Histamines, inflamation and biohacking experiment starting
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Now I am powerful confused. I repeated the soup at night with added nori, chicken n courgette. Even had a tiny bit of avocado n tomato with lettuce. No reaction. Argh! Not simple reacts everytime deal. V odd.1
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But that's how histamine works, right? You have to pass a threshold, so even if you have higher histamine foods you may not react. Also I read that histamine reactions take anywhere from 2-24 hours to exhibit, as opposed to food intolerance or allergy which can be immediate.1
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@DianaElena76 thanks for pulling me out of denial. Was trying to get a causal reaction link set up and although I had read that , I guess I did not want to hear it!1
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Back on with my more common reaction, ie about 15 mins after food. I tried a bit of mum's strawberry cheese cake. She really wanted me to eat half. I said I truly could not because strawberries are high in histamines. I complied and had 3 tiny bites. Over period of 15 mins. Just as mum felt bad for eating so much cake and anounced that I was not doing my part, so I should eat the rest, I sneezed. A lot. I explained that is exactly why I can't eat it. Took her seeing me with eyes watering n puffy for her to finally see why I kept saying No. When we got home I had egg n veg curry but the curry paste was a few days old and now my sinus' are back blown up again. Looking like an unhappy puffy chipmunk I am now having a rest with mum seperately reading upstairs. I need the break so kind of good plus mum can see that I am not making this up or making choices just to be a pain in the rear. (My family thinks a little odd, I guess)3
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Food intolerances run in my family. Those of us who pay attention are considered odd by those that don't. Those that don't pay attention are considered odd by those of us who do! I think all families consider other members "odd". And sometimes family is a pain in the rear but we love 'em anyway.
Pay no mind to others. They are odd too! Continue with your experiments. I am sorry that it does not seem to be clear cut.
My 'odd' brother, the physicist, thinks his histamine reaction is caused by old things; cheese, bread, some veggies the culprits so far. He has been muttering about his idea of what is growing which causes the problem. I will pay attention next time. He was dismissed as odd because he was ignoring lactose and gluten intolerance. But maybe he is on to something because it is a histamine reaction rather than gut reaction. I will ask.0 -
Thanks @dasher602014 I love your reflection on odd- all a matter of perspective! I will be interested to hear results from your odd brother.
I tend to steer clear of dairy and gluten at the moment. Trying to simplify my potential list of causes! My reactions tend to be more hayfever like than the runs or other digestive issues that my gluten intollerant friend has. Today I had fresh wild salmon and lettuce. Yum. No adverse reaction. Yay.0 -
Here is another thing to ponder: do you live with potted plants? in an old house? there could be dust and mold all around that just add to the problem. A friend said her whole family felt much better after she got rid of her potted indoor plants. I am allergic to dust, but live in an old wooden house. I can't get away from the sneezing.
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Young cheese and metwurst tonight. Low carb good, risk of histamine moderate. Couple of eggs n some chicken too. Achooo. Sore throat, sneezing. Back to basics tomorrow and no hint of histamines again for a few weeks.0
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I have found a threshold for certain foods. I can have fresh tomatoes, but canned will give me a headache, and runny nose the next morning. Same with onions! Have been testing with just enough for flavor, and a compliment to the meal, instead of thinking of it as a "side dish", and haven't had anymore problems. (Theres that moderation that some folks preach! Lol!). Had some cooked zucchini last week, and suffered a terrible migraine! Once again, will be watching amounts to prevent the side effects in the future!
Watching you test yourself, trying to figure this all out, has been interesting! I realize I've been doing the same since I figured out that foods were triggering my symptoms. Have been, unsuccessfully, treating chronic allergies for years, with medications that never worked! I'm glad I got to this point to figure it all out! Really dislike the wasted time (and wasted liver response!) from taking all of the medications/nose sprays......when the cause had been missed for years!!0 -
Well .... heard back from my brother.
I think he has given up figuring out the histamine reaction. He gets lip swellings now and again and no real cause has been found. It isn't so often now that he is on a lower carb diet.
For the family intolerance tummy troubles, his research has led him to mycobacterium avium.
https://www.beststory.ca/teasers/crohns_04C_teaser_email.html
http://crohnsmapvaccine.com/map/
In my cruising the web, I found this site.
http://suzycohen.com/articles/histamine_intolerance_dao_genes_hashimotos/
Some of the comments were familiar and interesting to me.
So, certainly nothing definitive. Still experimenting here too.
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SamandaIndia wrote: »Apologies for going dark for a week: Mum's been visiting so Miss congeniality here has been sharing meals that are not good for me, in an effort to keep mum happy (she cant leave food and the servings are too big to finish so clearly that's my problem). Net result I can confirm tomatoes are an issue for me and carbs make me want carbs. My feet have got more sensitive to cold and I have a monster headache. Mum in Ireland gor a week. Husband informed me that our ensuite shower drain clogged up due to the hair I lost in the week she has visited so far. I want to be strong enough to say no but mum has a way of making her request so begnine. Just a simple sandwhich is all i want. No idea how hard that makes life for my low carb choices. Pretty confident histammines are an issue. Will report more specifics later.
Carbs beget carbs!
Goodness you're learning so much. Hope you survived the visit.1 -
You are a mine of information, thank you.canadjineh wrote: »@SamandaIndia here's a BlogSpot - ve a list of foods eaten each day (meal plan)
paleothoughts.blogspot.ca/2011/11/wrapping-up-30-days-hard-core-low.html
The Low Histamine Chef - she also has a closed FB group you might want to join.
thelowhistaminechef.com/
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I have a number of food intolerances, and histamine reactions, and drug allergies. Cant drink alcohol at all, coffee, dairy, cheese, yoghurt, fermented foods- tho I take the point that I might want to play with that to improve the state of my gut, and a bunch of other things.
I have found it amazing over the years to have stopped having asthma, sinus problems, acid reflux, low energy, brain fog, and severe multiple chemical sensitivities from a combination of dietary changes, and mindfulness to calm any psychological stress.
I have more energy now than I had in my 20's, even though that was 30 years ago. I will follow some of the links in this thread to see how else I can heal my body to work better- while dropping weight:)2 -
I am seeing almonds, almond milk in those things you mentioned as causing reactions.0
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I was a B**** this morning, feeling listless and sad. Ate appropriately, or so I thought. BPC then lunch of egg n Fried courgette in butter. Granted the courgette/ zuchini had been in the "crisper" a week but felt firm. Like @karlottap Headache etc. Husband suggested I finally give up and take an antihistamine. Wow did that change my personality! So much happier and healthier outlook. Even felt up for attending a friends baby shower! Unbelievable how much food affects my mood!2
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@sabine_stroehm and @dasher602014 thanks for support here. I am mentally and physically in a happier place for mum visiting. I sure had my momments, like this morning where my mind or body are processing my life history and choices but better for it. I now acknowledge what my mum can and can't do plus where I need to own something and where I need to ensure mum's pity party does not manipulate me into solving her issues (ie the whole food sharing business -ugly conversation but happier end of visit thanks to as Dr Phil says "do not reward bad behaviour")2
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I admit to hitting a frustration wall. Whilst mum was here I noticed french pastries and bread do not trigger my sinus reaction. Tomatoes, spinach, avocado and a week old zuchini, numerous sauces, pepper, chocolate, nuts, yoghurt, cheeses, lets face it, dairy , seafood, metwurst, sausage, bacon, olives, pickled or fermented foods, seeds, coffee, apples (have not tried other fruit as too high in sugar), processed foods, anything that is not fresh etc
On a low carb diet I end up with a choice of fresh white fish, chicken and at a stretch red meat (a lot is aged before we buy it so not suited), egg? kale, lettuce, broccoli, cauli and butter plus almond milk.
Yesterday I just figured live with the inflamation and sinus headaches and eat carbs because this is getting ridiculous. I have to eat something. Not a well girl today. Aside from headache and Michelin woman level inflamation (wow my ankles look silly), my body aches and put on >2lb in a day.
Self pity and indulgent behaviour over, need to go back to discipline of fresh food. Going to go back thru websites for recipes and look for further inspiration.0 -
Yeah, for the first couple of years having to be gluten free I thought the same way, "Ah just forget it and live with the consequences and eat what I want." Boy, what a mistake. Now I don't even go there. My body remembers the horrible consequences. Even though it is very difficult for you, it's always best structuring your eating around what is healthy for YOU, and just be resigned to a limited food choice list. In the long run you will be glad. Sending you hugs, because I really empathize!0
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Thank you @canadjineh, much appreciated.
My girlfriend described her body like a unique world in which millions of cells are merrily living their lives. Am I creating the right environment to keep them happy. Aside from laughing at my visualisation of some cells partying on Ibiza, it helps me care more for my body, like I would a friend, rather than getting angry at it for something I can not control3 -
Been there and done that too. My weak spot is people pleasing. So if you prepare something with things in it I cannot eat, I will eat some. And will pay for it. I feel like forgetting about losing weight, often. But I know this is not an option.
Sounds so much like my brothers problems, @samandalndia, where it seems to depend upon freshness. He thought maybe a preservative or molds. I think maybe a bit from column A and a bit from column B. He cannot manage red wine. I can. But I had trouble with a swollen lip problem when I over indulge in grapes (not that I do anymore). He has better luck with grains that are not wheat and so do I. I am not eating bread at all at the moment but if I do, it is from a loaf than was baked that day at the bakery (that makes their own dough - not frozen from a general supplier and then 'finished' at the shop, like our grocery stores do), and I freeze immediately. I take one piece at a time from the freezer. My brother has adopted this too.
Our food is so tampered with now, it is very hard to pinpoint. All I can suggest is finding a direct from organic farm co-op or other fresher and less tampered with places to buy. My brother buys often to keep things fresh and does not vary from his meal plan so things get used up when bought. We both buy from butchers with good 'traffic' rather than a grocery store and freeze immediately if not used that day. Aging of meat before we buy doesn't seem to disturb but length of time "on display" or in our own fridges does. I also wonder about the 'red' dye they use to make it look pretty. Seeds and nuts can do it too because they get 'old'.
Hard.1 -
@phrick thanks so much I love love love them, especially as they did not cause a sinus headache, nor a sore throat, nor even massive sneezing fit. Nothing, just beautiful, peaceful yummyness. Creme fraische and butter on top so lots of ingredients that I can eat. Trust me, my list at the momment is short so this is exciting news!!1
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I find this all very interesting. I have severe environmental allergies (grass, pollen, weeds, trees, mold, dust mites, cats, etc...) and something called Oral Allergy Syndrome. My diagnosed food allergies include soy, whey, wheat, carrot, banana, melons, MSG, and hemp. I manage my allergies by taking a 24 hour non-drowsy anti-histamine, and as needed I also use a nasal spray, and benadryl. I also have an air purifier running constantly and vacuum daily, etc...
I've always maintained that my allergies are hormone induced because they started at puberty (as did PCOS), and I had NO hayfever while pregnant and breastfeeding, and they came back with a vengeance two weeks after my son weaned. I'm curious what will happen when I hit menopause! Also will be interesting to see if eating LC will have an effect on my allergies, positive or negative.0 -
I've lived my entire life with allergies to what was tested to be environmental triggers, like dust, grass... I was on all of the allergy medications, for years, and they never worked well. Since beginning this woe I have eliminated all allergy medications, and almost never have a runny nose anymore. I have found that tomatoes will cause a runny nose the next day. I believe the majority of my lifelong allergies were to the processed junk the big food companies have pushed on us as "healthy", or "good for you"!0
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jetsamflotsam wrote: »I find this all very interesting. I have severe environmental allergies (grass, pollen, weeds, trees, mold, dust mites, cats, etc...) and something called Oral Allergy Syndrome. My diagnosed food allergies include soy, whey, wheat, carrot, banana, melons, MSG, and hemp. I manage my allergies by taking a 24 hour non-drowsy anti-histamine, and as needed I also use a nasal spray, and benadryl. I also have an air purifier running constantly and vacuum daily, etc...
I've always maintained that my allergies are hormone induced because they started at puberty (as did PCOS), and I had NO hayfever while pregnant and breastfeeding, and they came back with a vengeance two weeks after my son weaned. I'm curious what will happen when I hit menopause! Also will be interesting to see if eating LC will have an effect on my allergies, positive or negative.
Just a thought, with that many allergic issues, do you also any of the following digestive problems?:
acid reflux,
diarrhea,
constipation,
IBD,
IBS,
Crohn's,
c'dif?
If you do, you should start reading/googling/YouTubing:
Gut microbiome
GAPS diet
Dr. Perlmutter
Gut Microbiota
Leaky gut syndrome
ANd even if you don't have digestive problems, look up "Leaky gut syndrome".
A lot of allergies come from a screwed up microbiota in your gut. And it is repairable.
I hope this helps,
Dan the Man from Michigan
Keto / The Recipe Water Fasting / E.A.S.Y. Exercise Program
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@dittodan No digestive issues if I avoid the foods I'm allergic to. Only started having heartburn and constipation since I started eating LC but am hoping that will normalize again once my body adjusts to this new way of eating. Normally don't have issues. I doubt mine is a gut issue as they ebb and flow with hormone fluctuations. My son had leaky gut syndrome as a baby but he outgrew it, as babies normally do, but still has tons of allergies like me... and my mom and dad... and my grandparents... We both did a 5 month allergy treatment with a Traditional Chinese Medicine doctor and neither of us had any major improvement, but that's when I identified a couple more of my food allergies, which were later confirmed by an allergy specialist.0
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I wrote above @phrick thanks so much I love love love them,. Would be helpful to others if I put an article in that sentance! Feta cheese and chive Biscuits AKA Scones (for the Brits, Kiwis, Aussies etc)
quote from @Phrick "I also really like to make theseSour Cream and Chive Biscuits "
I knew eggs, butter, salt and almond meal were ok but Baking powder, baking soda, feta cheese, sour cream, even the creme fraische added as a condiment whilst I ate them are all new additions to my possibly ok foods. I was starting to wonder if I was down to not eating all dairy (except butter), thus the excitement level.
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@karlottap like you I was tested for environmental allergens like dust and pollens. Despite my reaction when trees are in bloom and chronic sinus in dusty Bangalore, the tests came back negative. Rhematoid arthritus inflammation also back negative. All awesome.
I suspect @DittoDan is on the right track with gut biome as a core source. Mine was clearly out of balance (too many Candida) which we handled with drugs n diet. I Still had /have headaches so more to improve and eliminate or add to my diet. BTW I have had low level sinus issues throughout my life, it just got worse in Bangalore (also timed with hospital visit, dodgy antibiotics and multiple bouts of gastro -which probably created great conditions to make my gut imbalance worse so thus the chronic fatigue later fixed by diet). Experiment continues.
I Really appreciate the insight and support here.3 -
@samandaindia Part of our TCM allergy treatment included an anti-candida diet. That can often be a source of inflammation. Have you treated candida yet?0
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Found this:
http://www.ibreatheimhungry.com/2013/02/foodless-friday-health-benefits-of-diatomaceous-earth.html
Hummm.... with my yeasties and beasties making VLCD impossible (when I am in ketosis for longer than 12 hours - all symptoms re-appear with a vengeance), I am skeptical but tempted to try. And the OP is a blogger about LC diet who ran into food intolerances and it was a miracle cure for her.
Not recommending but very curious. Anyone else heard of this one?1 -
@dasher602014 interesting. Never heard of it. Starting to appreciate how one coffee (bpc) with good coffee keeps me full whereas bad coffee makes my head hurt.
I think hydration really helps me not feel like I NEED to eat.
@jetsamflotsam thanks for suggestion. Yes one week of drugs and a 6 month very low sugar diet including no fruit treated the candida. April and May I have been eating some extra carbs in an effort to diversify diet when part of my core low sugar food list turn out to be triggering the headaches. Socialise and holidays so found it hard to just eat meat.
Cheese, tomato avocado bacon spinach dark chocolate all off the edigble list combine with low carb really narrowed choice enough I rebelled and tried to find another way. Found that once I eat processed carbs I crave things like huge soft chocolate cookies. Bad for body. They dont like me either but brain has different ideas- need cookie. June will be better- back to low sugar n dodging known bloaters plus dodge headache causing foods.1
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