Histamine intolerance - what most practitioners miss & my personal short list of tools.
Histamine - Let's break it down (literally)
This week where I live - pollen counts are at an all time high. In fact - this video is going viral on Instagram - showing a pretty accurate representation of our pollen (highest count on record at 14,801).
So of course I am pulling out extra stops for my family (and myself as I have struggled with seasonal allergies since I was a child) - and wanted to share some of them with you today.
I also want to share a new episode I did with my partner Carrie on Histamine & Allergies from the Circadian/Quantum Lens - so keep reading for all the links!
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ALLERGY PROTOCOL: These things help in the fall as well:
For most of my childhood I suffered from seasonal allergies - eczema & gut issues. Every spring & fall I would suffer (especially living in Georgia) & unfortunately I didn't "figure it out" until I was well into adulthood.
For me during allergy season this looked like daily use of Claritin - Mucinex - Sudafed & various nasal sprays to just function.......and while I understand these things might be helpful in an emergency situation, it's not ideal to use them long term.
So today I am sharing the "essentials" for me and the family, and what I have seen to be the most impactful for all of us.
I also want to be clear that I have been doing these things consistently for about 5 years now, and every year - allergy season is a little better. So please be patient with your progress!
Diet is important (actually it's the foundation)
If you take nothing else from this article - I hope you start here & ignore all the gadgets and supplements:
We prioritize single ingredient whole foods for the majority of our diet - but I will admit to letting things slip in from time to time for the kids and myself.
This time of year I do find it more important to "tighten things up", because the body is already dealing with a lot with so much floating in the air.
A low sugar intake (aka - staying away from the processed junk) helps prevent blood sugar spikes and crashes. Fluctuating blood sugar can influence mood and energy, which can, in turn, affect how the body reacts to allergens. Stable energy levels can improve overall well-being and reduce stress, which may help in managing allergy symptoms.
We tend to stick to high quality protein sources like lamb, pastured poultry, eggs & grass-fed beef (also rich in zinc) - along with seasonal fruit (which is naturally high in vitamin C) & seasonal vegetables (which contain bitters & natural anti-inflammatory compounds to aid in detoxification).
Foods naturally high in DAO enzyme: diamine oxidase (DAO), an enzyme that is responsible for breaking down histamine and other biogenic amines in the body. DAO plays a crucial role in regulating histamine levels, which is significant for individuals with histamine intolerance or allergies, as excess histamine can lead to various allergic reactions and symptoms.
Thymus (often prepared as "sweetbreads") is a great addition to the diet during allergy season which is high in DAO. The thymus gland is primarily known for its role in immune function, particularly in the maturation of T cells, but its DAO content can contribute to managing histamine metabolism and supporting overall immune health.
I would love to say we cooked kidney, but that one is a sneaky one to make super palatable, and because it is high in natural DAO enzyme - we get it in desiccated form to take as a supplement. (click here for a good one).
Sunlight exposure & Circadian Health
This is a huge huge supporter of the gut microbiome (beyond the foods we eat), and a balanced gut microbiome is essential for optimal immune function. 70% of the immune system is housed in the gut, and a healthy gut can reduce the severity of allergic responses and promote tolerance to allergens.
Carrie & I dive more into this in our episode (and how sun exposure in general is crucial for histamine) - so keep reading for the link.
βRed light therapy can also be helpful (especially on the gut) in boosting energy production in the body & supporting sub cellular melatonin production (a crucial antioxidant that can help during allergy season).
Supplements
I am always hesitant to give out specific "supplement protocols" - but here are a few that we use more when allergies ramp up - starting with the top one I think everyone could benefit from:
Hydrogen (click here for the company we use) has actually been shown across multiple studies to be supportive of allergic inflammation and have an anti-inflammatory effect by modulating energy metabolic pathway switch.
We have actually seen a massive improvement from my daughter (who also struggles with PANS/PANDAS & cannot tolerate a large list of supplements) by using inhaled molecular hydrogen on a daily basis consistently for the last year and half.
I will talk more about this in a future newsletter so stay tuned.
Our 2 year old also drinks the water, and it is safe for the whole family (and very helpful). The generator will give you the biggest bang for your buck - but the hydrogen tablets can also be super helpful if a generator is not in the budget (click here & use code SarahK for a discount).
Vitamin C: This is one we tend to pulse in during allergy season (actually starting a bit before) - in addition to eating seasonal foods like kiwi fruit & strawberries - which contain lots of vitamin C. (we use this one from quicksilver)
Shilajit: (click here for the one I use) - Fights inflammation to ease swelling and irritation, boosts your immune system to better handle allergens, and packs antioxidants to reduce stress on your body. Plus, it gives you a nice energy boost and helps detoxify, taking some burden off your immune system.
Nettles: (click here)Nettles contain compounds like quercetin that inhibit histamine production, reducing allergy symptoms such as sneezing and itching. Their anti-inflammatory properties help alleviate respiratory tract inflammation, relieving nasal congestion and throat irritation.
More reasons why we love nettles (can be taken in a capsule or brewed in a tea)
Nutrient Density: Rich in vitamins A, C, K, and antioxidants, nettles enhance immune function and manage allergens. Also a fantastic source of potassium!
Respiratory Support: They reduce mucus production, improving respiratory function and alleviating allergy symptoms.
Adaptogenic Effects: Nettles help the body manage stress, benefiting overall health during allergy season.
Quinton Minerals (buy from Amazon or the big bottle from Fullscript)
We tend to use isotonic when allergies are peaking, and hypertonic for more day to day maintenance and energy.
Carrie & I also discussed this a bit more in the Histamine episode (links below) β¬οΈ
Gut Support:
Because gut health is so crucial to keeping allergies at bay (in addition to supporting circadian health & getting sunlight on the belly) - we pulse in probiotics from Healthy Gut during this time of year, and support leaky gut with Butyrate as needed (click here for the Healthy Gut brand we love).
Diet, Circadian Health & some strategic fasting go a LONG way to support the gut - so don't run directly to supplements.
Indoor Air Purification:
This one is a MUST for us with high pollen counts, and the fact that we have a dog who brings everything in on her fur.
The Jaspr on sale this weekend for an additional $400 off (click here & use code SARAHK) if you are looking for a high quality air purifier that utilizes high-quality HEPA filters that can capture up to 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns. This includes allergens, dust, pet dander, and other airborne pollutants. Additionally, activated carbon layers effectively absorb odors and harmful gases.
The thing we love the most about the Jaspr is the fact that the filter typically only needs to be changed once every 6 months.
More Natural support:
I also give myself (and the kids) regular epsom salt baths, do castor oil packs (me & my daughter) - and make sure everyone is hydrated to the best of my ability!
We all also start and end our day with nasal spray from Curativa Bay (my code SarahK should give you a discount) & I have found it to be TREMENDOUSLY helpful!
I have also worked very hard on becoming metabolically flexible so that I can implement regular fasting without crashing my entire system (I teach more about this in the Leptin Reset) - and tap into great gut health benefits & cellular repair.β
The length of the fast I implement for myself & clients is always based on other life stressors & the current state of hormones. (More on this in another future newsletter).
Detox:
I also make sure to sweat on a daily basis to keep lymph flowing. This can look like exercise and movement - self lymph massage or sauna.
Infrared saunas have been shown to enhance blood flow and stimulate lymphatic circulation. Improved lymphatic movement helps transport and eliminate toxins and allergens from the body, promoting better overall immune function.
The Sauna I have been using for the last 2 years is having a flash sale this weekend for up to $1700 off - click here and use code SarahK.
If you just want to start with the simple & low cost items - I would look directly at your diet - hydration - sunlight exposure - sweat/movement & sleep. I firmly believe that those things can go a long way to support you this allergy season!
I hope this list has been helpful, and remember: these are my protocols and may not be appropriate for you. Either way - I hope it sparks some motivation for further research. More ideas in the episode below β¬οΈ
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A different perspective:
This week on Quantum Conversations weβre addressing a hot topicβhistamine! With spring in full swing and pollen everywhere, weβre moving beyond the usual low-histamine food lists to unpack the quantum aspects of histamine intolerance.
We'll discuss how sunlight, supporting the mitochondria, circadian biology, and cold exposure can support your natural histamine response.
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