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histamine intolerance. However, due to the com- Jill Cruz is a certified nutrition specialist with an M.S. in human nutri-
plexity of MCAS, it often requires much deeper tion. In 2008 she discovered the work of Weston A. Price and the power
investigative work (it is challenging even to get of using food as medicine, which sparked a passion for a new career in
a diagnosis) and pharmaceutical interventions. health and nutrition and for improving her and her family's health. She
has worked in the Hudson Valley Functional Medicine practice since
IMPLEMENTING A 2011. Jill believes that for people to reach their full health potential,
LOW-HISTAMINE DIET they must acquire the skill of listening to and respecting their bodies
The detailed low-histamine diet (next page) and use their knowledge to take their health into their own hands. Jill
is as strict as they come. Individuals who are not works with a wide variety of conditions and specializes in healing diets
sure about the extent to which histamine is af- such as the ketogenic diet, the Patricia Kane membrane stabilizing diet
fecting them might first want to try the less strict and the SIBO diet. Her recommendations vary based on the individual's
list described in the previous section, keeping unique needs, circumstances, likes and dislikes, genetic predispositions
in mind that many people do better with the and financial and lifestyle requirements. For more information, visit
stricter diet. We usually recommend following bodywisefoodsmart.com/.
the stricter diet for six weeks before deciding
whether it has helped or not, because sometimes REFERENCES
it takes that long to reduce the body burden of 1. Maintz L, Novak N. Histamine and histamine intolerance. Am J Clin Nutr 2007;85(5):1185-
1196.
histamine significantly. In most people, using 2. MastCellAware. http://www.mastcellaware.com/index.html.
the DAO enzyme and NeuroProtek will speed 3. Molecular Immunopharmacology & Drug Discovery Laboratory. http://www.
mastcellmaster.com/index.php.
up the process. 4. Armonk Integrative Medicine for Optimum Health. http://www.armonkmed.com/about/
Low-histamine food lists on the Internet dr-afrin/.
may not be very reliable because they often 5. Umbrellux™ DAO. https://www.umbrelluxdao.com/.
6. NeuroProtek®. http://algonot.com/product/neuroprotek/.
derive from the author’s subjective experiences. 7. Manzotti G, Breda D, Di Gioacchino M, Burastero SE. Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol
2016;29(1):105-111.
This can make the whole subject very confusing. 8. Research: Dr. Theoharides at Tufts University. http://www.mastcellmaster.com/research.
I recommend sticking to just one list and observ- php.
ing one’s body. Over time, it will become easier 9. Study to investigate the effect of an oral diamine oxidase substitution (DAOsin) in histamine
intolerant patients on the low endogenous diamine oxidase serum activity. https://clinical
to identify foods that are particularly problem- trials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03298568.
atic. It helps to start off more strictly to establish 10. https://www.amazon.com/Caravaglio-Capers-Sicily-Pack-2/dp/B008SF2CZK.
some sort of baseline, experimenting with more 11. Histamine intolerance. www.low-histamine.com.
12. Gibb JL. Is Food Making You Sick? The Strictly Low Histamine Diet. Brighton, Victoria:
variety as one starts to feel better. Leaves of Gold Press; 2014.

FOODS TO ENCOURAGE

VEGETABLES: Add the following to dishes as much as possible: artichokes, basil, broccoli, celery, chives, cilantro, dill,
garlic, onions (either cooked onions or spring onions in small amounts), oregano, parsley, rosemary, snap peas, wa-
tercress, and ancho, serrano and chili peppers. These are all high in quercetin and other phytonutrients, which help
reduce the body burden of histamine. Capers are particularly rich in quercetin, but one should use only salt-dried
capers (not capers in vinegar). Be sure to rinse the capers before using.
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FRUIT: Apples and cranberries also are high in quercetin.

GRAINS: Rice bran (especially from black rice) reduces histamine. Heirloom black rice can be found in health food
stores (often called “forbidden rice”) or online.
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PEA SPROUTS: Although consumption of pea sprouts is optional, it is encouraged when possible. Pea sprouts can be
used liberally as they are high in the DAO enzyme, which helps break down histamine. The easiest way to use them is
to juice or blend them and drink with meals. Sprouting peas to get the highest amount of DAO takes about ten days.
The best time to drink pea sprout juice is with any meal containing meat or fish.

SUMMER 2018 Wise Traditions 39