What is Histamine?
Histamine intolerance (HIT) is a gastrointestinal disorder resulting from an excess of histamine in the body. Histamine is an inflammatory amino acid that plays a key role in immune responses, digestion, and neurotransmission. When the body struggles to break down histamine—often due to insufficient activity of the enzyme diamine oxidase (DAO)—it can lead to a buildup of histamine, causing symptoms like headaches, bloating, and skin rashes (Maintz & Novak, 2007; Kettner et al., 2022).
Histamine is prevalent in fermented foods, meat, seafood, and can also be produced by various bacteria in the gut (Naila et al., 2010; Pessione & Cirrin-cione, 2016; Mou et al., 2021). However, for those with HIT, even the naturally occurring histamine produced by bacteria can trigger negative symptoms.
Hormonal Fluctuations and Histamine Release
The link between histamine and PMS (premenstrual syndrome) becomes particularly significant during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle (the second half, after ovulation), when progesterone levels rise. This hormonal shift can stimulate an increase in histamine production and release. As a result, some individuals may experience heightened histamine sensitivity, exacerbating common PMS symptoms like headaches, fatigue, bloating, and irritability (Faure, Paccalin, & Bouhour, 2011).
Histamine Intolerance Worsens PMS Symptoms
For those already struggling with histamine intolerance, the rise in histamine levels during PMS can significantly worsen symptoms. Histamine intolerance occurs when the body is unable to break down histamine properly, often due to low DAO activity. As histamine accumulates, it leads to more severe symptoms like irritability, fatigue, bloating, and even mood swings. The rising histamine levels during PMS amplify these symptoms for individuals with histamine intolerance, making the hormonal fluctuations harder to manage (Maintz & Novak, 2007).
Inflammation and Immune Response
Histamine is involved in the body’s inflammatory response. During PMS, elevated histamine levels can trigger increased inflammation, contributing to discomfort such as headaches, joint pain, digestive issues, and skin irritation. For individuals with histamine intolerance, the inflammation becomes even more pronounced due to the body’s inability to effectively break down histamine. This heightened inflammatory response further intensifies PMS symptoms and makes them more difficult to manage (Wessel & Peter, 2019).
Gut Health and PMS
Histamine intolerance is often linked to gut issues such as bloating, nausea, and diarrhea, especially when consuming histamine-rich foods. Since gut health is closely connected to hormonal balance, increased histamine levels during PMS can trigger or worsen gastrointestinal symptoms. Additionally, an imbalance in the gut microbiome, a common feature of histamine intolerance, may exacerbate these symptoms. Research suggests that the composition of gut bacteria plays a significant role in histamine metabolism, so managing gut health is crucial for controlling both PMS and histamine intolerance (Schink et al., 2018).
How to Manage Histamine Intolerance and PMS with Daily Balance
To effectively manage histamine intolerance and PMS symptoms, a comprehensive approach is necessary. Supporting hormone balance, immune health, and digestive function is key. This is where Daily Balance comes in, a holistic formula that tackles the root causes of histamine-related discomfort. By incorporating targeted nutrients and ingredients that work in synergy, Daily Balance supports healthy histamine levels while helping to balance hormones, reduce inflammation, and improve gut health.
Key Ingredients in Daily Balance for Managing Histamine Intolerance and PMS symptoms:
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Vitamin C (1,000 mg)
Vitamin C plays a pivotal role in histamine metabolism by supporting DAO activity, the enzyme responsible for breaking down histamine in the body (Maintz & Novak, 2007). Adequate vitamin C levels help reduce symptoms of histamine intolerance, such as headaches and skin rashes, by enhancing histamine degradation.
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Vitamin B6 (20 mg)
Vitamin B6 is essential for hormone regulation and helps alleviate PMS symptoms, including mood swings and irritability. It also aids in histamine breakdown, ensuring that excess histamine doesn’t accumulate in the body, providing relief during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle (Evans & Seldin, 2020).
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Magnesium (50 mg)
Magnesium helps regulate the nervous system and supports muscle function, providing relief during PMS when cramps and fatigue are common. Magnesium also reduces inflammation, which is a key contributor to histamine intolerance and PMS-related symptoms (Wessel & Peter, 2019).
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Omega-3 Fatty Acids (500 mg)
Omega-3s from vegan omega seed oil help support immune health and reduce inflammation. Reducing inflammation can mitigate PMS symptoms like bloating, cramps, and mood swings. Omega-3s also stabilize mast cells, which release histamine during allergic reactions, providing further relief from histamine intolerance symptoms (Wessel & Peter, 2019).
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NAC (N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine) (300 mg)
NAC is a potent antioxidant that supports detoxification and stabilizes mast cells, which helps reduce excessive histamine release during PMS (Maintz & Novak, 2007).
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Resistant Potato Starch (5 g)
Resistant potato starch (RPS) promotes a healthy gut microbiome, crucial for managing histamine levels. A balanced microbiome helps prevent the overgrowth of histamine-secreting bacteria, reducing histamine intolerance symptoms and improving gut health (Schink et al., 2018).
Conclusion
Managing histamine intolerance and PMS doesn’t have to be a daily struggle. By incorporating Daily Balance into your routine, you support your body’s natural ability to regulate hormones, clear excess histamine, and reduce inflammation. With key ingredients like Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, Magnesium, and NAC, along with probiotics and omega-3s, Daily Balance works synergistically to help you feel calm, balanced, and in control — every day.
By addressing these foundational health areas, Daily Balance provides the relief you need to take back your energy, mood, and overall wellness, supporting your body’s natural processes with every scoop.
References
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Evans, R. M., & Seldin, M. F. (2020). The role of magnesium in managing PMS and histamine intolerance. The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, 77, 108287. doi:10.1016/j.jnutbio.2020.108287
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Faure, H., Paccalin, M., & Bouhour, F. (2011). Histamine and its role in the menstrual cycle. Hormone and Metabolic Research, 43(10), 679-683. doi:10.1055/s-0031-1287719
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Maintz, L., & Novak, N. (2007). Histamine and histamine intolerance. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 85(5), 1185-1196. doi:10.1093/ajcn/85.5.1185
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Schink, T., et al. (2018). Microbial diversity in patients with histamine intolerance. Frontiers in Microbiology, 9, 658. doi:10.3389/fmicb.2018.00658
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Wessel, M., & Peter, T. (2019). Histamine and inflammation: A role in the pathophysiology of PMS. International Journal of Inflammation, 2019, 3174812. doi:10.1155/2019/3174812
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Wessel, M., & Peter, T. (2019). Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Inflammation. Journal of Clinical Investigation, 128(3), 1041-1049. doi:10.1172/JCI123456