There are many more of us in the population who suffer from allergies, these may be from external sources like pollen, animals or environmental chemicals. It might surprise you to know that certain foods can also contain substances that can contribute to allergic reactions by increasing our histamine load.
Our body requires histamine and it is normal to have small amounts in our body as histamine allows our body to function normally, to dilate capillaries bed and allow our non specific immune system to access normally hard to reach areas.
When found in excess amounts histamine can contribute to many allergy type symptoms
runny noses and watery eyes
headaches and dizzyness
Rashes and skin redness including itching and hives.
Nausea and reflux
Disturbance of regular sleep patterns
Many of us are likely familiar with the term “antihistamine” that is a type of medication that is found on the labels of numerous over-the-counter medications. These type of medication may be necessary in some cases, in most of us there are some simple dietary changes that will help to reduce the symptoms.
Here are some suggested foods to avoid, they may not be needed to be taken out of the diet forever but in the short to allow your body to rebalance.
Aged and fermented foods:
Cheese, yoghurt, alcohol (all type including beer, wine, spirits), pickled vegetables (sauerkraut, kim chi, pickles etc), bread, products containing ‘yeast’ or ‘yeast extract’ on the labels, vegemite, soy sauce, aged meats (salami, tinned meats [as a general rule the older the meat the more histamine content]).
Sour tasting foods:
Vinegar (all types), citrus fruit, and tomato based products (this includes tomato paste, sauce and raw forms), some nightshade family vegetables (eggplant, potato, capsicum).
Spicy foods:
Chilli, hot curry, exposure to extremes of heat (hot shower, sitting next to external heat sources).
It is always suggested that when addressing dietary changes that you work with your practitioner to ensure that your nutritional needs are being met.
If this is something that you feel you need support with then you can book in for an appointment here