What Is Histamine Intolerance?
Histamine is a naturally occurring compound that plays several important roles in the body, from supporting immune responses to regulating digestion and communicating messages between the brain and body. However, when histamine builds up faster than the body can break it down, it can lead to a range of unpleasant symptoms. This is often due to a deficiency or inhibition of diamine oxidase (DAO), the enzyme responsible for breaking down histamine in the gut.
People with histamine intolerance may experience symptoms such as headaches, skin rashes, hives, itching, bloating, fatigue, nasal congestion or anxiety after eating certain foods or drinks. While the condition is not a true allergy, the symptoms can feel similar and managing it effectively often requires a combination of dietary changes and gut support.
Common Histamine Triggers
Histamine intolerance can be triggered or worsened by several factors:
1. High-Histamine Foods: Certain foods naturally contain high levels of histamine, especially those that are aged, fermented, smoked or preserved. Common examples include:
- Aged cheeses
- Fermented vegetables (like sauerkraut and kimchi)
- Cured meats
- Alcohol (especially wine and beer)
- Vinegar-containing foods
- Leftovers (histamine levels increase the longer a food sits)
2. Histamine-Releasing Foods: Some foods don't contain high amounts of histamine themselves but can trigger the release of histamine already stored in the body. These include:
- Tomatoes
- Strawberries
- Citrus fruits
- Shellfish
- Chocolate
- Spinach
3. DAO-Inhibiting Substances: DAO is the primary enzyme responsible for degrading histamine in the digestive tract. Certain substances can block DAO activity, reducing your body’s ability to clear histamine. These include:
- Alcohol
- Energy drinks
- Some medications (like NSAIDs, antibiotics, antidepressants)
4. Poor Gut Health: Since DAO is produced in the gut, issues like leaky gut, dysbiosis or chronic inflammation can significantly impair histamine breakdown. A compromised digestive tract can allow histamine and other inflammatory compounds to accumulate in the bloodstream, worsening symptoms.
How the OWL Reset Supports Histamine Management
For individuals navigating histamine intolerance, diet plays a critical role in both symptom management and long-term healing. That’s why we created a simplified version of the OWL Reset featuring only our Vegan Mineral & Vegan Immunity Broth Elixirs and Golden Ginger & Bold Beet Mylkshakes - all carefully crafted to be low in histamine and free from common triggers.
Here’s how the cleanse can help:
1. Gentle Nourishment Without Triggers: The simplified reset provides clean, nourishing, easy-to-digest meals that allow the gut to rest and repair. All included items are low in histamine and made without inflammatory ingredients that can aggravate symptoms.
2. Improved Gut Function: The combination of warming spices and soothing herbs and functional ingredients like slippery elm and triphala powder can help calm inflammation and support the gut lining. A healthy gut is essential for effective DAO production and overall histamine regulation.
3. Supports Detox Pathways: Histamine is processed not just through digestion but also via the liver. The reset is rich in detoxifying vegetables and herbs that gently support liver function, helping your body metabolize and eliminate histamine more efficiently.
4. Reduced Digestive Load: By replacing heavy meals with easily absorbable broths and shakes, your digestive system is given a break from processing complex foods. This “pause” can reduce ongoing histamine production, especially in those with gut inflammation or enzyme deficiencies and allow the body to direct more energy to healing the gut.
Our Low-Histamine Reset
Each item in our low-histamine reset was selected with care to nourish and soothe while avoiding common histamine triggers:
- The Vegan Mineral and Vegan Immunity Broth Elixirs are free of animal products, garlic and onion - ingredients that can be problematic for those with sensitivities. They provide a deeply grounding, mineral-rich base that replenishes nutrients without overstimulating the gut.
- The Golden Ginger Mylkshake contains anti-inflammatory and gut-soothing ingredients like turmeric, ginger, kabocha squash and slippery elm. These support digestion, balance blood sugar and calm the gut lining.
- The Bold Beet Mylkshake features grounding beets and triphala powder to promote circulation, support the liver and help detox pathways, all essential for managing histamine overload.
Managing histamine intolerance can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. At OWL Venice, we’ve created supportive, intentional offerings designed to help you feel better without adding stress to your plate. Whether you're looking to identify food triggers, give your gut a chance to heal, or simply find nourishing options that won’t set off symptoms, our low-histamine reset is a gentle, effective place to start.
Molly Meldon
Molly Meldon is an IIN certified holistic health coach and nutritionist in Los Angeles. She holds a Master of Science in Nutrition Education from American University.
Molly's wellness journey began with healing herself from SIBO and leaky gut, inspiring her to help others achieve optimal wellbeing. She believes in the healing power of food and holistic health and wants others to experience the benefits of properly nourishing their bodies. As a coach, Molly specializes in gut health, focusing on SIBO and leaky gut, nutrition and intuitive eating, guiding individuals to form a harmonious, mindful relationship with food. She strongly believes in balance as the key to sustainable wellness.