Histamine overload and MCAS
For years, I blamed those middle-of-the-night hot sweats on menopause—like an uninvited guest that overstayed its welcome.
Turns out, menopause had left the building, and a sneaky culprit called histamine intolerance or Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (which is similar) had taken its place!
Who knew?
So what is the histamine dump that’s caused by this?
Histamine dump is a sudden release of histamine into the body, often causing symptoms like headaches, itchy skin, or a racing heart. It typically happens at night but can occur at any time.
Histamine, a chemical involved in immune responses, helps fight infections and aids digestion. However, factors like allergies, certain foods, or stress can trigger an overload, leading to uncomfortable symptoms that can be confused with other things as they are similar to many other conditions.
Have you ever experienced puzzling symptoms that seemed to appear out of nowhere?
So, what does a histamine dump bring to the late-night party? Oh, just a delightful grab bag of possible symptoms:
Itchy skin (because midnight is the perfect time for a scratch-a-thon).
Body temperature chaos (hot, cold, hot again—make up your mind!).
Blood pressure changes (like your body’s auditioning for a medical drama).
Heartburn (because apparently, tacos do fight back).
Insomnia (as if everything else wasn’t keeping you awake).
Night sweats (a not-so-gentle reminder of the menopause days).
Restlessness (cue tossing and turning until sunrise).
Flushing
Headaches or Migraines (because why not add that to the mix?).
Narrowing of airways (a subtle touch of "can't breathe properly").
Runny, congested nose or sneezing
Swelling or puffiness
Stomach issues like bloating or diarrhea (what fun!)
Turns out, my body was hosting a histamine rave, and I had no idea I was on the guest list! 😅
So, here’s the deal: my body decided it’s not great at breaking down histamine (thanks to a lack of the DAO enzyme) which apparently is quite common in women after menopause.
So… my body is throwing a fit over everything—food, stress, the environment, you name it. Talk about high maintenance, right?
Aaaah! I need to heal the gut…easier said than done :(
I’m not about masking symptoms—I like to tackle the root cause head-on (I know… the hard way 🙄). I’m not a fan of the side effects from antihistamines and I’m all about healing the problem. And guess what? It's usually my good old friend, leaky gut syndrome. So, I’m on a mission to heal that gut of mine, one step at a time! 😎
After diving into endless research and chatting with a doctor who actually gets it, I’ve put together a little rescue plan for myself:
Quercetin (nature’s antihistamine superhero).
Liposomal Vitamin C in large amounts (because regular Vitamin C wasn’t dramatic enough).
Bromelain (to bust up that stubborn histamine like a pro).
DAO enzyme before meals (to do the job my body refuses to).
Zeolite: I’m taking Pure body Extra which is a unique form of liquid zeolite and nano-silica technology. It’s intended to cleanse the cells and detoxify the body by neutralizing toxins at a cellular level and helping to remove them through the digestive system.
I have also started another zeolite called Toxaprevent marketed to detox from histamine. This one contains clinoptilolite (a form of zeolite), which is a natural mineral that binds to various toxins, heavy metals, and other harmful substances in the body. It works by absorbing these toxins in the digestive system and helping eliminate them. I am taking both as they detox on different levels.
Gut healing squad: L-glutamine, IgG, collagen powder and butyric acid (because, as usual, it all leads back to leaky gut).
Drink lots of organic nettle tea to flush it out.
Some probiotics can also produce histamine so you have to be careful if you take one. Here’s a list of the ok strains to take with histamine overload:
Lactobacillus paracasei CASEI 431®, Bifidobacterium infantis, Lactobacillus gasseri, Bifidobacterium breve, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Lactobacillus salivarius, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Bifidobacterium longum( also helps improve intestinal hyperpermeability “leaky gut syndrome”), Bifidobacterium lactis and Lactobacillus plantarum.
For the same reason all the healthy foods that we have been recommended to take because they are full of probiotics like kefir, yoghurt, bone broth, sourdough, all fermented foods …are not indicated when on a low histamine diet. Could it be more confusing?
Foods high in Histamine
My poor taste buds have been betrayed—here’s what I’ve had to cut back on:
spinach
avocado
shellfish and some fish
aubergine
tomatoes
fermented (kefir, kombucha, sauerkraut, yoghurt, sourdough), cured or aged food.
leftovers
alcohol (especially wine😭 and beer )
green tea
olives
pickled vegetables
citrus fruits
dried fruits
chocolate ( Nooooooooooooo 😭) This one I can’t do!
cured/aged cheeses are a no-no.
But these ones are low in histamine: mozzarella, cottage cheese, cream cheese, ricotta, mascarpone, and other soft, fresh cheeses with minimal aging
Basically, all my daily faves are on timeout while I lower histamine levels and give my body a chance to chill. But doctors don’t seem to agree on these lists and you will find some different foods on different lists!
Symptoms of histamine overload for me? Oh, just a dull headache, waking up at night (histamine dump), sinus and rhinitis drama, and a side of tinnitus. Fun, huh?
Everyone’s histamine meltdown looks a little different, but I’m hoping this plan gets me back to feeling human again. Fingers crossed! 🤞
The DAO enzyme supplement I am taking before my 3 meals is Naturdao plus, made from organic legumes with a very high enzymatic activity.
I mentioned I was doing the Toxaprevent Histamine Detox Protocol. It utilizes two key products: Toxaprevent Medi Plus Sachets and Toxaprevent Medi Pure Capsules. These products contain Zeolite Clinoptilolite, a natural mineral known for its ability to bind and remove toxins, including excess histamine (according to the brand that sells it), from the body. It also detoxes from heavy metals, ammonium, mold, environmental toxins, gut toxins and acidity.
Product Functions:
Toxaprevent Medi Plus Sachets: Target the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract—mouth, esophagus, and stomach.
Toxaprevent Medi Pure Capsules: Designed for the lower GI tract—intestines and colon. These delayed-release capsules pass through the stomach and release their contents in the intestines.
This is how I am taking them:
Toxaprevent Medi Plus Sachets: Take one sachet daily, preferably in the morning on an empty stomach, to enhance detoxification.
Toxaprevent Medi Pure Capsules: Consume 3 capsules in the morning on an empty stomach to effectively eliminate histamine and other toxins.
(I found that taking more than this was causing me to detox too quickly and giving me side effects so I scaled back).
I feel I am finally feeling results in my Histamine detox adventure. I knew it was going to take a while. My headaches have gone, my nights are better, nose is clearer. It got much better a few days after I started the Toxaprevent.(the zeolite)
Maintenance:
After completing the initial detox, it's advisable to undertake a 1 to 2-month detox annually as a "top-up" to maintain reduced histamine levels.
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Note: Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any detox protocol to ensure it aligns with your individual health needs.
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AS a matter of curiosity I asked chat gpt about histamine overload.
ChatGPT said:
Histamine overload or histamine intolerance, Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS), dysbiosis, and autoimmune disorders aren’t widely recognized or officially diagnosed in conventional medicine, as many doctors might not be familiar with it as a distinct condition. It can be frustrating when the medical community seems to lack clear solutions for these conditions. Many people seek more holistic, integrative, or functional approaches for managing these issues.
In these cases, there are a few key things to keep in mind:
1. Lack of Recognition in Conventional Medicine
MCAS, dysbiosis, and autoimmune conditions are complex, and their diagnosis and management are not always straightforward. They are sometimes seen as overlapping or misunderstood conditions, and the medical community may not have definitive treatments for them because they don't fit neatly into traditional disease models.
The problem with conditions like MCAS or dysbiosis is that they don’t always present in clear-cut ways, making them hard to diagnose using conventional lab tests. This leads to misdiagnosis, delayed treatment, or even dismissal of symptoms.
2. Integrative Medicine & Functional Health
While conventional medicine might not provide definitive solutions, integrative or functional medicine practitioners are often more open-minded and knowledgeable about conditions like MCAS, dysbiosis, and autoimmune disorders. They may have a deeper understanding of how the immune system, gut health, and inflammation interact with the body's response to histamine and other triggers.
These practitioners often focus on root causes like gut health, microbial imbalances, autoimmune triggers, and systemic inflammation, offering a holistic approach. They might use strategies like:
Dietary interventions (e.g., low-histamine, anti-inflammatory diets)
Supplements (e.g., probiotics, systemic enzymes, DAO enzymes, or anti-inflammatory agents)
Lifestyle changes (stress management, sleep improvement, etc.)
Functional testing (like stool tests, immune panels, or DAO activity tests) to get a clearer picture of underlying issues.
3. Self-Advocacy and Personalized Care
Because these conditions are often misunderstood by mainstream medicine, you might have to become your own health advocate. Educating yourself, trying different management strategies, and even working with practitioners who specialize in these areas can help you find what works best for you.
Holistic practitioners, such as naturopaths, functional medicine doctors, or even nutritionists with expertise in autoimmune diseases or gut health, might be more equipped to provide personalized care tailored to your unique situation.
Trial and error can be frustrating, but finding the right combination of dietary changes, supplements, and therapies might be key to improving your quality of life.
4. Collaboration and Support
Even if conventional doctors are not fully equipped to handle MCAS, dysbiosis, or autoimmune conditions, you can still work alongside them to ensure your health is managed holistically. For example, your primary care physician might be involved in monitoring overall health, while an integrative practitioner can help with addressing the root causes and supporting immune health.
Joining support groups, whether in person or online, can also be a good way to connect with others going through similar experiences. People often share valuable tips, resources, and practical approaches that help manage symptoms of complex conditions like MCAS and autoimmune disorders.
5. Consider Specialized Testing
While conventional medicine may not always know how to deal with these conditions, specialized tests such as DAO enzyme testing, mast cell markers, intestinal permeability tests, or microbiome analysis (for dysbiosis) may offer useful insights into your condition and guide treatment. Some functional medicine doctors or holistic practitioners may recommend these tests to uncover specific imbalances that could be contributing to symptoms like histamine overload or autoimmune dysfunction.
6. Symptom Management
Symptom management is often a major focus when it comes to conditions like MCAS, dysbiosis, and autoimmune diseases. Many people find that using supplements like DAO enzyme, systemic enzymes, anti-inflammatory herbs, or probiotics (especially for dysbiosis) can provide some relief, even if the underlying cause isn't fully understood.
For example, Pure Body Extra or Toxaprevent can help with detoxing the body, but managing your diet (low-histamine, anti-inflammatory) and adding things like probiotics, digestive enzymes, and mast cell-stabilizing herbs (like quercetin or vitamin C) can further support your health.
7. Patience and Persistence
The journey to managing histamine intolerance, MCAS, dysbiosis, and autoimmune disorders is often long and filled with trial and error. While conventional medicine may not offer the answers you're looking for, many people find relief through integrative and functional approaches that focus on diet, lifestyle, and personalized supplementation.
Conclusion:
While conventional medicine may not have clear answers for MCAS, dysbiosis, or autoimmune diseases, there are other approaches that can help you manage these conditions more effectively. Integrative medicine or functional medicine practitioners are often better equipped to work with conditions like these and can offer personalized treatment plans, even if the mainstream medical system doesn't fully recognize them. Ultimately, it comes down to finding the right team of healthcare providers who understand your condition and are open to alternative or complementary strategies that support your health.
In the meantime, self-care, symptom tracking, and educated experimentation with diet, supplements, and lifestyle adjustments can go a long way in improving your quality of life.
Links that may help:
(I do not get paid to mention these links or any products.)
https://www.drhagmeyer.com
https://oc-integrative-medicine.com
https://www.eds.clinic/articles/histamine-dump
https://naturdao.com/en/estrogen-histamine-and-perimenopause
https://healthinmenopause.co.uk/histamine-intolerance