Exploring the role of histamine in autoimmune conditions.

When you think of histamine, you don’t always correlate it with autoimmune conditions, even if you know that those illnesses are all about the immune system and inflammation which is driven by histamine. 
 
Today’s article, the third in my ‘histamine’ series, focuses on autoimmune conditions,  and the article includes information on:  

• Histamine’s involvement in autoimmune conditions
• Histamine and the gut/immune axis
• The autoimmune conditions that are most likely to involve a strong histamine response. 
• My top tips for managing histamine in relation to autoimmune conditions.

 
Histamine’s involvement in autoimmune conditions
Autoimmune conditions are a diverse group of illnesses, which all involve a person’s own immune system mistaking its own tissues as a foreign invader, triggering an immune response, inflammation and ultimately tissue damage. 
 
There are a whole host of different autoimmune conditions, affecting diverse parts of the body, including Type 1 Diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Multiple Sclerosis, amongst many others. As an aside, many people mistakenly think that eczema/dermatitis is also an autoimmune condition, but whilst the immune response is involved, it doesn’t actively attack the skin. 
 
The precise causes of autoimmune diseases are complex, multifactorial, immunological, and often genetic. Recent research has highlighted histamine’s role in the development and exacerbation of autoimmune conditions (1) and whilst it can’t be blamed solely for triggering autoimmunity, it can act as a catalyst, amplifying immune responses and promoting the inflammation which subsequently leads to tissue damage. 
 
For those who are histamine intolerant, have disruptions in the genetic pathways for the breakdown and removal of histamine, or who may be experiencing a temporary high histamine load, the accumulation of histamine in the bloodstream can trigger a range of symptoms such as headaches, hives, digestive issues and may also exacerbate autoimmune condition specific symptoms.
 
Research has even pointed to histamine intolerance as being linked to autoimmune conditions onset due to the constant low-grade inflammation triggered by the molecule’s presence.  Long-term exposure to histamine may lead to an over-stimulated immune system, which can lead to dysfunction and reactivity. (1–3)
 
Histamine can stimulate the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, signalling molecules that promote inflammation.  In some cases cytokine production can become excessive, leading to the chronic inflammation so characteristic of autoimmune conditions. (4,5). This can also lead to a condition called Mast Cell Activation Syndrome, that I will address in a future article. 
 
Histamine and the gut/immune axis
The gut plays an important role in the immune system and recent research has highlighted histamine’s role in influencing this axis along with modulating dysbiosis and the health of the gut wall (leaky gut). (6)
 
See my previous article for further detail.
 
Which are the autoimmune conditions that are most likely to involve a strong histamine response.
 
Whilst histamine is involved in all autoimmune conditions to one extent or another, there are some conditions that are particularly histamine related, these include: 

• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA). A chronic inflammatory disease mainly affecting the joints. 
• Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). A complex autoimmune disease that affects multiple organs and systems. 
• Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Characterised by immune attacks on the central nervous system leading to demyelination of nerve fibres. 
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Encompassing Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. 
• Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis. An autoimmune condition affecting the thyroid gland. 
• Coeliac disease. An autoimmune condition triggered by the consumption of gluten.
• Psoriasis. An autoimmune skin condition involving the fast proliferation of skin cells with high levels of inflammation.
• Ankylosing Spondylitis. A type of arthritis that mostly affects the spine.
• Sjogren’s Syndrome.  Primarily affecting the salivary and tear glands.

 
My top tips for managing histamine in relation to autoimmune conditions.

1. If you suffer from an auto-immune condition then lowering your overall exposure to histamine, including food sources, may be appropriate. Follow this link for a list of common high-histamine foods. Ensuring you don’t have too many high histamine foods at the same time or close together, might help lower the histamine load. HOWEVER, histamine can be found in many foods and there are many, many contradicting food lists available on the internet. Eliminating more and more foods is not the answer and could be very dangerous for your health. Consulting with a nutrition professional is recommended. 
2. Include some foods which have the potential to be anti-inflammatory in your diet such as oily fish, green leafy vegetables, olive oil, ginger, amongst others.
3. Include foods with nature’s antihistamine, quercetin, such as berries, apples, onions and sage.
4. Include daily stress management techniques to keep yourself calm such as meditation, low impact exercise or hobbies that trigger your flow. 
5. Find out how your genetics may impact your relationship with histamine. The Lifecode Gx Histamine Intolerance test analyses the genes and nutrients needed to breakdown and remove histamine, showing where disruptions occur and how to support optimal function.  As a Lifecode Gx practitioner I can offer this testing as part of my practice. Click here to find out more.

 
If on medication, please speak to your GP/consultant before making any changes to your diet. 

If you are interested in histamine and its impact on symptoms, this article is the second in a series I am currently publishing covering.  The series in total will include:

1. What is the histamine and eczema/dermatitis link? (Already published, view using the link)
2. What’s the histamine and gut health connection? (Already published, view using the link)
3. What is the histamine and auto-immune conditions link? ? (today’s article)
4. Histamine and oestrogen – why histamine may trigger skin and gut issues at the menopause.
5. Histamine Intolerance is it really a thing? 

 
Sign up for my news to receive the published articles straight to your inbox. 
 
Read more by clicking below to see my previously published articles: 

• Motivated to change but struggling to stay on track? Tips for long term transformation.

• Symptoms but no idea what’s triggering them? Here are some tips to unravel the mystery.  
• Top Tips for Eating for the Planet without Compromising Your Nutrition 
• I want to eat more plant-based but pulses give me terrible digestive issues
• What is the atopic march?
• Why is eczema/atopic dermatitis itchier at night?
• You’ve been diagnosed with an atopic condition, but what does that mean? 
• Atopic dermatitis/eczema – a chronic condition that effects all ages 
• The skin microbiome, the key to good skin health  
• Autumnal Allergies – Yes, it is a thing
• If one-size-fits all diets worked, don’t you think we would have the magic formula by now? 
  
  

Who Am I? 
I’m Jessica Fonteneau, the Eczema and Digestive Health Nutrition Expert. I’ve worked with hundreds of clients to help them change their diets, better manage their flares, and find relief.
 
My vocation is to help those with eczema and digestive issues, because I have suffered with these interlinked conditions since I was 6 months old, and I truly know what it is like to experience these debilitating conditions. 
 
Every client I have ever worked with has their own triggers and ideal nutrition. There is no such thing as ‘one-size-fits-all’. Whether you work with me one-to-one or use my guided tools, my objective is to help you uncover what works best for you, so that you take back control and experience relief. 
 
My guided programmes are only suitable for adults as children have very specific nutrition requirements. I do, however, work with many child clients as part of my clinic. 
 
I also offer two free communities for adults caring for children with eczema and digestive symptoms, feel free to come and join us and get some well-deserved support. 

• Free community for adults with skin and/or digestive issues
• Free community for carers of children with skin and/or digestive issues

 
To easily keep up with my articles, masterclasses, ebooks and online programmes and receive exclusive access to early bird offers, sign-up to my newsletter.  
 
Interested in what I do and who I am? Go to my website: www.jessicafonteneaunutrition.com
 
References: 

1. Mehta P, Miszta P, Rzodkiewicz P, Michalak O, Krzeczyński P, Filipek S. Enigmatic Histamine Receptor H4 for Potential Treatment of Multiple Inflammatory, Autoimmune, and Related Diseases. Vol. 10, Life. 2020. 
2. Volonté C, Apolloni S, Amadio S. The Histamine and Multiple Sclerosis Alliance: Pleiotropic Actions and Functional Validation BT  - The Functional Roles of Histamine Receptors. In: Yanai K, Passani MB, editors. Cham: Springer International Publishing; 2022. p. 217–39. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1007/7854_2021_24
3. Schnedl WJ, Mangge H, Schenk M, Enko D. Non-responsive celiac disease may coincide with additional food intolerance/malabsorption, including histamine intolerance. Med Hypotheses [Internet]. 2021;146:110404. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306987720332953
4. Theoharides TC, Perlman AI, Twahir A, Kempuraj D. Mast cell activation: beyond histamine and tryptase. Expert Rev Clin Immunol [Internet]. 2023 Jun 3;19(6):639–54. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1080/1744666X.2023.2200936
5. Frieri M. Mast Cell Activation Syndrome. Clin Rev Allergy Immunol [Internet]. 2018;54(3):353–65. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12016-015-8487-6
6. Rettura F, Bronzini F, Campigotto M, Lambiase C, Pancetti A, Berti G, et al. Refractory Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: A Management Update. Front Med. 2021;8(November):1–19.