Low histamines are diet-related markers of an excessive amount of yeast in the blood. Unfortunately, they may also come with side effects such as feeling dizzy, dry, or sleepy. But what exactly is Histamine? What role does it play in the human body? Can a low histamine diet really help?
According to experts, low histamine diets should be avoided by those who are allergic to certain types of foods or food additives. If you want to go on a low histamine diet, it is important that you eat raw, unprocessed foods such as fruits and vegetables. Avoiding histamines in food is not the same as limiting your diet entirely. Although the two terms may often be used interchangeably, a low histamine diet does not necessarily mean that you cannot eat certain foods at all. You simply need to find out which foods cause your problems, then eliminate them from your diet.
When a person first begins experiencing symptoms of allergies or low levels of histamines in their blood, the cause is usually one of two things: infections or allergies. Either way, there are certain foods that can actually increase the production of histamines in the blood, thereby causing the problem. Some of these foods are runny noses, and itchy, watery eyes. Other people experience sneezing, a stuffy nose, and congestion. To remedy this problem, experts recommend that sufferers avoid foods that make breathing more difficult, spicy foods like peppermint, Cayenne, and curry, and processed and fast foods such as canned meat and foods that are fried.
The reason that eating spicy food makes breathing harder is because it increases the speed with which gastrointestinal secretions move through the bowels. Foods that are high in fat content move more quickly through the intestines, which results in less time for foods to come out of the stomach and into the small intestine. Foods that are high in fiber also move slowly through the intestines, meaning that even more food is passed over before it is absorbed by the body. Because of this, a low histamine diet includes lots of fatty foods, low-fiber foods, and fast food. Even cabbage and cauliflower have been found to increase mucus production and therefore cause an abundance of mucus in the gut. Since bacteria in the gut plays a role in allergic reactions, adding extra bacteria to the gut can only help; thus, eat plenty of yogurt and other digestive bacteria-friendly foods.
Since digestion in the gut is one of the causes of allergy symptoms, it is also one of the ways that low histamine diet foods can help. To help digestion, eat plenty of fiber-rich vegetables, fruits, nuts, and whole grains. Cut back on alcoholic beverages and caffeine, especially coffee, tea, and soda, since these drinks cause a build up of gastric acid in the stomach. Avoid meat, seafood, poultry, dairy products, and other foods that are high in fat content. While dairy products do have natural calcium, studies have shown that dairy products cause a build up of parathyroid hormone (PTH), which can cause lower levels of calcium in the body.
An important component of a low histamine diet is yeast, which needs to be limited or eliminated completely. Some examples of yeast-free and low histamine diet foods include breads made with yeast, beer, cider vinegar, wine, champagne, and yogurts like in Yogurt. To add some variety to your meals, try to prepare your own meals with a wide variety of flavors, such as whole-wheat, cinnamon-flavored bread, chocolate-flavored brownie, and strawberry-flavored cake. Cheese sauces for grilled chicken or fish are also available.
Although it may sound unbelievable, aged cheese is considered to be an excellent source of dietary histamine. Cheese is rich in casein, which is a protein-rich type of vitamin that helps regulate the digestive tract. Since aged cheeses contain relatively high amounts of casein, it is recommended that aged cheese is eaten on an occasional basis only as part of a low histamine diet.
While a low histamine diet for histamine intolerance can be effective, it is important to take fresh foods that are rich in minerals, vitamins, and enzymes as well. Fresh produce, meats, and seafood are the best choices for these foods. By staying away from histamine-rich foods such as dairy products, beer, and wine, you are likely to feel the results of your diet more quickly. But don't expect that it will all be effortless: if you want to get to the root cause of your problem, you may need to use some prescription medications.
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