Intolerances rarely come alone.

This blog post discusses possible food intolerances that can occur in addition to histamine intolerance: fructose, lactose, and gluten intolerance.

Since the cause of histamine intolerance, as well as other intolerances, often lies in the gut, it is not uncommon to suffer from several intolerances simultaneously. The most common accompanying intolerances include:

First place: Fructose intolerance or fructose malabsorption

Fructose intolerance is an intolerance or impaired metabolism of fructose. Due to a limited transport capacity of the GLUT5 transport protein in the small intestine lining, fructose is insufficiently absorbed in the small intestine. As a result, the fructose is then broken down by bacteria in the large intestine, which can lead to various symptoms.

Possible symptoms:

• Gastrointestinal problems
• Headache
• acne
• low iron levels

Diagnosis:

• H2 breath test

Second place: Lactose intolerance

Lactose intolerance is an inability to digest or break down lactose, or milk sugar. Lactose consists of two linked sugar molecules: glucose and galactose, which the intestine can only absorb as single sugars – and therefore must be broken down into their components by the enzyme lactase. In lactose intolerance, the production of lactase in the small intestine is impaired, so the breakdown of lactose is disrupted and various symptoms can occur.

Possible symptoms:

• Gastrointestinal problems

Diagnosis:

• H2 breath test

Third place: Gluten intolerance or celiac disease

Gluten intolerance, or celiac disease, is an autoimmune reaction to gluten in the small intestine. The antibodies that then attack the body's own intestinal tissue can lead to chronic inflammation of the small intestine.

Possible symptoms:

• Gastrointestinal problems
• anemia
• Joint pain
• Fatigue and exhaustion

Diagnosis:

• Blood test

4th place: Histamine intolerance or histaminosis

Histamine intolerance is an intolerance or a breakdown disorder of histamine. Histamine is a biogenic amine that occurs naturally in animal and plant cells and is also ingested through food. Histamine is involved in many (metabolic) processes in the body, such as appetite, the sleep-wake cycle, learning ability, concentration and memory, and even our emotions.

Furthermore, histamine acts as a tissue hormone and even as a neurotransmitter. It stimulates gastric juice secretion and has a vasodilatory effect. Histamine also plays a central role in inflammation in the body, acting as a mediator in allergic reactions such as asthma, hay fever, and hives.

The enzyme diamine oxidase (DAO) in the small intestine is primarily responsible for breaking down histamine, but its function can be disrupted by various factors. This can lead to imbalances and dysregulation in the body when too much histamine is consumed or released, potentially causing a wide range of symptoms.

Possible symptoms (selection):

• Headaches and migraines
• hives
• Gastrointestinal problems
• depressive moods
• Concentration problems
• Sleep disorders
• autonomic disorders

Diagnosis:

• Blood test
• Stool test
• Elimination diet (most reliable diagnosis)

If you suffer from one or more food intolerances, it is essential to change your diet and initially avoid these triggers in order to calm your system or intestines.