While most probiotic supplements contain strains of bacteria that both reduce histamine and produce histamine to allow for a diverse probiotic supplement, it does not help the individual who has symptoms of histamine intolerance and is looking for the best probiotic supplement for histamine intolerance.
The best probiotic strains for histamine intolerance are Bifidobacterium infantis, Bifidobacterium longum, lactobacillus brevis and lactobacillus plantarum which are found in Probiota HistaminX.
Some common probiotics that can produce histamine in the gut include lactobacillus casei and lactobacillus bulgaricus. None of these strains of probiotics are found in Probiota HistaminX. While these strains of probiotics still have beneficial properties they may not be best for the histamine sensitive individual.
Some other bacteria that have been shown to produce histamine in large amounts include oxytoca, citrobacter freundii and enterobacter cloacae. These bacteria are often found in higher levels in people with gut dysbiosis and SIBO.
Utilizing a probiotic with bacteria that helps to reduce histamine in the gut helps to balance the microflora in the gut and ensures that DAO enzyme and HNMT enzyme are not overloaded with histamine to metabolize from the gut. Probiota is one of the best probiotics for SIBO and histamine intolerance and I have seen great results with several clients and customers using this probiotic. I am often wary of using probiotics especially when I suspect SIBO may be present but this probiotic is very well tolerated and the strains have been shown to reduce histamine in the body.
Histamine block contains the enzyme diamine oxidase which helps to metabolize food sources of histamine and histamine coming from the gut and outside the cell.
The DAO enzyme is found in large amounts in the intestinal lining but if the gut lining is damaged due to a leaky gut or even excess histamine caused from bacteria or mast cell activation a loss of the DAO enzyme can occur and thus the body has a decreased ability to metabolize and reduce histamine in the body and thus contributing to histamine symptoms.
Some individuals may have SNP’s in the DAO enzyme therefore genetically have a decreased ability to metabolize external histamine from foods and bacteria in the gut and thus easily get overwhelmed in general or when eating high histamine foods.
Supplementing with diamine oxidase helps to metabolize external histamine from food sources and in the gut.
Vitamin c and histamine intolerance
Mast cells are immune cells that when stimulated release pro-inflammatory compounds such as histamine as one of the inflammatory compounds released. When mast cells are activated reactive oxygen species are produced and vitamin C is an antioxidant that protects the immune cells from reactive oxygen species.
Vitamin c has been shown to decrease bronchial hypersensitivity and helps to reduce the duration of the common cold, sneezing, coughing, runny nose and other symptoms related to mast cell activation and the release of histamine.
Seeking health’s liposomal vitamin c plus is an amazing vitamin c for histamine intolerance for several reasons. First being a liposomal vitamin c makes this vitamin c readily absorbed and utilized by the body as the phosphatidylcholine acts as a delivery mechanism to get vitamins inside the cell.
This vitamin c also contains lutein and quercetin which both help with stabilizing mast cells that produces histamine to help with allergy like symptoms of histamine intolerance and is mixed with bioflavonoids which are also needed for optimal utilization of vitamin c in the body
The phosphatidylcholine found in this liposomal vitamin c also indirectly supports the HNMT enzyme which is responsible for breaking down histamine found inside the cell as opposed to outside the cell. The HNMT enzyme requires a methyl donor called SAMe as a cofactor for this gene to function. 70-80 percent of SAMe is used to make phosphatidylcholine so by providing the body with phosphatidylcholine in this liposomal vitamin c the body does not need to make as much phosphatidylcholine therefore SAMe is freed up to work elsewhere in the body such as for the HNMT enzyme to work and reduce histamine in the body.
The combination of Probiota HistaminX, Liposomal Vitamin C and Histamine Block are all supplements that can help to lower histamine in the body.
Related Articles:
Histamine Intolerance : How to Reduce Histamine in The Body
Poor Methylataion, MTHFR and Histamine Intolerance
Grab your FREE step by step gut health guide here
Referances:
https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jphs/107/2/107_08028FP/_article
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6136002/
https://www.longdom.org/open-access/relationship-between-vitamin-c-mast-cells-and-inflammation-2155-9600-1000456.pdf
https://medium.com/@isotropeusa/probiotics-a-guide-for-those-with-food-sensitivities-3fcc0ba41de3#:~:targetText=Bifidobacterium%20infantis%20and%20Bifidobacterium%20longum%20have%20both%20been%20noted%20to,it’s%20a%20near%2Dnegligible%20amount.
Hi Amber,
I have truly enjoyed reading the articles on your website as there is not a lot of information out there on histamine intolerance.
For the last couple years I have found myself waking up or going to bed with random hives and patches of bumpy, dry skin that looks like eczema. Splotches of red skin whenever I drink wine. I’ve tried every cream, even steroids with no success. The hives are on my thighs, my torso, even my back and sometimes on my forearms.
I recently took a food intolerance test and had a lot of above average or “abnormal” reactions to things. Some of them I don’t even eat (scallops, cottage cheese) the more research I did, the more I found on histamine intolerance. When I read some of the foods that contain histamine or release histamine I cross checked it with my test results. It turns out many things I had a reaction to, has or releases histamine (Banana, cheese, coffee, eggs, eggplant, milk, peanuts, bakers and brewers yeast, yogurt) I also had intolerance to gluten, barley, bran, corn, rye, black pepper and blueberries.
It’s not doctor confirmed, but it sounds to me like I have histamine intolerance, & issues with DAO, so I am going to try they supplements you suggested to see if they help, and Im going to do my best to cut out histamine foods.
I had a couple of questions and would love your insight on them if you can give it.
I drink coffee everyday, not a lot, but at least 1 cup with almond milk, no sugar. Is there a good alternative? I read tea (like matcha annd green tea) are DAO blockers, which would be bad in my case. It’s worth noting that on this food intolerance test they did not test for green tea but they did test for black tea and I had no reaction, but I had an abnormal reaction to coffee. Perhaps tea if a better caffeine choice for me?
I also wanted to ask about olives and tomatoes. I know tomatoes are on the list of foods to avoid, but I’ve also read if they are cooked then they are ok? like sauteed, or even in a pasta sauce? Is there any truth to that? And I’ve read to avoid olives, but what if they come in a can of water and sea salt, and not vinegar?
I appreciate any feedback!!
Hi Breana! Thanks for your questions and sharing your story. Yes histamine intolerance can be a bit of a pain but identifying the most troublesome foods is a huge step which you have already done!
I don’t know if matcha and green tea inhibit the DAO enzyme as I havn’t read or researched that and same for the olives. Everyone is unique in their ability to metabolize different substances found in food but I would focus on limiting and avoiding the histamine foods that you really notice are problematic along with your food sensitivities. A lot could be going on in the gut as well but I would think olives without the vinegar would be fine. I like to always go by your bodies response as well where you can avoid all the histamine foods then challenge some of the lower histamine foods one at a time to see if you are reacting to them.
Genetic testing can also be helpful to see if you are prone to having trouble metabolizing histamine through various genes such as the DAO, HNMT, MAO A and NAT2 genes to see if and where you are genetically likely to be struggling.
I personally was clear in the DAO gene but had a snp in the MAO A gene which metabolizes histamine as well. Olives can contain different levels of biogenic amines which is metabolized through the MAO A gene. Aged Cheeses contain tyramine and are metabolized through this gene as well. I notice that I get puffy and dont do well with too much cheese olives or smoked meats…. so everyone is a bit different
Here is a link to a study on olives and the biogenic amines found in it.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10643779
I have a hard time giving up coffee as well!! I have substituted dandelion root tea for coffee instead and enjoyed it and I have also mixed it half and half with my coffee so that I am only drinking half a cup of coffee.
Hope that helps 🙂
Hi Breana! Thanks for your questions and sharing your story. Yes histamine intolerance can be a bit of a pain but identifying the most troublesome foods is a huge step which you have already done!
I don’t know if matcha and green tea inhibit the DAO enzyme as I havn’t read or researched that and same for the olives. Everyone is unique in their ability to metabolize different substances found in food but I would focus on limiting and avoiding the histamine foods that you really notice are problematic along with your food sensitivities. A lot could be going on in the gut as well but I would think olives without the vinegar would be fine. I like to always go by your bodies response as well where you can avoid all the histamine foods then challenge some of the lower histamine foods one at a time to see if you are reacting to them.
Genetic testing can also be helpful to see if you are prone to having trouble metabolizing histamine through various genes such as the DAO, HNMT, MAO A and NAT2 genes to see if and where you are genetically likely to be struggling.
I personally was clear in the DAO gene but had a snp in the MAO A gene which metabolizes histamine as well. Olives can contain different levels of biogenic amines which is metabolized through the MAO A gene. Aged Cheeses contain tyramine and are metabolized through this gene as well. I notice that I get puffy and dont do well with too much cheese olives or smoked meats…. so everyone is a bit different
Here is a link to a study on olives and the biogenic amines found in it.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10643779
I have a hard time giving up coffee as well!! I have substituted dandelion root tea for coffee instead and enjoyed it and I have also mixed it half and half with my coffee so that I am only drinking half a cup of coffee.
Hope that helps 🙂
Hi Amber,
I am struggling with histamine intolerance. Been trying to be my own health advocate. What testing and where can I purchase for food sensitivity or what you recommend?
Hi Marisa,
I use genetic testing to determine if someone is prone to poor metabolism of histamine and which pathway it is coming from. But I also just remove high histamine trigger foods while working on gut health and SIBO and that helps with histamine intolerance as well.
If you need one on one support let me know. I am happy to provide a complimentary 15 minute phone call to answer any questions.
I know histamine intolerance can be a struggle.