There are a lot of myths about histamines and probiotics based on small animal studies but  it’s important to remember that histamine and other inflammatory cytokines are essential for the efficient function in the immune system. Histamine is one of the early (innate) chemicals which defends the body by triggering inflammatory response to infection, trauma and insect bites. It also stimulates stomach acid secretion and gut motility, which is crucial for digestive function.

On the other hand, if someone is suffering from chronic excess inflammation, due to genetic factors or exposure to allergens, lifestyle and nutritional choices leading to poor gut health, histamine and other inflammatory chemicals, as well as other toxins can leak into the blood stream. Initially this cause  headaches, flushing, itchy and malaise (histamine intolerance). Over time this excess inflammation can contribute to many chronic diseases.

Alcohol, sulphites, medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), some antibiotics, and antidepressants can also release histamine or inhibit the activity of the enzyme which breaks it down but the most important cause of histamine intolerance is poor gut health causing increased permeability (leaky gut).

 SO, It’s important to consider all lifestyle and nutritional factors  to improve gut health including the increased intake of fermented foods (which actually contain histamine). For more information of the causes and consequences (including covid) of poor gut health please see keep-healthy.com/gut-health. In addition, to diet and lifestyle there are numerous studies reporting a beneficial role for probiotic supplements including those which supposedly do not increase, local gut, histamine such as lactobacillus paracasi, Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Lactobacillus which are the major strains found  in Yourgutplus+. 

Some websites claim that people with histamine intolerance should avoid other probiotics – based on little or no evidence.  Certainly, the scientific committee of the Phyto-V study did not want to completely restrict the blend, used in the study, to non-histamine producing bacteria as other strains such as bulgaricus have reported very good improvements in gut health, which ultimately reduce leakage of histamine into the body, in the longer term – the most important factor.

What’s more, vitamin D, inulin and the other prebiotics in phyto-v also help gut health and reduce systemic (whole body inflammation) – so as well as the other probiotic, the net result is likely to be less histamine entering the circulation

The most significant factor is that Yourgutplus+ and phyto-v was tested in humans in a large, government approved, double blind randomised controlled trial (RCT) and was shown to be beneficial for the majority (but of course not all). Interestingly,  the level of benefit was higher amount participants who had factors which correlated with poor gut health (remember these people are more likely to be histamine intolerant) – This is best evidence so far results and over rides any argument from earlier non-robust animal studies.

So in summary, we believe that this probiotic (and prebiotic phytochemical blend) is not only safe for those with a history histamine intolerance it is likely to be beneficial. Some people report temporary deterioration in GI symptoms initial but then improve as gut health improves. Either way if some feels they are getting a significant adverse reaction they should stop.