Do you have issues with histamine?
One of the most prominent health conditions involving histamine problems is mast cell disorders. In these diseases, mast cells–the cells that store and release histamine in an allergic reaction–become unstable and release large amounts of histamine expectedly. The consequences can be very mild or, conversely, quite severe. Drops in blood pressure, profound fatigue, flushing, and diarrhea can occur without warning.
While mast cell disorders represent the most significant (and best understood) versions of histamine problems, many people are quite sensitive to histamine. A couple of interesting facts about histamine that you may not know:
- Histamine is contained within some common foods. If you’re sensitive to histamine, eating these foods can cause gut problems (often mistakenly diagnosed as irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS).
- Histamine is an excitatory neurotransmitter. High levels of histamine (and a sensitivity to it) can be a root cause of anxiety, panic attacks, and insomnia.
For this month’s newsletter, we’re excited to share an interview featuring Cindi Lockhart, RDN, LD, a functional nutritionist at Vytal Health. Cindi provides a great overview of histamine-related disorders, which foods may be triggers, and how you treat the problem.
Histamine Talk with
Cindi Lockhart, RDN, LD & Dr. Tiffany Mullen
While elimination of high-histamine foods from your diet can make a huge different for gut, skin, and nervous system symptoms related to high histamine or histamine sensitivity. Sometimes this isn’t enough.
One of the enzymes in the body that helps break down histamine to clear it from your system is diamine oxidase, or DAO. This digestive enzyme is produced in several places in the body, including the kidneys, thymus (an immune system gland), and intestinal lining. Taking DAO by mouth provides the GI tract with the extra digestive enzymes needed to dissolve histamine in the intestines. HistDAO is taken 1-2 capsules approximately 15 minutes prior to meals.
It is important to understand that this digestive enzyme is not absorbed into the body, and therefore does not have any direct impact on histamine or allergy symptoms outside of the GI tract. For that reason, it is not considered an antihistamine, and would not be effective alone in treating seasonal or environmental allergies. However, lowering the histamine in the GI tract can be helpful in the overall histamine levels in the body.
As we mentioned in the section above, histamine as well as its breakdown product, histadine, are excitatory neurotransmitters. If you are looking to explore a potential root cause for anxiety, panic disorder, chronic insomnia, or depression, our NeuroAdvanced Profile may shed some light on these problems.
This kit is performed from a urine sample at home. It measures more than 20 neurotransmitters and their breakdown products, including histamine, but also serotonin, dopamine, epinephrine (adrenaline) and GABA.
If imbalance levels of a neurotransmitter are discovered, making dietary changes or adding key support nutrients can drastically reduce symptoms. Certain supplements can help, and occasionally prescription medications are called for.
Achieving health isn’t always easy. It takes dedication, knowledge, and support. Often, it takes a team approach: a doctor to guide you, a nutritionist to teach you, and a health coach to help you reach your goals. And that’s just the short list.
Many of us seek the support of other people and services in the community: gyms and yoga studios, personal trainers, acupuncturists, massage therapists, and healthy food vendors, just to name a few.
Wouldn’t it be great if somehow it could all be more affordable?
We thought you’d say yes.
As part of our ongoing goal to provide our members with as much value as possible, we’re excited to announce the addition of VYTAL HEALTH PERKS!
Partnering with health-and-wellness businesses in our community, we’ve negotiated discounts on products and services that will help you achieve your health goals. See who we’ve partnered with so far, and look for new additions to your PERKS in every newsletter going forward.
Morgan Shea Health & Wellness is a wellness clinic located in Shorewood, WI with a musculoskeletal focus and a holistic approach to treatment serving active lifestyles. Enjoy 15% off a consultation and treatment session with one of their providers. Just mention you are a Vytal Health patient take advantage of this perk!
A message from Nourish Products Founder, Jamie,
“You Matter. Even though we haven’t met yet, I already know that you’re wonderful. And, if you haven’t heard it lately, you matter. We need your big heart, strong voice, and incredible gifting in this world. That’s why Nourish exists- to help you live well and spread kindness by taking the very best care of yourself. Yes, I said it. Permission to take care of YOU! Because when we are kind to ourselves and fill our own “love tanks,” we can’t help but spill our abundance out onto others. When we tend to our own needs, we can do more. Not more in a “do-more-and-prove-you-are-worthy” way. But more in a “be-my-best-self-so-I-can-do-the-most-good” way.
If I could, I’d meet each of you for coffee and delight in hearing your journey, and what makes you the amazing, wonderful, downright awesome person you are. Until then, please enjoy Nourish Natural Products. Lovingly prepared by hand in small batches, using organic good-for-you ingredients. This is my calling and you deserve every drop of goodness.”
Perk: Take 15% off your purchase by using code VYTALHEALTH at check out
Yoga at the Loft is for everybody & every body
Firefly (located in Wawautosa, WI) is all about listening to and respecting our bodies!
Whether this is your first or 100th yoga class, their experienced instructors offer modifications so you can safely enjoy our wide variety of classes.
You’re in really good hands, so don’t stress about your current level. Their motto is, real is better than perfect – come as you are!
Vytal Health Member Perk: 3 weeks unlimited $39.00 & Summer Special is 20 class for $199
Cooked is a fully prepared meal delivery service that specializes in delicious, health conscious and convenient meals. Our menu rotates weekly and includes Whole30, gluten free, and vegetarian options. To create these delicious meals, we work closely with local farmers that provide us with unsprayed, organic produce and meat that was raised without the use of antibiotics or growth hormones. Best of all, 100% of our profits fund charitable programs.
As a member of Vytal Health, you have access to this exclusive discount with Cooked: Use code VYTALHEALTH at checkout for 15% off every order!
The Wisconsin Athletic Club’s (WAC) in downtown Milwaukee’s mission is to “make a difference in people’s lives” extends to the businesses, organizations and neighbors that surround our clubs.
Everyone comes to the club with a different goal, from dropping a dress size, crossing a finish line or climbing a mountain, to being able to pick up a grandchild, lowering blood pressure or simply climbing a flight of stairs. Whatever your goal may be, their priority is to make you feel welcome, comfortable and important every time you visit.
Vytal Health Member Perk: Two week guest pass to the downtown MKE location
Rishi Tea began in 1997 when Joshua Kaiser, founder and tea buyer, recognized that the traditional handcrafted teas he grew so fond of during his travels in Asia were rarely available elsewhere. Joshua felt that North American consumers would embrace artisan tea as they did single origin coffee and fine varietal wine. We travel thousands of miles each year to the diverse points of origin where our teas are harvested, maintaining the personal relationships we have developed over the years with farmers and artisans whose families have been making traditional teas for generations.
Vytal Health Membership Perk: 15% discount once per customer, just use code VYTALHEALTH at check out (online only)