Introduction

Welcome back nude followers, today we are summarizing an episode by Dr. Mark Hyman and his guest, Dr. Elizabeth Boham, where they discuss histamine intolerance, its symptoms, causes, and treatment approaches. This episode delves into the complexities of histamine intolerance, how it affects the body, and the functional medicine approach to managing it.

• The discussion focuses on a patient case that illustrates the symptoms and successful treatment of histamine intolerance.
• Dr. Boham shares her extensive experience in functional medicine and how it differs from traditional medical approaches.

What is Histamine Intolerance?

Histamine intolerance is a condition where the body cannot break down histamine effectively, leading to its accumulation and various symptoms.

• Histamine is a chemical produced by the body during allergic reactions and found naturally in foods. It plays roles in sending messages to the brain, aiding digestion, and being part of the immune response.
• The condition is not a sensitivity to histamine but rather an inability to break it down, often due to a deficiency in the enzyme diamine oxidase (DAO).

Symptoms of Histamine Intolerance

The symptoms of histamine intolerance are diverse and can affect multiple body systems.

• Gastrointestinal symptoms include bloating, abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, and nausea. These are the most common symptoms, with bloating being reported by up to 92% of patients.
• Respiratory symptoms include rhinorrhea, nasal congestion, sneezing, and sometimes asthma-like symptoms.
• Skin manifestations include pruritis, flushing, urticaria, dermatitis, and swelling.
• Cardiovascular and nervous system symptoms can include tachycardia, hypotonia, headaches, migraines, dizziness, and anxiety.

Causes of Histamine Intolerance

Several factors can contribute to histamine intolerance.

• Genetic predispositions: Some people may have a genetic variation that affects their ability to produce DAO.
• Medications: Certain medications like antibiotics, antidepressants, and anti-inflammatory drugs can inhibit DAO production or function.
• Diet: Consuming foods high in histamine or foods that trigger histamine release can exacerbate the condition. Examples include aged cheeses, fermented foods, alcohol, and certain fruits and vegetables.
• Gut health: Conditions like leaky gut syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, and dysbiosis can reduce DAO production and increase histamine levels.

Diagnosis and Testing

Diagnosing histamine intolerance can be challenging due to its non-specific symptoms.

• Exclusion of other conditions: Doctors often diagnose histamine intolerance after ruling out other conditions with similar symptoms.
• Food diary: Keeping a food diary can help identify patterns and symptoms related to food consumption.
• Blood tests: Measuring DAO levels and histamine levels in blood or urine can be helpful, though these tests are not always reliable.

Treatment and Management

The treatment for histamine intolerance involves dietary changes and addressing underlying causes.

• Low-histamine diet: Avoiding foods high in histamine and those that trigger histamine release. This diet is often implemented in phases to gradually reintroduce foods.
• DAO supplements: Giving patients DAO enzymes to help break down histamine.
• Addressing gut health: Healing leaky gut, optimizing the microbiome, and reducing inflammation in the digestive tract.
• Hormonal balance: For women, addressing estrogen dominance and improving estrogen metabolism can be crucial.
• Stress reduction: Techniques like breath work, meditation, and yoga can help manage stress, which is a significant trigger for histamine intolerance.

Key Takeaways

• Histamine intolerance is a condition where the body cannot break down histamine, leading to various symptoms.
• It is often caused by a DAO deficiency, certain medications, diet, and gut health issues.
• Diagnosis involves ruling out other conditions and using tools like food diaries and blood tests.
• Treatment includes a low-histamine diet, DAO supplements, and addressing underlying gut health and hormonal issues.
• Functional medicine approaches focus on root causes and personalization to manage the condition effectively.