Histamine intolerance and menopause
The period before menopause is also commonly known as the "climacteric" or "change of life" and describes the span of time in a woman's life when her hormonal balance undergoes a natural transition. In medical terms, this is also referred to as the climacteric. Menopause affects women between the ages of 45 and 55.
Some women enter this phase of life 5 years earlier or 5 years later. In this blog post, we would like to shed more light on the connection between "histamine and menopause." What effects does histamine intolerance have on menopause? Can menopause even promote histaminosis?
What symptoms can occur during menopause?
- Sweating
- Hot flashes
- Loss of vitality
- Sleep disorders
- Vaginal dryness
- Dry skin
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Weight gain
- Anxiety and exhaustion
- Loss of libido
- Depressive moods
- Mood swings
- Increased irritability
- Increased mucous membrane sensitivity.
Histamine, hormones, and menopause
Weight gain during menopause can be attributed to altered glucose tolerance. Furthermore, the basal metabolic rate decreases from menopause onwards, muscle mass gradually declines, and fat stores increase. In most cases, the physical activity of the affected women also decreases.
Histamine and menopause: Tips for menopausal symptoms
In addition to body composition, a woman's progesterone and estrogen levels also change. When estrogen levels drop, mucous membrane sensitivity within the digestive tract increases. The consequence is an increased occurrence of food intolerances such as lactose intolerance, fructose intolerance, or histamine intolerance.
Since estrogen levels drop steadily during menopause and the mucous membranes are more sensitive, the bowel becomes more sluggish. Because of this, and due to medical treatments, women in menopause tend to suffer from constipation. Dietary adjustments from this stage of life onwards are particularly important to support the bowel and relieve the liver. These tips can help you if you are in menopause:
- adapted nutritional profile: Due to potential weight gain, a nutritional-medical history as well as an activity profile is recommended. A symptom-related food diary can be helpful here.
- increased nutrient density/nutrient intake: From about the age of 40, the human body copes less well with an unhealthy lifestyle. To prevent menopausal symptoms, it is recommended to eat a balanced, moderate, and regular diet. Seasonal, fresh, and whole foods of organic quality are optimal. Products free from heavy metals, pesticides, antibiotics, and hormones provide enormous relief to the female metabolism.
- foods with natural estrogen content: To keep estrogen levels in natural balance, flaxseeds, garlic, or berries, for example, can be helpful.
- avoidance of trans fatty acids: Hydrogenated vegetable fats in margarine can significantly increase the likelihood of developing coronary heart disease or arteriosclerosis. They can also raise cholesterol levels. Therefore, pay attention to a balanced ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acids. You can have your fatty acid status determined in a lab.
- sufficient vitamin D: A vitamin D deficiency increases the risk of osteoporosis. To gain insight into your supply status — especially in the winter months — a blood level measurement of vitamin D and calcium is recommended. Calcium-rich foods such as broccoli, pointed cabbage, fennel, and kohlrabi, as well as fatty sea fish, can counteract the development of osteoporosis.
- regular blood sugar checks: Since sweating and hot flashes are usually caused by a drop in blood sugar, regular checks often provide useful information. Red palm oil is rich in vitamin E and can counteract hot flashes and sweating.
- balancing central nervous system disorders: B vitamins have a positive effect on the central nervous system. Whole grain products, nuts, and seeds are recommended. An increased intake of secondary plant substances through vegetables is just as important. Avoiding caffeine and tea reduces sleep disorders. In addition, the motto is: eat consciously in an enjoyable atmosphere.
Especially in a phase of life where hormonal activity changes, a balanced supply of important nutrients plays a role. In line with the topic of women's health, we have developed our FemFit – by women for women. The formula combines selected plant-based ingredients such as chaste tree, yarrow, and lady's mantle with vitamin B6, which contributes to the regulation of hormonal activity. FemFit is vegan and suitable for a low-histamine, low-fructose, gluten-free, and lactose-free diet.
Lieferzeit: 2-3 Tage
Do menopause symptoms have an influence on histamine intolerance?
The signs of histamine intolerance are varied: from headaches to gastrointestinal complaints, to rashes and mood swings, all sorts of symptoms occur. Usually, women are affected by histaminosis, and 75% are even middle-aged women. Histamine complaints occur increasingly in women during menopause, around the age of 50. What does this tell us about the connection between histamine and menopause?
Estrogen levels and cycle: Effects on histamine levels?
Science assumes a link between hormonal status and histamine degradation. The hormonal imbalance during menopause could lead to less histamine being broken down. This theory would also be supported by the fact that menstrual complaints can be signs of histaminosis. However, the exact relationships have not been comprehensively researched to this day.
It is also difficult to find out in the medical history how long the symptoms of histaminosis have existed, as it is often a gradual process and incorrect diagnoses have been made during the course of treatment. However, it has been observed that women with menopausal symptoms were able to alleviate their symptoms with the help of a low-histamine diet. In summary, there are many indications that stronger histamine reactions occur during menopause.
However, this finding does not necessarily have to be based solely on the connection between histamine and hormones. There could just as easily be several factors that promote or intensify histaminosis in middle age.
Estrogen dominance symptoms: Progesterone against histamine intolerance?
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Pomegranate
- Chaste tree
- Coconut oil
- Fennel
- Yam root
- Natural rice
- Quinoa
- Ghee
Menopausal symptoms and histamine — our conclusion
- hormone-containing foods/cosmetics
- environmental pollutants
- heavy metal exposure
- certain medications
- caffeine
- nicotine
- processed products
- stress and
- pesticides.
Instead, you should pay attention to an increased intake of nutrients — especially sufficient calcium, iron, and magnesium — as well as enough exercise and sleep. A nutrient-rich and low-histamine diet can regulate the hormonal balance. Lady's mantle and yarrow are also excellent for hormonal balance. By regulating the hormonal balance, both inflammation in the body and histamine levels are usually minimized.
