If histamine intolerance has been suspected or diagnosed, there are a number of things that can help relieve symptoms or reactivate the disruption of diamine oxidase production.
a) Intestinal rehabilitationSince congenital histamine intolerance is very rare, there is usually a chronic disturbance of the intestinal mucosa and damage to the cells of the intestinal epithelium. Diamine oxidase (DAO) may then not be produced sufficiently, histamine from food or histamine produced by faulty colonization of bacteria in the intestine may enter the body.
It is advisable to carry out an intestinal rehabilitation with reconstruction of the natural colonization with microorganisms and to repeat this once a year. Ideally, this can reduce or cure the acquired histamine intolerance.
b) Optimize supply of vitamins and trace elementsDAO requires vitamin B6 for its activity. Histamine release is influenced by vitamin C. It is also important to ensure an adequate supply of zinc.
It is recommended to optimize the supply with a preparation that takes into account the specific needs of vitamin B6, vitamin C, niacin and zinc.
c) Avoid foods containing histamineA number of foods naturally contain abundant histamine:
- Fish: tuna, anchovies, mackerel.
- Meat: cured and smoked meats and sausages that use microorganisms in their production (salami, cervelat sausage, mettwurst, ham, etc.)
- Cheese: all hard cheeses (e.g. Emmental) and blue cheeses.
- Alcohol: red wine, white wine, beer
- vegetables: sauerkraut, spinach, pickles
d) Avoid foods that release histamine in the body.Some ingredients in foods increase the release of histamine, as is the case with the following foods:
- Strawberries, citrus fruits, pineapple, kiwi fruit.
- Seafood
- milk
e) Avoid foods that can inhibit DAOCertain foods interfere with the activity of the histamine-degrading enzyme through biogenic amines:
- Chocolate
- citrus fruits, pineapple, papaya, raspberries, pears
- bananas
- tomatoes
- legumes
- Wheat Germ
- cashew nuts, walnuts
f) In the case of medications that influence histamine degradation, critically examine whether it is actually necessary to take them.