Histamine intolerance during cold season

As the cooler season arrives, the unwelcome cold season heralds its approach. Unfortunately, low temperatures are just as much a part of winter as coughing, runny noses, and hoarseness.
But to what extent does histamine play a role in colds and their associated symptoms?

That is exactly what you will learn here: from histamine-related symptoms during cold season to cold prevention and natural immune support - you will find all of this in this blog article.

But first: what exactly is the connection between histamine intolerance and the immune system?

The connection between histamine intolerance and the immune system

Histamine is involved in the reactions of our immune system and plays a central role in defending against foreign substances.

With histamine intolerance, the body cannot break down enough histamine. This leads to histamine-related symptoms, and the immune system is already in a state of alert.

When viruses or bacteria attack our body, the immune system immediately works to combat them. The body's own mast cells are involved in this reaction; they release histamine and thereby help to fend off pathogens.

Since they are often already active in cases of histamine intolerance, a cold can throw them into even greater turmoil. This increases further histamine release in the body and leads to a permanent cycle that can be particularly challenging for those affected.

Symptoms of histamine intolerance during cold season

• Runny nose
• Coughing or difficulty breathing
• Sore throat
• Headaches
• Red eyes
• Circulatory issues
• Fatigue
• Lethargy

Low-histamine diet to strengthen the immune system

The increased histamine level in the body during a cold can also negatively influence the tolerance threshold for various foods.

Therefore, those affected should pay particular attention to a low-histamine diet when they have a cold. But low-histamine foods are also ideally suited for preventing colds, as many of them are simultaneously anti-inflammatory and support the immune system. In this way, a low-histamine diet can help to relieve the body.

Especially in the cold season, a warm broth is particularly soothing. Our organic vegetable broth is suitable for a low-histamine and low-fructose diet, and is gluten-free, lactose-free, and vegan. Whether enjoyed pure as a warming broth or used as a base for soups and other dishes – it can be integrated into your everyday life in many ways.

Natural methods for immune support with histamine intolerance

In addition to diet, there are other methods for natural immune support.
Here are a few more tips for you:

• Adequate hydration: Still water is ideal for supporting your body. Not just because histamine is water-soluble. Water supports the metabolism and the mucous membranes, which serve as a natural barrier against pathogens. If you often forget to drink, you can set a goal of filling a large water bottle in the morning that you want to have finished by the evening, or you can use apps to remind yourself to drink.
• Herbal teas: In addition to water, you can, of course, turn to low-histamine herbal teas such as cistus or ginger tea. These help with prevention to lower your histamine levels, but also for directly fighting a cold. Anti-inflammatory teas like sage or chamomile are also suitable here.
• Inhalation: To support your immune system in a histamine-friendly way during a cold, you can also take a chamomile steam bath or inhale with chamomile or sea salt. This moistens the airways and helps to loosen mucus.

Practical tips for preventing colds with histamine intolerance

For sustainable cold prevention, it is also worth taking a closer look at your own lifestyle.

Are you wondering how you can become less susceptible to colds in the long term?
Here are a few of our tips:

• Reduce stress: You have probably heard it more than once, but stress has a negative effect on your body in many ways. Numerous studies have proven that persistent stress weakens the immune system. This is shown, for example, in a decreasing number of immune cells in the blood and lower activity of natural killer cells. That is why your body is more susceptible to colds, especially during stressful phases. Breathing exercises and meditation are particularly well-suited for reducing your stress level. Feel free to also take a look at our other blog article for more information on stress and histamine.
• Exercise: Stress can also be reduced through physical activity. Exercise relaxes the body, and stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline are broken down. Fresh air provides you with oxygen and improves your body's circulation.
• Sufficient sleep: Stress hormones are also broken down during sleep; the body powers down and can regenerate. Ideally, you should sleep 7–9 hours. So that the body is not occupied with digestion at night, you should not eat too late or right before going to bed. In addition, you can ensure a healthy room climate and an appropriate room temperature by airing out the room properly.
• Gut health: Most of our defense cells are located in the gut. That is why gut health is a fundamental prerequisite for a well-functioning immune system. A balanced diet is essential for supporting your gut.

The role of medication and nutritional supplements

If you have already caught a cold and are affected by histamine intolerance, try to avoid medications that lead to an additional release of histamine as much as possible.

To best support your immune system with histamine intolerance, an optimal supply of micronutrients is also important. Here you can rely on nutrients like vitamin C, zinc, and selenium. These are essential for the normal function of your immune system and can contribute to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.

Summary and important takeaways

If you are in a particular hurry, here are the most important points at a glance:

• A cold in combination with histamine intolerance means a double burden on your immune system.
• Histamine-related symptoms are partly similar to those of a cold and can be worsened by the infection.
• A low-histamine diet is suitable both during a cold and as a preventive measure to support and relieve your immune system. If a cold has broken out, drinking plenty of fluids, for example, low-histamine herbal teas, is especially helpful.
• A healthy lifestyle, supporting the gut, and reducing stress also help to relieve your immune system and prevent infections.
• For an extra boost, use nutritional supplements to strengthen your immune system.
  

Would you like to specifically support the normal function of your immune system? Our organic 1mmunFit combines natural vitamin C from acerola with selected plant substances from moringa, black cumin, ashwagandha, cranberry, turmeric, and reishi. Vitamin C contributes to the normal function of the immune system and to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.

Sources

• Nutrition for supporting the immune system
• The immune system simply explained
• Stress increases susceptibility to infection
• Meta-study on the link between stress and the immune system