Histamines

Hi, Issy here! Histamine is present within all bodily cells and plays an important role in the body’s inflammatory responses. 

You might not have heard of histamines in this context, but you likely have heard of ‘antihistamines’ like Piriton which people take to manage, e.g., hayfever. 

The science behind histamines is complex and is not confined to our body’s response to foods, but food is where we focus, so let’s dive in. 

Personal experience 

A while ago, I shared that my son developed a rash around his mouth after consuming some mackerel I had cooked him. The mackerel tasted fine to me, and he has never shown signs of a fish or shellfish allergy having consumed both allergen groups on several occasions, so I was stumped. I did a bit of research and found that spoiled fish - varieties like mackerel, tuna and bonito - can cause this type of reaction because of histamines released when the fish goes ‘off’. 

A couple of days later, Harry also developed a very small rash around his mouth after eating one of his favourite foods - sauerkraut - despite having never had such a rash before. Sauerkraut is a high-histamine food (as are other fermented foods).

These reactions followed a period of a few days during which Harry had a sickness (vomiting) bug and was generally not very well.  

Healthy levels of histamine are part of a healthy immune response. But some people, our babies included, can experience histamine intolerance due to a deficiency or dysfunction of the enzyme, diamine oxidase (“DAO”), needed to break the histamine down. 

The actual definition of an histamine intolerance is a combination of accumulated histamine and a compromised capacity for histamine degradation. 

Histamine intolerance is not an allergy but can mimic an allergic response because allergic responses involve histamine being released - hence my confusion when Harry immediately came out in a rash after eating the mackerel. 

Foods high in histamine? 

It’s complicated because the histamine levels  in some produce and fish vary depending on ripeness, maturity and hygiene.  

But some foods are generally considered to be higher in histamine, and some are histamine releasers, which can also produce a reaction. Some foods are generally considered to be low in histamine. 

You might have noticed a rash develop if your baby has some level of histamine intolerance and has eaten any of the following:

• citrus fruits 

• strawberries 

• beans, pulses, legumes 

• vinegars 

• sauerkraut and other fermented foods 

• long-stored nuts

• aubergine 

• avocado

• cinnamon 

(and there are more..)

So what you might be wanting to know is whether this is an issue for your baby or toddler. 

The importance of a strong gut 

maintaining, strengthening and repairing the gut in babies who are sensitive to any foods - histamine-rich/releasing or not - is the objective. When our bubs have strong guts, the body is less likely to display adverse reactions to food. 

if your baby has eczema or food sensitivities, or displays a reaction when consuming high histamine foods, it is a sign that we need to address the root cause: a compromised ability to digest foods properly and/or weakened intestinal lining which means food particles can leak into the bloodstream and generate an immune response. This immune response shows up as eczema, food sensitivities and low-grade inflammation throughout the body. 

with a strong gut and intestinal lining, our babies’ immune systems are stronger, their bodies can break food down into smaller particles (meaning less potential damage to the intestinal lining), and they are better able to cope with occasional or accidental exposures to trigger foods.  

The activity of DAO (the enzyme we mentioned that breaks down histamine) can be impaired following gastrointestinal disorders and this impairment, thankfully, can be temporary and reversible. My hope is that Harry’s is indeed like this and the result of his vomiting bug which lasted 3+ days so was very taxing on his body. 

Why does histamine intolerance occur?

It’s a complicated subject but the literature tells us the following, which is helpful for those of us with sensitive babies. 

Studies show that an intestinal dysbiosis (impaired intestinal barrier and imbalance of the gut microbiota) can lead to reduced and/or impaired DAO activity, which in turn might contribute to mucosal inflammation. These conditions might favour a leaky gut, intestinal wall inflammation and therefore a heightened response to the consumption of certain foods. 

Interestingly, some people with reported histamine intolerance also have more histamine-secreting bacteria in the gut.  

A small scale study has found that managing histamine intolerance in adult women by dietary treatment such as reducing the consumption of high-histamine foods had a positive effect on their microbiota consumption at least in the short term. 

Studies with children are actually few and far between however there are some treatment options which have been identified.

The first recommendation would be an histamine-reduced diet. 

If the results are not as good as hoped, there are other options and also a need to look at underlying health conditions with the help of a healthcare professional, as there are some comorbidities which can impact the body’s ability to process histamines. 

Conclusion

Ultimately, as is our recommendation generally when introducing our babies to solids and promoting a healthy relationship with food as they grow, we should promote and offer a varied diet, rich in whole foods. 

Whilst temporary elimination of certain foods might be recommended, the ultimate goal is to expose our babies to a range of nourishing foods to broaden their palates and offer as many different health benefits as possible. 

All is not lost if your bub shows signs of a sensitive gut or histamine intolerance and these can be managed. 

If your baby is showing signs of eczema, food sensitvities or histamine intolerance, then this is something we can support you with via a consultation. 

(Advising on allergies remains outside of our scope of practice so if your bub is allergic to certain foods we would always recommend speaking with your healthcare professionals and/or an allergist.)

Eliminating certain foods can feel overwhelming, but with the help of an holistic nutrition consultant, it should feel less so, and can actually be an interesting and supportive experience. 

Head to our ‘Book a Consultation’ page if you require support with any of the above, or with starting solids, fussy eating or improving your knowledge to enable you to nourish your baby or toddler.