Written by Katia Tassiou, content creator and dietitian at Nutrition A-Z
You've probably come across the term "histamine intolerance" on one of your searches to heal your gut but despite being an under-researched area, we are starting to uncover a lot about this condition. In today's post, we're offering a snapshot about histamine intolerance and SIBO and how these two may be connected.
Also known as enteral histaminosis or sensitivity to dietary histamine, histamine intolerance is a disorder associated with an impaired ability to break down ingested histamine.
Histamine is a bioactive amine produced by its precursor amino acid, histidine. It is present in a wide range of foods (e.g., preserved or processed meats, fermented products, citrus fruits, spinach, tomatoes, eggplant and avocado and cocoa) in highly variable concentrations.
The main cause of histamine intolerance is a deficiency in the enzyme DAO (diamine oxidase). However, excess histamine levels and the related symptoms might also be caused by allergies, “leaky gut”, overconsumption of histamine-rich foods and SIBO.
SIBO? The abbreviation stands for ‘small intestinal bacterial overgrowth’, an overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine, where they shouldn’t be:
But how can SIBO cause histamine intolerance?
By saying that though, we don’t imply that everyone with SIBO has histamine intolerance. The ones that experience both, are presumed to have a small intestinal overgrowth of histamine-producing bacteria in particular, such as, Lactobacillus casei and bulgaricus.
In case you suspect SIBO, it might be wise to avoid probiotics with lactic acid-based bacterial strains like the above and start talking to your specialist to get the support you need. Last but not least, SIBO and histamine intolerance may also be connected through stress and mast cell production.
Stress exacerbates SIBO by impairing your motility, negatively altering your gut microbiome, and stimulating mast cell production which secrete histamine and other compounds in response to inflammation.
Take away message? If you suffer from histamine intolerance, which was triggered by SIBO, here are some points to focus on:
Your doctor, dietitian or registered nutritionist can be your point of reference so head on over to our appointments page to get the support that you deserve!
Histamine is a bioactive amine produced by its precursor amino acid, histidine. It is present in a wide range of foods (e.g., preserved or processed meats, fermented products, citrus fruits, spinach, tomatoes, eggplant and avocado and cocoa) in highly variable concentrations.
The main cause of histamine intolerance is a deficiency in the enzyme DAO (diamine oxidase). However, excess histamine levels and the related symptoms might also be caused by allergies, “leaky gut”, overconsumption of histamine-rich foods and SIBO.
SIBO? The abbreviation stands for ‘small intestinal bacterial overgrowth’, an overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine, where they shouldn’t be:
- It results in excess fermentation, malabsorption, and inflammation.
- It often causes bloating, abdominal pain, gas, changes in bowel movements, weight loss, fatigue and brain fog.
But how can SIBO cause histamine intolerance?
- SIBO causes an increase in food sensitivities, mainly related to the ongoing inflammation.
- Gut inflammation often leads to intestinal permeability, where your gut lining is compromised and food particles, mostly unwanted “invaders” can pass through and enter your bloodstream. Due to this inflammation, the production of DAO enzyme may be compromised!
- SIBO also causes dysmotility, which allows both food and bacteria to sit in your digestive system longer, further exacerbating inflammation, “leaky gut”, and food intolerances.
By saying that though, we don’t imply that everyone with SIBO has histamine intolerance. The ones that experience both, are presumed to have a small intestinal overgrowth of histamine-producing bacteria in particular, such as, Lactobacillus casei and bulgaricus.
In case you suspect SIBO, it might be wise to avoid probiotics with lactic acid-based bacterial strains like the above and start talking to your specialist to get the support you need. Last but not least, SIBO and histamine intolerance may also be connected through stress and mast cell production.
Stress exacerbates SIBO by impairing your motility, negatively altering your gut microbiome, and stimulating mast cell production which secrete histamine and other compounds in response to inflammation.
Take away message? If you suffer from histamine intolerance, which was triggered by SIBO, here are some points to focus on:
- Get support from a qualified, experienced dietitian!
- Eliminate highly fermentable foods including alcohol.
- Ask your doctor about the best approach which may include local antibiotics or natural alternatives.
- Focus on stress management.
Your doctor, dietitian or registered nutritionist can be your point of reference so head on over to our appointments page to get the support that you deserve!
