Histamine Intolerance is Not a Myth
Read That Again
Let me Explain...
You may have come across Histamine Intolerance may have across on the the internet, social media, and even by it's possibly even how you found this page.
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People (even healthcare professionals!) hear 'histamine intolerance' and get the wrong idea...
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Because, if we think about it, what does histamine intolerance imply? An intolerance to having histamine in our body?
See, this CAN'T be true; because we make histamine in our body in order to SURVIVE.
No wonder there is so much scepticism.
What a title of this condition should imply, is that you experience symptoms from being unable to regulate the amount of histamine in your body. This may be through exposure to environment, stress or through diet. This, however, would make a long and boring name.
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Most people tolerate eating foods high in histamines and other vasoactive amines, because we have enzymes called Di-Amine Oxidase (DAO), which helps to neutralise histamine before it passes through the lining of your gut.
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However, some people don't have enough functioning DAO enzymes due to genetics, poor gut health, or illness affecting the gut. This is known as DAO deficiency.​
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What then happens, is the accumulation of histamine in the body and activation of histamine receptors over the body. This may contribute to the symptoms we associate with a 'histamine intolerance'.​
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The Symptoms
Neurological
Migraine
Headaches
Vertigo
Gastrointestinal
Reflux/Dyspepsia
Bloating/wind
Diarrhoea
Abdominal pain
Constipation
Nausea/vomiting
Respiratory
Nasal Congestion
Sneezing
Hay-Fever Symptoms
Cardiovascular
Tachycardia
Arrhythmias
Hypotension
Dizziness
Locomotor
Fatigue
Fibromyalgia
Muscle Pain
Skin
Itching
Flushing
Atopic Dermatitis
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Sound Familiar?
If you have persistent symptoms affecting 2 or more systems, and you have been to see your doctor and ruled out other more likely conditions, then you may have a Histamine Intolerance
Taking back Control
Ways of taking control of Histamine Intolerance include
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Minimising the amount of histamine you consume from food
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Reducing foods which encourage you to produce your own histamine
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Reducing dietary elements which are associated with blocking the Diamine Oxidase (DAO) receptors in the gut, reducing their efficiency.
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Adjusting lifestyle to minimise histamine triggers
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Most unqualified people giving low histamine dietary advice -
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Tell you the WRONG information about histamine intolerance, or what is high or low in histamines and vasoactive amines
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Don't consider your nutritional well being, your long term health or relationship with food when advising it to you
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They don't tell you the dietary exclusions are meant to be a TEMPORARY CHANGE
and most importantly...
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They don't consider protecting your long term gut health as a potential cause of DAO deficiency. This is SO important and almost always missed!
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The thing that's really important to remember, is that if we can look after our gut, we can keep our gut lining strong and able to prevent histamine from passing through it.
This is why a low histamine diet is a temporary one. We need dietary variety in our future, for protection of our gut health going forwards.
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Here at Oxford Gastro Dietitians, we have worked closely with leading researchers in DAO deficiency, to bring you the support you need to undertake a Three Phase Programme to managing symptoms of a histamine intolerance.
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Introducing the 3-Phase HIT Programme
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A 12-week programme for you to feel in control of histamine intolerance and live life on your terms
Phase 1
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Get immediate access to learning modules, exact shopping guides, meal plans, recipes, tips on eating out and MORE
You don’t need to restrict your diet down to unseasoned vegetables and boiled chicken!
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Phase 2
You will reach a point of consistent symptom relief and master your symptoms of histamine intolerance. Imagine going out to see your friends feeling fresh and confident… finding YOU again!
In phase 2, we work towards reintroducing some histamine containing foods into the diet, because variety is the spice of life.
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Send recipes or share ideas in the community group with like-minded individuals on the same journey as you.
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Attend the live drop-in sessions to talk about your condition in depth, we discuss topics such as how your gut health is contributing to your histamine intolerance, how to boost your improvement and why hormones are influencing your symptoms.​
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Phase 3
Equipped with your new confidence in managing histamine intolerance and DAO deficiency, now is the time for adding in - add in more experiences, add in more enjoyment of foods, add in more time for you!
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We will have a 1:1 consultation just focusing on you, including a debrief and fine tune of your nutrient intake to keep you feeling your best.
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Sarah, 45, Brighton UK
''I wish I had tried this years ago. The guidance given was thorough with good quality evidence to back up the advice. The approach was systematic, and I was given information on lots of additional useful resources. Highly recommended.''
Clare, 24, London UK
“I was so pleased. It felt very holistic, and I really appreciated the research done prior to my condition and hearing about the evidence base. I came away with lots of yummy things I can now eat whilst still feeling like I am using a really good, healthy approach to managing my condition.”
Would this Programme be Right for me?
The Three phase HIT plan can be used to determine or manage the symptoms associated with possible histamine intolerance.
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We would not recommend this for anyone who has a suspected or active eating disorder, those who have a BMI of 18.5kg/m2 or lower, or those at high risk of weight loss
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Some gastrointestinal conditions may affect whether this diet is appropriate for you - please let us know prior to booking via a free discovery call​ with Catherine or Rosie.
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Some people (although more rarely) may have a condition known as Mast Cell Activation Syndrome. Whilst this programme can be used to help to lower symptoms associated with external exposure to histamine sources, it may not produce the same results due to ongoing endogenous (internal) histamine production associated with the condition.​​​
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So what now?
Get started by booking a discovery call with Catherine or Rosie, or joining our masterclass today.
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Already done so? Then get your name on the waitlist!
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PLEASE NOTE: The doors to this programme open in the new year 2025!​