Histamine and hay fever: How to alleviate symptoms
Hay fever or pollen allergy is caused by airborne pollen from grasses, trees, and grains. These are present every year, often as early as spring. An allergic reaction of the conjunctiva and nasal mucous membrane occurs. In hay fever, the immune system mistakenly classifies the harmless proteins of the pollen as a threat and fights against them.
Defense substances, also called immunoglobulin E (IgE, IgE antibodies), are formed. These allergens cause the immune cells to release the inflammatory mediator histamine, leading to allergy-specific symptoms such as a runny nose, itchy eyes, or sneezing. So, is there a connection between hay fever or pollen allergy and histamine intolerance?
Histamine Intolerance and Pollen Allergy: How do they influence each other?
Some people with histamine intolerance also suffer from pollen allergy or grass allergy and vice versa. Why is this, and how can you avoid symptoms?
Tips for reducing histamine in pollen allergy
People affected by pollen allergy should, at least during the pollen season, adhere to a low-histamine diet. Low-histamine foods can alleviate pollen allergy, while high-histamine foods can worsen the symptoms. This is because allergens already cause increased histamine release in the body. A low-histamine diet can therefore prevent the messenger substance's level from rising even further. You should follow these tips in your diet and daily life to curb potential allergy triggers and support your immune system:
- fresh, natural products
- keep a diet-symptom diary
- get enough sleep and relax
- avoid stress and constant strain
- good supply of Vitamin D (in winter)
- avoid nicotine and alcohol
- avoid high-histamine medications
- anti-inflammatory, alkaline foods
- eat little sugar and animal protein
- healthy gut flora
It is striking that the tips for improving a pollen allergy align with those for improving histaminosis.
Especially during pollen season, many affected individuals pay particular attention to a balanced supply of important micronutrients. Our Organic 1mmunFit combines Vitamin C with selected plant-based ingredients such as moringa, black cumin, ashwagandha, cranberry, turmeric, and reishi. Vitamin C contributes to the normal function of the immune system and the protection of cells from oxidative stress. Organic 1mmunFit is vegan, laboratory-tested, and suitable for a low-histamine, low-fructose, gluten-free, and lactose-free diet.
Natural remedies to alleviate pollen allergy and histamine intolerance symptoms
Certain foods can reduce the risk of allergies and improve symptoms:
- Vitamin C: Foods rich in Vitamin C, such as broccoli and elderberries, have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Additionally, Vitamin C can lower histamine levels and strengthen the immune system.
- Quercetin: Quercetin is found in onions, garlic, or apples and is one of the natural antihistamines. This plant compound has a positive effect on allergies.
- Histamine inhibitors: Herbs like parsley can inhibit the release of histamine in the body.
- secondary plant compounds: Secondary plant compounds like carotenoids are antioxidants that protect our cells from oxidative stress and free radicals. They are found in green leafy vegetables, pumpkin, chard, and kale.
- Flavonoids/Phytonutrients: Sea buckthorn, elderberry, and blackcurrant have anti-inflammatory effects due to their high content of flavonoids and phytonutrients.
- Mucolytics: Herbs like thyme are natural mucolytics that have antimicrobial properties.
Low-histamine foods for hay fever
These foods contain little histamine, so you can eat them without concern if you have a pollen allergy:
- rice
- potatoes
- various vegetables
- apricots
- peach
- sour cherries
- blueberries
- blackberries
- cranberries
- mango
- melon
- coconut
- chestnuts
- macadamia nuts
Apples are generally low in histamine, but caution is advised in case of birch pollen allergy, as a cross-allergy may exist.
High-histamine foods
Some foods contain histamine, especially processed and long-ripened and stored foods such as aged cheese. Some are also histamine liberators, meaning they cause the release of histamine in the body.
Others, however, contain other biogenic amines that interfere with histamine breakdown. The following foods can trigger symptoms in hay fever and histamine intolerance:
- hard cheeses like aged Gouda
- offal
- salami
- yeast
- sourdough
- fresh baked goods
- tomatoes
- legumes
- sauerkraut
- spinach
- citrus fruits
- pineapple
- kiwi
- raspberries
- strawberries
- bananas
- nuts
- vinegar
- cocoa
- licorice
Cross-allergies to food
Since pollen allergens resemble protein structures of certain foods, some people react not only to pollen but also to certain foods:
Birch pollen: People with birch pollen allergy can react not only to apples but also to stone fruits like cherries and plums, as well as to soy or nuts.
Grass pollen: People with grass pollen allergy often experience symptoms when consuming legumes, cereals, or peanuts.
Herb pollen: Those affected by an allergy to herb pollen such as mugwort can react with allergic symptoms if they consume chamomile, carrots, bell peppers, celery, cucumbers, artichokes, and various spices.
Conclusion - Grass allergy worsens histamine intolerance symptoms
Hay fever does not always have to be accompanied by histaminosis, just as histamine intolerance does not always have to be accompanied by pollen allergy. Nevertheless, both disorders can coexist, and there is a close connection between histamine intolerance and pollen allergy. In both cases, the human body releases histamine, which is why the symptoms are very similar.
If you already suffer from a histamine breakdown problem, pollen can trigger your histamine levels and worsen your symptoms even without a pollen allergy.
Various remedies can provide relief. Natural antihistamines are best for your health. If symptoms are severe, however, medications such as antihistamines can help. They block the binding sites of the biogenic amine histamine. They are available as tablets, sprays, drops, or syrup.
However, these should only be taken in an emergency, as they have numerous side effects such as nausea, loss of appetite, or fatigue. If you tolerate histamine-containing foods well with a pollen allergy, they can be consumed regularly, as your body can maintain a certain tolerance threshold to the allergens in this way.
Especially during times when histamine metabolism is additionally challenged, many affected individuals pay particular attention to a low-histamine diet and conscious handling of histamine-containing foods. Our DaoFit combines vegan DAO from pea sprouts with Vitamin C and quercetin and is a practical supplement before high-histamine meals. DaoFit is suitable for a low-histamine, low-fructose, gluten-free, and lactose-free diet.
Lieferzeit: 2-3 Tage
