Is Histamine Intolerance the Next Gluten Sensitivity?
Not long ago, gluten sensitivity was often dismissed as “just a fad” or “in your head.”
Then, in the early 2000s, everyone suddenly recognized the transformative potential of freeing the body from gluten. The gluten-free aisle sprouted in nearly every grocery store. For countless people, symptoms such as bloating, fatigue, and “brain fog” began to lift when they removed wheat and its relatives from their diet.
But why weren’t these issues more commonly recognized in previous generations? Some researchers point to a hidden factor in modern processed foods: an enzyme called microbial transglutaminase (mTG), often referred to as “meat glue.” This additive is used to bind meat scraps, extend shelf life, and improve the texture of breads and other baked goods. Intriguingly, mTG may mimic an enzyme in the human body linked to celiac disease, potentially triggering immune reactions, leaky gut, or gluten sensitivity. What complicates matters is that mTG rarely appears on ingredient labels, leaving many unaware of its presence. Could this stealthy additive be partly responsible for the rise in gluten-related issues today? The debate is ongoing.
While gluten-dominated headlines began to fade away, another hidden sensitivity has been rising in the shadows: histamine intolerance. Similarly misunderstood, it affects countless people, producing headaches, anxiety, rashes or skin flare-ups, digestive disturbances, and mysterious or chronic fatigue. What’s clear today is that many have suffered for decades, often without a diagnosis, from symptoms that may actually trace back to impaired histamine regulation. Could overcoming histamine imbalance be the next wellness revolution? We think so—and here’s why.
What Histamine Truly Is (And Why It’s Not the Villain)
Before we demonize “histamine,” we must remember that it is a natural, necessary molecule in the body. It plays essential roles in digestion, immune signaling, neurotransmission, and local inflammation. Histamine is stored in mast cells and released in response to triggers; our bodies use it to defend, adapt, and communicate.
The trouble begins when histamine accumulates faster than our bodies can break it down. This is where the concept of histamine intolerance comes in. In simple terms, it is the inability to break down histamine quickly enough, leading to an internal “traffic jam” of this chemical. In medical literature, histamine intolerance is often defined as a disorder resulting from a reduced ability to metabolize ingested histamine, which frequently indicates impaired diamine oxidase (DAO) activity in the gut. In other words, histamine itself is not “bad”; the danger to our well-being lies in its dysregulation.
Histamine intolerance remains “whispered about” partly because of its elusive, overlapping symptoms. They show up across the body and are easily mistaken for other issues:
⦾ Brain fog or confusion is often attributed to stress, thyroid imbalance, or perimenopause.
⦾ Trouble concentrating is dismissed as ADHD, burnout, or simply “not enough sleep.”
⦾ Migraines or sudden headaches are confused with hormonal shifts, dehydration, or chronic migraine syndrome.
⦾ Hives, flushing, or itchy skin may be mistaken for allergies, eczema, or dermatitis.
⦾ Bloating, gas, and gut discomfort are commonly labeled as IBS, SIBO, or food sensitivities.
⦾ Anxiety and heart palpitations are frequently chalked up to panic disorder, caffeine, or cardiac issues.
⦾ Fatigue and irritability are blamed on depression, anemia, or adrenal fatigue.
Often, standard lab tests show “normal” results, and allergy tests come back negative. Yet the internal turmoil continues. A growing number of people are left in the dark, frequently dismissed by mainstream medicine as “stress, anxiety, or IBS” when the real culprit may lie in histamine—if only they would take the time to investigate. Furthermore, histamine intolerance is a heterogeneous condition that overlaps significantly with other disorders, complicating its isolation and recognition.
Why Women & Sensitive Souls Seem Especially Affected
If you’re reading this and nodding along, you’re not alone.
Women and sensitive individuals often appear particularly affected. Why? Hormonal crossroads play a role: estrogen and related hormones can influence histamine release and reduce DAO activity, and many women report symptom flares around PMS or ovulation. DAO is produced in the intestinal lining and serves as a significant route for the breakdown of dietary histamine. Traditional systems of holistic health, such as Ayurveda and Chinese medicine, have long associated women’s cycles with digestive capacity, and modern science is beginning to validate this, affirming that gut health is another critical factor to watch for.
When the gut is inflamed, leaky, or dysbiotic, DAO expression or function may be compromised, leading to increased histamine spillover. Additionally, tendencies toward mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) or generalized immune hyper-reactivity are often present in those with suspected histamine intolerance. Mast cell activation involves more than just histamine and tryptase; multiple mediators may contribute. Genetics also influences susceptibility. In a 2024 pilot study published in Nutrients, 79% of individuals with symptoms of histamine intolerance carried one or more single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) in the DAO gene, which is associated with reduced activity. While genetic variants do not guarantee the onset of symptoms, they may lower the threshold for dysregulation. Taken together, these layers paint a larger picture of the “invisible imbalances” that ancestral wisdom examines from a spiritual perspective, as well as the scientific alignment with these centuries-old intuitive approaches to whole-person wellness.
Histamine vs. Allergy: Clearing the Fog & Managing Intolerance
This is the “aha” moment so many need.
Here’s the key: histamine intolerance is not an allergy. Allergies, or IgE-mediated responses, involve the immune system attacking a harmless substance such as pollen or peanuts. Histamine intolerance is non-allergic; there is no immune assault. Instead, the body simply fails to clear excess histamine effectively. Allergy labs often return negative results in those with histamine intolerance, but that does not make their suffering any less real.
Diagnosis, too, is challenging: a 2023 placebo-controlled histamine challenge revealed that many suspected cases were disproven, highlighting the common occurrence of false positives. A credible evaluation typically involves blending symptom history, elimination and reintroduction of high-histamine foods, possible DAO enzyme or metabolite testing, and a careful assessment by a knowledgeable practitioner. Science is still catching up, as is the case with many areas where women are most at risk; however, the lived experience is undeniable.
What to Avoid & What to Do Instead
Histamine imbalance isn’t random. Everyday choices — from food to stress levels — can tip the scale. Here’s a clear roadmap to help you lower your histamine load and move toward balance:
Dietary and enzymatic approaches are central to managing histamine intolerance. A low-histamine diet is often cited as the “gold standard” (for identifying and managing acute situations; later, foods may be reintroduced), and studies demonstrate symptom improvement, though many interventions are small or short-term. In 2024, the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition published a study highlighting the importance of dietary strategies for conditions associated with histamine imbalance.
DAO supplementation is another strategy, as this enzyme plays a primary role in breaking down dietary histamine. In a 2019 open-label pilot trial, 28 patients with HIT took DAO capsules before meals for four weeks; all symptoms improved significantly during supplementation and worsened upon cessation of the treatment. Emerging research is also exploring microbial DAO alternatives. Limitations remain: study sizes are small, and results can be inconsistent, leading some authors to caution against relying solely on DAO measurements as diagnostic markers. The current state of affairs is that a low-histamine diet, combined with appropriate DAO support, shows promise, although each person’s histamine expression is unique.
Herbs & Phyto-Support: Leveraging Plant Potency
Botanical allies have long been used in ancestral traditions to restore balance rather than suppress or isolate symptoms. Settle & Soothe, our herbal anti-histamine blend, features several plants with research-backed properties. Albizia (Albizia lebbeck bark extract) has been shown in rat models to suppress histamine signaling by inhibiting H1 receptor activity and histidine decarboxylase gene transcription, thereby reducing histamine content and alleviating nasal symptoms. Standardized Albizia extracts have also demonstrated mast cell stabilization and modulation of cytokine expression in animal studies.
Nettle (Urtica dioica leaf extract) exhibits H1 receptor antagonism and inhibits mast cell tryptase release, key mechanisms in reducing histamine-driven symptoms. [1]
Skullcap (Scutellaria baicalensis and derivatives) has demonstrated anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory effects in models of asthma and allergy, modulating immune responses and reducing mediator release. [2]
Other supportive herbs in this formula, including Tulsi, Perilla, Calendula, Goldenrod, and Giloy, are traditionally known to modulate inflammation, support immunity, enhance detoxification, and soothe tissues across the skin, gut, and mucosa. These botanicals may support systemic resilience, calm reactivity, and buffer histamine-triggered cascades.
Settle & Soothe: Your Gentle Ally in Histamine Balance
Settle & Soothe is a superior, cleaner alternative to pharmaceutical antihistamines, as it’s intentionally formulated to work gently across systems and help your body return to its baseline.
Its organic ingredients support mast cell regulation, modulate histamine receptors, and promote layered, gentle balance. The blend does not shut down histamine entirely; instead, it encourages the body to remember equilibrium. That’s because histamine affects multiple systems, including the skin, gut, and brain, and Settle & Soothe works holistically. It is gentle and generally considered safe across age groups when used appropriately. We do not promise miracles overnight. The goal is to support, not replace, diet, lifestyle, and professional guidance. Unlike high-dose antihistamines, which can cause side effects or rebound reactions, this formula gently guides regulation without forcing unnatural extremes.
We live in a hyper-reactive world where environmental triggers, processed foods, chronic stress, and immune dysregulation create the perfect storm for histamine imbalance. For those beginning the journey toward histamine balance, we encourage mindful tracking of food and symptoms, and gentle elimination of high-histamine foods such as aged cheese, cured meats, leftover proteins, fermented items, tomatoes, and citrus for two to four weeks. Additionally, you will want to support gut integrity through leaky gut and microbiome protocols. Settle & Soothe can be introduced in this healing journey as a companion, starting with a low dose and monitoring response. Rechallenge foods slowly and selectively after stabilization, and work with a trusted holistic health practitioner who is ideally versed in histamine, MCAS, or functional medicine. Lifestyle inputs also matter; stress, poor sleep, environmental toxins, hormonal fluctuations, and certain medications can all influence histamine metabolism.
We’ll leave you with some excellent news: with patience, many individuals experience significant symptom reduction and regain ease in their daily lives. Just as the gluten-free movement transformed awareness of hidden dietary sensitivities, histamine balance is poised to become the next frontier in functional and integrative wellness. We may soon see low-histamine sections in grocery stores, increased clinician screening for MCAS and histamine dysregulation, and botanical formulas like Settle & Soothe becoming staples in health-conscious households.
Gluten awakened us to hidden burdens in our food; histamine is now revealing a deeper, often invisible layer of reactivity. If you have experienced “normal” labs, mystery symptoms, and frustration, know this: you are not imagining it.
Histamine intolerance is a growing concern in the world of wellness, and an increasing number of people are recognizing its presence. At Wild Wholistic, our mission is to pair ancient wisdom with emerging science, empowering you with tools that help your body find its natural rhythm again. At the intersection of research-backed knowledge and our ancestors’ intuitive ways of practicing “medicine,” you will find us right beside you on your path of reclamation.
You don’t have to wait for a doctor to “prescribe” these plant protocols and lifestyle swaps. Cultivating less reactivity, greater resilience, and increased ease can begin for you today. Learn more about what real customers are calling our “godsent blend” here.
*Disclaimer: While herbal medicine has been used for centuries, they are complementary wellness practices and should not replace professional medical advice or treatment. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before introducing new herbal supplements to your wellness routine or changing your herbal protocol.
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→ The Estrogen Detox Pathway: Why Your Liver and Gut Hold the Key to Hormone Balance