Dealing with a histamine allergy can be extremely frustrating. A diet rich in histamine-reducing foods can help ease symptoms and prevent your body from having a reaction. To keep levels in check, eat a diet rich in all-natural whole foods like fresh vegetables and fruits, gluten-free cereals, egg yolks, and fresh meat. Avoid salty snacks, aged dairy, packaged meats, and other processed foods.
What is histamine?
This is one chemical substance which occurs naturally in the body to help reduce the effects of allergic reactions. It is present in especially large amounts in the gastrointestinal tract, lungs, and skin, and is a crucial part of many of your body's natural processes.
When the body encounters a foreign substance that it considers potentially invasive, it releases histamine to stop the substance from spreading. The affected area swells as your body works to get rid of what it has deemed to be a problem. You may start to itch, sweat, or sneeze, any response typically associated with an allergic reaction.
It's a process meant to keep you safe from poisonous substances, but sometimes, people are especially sensitive to histamine and experience flare-ups for no apparent reason. When they eat certain foods, they may experience an adverse and often severe physical reaction.
La histamine intolerance it can sometimes be confused with food allergies, and the cause remains a mystery. It usually has to do with higher than normal levels of this substance in your body, sometimes due to enzyme imbalances.
If you are concerned that you may have sensitivity, talk to your doctor about how you can lessen its effects. Symptoms can be slightly different for each person, so treatment must be tailored to suit the situation.
What foods are high in histamines?
Although it is helpful to increase your intake of foods low in histamine, it is equally important to reduce your intake of foods that contain histamine. stay away from alcohol, canned or pickled foods, smoked meat, salty snacks, and cheese, as much as I can. These foods are naturally high in histamines and could trigger a reaction.
Some foods do not contain the substance directly, but have a property that triggers the release of histamine every time you eat them. These are called histamine releasers and include citrus fruits, dried fruits, tomatoes, nuts, spinach and chocolate. It's also best to stay away from these foods if you're looking to start a low-histamine diet.
It has been shown that caffeine, a staple food of many people, promotes its release. Especially when your digestive system is waking up, caffeine triggers activity in the body's histamine neurons, which can be problematic for some sensitive people. That morning cup of coffee might not be the best for your health; it might be worth trying decaf to see if it helps.
Remember that there is no one-size-fits-all formula for treating histamine intolerance. A November 2014 article, published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, notes that each person's treatment approach should be unique to their situation. A registered dietitian can work with you to try different dietary restrictions and see what works.
It is generally not practical to stop eating all histamine-containing products, except in the most extreme cases. You may react more strongly to some foods than others, in which case it will be beneficial to tailor your diet to individual needs.