DAO supplements can be taken.Foods high in histamine include alcohol, smoked and cured meats, chocolate, pickled or canned foods, vinegar, chocolate, tomatoes, avocados, mushrooms, eggplant, spinach, and olives.