Histamine intolerance and pregnancy

The topic of histamine during pregnancy is of particular concern to women trying to conceive. Is it a myth that the symptoms of histamine intolerance are reduced or even disappear during pregnancy? In this blog post, we'll explain how hormones affect your histamine levels during pregnancy and what your ideal diet should be.

What happens to histamine during and after pregnancy?

The fact that approximately 80% of all histamine-intolerant patients are women confirms a link between hormones and histamine intolerance . Histamine, as a biogenic amine, has a similar effect to hormones; therefore, symptoms of histamine intolerance may also decrease in pregnant women.

Getting pregnant with histamine intolerance

As soon as you become pregnant, your body develops protective mechanisms . This process ensures that your immune system doesn't recognize the fetus as a foreign body. The embryo also needs protection from histamine, as too much histamine during pregnancy could cause uterine contractions and thus a miscarriage. To protect the child, the female body produces large quantities—up to 500 times more—of the enzyme diamine oxidase (DAO) in the placenta, which is responsible for breaking down histamine.

If you suffer from histamine intolerance, your symptoms may well improve significantly during pregnancy. The overproduction of DAO also benefits the expectant mother by inhibiting histamine release and thus allergic reactions in the unborn child. Often, from around the 12th week of pregnancy until delivery, histamine-rich foods can be consumed without discomfort.

Histamine intolerance after pregnancy

This condition often persists during breastfeeding due to hormonal changes, until the first menstrual period returns. Caution is advised for women who do not breastfeed after giving birth and whose histamine intolerance is not caused by impaired DAO synthesis, but rather by estrogen dominance , for example. In both cases, a low-histamine diet is necessary.

Histamine intolerance: Folic acid and other nutrients

Especially in the first weeks of pregnancy, an adequate intake of nutrients is essential, providing not only the mother but also the child with the necessary vitamins. Dietary supplements can also be used in this regard.

The following are particularly important during pregnancy:

Folic acid : A pregnant woman should consume 550 micrograms of folic acid daily. During the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, an additional 400 micrograms in the form of a folic acid supplement is recommended. Folate contributes to the growth of maternal tissue during pregnancy.
Magnesium/Calcium : In cases of magnesium deficiency, the body releases increased amounts of histamine. A magnesium-to-calcium ratio of 1:2 is recommended to counteract an overdose.
Vitamin C : Vitamin C helps protect cells from oxidative stress.
Furthermore, it contributes to the normal function of the immune system during and after intense physical activity and to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue. And that's not all: Consuming natural vitamin C puts less strain on your metabolism and digestive system than consuming synthetic ascorbic acid. Since many fruits and vegetables containing histamine are rich in vitamin C, supplements are a good alternative.
Vitamin E : Vitamin E helps protect cells from oxidative stress.
B vitamins : Vitamins B6 and B12 are essential. Vitamin B6 contributes to the regulation of hormonal activity. Vitamin B12 contributes to the normal function of the nervous system.
Zinc : Zinc contributes to normal fertility and reproduction.
Copper : Copper contributes to the maintenance of normal connective tissue.
Zeolite : Zeolite is used to reduce ammonium and heavy metals ingested through food. Encapsulated powder significantly reduces the body's ammonium and heavy metal load, particularly lead, cadmium, and mercury. This relieves the metabolic burden on the liver, kidneys, pancreas, and blood.

Important: The use of dietary supplements during pregnancy should always be discussed individually with a doctor.

You should ensure you only take selected dietary supplements with high bioavailability that are free of additives or histamine-containing ingredients. Pay attention to the corresponding intake recommendations according to EU guidelines. Additionally, a high-fiber, alkaline-forming diet, as well as gut cleansing and liver detoxification, are recommended.

Nutrient-rich and low-histamine foods

If you have histamine intolerance, it's important to eat a balanced and varied diet. Since some healthy foods are off-limits due to their high histamine content, we've compiled a list of particularly nutrient-rich foods for you:

Fruits : blackberries, blueberries, currants, grapes, apple, melon, persimmon, lychee, pomegranate
Stone fruit : sour cherries, mangoes, dates, nectarines, cherries, apricots
Vegetables : Cauliflower, broccoli, red cabbage, pointed cabbage, pumpkin, potatoes, carrots, parsnip, zucchini, cucumber, celery, fennel, bell peppers, asparagus, beetroot, lettuce (except arugula), sweet potatoes
Spices : Ginger, Turmeric
Nuts/Seeds : Pistachios, flaxseeds, coconuts, chestnuts, macadamia nuts, pumpkin seeds, Brazil nuts (2-3 pieces daily), almonds (in small quantities), flaxseeds, chia seeds, psyllium seeds, sesame seeds, hemp seeds
Grain products : oats, spelt, millet, quinoa, rice, amaranth

Incorporate as many different fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds as possible into your diet. Leafy greens are especially beneficial for pregnant women, as they are rich in folic acid. In our HistaFood recipe section, you'll find delicious recipes for a symptom-free everyday life that are not only enjoyable to prepare but also to eat.