Histamines and Endometriosis Symptoms Relating to Diet

The vicious cycle of histamine intolerance, high levels of estrogen and endometriosis

endometriosis and histamines


Endometriosis is often related to estrogen dominance which can lead to the development of histamine intolerance

As we know endometriosis often means being estrogen dominant, and estrogen may play a role in the development of histamine intolerance. The more estrogen that is circulating the more histamine will be released. At the same time, histamine stimulates estrogen, leading to a vicious circle.

This problem is usually worse just before menstruation and during ovulation.  This is when estrogen is higher that progesterone, so in turn your body makes even more histamine. 

Histamine is a naturally occurring compound that helps regulate specific functions of your digestive, nervous, and immune system.  Your body normally regulates histamine, first by producing histamine and then by clearing it with the enzymes histamine N-methyltransferase (HNMT) and diamine oxidase (DAO).

Diamine oxidase (DAO) is a digestive enzyme produced in your kidneys, thymus, and the intestinal lining of your digestive tract. Its primary function is to break down excess histamine in your body. So any impairment to the intestine could result in a lack of the DAO enzyme impairing histamine breakdown.

When your DAO levels are too low, it’s difficult for your body to efficiently metabolize and excrete excess histamine. As a result, histamine levels rise, leading to various physical symptoms.

Various factors may contribute to diminished DAO activity or overproduction of histamine, including genetic mutations, alcohol use, certain medications, intestinal bacterial overgrowth, and eating large amounts of histamine-containing foods.


Histamine Elimination Diet

It can be quite helpful to try a Histamine Elimination diet, as this will assess whether you do have a histamine issue caused by high histamine foods. This is a diet protocol that lasts for 90 days, and you then slowly reintroduce foods to asses your reaction.  This is similar to the basic Elimination Diet except additional foods are omitted that are know to be high in histamines.

High histamine foods

  • Fermented dairy products, such as cheese (especially aged), yogurt, sour cream, buttermilk, and kefir
  • Fermented vegetables, such as sauerkraut and kimchi
  • Pickles or pickled veggies
  • Kombucha
  • Cured or fermented meats, such as sausages, salami, and fermented ham
  • Wine, beer, alcohol, and champagne
  • Fermented soy products such as tempeh, miso, soy sauce, and natto
  • Fermented grains, such as sourdough bread
  • Tomatoes
  • Eggplant
  • Spinach
  • Frozen or canned fish, such as sardines and tuna
  • Vinegar
  • Tomato ketchup
  • Peas
  • Mushrooms


How to manage histamine issues

- Supplement with vitamin B6 as it upregulates DAO.

- DAO is also found as a supplement that is frequently used to treat histamine intolerance. DAO supplements work to break down histamine from diet sources

- Supplement with quercetin as it is known to help reduce histamine levels

- Supplement with Bromelain, which is a compound found in high concentration in the stem of pineapples and has been found to be effective in treating histamine issues

- Use Progesterone cream as this will help to redress estrogen dominance

- Vitamin C can help reduce histamine release and make histamine break down faster once it is released



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Reference:

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12785993/

https://endometriosis.net/clinical/intolerance-to-histamine

https://endometriose.app/en/histamine-with-endometriosis/


Who is behind this site . . . . 

Hi, I’m Carolyn Levett, an endometriosis author, mentor, Integrative Health Coach and fellow endo warrior.

Having experienced endometriosis myself, I found my way towards better health through nutrition, natural remedies and support. I’m the bestselling author of 'Recipes & Diet Advice for Endometriosis' and 'Endometriosis – Healing from the Inside Out', and hold qualifications in nutrition, naturopathy and women’s hormone health.

I know how isolating and overwhelming endometriosis can be, especially when you feel unheard or your symptoms aren’t taken seriously. My aim is to share the knowledge, practical advice and support I wish I’d had, helping other women feel more informed, empowered and able to manage their endometriosis more naturally.

You don’t have to navigate endometriosis alone.



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