As you may be aware, we have had a considerable interest in histamine intolerance ever since we started to work, many years ago, with Dr Janice Joneja. She is a world expert on histamine intolerance and for some years ran a Q&A series on histamine intolerance for us on the FoodsMatter website.
In 2017 we combined this with the various other articles that she had written for us on the subject into Beginner’s Guide to Histamine Intolerance (available on Amazon here) and then, the following year, into a Comprehensive Guide to Histamine Intolerance for Healthcare Professionals (available here), following that up a year later with Histamine Intolerance, the Cookbook.
So, as you can imagine, I was intersted when Alex G pointed me to an article in Network Health Digest suggesting that there might be a link between Long COVID and histamine intolerance.
Long COVID symptoms are very similar to those of histamine intolerance (diarrhoea, headache, asthma, rhinitis, hypotension, arrhythmia, hives, itching, flushing etc). So the theory is that these could be triggered by MCAS/Mast Cell Activation Disorder in which mast cells release excess histamine in response to, among other things, a viral infection – such as COVID. Anecdotally, it is reported some Long COVID sufferers who have tried a low histamine diet believe that it may have reduced their symptoms.
Interesting……
The Shape of Skin
Your readers might be also interested in this, Michelle. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sICD0Kn6pR4 from about 1.20 mins. Dr Peers discussing the link between MCAS and Long Covid. I’m just doing a load of work on MCAS currently, so I came across it!
Thanks Micki – will go and have a watch right now.
I have been knocked back for a coronavirus vaccination because I indicated I was histamine intolerant. The doctor is doing more research. Any one else have this problem? I have written to Dr Joneja for her opinion
Thank you for this Gillian – will be interested in Dr Joneja’s opinion and please let us know the outcome as far as your vaccination is concerned.
I did not receive a reply from Dr Joneja. Our Health dept and Society for Clinical Immunology reassured me and my doctor with precautions so had first injection. I went on a v low histamine diet for a week before. (I have tried to contact Dr Joneja twice previously perhaps her email is not monitored)
I am sorry that you have not heard from Dr Joneja. SI think she has effectively reuired from practice so maybe her email is not, as you say, monitored. I hope you have not had any bad effects from the vaccine.
Thank you for the feed back Michelle. No affects from vaccination so far. Can you tell me if vegetarian based DAO is as effective as pig extract? Former only requires 5 minutes before meals. I am trying to get DAO approved in Australia but no luck.
HI Gillian – I am really sorry but I am afraid that I cannot comment on the vegetarian versus pig extract versions – no idea about their comparative effectiveness. IS DAO not approved in Australia? I am amazed. What is there against it? As far as I was aware there are no side effects to using it.
Good luck with vegetarian version.