Source: Sheila Shea’s June 2017 newsletter.

Histamine: Such a Hot Topic!

Histamine is a neurotransmitter produced by pathogenic bacteria in the gut. Normally, histamine is broken down naturally by an enzyme diamine oxidase. However, many people are bankrupt of that enzyme, do not break down histamine and hence get the symptoms. Two biggies are pruritis or skin itching and urticaria or hives. Everyone knows the skin itchy one. Add to the list migraines, low blood pressure, mood change, menstrual issues, vertigo, and dizziness. You have to change your microbiome to decrease the histamine releasing pathogens and increase and balance the positive bacteria and fungi.

Why are people not digesting their complex sugars leaving aside processed foods and added sugars? Because people do not have the enzymes that break them down, or not enough. Elaine Gottschall of the Specific Carbohydrate Diet has noted in her book Breaking the Vicious Cycle that most adults are bankrupt in enzymes.

The GAPS Program allows you to change your gut flora and remove this condition permanently. In the initial stages avoid all the culprit foods: all alcohol, black tea, canned and smoked foods, leftovers (you should eat everything as fresh as possible), beans and lentils, fermented vegetables, mature cheeses, cocoa, nuts, etc. All fresh foods prepared at home, including freshly fermented yoghurt and kefir will be fine for you. It will be best if you follow the GAPS Introduction Diet. (www.gaps.me)

A few helpful tips for the histamine sensitive:

• Ferment your vegetables longer
• Make stocks and cook a shorter period of time rather than broths which simmer a longer period of time.

How long it takes to heal is individual. Keep testing if you are getting more tolerant by trying to eat tomato, eggplant or spinach before trying to eat fermented vegetables.

In her blog, Histamine Intolerance, GAPS and Low Carbohydrate, Dr Tsafrir writes:

I recently made a discovery about my own health which has made a big difference in my insomnia, anxiety and depression. It also has improved my constipation. I have also made the diagnosis in several patients and my housekeeper. I discovered that I am histamine intolerant. It makes sense of diverse symptoms that have plagued me since childhood; constipation, insomnia, orthostatic hypotension, easy bruising and a tendency towards depression and anxiety. (Judy Tsafrir MD}

A few helpful links:

• Judy Tsafrir MD
• Chris Kresser MS, LAc
• Janice Joneja PhD, RD

A few helpful remedies:

• Coffee enemas
  As an emergency procedure many people find coffee enemas very helpful. Coffee enemas are one of the best ways of cleansing your liver and speeding up detoxification process in your body. It gives good pain relief as well.
• Rosemary essential oil
• Vitamin C
• Magnesium Glycinate
• Holy Basil