This article is actually about how a damaged gut is the root of the problem, but to make that point, I should start from the beginning.

This topic is of particular interest to me because when I lost in my own vestibular migraine cycle, I definitely felt that certain foods escalated the chaos. Often, they were foods that were labeled “healthy” which left me even more confused. For example, I had a love for watermelon kombucha, and I distinctly remember chugging a bottle and then feeling that light-headed-dizzy-disconnected experience that came with my vestibular something experience. (Note: All fermented foods are high histamine)

Now, as a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, I understand what may have been happening and how it truly was more a matter of healing my gut.

what are histamines?

Histamine is a signaling molecule with an important part of our physiology. Throughout the body, there are several different histamine receptors: digestive tract, skin, heart and peripheral blood vessels, brain, lungs, bone marrow, and uterus.

When in balance, histamine is an important part of balance within the body. However, loss of balance within the body can create histamine intolerance.

SYMPTOMS OF HISTAMINE INTOLERANCE

There are many symptoms of histamine intolerance; however, I’ll focus on dizziness, headaches, migraines, ringing in ears, light-headedness, irregular blood pressure and rapid heart rate because many people that I work with dealing with a vestibular something, experience these particular symptoms. When it comes to the GI tract, symptoms can include bloating, constipation, nausea and heartburn (among others).

hormones and histamine

A normal part of women’s health includes histamine. Histamine promotes estrogen. Estrogen levels raise during ovulation (right before menstruation). Histamine levels raise simultaneously. This may be a reason why some women experience worsening of these symptoms at this time during their cycle.

histamine balance

Histamine from our diet is not an issue when the body is in balance. The histamine gets broken down in the small intestine and colon by an enzyme (diamine oxidase or DAO). DAO neutralizes the histamine. However, when histamine overwhelms, this is when symptoms occur. There are several factors that contribute to histamine harmony, but my focus is the health of the gut microbiome.

heal the gut

To get right to the point: A damaged gut lowers one’s threshold for histamine; therefore, creating the potential for histamine intolerances. It’s also common for people dealing with histamine intolerances to be dealing with other food intolerances. Food intolerances are linked to people who have a damaged gut.

food and histamines

It’s important to remember that histamines cannot be entirely avoided. Every single food has histamine. Histamine is a needed part of your physiology. When it comes to looking at the food component, it’s a matter of getting the amount to be in balance with what your body can handle (as you heal your gut). Main foods to avoid during a histamine restriction phase are: cheese, eggs, fish, ham, milk, port, sausages, deli meats, shellfish, alcohol, avocado, banana, chickpeas, chocolate, citrus foods, coffee, dried fruit, eggplant, fermented plant foods, fruit juices, kiwi, lentils, licorice, mushrooms, nuts, papaya, peanuts, pineapple, plum, spinach, spices, soybeans, strawberries, tomatoes, vinegar.

As a reminder, a restriction phase is not meant as a lifestyle. It’s a means to create a healing path.

A healing plan

If you are looking for support, I’d welcome the opportunity to work with you in Nutritional Therapy to create a bio-individual plan. There’s never a one-size-fits when it comes to healing.

Goal: Heal your gut and restore balance and harmony in your body.