HISTAMINE AND MIGRAINE: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Summary

In this informative discussion, Dr. B and Dr. P address common questions about the relationship between histamine, food, and migraines, especially during allergy season. They caution against avoiding high-histamine foods without understanding the role of probiotics in gut health, which is crucial for reducing inflammation linked to migraines. The doctors suggest trying an elimination diet to identify histamine sensitivity and discuss the use of DAO enzyme supplements to break down histamine. They also touch on the importance of genetic factors, the right probiotics, and lifestyle adjustments to manage both allergies and migraines effectively.

Takeaways

• 🌸 Springtime allergies can cause confusion between environmental allergies and histamine reactions in food.
• 🚫 Dr. B is concerned that avoiding high-histamine foods might lead to the avoidance of probiotic-rich foods, which are essential for gut health.
• 💊 Medications for migraines in the past five years have targeted inflammation, highlighting its significant role in migraines.
• 🛑 Dr. B suggests trying to stop inflammation at the source rather than just treating the pain it causes.
• 🍽️ A trial elimination diet can help determine if histamine-containing foods are a problem for an individual.
• 🤔 Dr. P agrees that food restrictions can be problematic and suggests using supplements like DAO enzyme to help break down histamine.
• 🧬 Genetic factors can influence how the body handles histamine, which might affect an individual's tolerance to certain foods.
• 🛑 Some probiotics can promote histamine release, while others like Bifidobacterium can help reduce it.
• 🚫 People with histamine issues might not tolerate probiotics well and could benefit from DAO enzyme supplementation.
• 🌿 Dr. P suggests that during allergy seasons, a temporary low-histamine diet can help reduce the body's histamine burden.
• 🛠️ Both doctors agree on the importance of addressing the underlying issues causing histamine reactions and migraines, rather than long-term food restriction.

Q & A

Why are people often confused about whether their migraines are due to environmental allergies or histamine in food?

People are often confused because both environmental allergies and histamine reactions can lead to similar symptoms, making it difficult to distinguish between the two without proper knowledge or testing.

What is the concern with avoiding high histamine foods to improve migraines?

The concern is that by avoiding high histamine foods, people might also be avoiding foods high in probiotics, which are essential for gut health and can help reduce inflammation, a significant factor in migraines.

How do probiotics help with gut health and migraines?

Probiotics provide good bacteria that produce mucus to seal the gut lining, reducing the likelihood of inflammatory reactions from leaky gut, which is a significant contributor to migraines.

What is the role of inflammation in migraines and how do new medications target this?

Inflammation plays a huge role in migraines, causing not just headaches but also other issues like joint pain and brain fog. New medications for migraine treatment in the past five years all target inflammation, reflecting a better understanding of its role.

How can one determine if histamine-containing foods are a problem for their migraines?

One can try eliminating histamine-containing foods for a couple of weeks and observe if there's a clear improvement. If not, histamine may not be a significant part of the problem.

What are some symptoms that might indicate a histamine issue in the body?

Symptoms like rashes, immediate type food allergies, anaphylactic reactions, and allergic reactions to multiple medications can indicate a histamine issue, as these processes involve histamine.

What is DAO enzyme and how can it help with histamine intolerance?

DAO (diamine oxidase) is an enzyme that helps break down histamine in the body. A DAO supplement can be taken with higher histamine foods to help break down histamine in the gut, preventing its absorption and reducing histamine response.

Why might some people experience migraines when taking probiotics?

Some probiotics, particularly strains like lactobacillus and some streptococcus, promote histamine release. If someone has a histamine issue, these probiotics can trigger migraines.

What is a better probiotic option for people with histamine issues?

Bifidobacterium strains are often better tolerated and can help reduce histamine in the gut, making them a preferable probiotic choice for those with histamine issues.

Why is it important to not just eliminate histamine foods but also address the underlying issue?

Eliminating histamine foods without addressing the underlying issue can lead to nutrient deficiencies and does not provide a long-term solution. Addressing the root cause allows for the reintroduction of these foods without triggering migraines.

How can someone reduce their body's histamine burden, especially during allergy season?

During allergy season, taking measures like a short-term histamine-restricted diet, using DAO supplements, and addressing genetic factors can help reduce the body's histamine burden and improve allergy and migraine symptoms.

What are some lifestyle tips to manage seasonal allergies and their impact on migraines?

Lifestyle tips include using nasal washes and steroids, taking showers at night to reduce pollen exposure, using a HEPA filter, and keeping doors and windows closed during allergy season.