Histamine intolerance/mast cell stabilising supplements

One of the questions I’m most frequently asked is: “What supplements do you take?”

So I put together a quick video on my top histamine intolerance, histamine lowering, mast cell stabilising supplements.

I explain the benefits of various antihistamine and mast cell stabilising supplements, how/why they work for me and how researching them led to the creation of my personal antihistamine and anti-inflammatory diet.

I’ll also share the miracle iron supplement that isn’t actually a supplement (thanks Nicola for the tip!). It’s ironic, but it took me years to work out that the iron supplements I was taking to combat vegan diet induced fatigue were actually causing narcoleptic episodes! At least pineapple tastes great and made me supremely happy before my head hit the table.

But….I’m excited to now be able to enjoy little bits of pineapple, kiwi and mandarins!

There’s plenty more videos in the works (with better audio – still working out the kinks, please bear with me as always) so please keep an eye out, but in the meantime I’d love to hear what supplements work for you.

You’ll find links to everything I talk about in the video here.

Please ALWAYS check with your doctor before trying supplements.  

The Anti-cookbook and all liquid Anti-Detox Book, don’t treat any conditions, but are high in the high nutrient antihistamine and anti-inflammatory ingredients that have been instrumental in helping me feed myself on a limited diet. The Anti-cookbook features a six page list of antihistamine and anti-inflammatory foods and comes in regular and Paleo. 

The Low Oxalate Cookbook features antihistamine and anti-inflammatory rich recipes. 

Don’t miss the Low Histamine Beauty Survival Guide for non-toxic beauty tips, the skinny on histamine releasing (mast cell degranulating) beauty ingredients, antihistamine and anti-inflammatory beauty alternatives and the top brands natural brands I’ve found.

Take a peek at my other low histamine and antihistamine cookbooks for more high nutrient recipes and sign up to my mailing list for freebies. 

61 responses to “Histamine intolerance/mast cell stabilising supplements”

  1. Orangecloud Avatar
    Orangecloud

    Thank you for mentioning the Spatone Iron Rich water as it is the ONLY iron supplement i can tolerate and i’ve tried everything from Sun Active ferric pyrophosphate chewables to Ionic liquid ferrous sulfate to Floradix (not potent enough) and all things in between. I have severe anemia which requires periodic Dextran IV’s and Spatone has done a great job raising my ferritin levels without all the discomfort.

    Also, great to know about the Mangosteen and hair loss as related to prostaglandins – the more you know!

  2. thelowhistaminechef Avatar
    thelowhistaminechef

    Hi there, I was really surprised at how many of us don’t tolerate iron…so the spatone was a godsend indeed. So glad to hear it’s working for you 🙂 Yup prostaglandins can be difficult, but luckily a high salicylate diet seems to be helping me too. Thanks for reading and commenting!

  3. Victoria Jones Avatar
    Victoria Jones

    Thanks Yasmina. That was very helpful.

  4. thelowhistaminechef Avatar
    thelowhistaminechef

    So kind of you to say 🙂 I’m glad to hear it. Thanks for reading and taking the time to comment.

  5. Brett Avatar
    Brett

    Thanks for the write-up and video! I have wanted to try quercetin for a while now, but have been hesitant to do so based on some articles I read about not taking it for more than 2 weeks in a row. How long have you been taking it, and do you take it every day? Thanks!

  6. Salvatore Lopes Avatar
    Salvatore Lopes

    Hello Yasmina,

    Thanks for this useful video. I already bought your books in the past which are really helpfull and now definitely going to try those supplements you are using. One question, do you know if Quercetin complex from Solgar is good as well? Just ordered them at iHerb before a saw your video…. Than i like to know if you have any experience with Spirulina and if it fits in an anti-histamine diet? I read lot of good things about it so was wondering if it can help in lowering histamine as well….

    Thx in advance,
    Salvatore Lopes

  7. aaron Avatar
    aaron

    Yasmina – Thanks for the vid, great info as always. is there anyway you can incorporate amazon uk links in to http://thelowhistaminechef.com/nutrition-supplements/ ? i think some of these are cheaper from the uk, but at the same time i want to make sure i buy through you for the affiliate. Aaron

  8. Sandra Pawula Avatar
    Sandra Pawula

    That was very helpful! Thank you. I’ve heard that quercetin increases dopamine, which would not be good in my case. But, I’m very interested in exploring the Twin Labs vitamin C. Thanks for all your good research.

  9. thelowhistaminechef Avatar
    thelowhistaminechef

    Hi Brett, yup I’ve read the same studies. Thing is if you read up enough on anything you’re bound to find something unpleasant. The difference in quality of life for me is so significant that I would be willing to chance it – that said, I can show you other studies that did not come to the same conclusions as the ones you’re talking about. Also, I 100% trust Dr Theoharides – he wouldn’t have made a supplement based on them if they caused harm 🙂 Some people who are Comt ++ (23 and Me genetic testing reveals this), cannot handle quercetin. Hope that helps!

  10. thelowhistaminechef Avatar
    thelowhistaminechef

    Hi Salvatore,

    Thanks so much for the kind words 🙂

    My issue with Solgar is the bromelain. I didn’t react well to it. To be honest, I tried at least five brands (that I remember) with no luck, before the Twinlab one rocked my world!

    Spirulina is hit or miss with me. It will be one of the supplements I cover in part two of this video – but it is an antihistamine. I can use it once a week or so, but not more. Like so many things, we are not guaranteed not to react to the antihistamine supplements and foods!

    Hope that helps. Thanks for taking the time to comment.

    Yasmina

  11. thelowhistaminechef Avatar
    thelowhistaminechef

    Hi Aaron – thank you!! We’re working on it…having some issues with dual/multiple plug ins and the geolocation thing didn’t work out. I think – I’m not entirely sure but if you first go through my site I may still benefit if you move onto the UK site too.

    I’m working on it…It’s so sweet of you to think of that thank you!

  12. aaron Avatar
    aaron

    Hi Yasmina – just one other q, wondered if your still using Dr Fuhrman’s gentle care as a daily multi vit? your post made me take stock, i’m on a plain old seven seas multi vit with pro biotics apparently – bifidobacterium longum, bifidum and lactobacillus gasseri. thanks, A

  13. thelowhistaminechef Avatar
    thelowhistaminechef

    Eugh. I’m glad you’re examining it all! I am not on Fuhrman’s anymore – I ended up reacting to it sadly. Probably the B12 tripping me up as usual.

    That said, believe me, it’s a much better bet than the seven seas one…the dye in that alone would rip my intestines apart.

    If you don’t fancy ordering from the states, other than the supplemental folate (which Dr F says causes cancer), the Viridian Nutrition multi looks good. Again, I ended up reacting but B12 is my nemesis!

  14. thelowhistaminechef Avatar
    thelowhistaminechef

    Hi Sandra, exactly! I didn’t want to get too technical in the video but absolutely – some people shouldn’t take it. Luteolin and rutin are good alternatives too apparently. Let me know how you do with the Vitamin C!

  15. aaron Avatar
    aaron

    thanks Yasmina – will check out the Viridian nutrition multi. Sorry that you reacted to dr F’s. As you point out we’re all rather unique with this. just did a cursory google of the pro bio’s in the seven seas multi vit – all 3 are tagged as histamine degrading, just as shame about the other junk in them! 🙂 will get the vit c and quercytin through your links in the coming weeks. Aaron. Thanks again.

  16. Awsum Avatar
    Awsum

    Quest. what in the B12 made you have a reaction? I just ordered a 5MTHF or folate, does that one cause cancer or am I wrong?

  17. thelowhistaminechef Avatar
    thelowhistaminechef

    If you google “folic acid supplement + cancer” you will find what you are looking for. I’m sorry but I don’t know about all kinds of folic acid as I have never taken it myself. You could also google “Dr Fuhrman + folic acid + cancer”

  18. Linds Avatar
    Linds

    Synthetic Folic acid is fortified in so many foods, and vitamins. Some people can’t break it down to the usable form, such as 5MTHF. Also, I don’t tolerate methyl B12 due to my genes and COMT status. However, I feel much better using a combo of adenosyl and hydroxy B12.

  19. thelowhistaminechef Avatar
    thelowhistaminechef

    Thank you Linds!

  20. Awsum Avatar
    Awsum

    I appreciate that, my god I did read
    and the findings and research scare me. I just purchased the product today and
    will be exchanging it for something else. I believe the real challenge is to
    avoid the folate component from all the adrenal/herbal vitamins and
    multi-vitamins. It is virtually impossible as it’s found everywhere. Dr.
    Fuhrman does sell a great multi but it has so many other ingredients which are
    high hist. Thanks again, what an awakening.

  21. Angela Avatar
    Angela

    My son was born with the rarest degree of the horrible disease, Defuse Systemic Mastocytosis. He wasn’t expected to live past 3 due to it getting in his lymphatic system. He’s 15 now and has no chance of growing out of it. However in order to allow him to play outside in the heat the doctors and I came up with many things to help keep him cool and now he’s out like a “normal” kid and now teenager! He has also learned about himself as well. I’m watching the video and I’m sure he will too.

  22. sonia Avatar
    sonia

    hi yasmina.

    Thanks as always for your commitment to sharing your experience and knowledge.

    I am keen to try Mangosteen, however I am also sensitive to salicylates. I already have a lineup of $$$$ of supplements I am not able to use or even give away. Erh! There are many sites which offer salicylate/amine levels for common foods but not for others. Do you think I would have any luck if i contacted the manufacturers of supplements regarding salicylates? Or do you have any other suggestions for obtaining this hard-to-find info?
    Thanks, with gratitude.

    Sonia

  23. thelowhistaminechef Avatar
    thelowhistaminechef

    Hi Angela, I’m so sorry to hear your son’s story – but SO inspired to hear that he’s doing well! Would love to know more about the coping strategies…thanks so much for watching and taking the time to comment.

  24. thelowhistaminechef Avatar
    thelowhistaminechef

    Hi Sonia,

    I know that many Twinlab products do not contain salicylates…yes they will absolutely know if you call the companies. The US manufacturers are just so on the ball with all this stuff.

    Let me know what you find out please!

    YY

  25. Mary Avatar
    Mary

    Hi Yasmina,
    Thank you for all the wonderful information you provide. God Bless You…. I tried the quercetin and it gave me a headache. I did not know quercetin was not for everyone. I will now try the straight “Twin Labs” Vit. C. any thoughts on the headache??? Thank you.

  26. jt Avatar
    jt

    I had a huge reaction to my first but b12 shot. To the point that it gave me a large tumour. In the end it was only unmasking a long standing disease I didn’t know I had (kimura’s disease) which among many other complications includes excessive mast cells. I’ve been avoiding cyclosporin and steroids for years and have had some success with low histamine diet and a LOT of antihistamines. Its quite the up hill battle though.

  27. jt Avatar
    jt

    I’m actually lucky the tumour is in the neck rather than the more common area in the face. Otherwise it would be quite disfiguring always and worse during a big reaction

  28. henny Avatar
    henny

    Thank you for mentioning this disease, JT. My son has symptoms of Kimura’s, and is of Asian descent…so now you have me wondering.
    He is also lucky that his cyst/tumour is on his neck and not his face. We suspect systemic mastocytosis.
    How did you get tested and confirm that you have Kimura’s Disease?
    Thank you

  29. EI Avatar
    EI

    Thank you so much for this. What about probiotics? I find they do wonders for the gastrointestinal side of things, especially since we can’t do fermented foods. And what about DAO? What are your thoughts? Can it be good for emergency situations to help break down some of the histamine?

  30. jt Avatar
    jt

    Henny you better email me about Kimura’s disease the average time between getting the tumour and diagnosis is 7 years because its extremely rare and you do well to find a doctor that has heard of it, without knowing what it is you can never diagnises but is becoming more common every year. I do occasionally come across old posts on forums where people obviously have it but remain undiagnosedundiagnosed. Anyway email me at cherimoya@_remove this_gmail.com. basically if you have the tumour which is reactive (goes up and down and is larger in the morning) have high blood eosinophilia and high IgE levelsplus usually skin itching/sores you more than likely have Kimura’s disease

  31. jt Avatar
    jt

    PS I’m 100% western European but it is more common in Asia or at least more often correctly diagnosed. Excessive mast cells are part of the disease but it seems mostly an abnormal th2 sided immune system which is the core problem. Anyway email me, I have tons of information on it.

  32. henny Avatar
    henny

    Thanks JT – I emailed you 🙂

  33. thelowhistaminechef Avatar
    thelowhistaminechef

    Hi there, I personally don’t supplement DAO. It’s hard to find a clean pill. And I’m still finding it hard to work with probiotics. I can have a little in food, but some, like Dr Joneja, don’t believe that any probiotics currently available are good for us. I try to eat as many pre-biotic foods as possible..

  34. thelowhistaminechef Avatar
    thelowhistaminechef

    Very interesting, thanks so much for sharing. I’m going to bring it up with my first appointment with my UK based mast cell doc next week.

  35. thelowhistaminechef Avatar
    thelowhistaminechef

    I have a lump in my jawbone that swells during massive reactions. It has been the same size for about a year now, but it hasn’t gone away in years. I used to get multiple lumps under my arms, but those turned out to be a reaction to deodorant.

  36. thelowhistaminechef Avatar
    thelowhistaminechef

    Ah, I don’t have any of those. But thanks for the info – might do a post on it.

  37. thelowhistaminechef Avatar
    thelowhistaminechef

    Hi Mary, if you have had genetic testing and are COMT+/+ then quercetin might not be good for you as it prevents you from processing dopamine, adrenalin and a few others. I am COMT +/- and yet quercetin (only the twin lab one for some reason), makes me feel good. If something gives you a headache best not to take it. I didn’t do great with quercetin until the twin lab.

  38. thelowhistaminechef Avatar
    thelowhistaminechef

    Hi Sonia, I checked the bottle, it doesn’t contain sals.

  39. sonia Avatar
    sonia

    Fabulous.  Thanks.

  40. JS Avatar
    JS

    Yasmina, you look so young and healthy and beautiful! I hope that when I finally make the commitment to a low histamine lifestyle, I get the same lovely glow that you have 🙂

  41. Natasha Avatar
    Natasha

    Thanks Yasmina! This is really interesting for me as I used to take a large dose of vitamin C when I was younger but stopped this after hearing of micronutrient competition and many doctors simply saying the mega dose was unnecessary. It’s funny though because I have noticed in retrospect that I have had more reactions since I stopped or if I was unable to take it (because I didn’t take it with me when visiting family for example). Also the brand I often took included Bioflavanoids. I also wondered after you comment regarding spirilina if you have looked at supplement cycling? I recently heard this idea from a medical doctor who researched diet etc for bodybuilding. He was saying that it’s a new idea, that like certain drugs you don’t want to take the supplements all the time but maybe pair them with activity or food for example.

  42. Sandra Gates Avatar
    Sandra Gates

    How do I tell the COMT status from 23andme? I see the orientation for the 50+ SNPs on the COMT gene, but what do you mean by COMT++?

  43. Lauren Avatar
    Lauren

    What has changed about the quercetin + c?

  44. Carla Hill Avatar
    Carla Hill

    Really appreciative of all you have done the Mast Cell population! You mentioned them Quercitin needs to be dissolved in oil. Much how and what kind? Could you elaborate?
    Thanks

  45. monique Avatar
    monique

    I live in Scotland, where abouts is your uk mast cell doc ?

  46. Nedzad Selmanovic Avatar
    Nedzad Selmanovic

    Hi Yasmina,
    I would really appreciate your assistance by providing a contact details of the mast cell doctor you went to. I am coming from Bosnia, and not that it is hard to break through the medical community here to get to the point, but my story is almost identical to yours – I have seen over 50 MDs to this date without any result until recently my ENT suspected on mastocytosis but only after I went to see him three consecutive times in three days showing progress on worsening of my conditions and testing positive on histamine in serum, along with my previous history of anaphylactic shocks and other. I do not mind booking a Skype chat session, but I need a doctor who can address my conditions appropriately.
    Many thanks and best regards.
    Nedzad

  47. Nedzad Selmanovic Avatar
    Nedzad Selmanovic

    Hi Yasmina,
    I would really appreciate your assistance by providing a contact details of the mast cell doctor you went to. I am coming from Bosnia, and not that it is hard to break through the medical community here to get to the point, but my story is almost identical to yours – I have seen over 50 MDs to this date without any result until recently my ENT suspected on mastocytosis but only after I went to see him three consecutive times in three days showing progress on worsening of my conditions and testing positive on histamine in serum, along with my previous history of anaphylactic shocks and other. I do not mind booking a Skype chat session, but I need a doctor who can address my conditions appropriately.
    Many thanks and best regards.
    Nedzad

  48. Hilary Avatar
    Hilary

    I just found you and I can’t believe I went through 11 months of chemo before trying suppements and diet more religiously. Perhaps it took 11 months of misery to reach the end of my rope as a systemic masto sufferer. At some point I’ll probably do a consult because I have a lot of questions, especially since I am in the US and it seems like most exceptional resources are across the pond. In regards to this video,can you please spell the name of Dr. Theo? I’d love to do some research on him and the supplements. Thank you so much!

  49. thelowhistaminechef Avatar
    thelowhistaminechef

    Hi love, so sorry to hear it. Better late than never though! It’s Dr Theoharides. Best of luck with the lifestyle changes! xo

  50. thelowhistaminechef Avatar
    thelowhistaminechef

    Hi love! SO sorry that I missed this. I don’t know that mixing it myself at home works as well as it being done during the manufacturing process, but I mixed two capsules of twinlab with 1 tbsp nigella sativa oil.

  51. thelowhistaminechef Avatar
    thelowhistaminechef

    Thank you so much! So sorry I missed this message! XO

  52. thelowhistaminechef Avatar
    thelowhistaminechef

    Hi love, I recommend Dr. Senviratne in London – he does the most comprehensive tests…best of luck with the diagnosis!

  53. thelowhistaminechef Avatar
    thelowhistaminechef

    Hi love, I don’t get that technical but I do cycle my supps…the dosages are insanely high anyway so it doesn’t make sense to me to use them daily.

  54. moore2come Avatar
    moore2come

    …that “Pro-Biota Bifido” supplement yer’ promoting has HISTAMINE-PRODUCING strains in it… there are better HISTAMINE-REDUCING probiotic ideas out there that can be monetized.

  55. Lina Lina Avatar
    Lina Lina

    Hey guys! Hope you’re all well and keeping up with the MCD battle! Well done Yasmina for all your hard work put into the awareness and thank you for the amazing books, I cook daily from your delicious recipes xxx

    Re: supplements — after trying all sorts of quercetin products (including neuroprotek – I react to chamomile and olive badly) for me best works Nature’s Plus, Herbal Actives, Mangosteen, 500 mg (one a day and I’m happy).

    All the best and keep it up!
    P.S. Hope you’re enjoying time here in London x

  56. Mary Avatar
    Mary

    How great is spatone!

  57. Blake Avatar
    Blake

    Awsum,
    I want to know this as well. With MTHFR, we supposedly need folate (not folic acid.) My first attempt at folate took me out for an entire month.

  58. Awsum Avatar
    Awsum

    Hi Blake,

    Well I found this link I will share with you. Dr. Ben Lynch says to taker 1/4 niacin with the 5MTHFR to prevent side effects, that did not work for me. Instead I do not take this or any folonic supplement- and have not for about a year. Yes it can mess people up big time. I do take the Hydroxo B-12 because this seems to be one of the most effective fail-safe brands of b-12 vs. methylcobalamin.

    Today I get most of the folic acid honestly through food. I took the folic acid about a few months ago because I forgot about all these studies and it made me feel psycho and mental though I am not. Here is a good link about Preventing Methylfolate Side Effects.

    http://mthfr.net/preventing-methylfolate-side-effects/2014/11/26/

  59. Stephanie Avatar
    Stephanie

    Using the dietary supplement Daosin. I bought it by swanson vitamins and I really happy with it. Can go out with my boyfriend without having any fear. I know a lot of people who are using Daosin and they are all satisfied 🙂

  60. Stephanie Avatar
    Stephanie

    Using the dietary supplement Daosin. I bought it by swanson vitamins and I really happy with it. Can go out with my boyfriend without having any fear. I know a lot of people who are using Daosin and they are all satisfied 🙂

  61. Kristen Deanne Avatar
    Kristen Deanne

    quercitan is barely water soluble in the body. So often it’s linked with bromalin to help its absorption. However, since bromalin comes from pineapple, should I avoid it? Also- how are you combining your quercitan to make sure you are absorbing it?

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Welcome!

Yasmina was an award-winning broadcast journalist with a decade of experience covering war zones for CNN and the BBC. She devoted her journalism skills to researching and writing about histamine. Click here to learn about her. Each post is carefully and fully referenced with the latest scientific research. Not sure where to start? Here’s a four week meal plan and overall Histamine Reset.

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