This blog was written by Chelsea, our on-staff Holistic Nutritionist! Book sessions with Chelsea over on our registration site at https://reconline.yorkulions.ca/
---------------------
Food sensitivities, allergies, and constant inflammation; these issues seem to be emerging worldwide and at a very significant rate. Seasonal allergies have taken a relative backseat to food allergies, but why?
Although studies show that H. pylori is not as frequently diagnosed in developed countries, that doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. Studies have shown that nearly 50% of the world’s population may harbour H. pylori. Although many carriers are asymptomatic, H. pylori is known to have a causative role in ulcers, chronic gastritis, and stomach cancer. So, could these bacteria be an underlying cause of the overwhelming histamine intolerance that is building up the world over?
Let’s start with the basics: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), is a strain of bacteria that infect the stomach lining. These bacteria can be passed along through saliva from an infected individual and are also readily available for infection via utensils, food, and water.
Although the research did suggest that it was not as prevalent in developed countries, H. pylori is now being seen more and more frequently due to travel, close living conditions, and weakened immune systems. However, this infection has a tendency of being brushed off very quickly by medical professionals as something less severe, which can lead to numerous misdiagnoses, as well as an increase in symptoms, such as acid reflux and heartburn, nausea, and sometimes ulcers.
Histamine is a key chemical involved in the immune system and proper digestion which is derived from histidine; a fundamental amino acid associated with the growth and repair of tissues in the body. Histamine is usually referred to when allergies and inflammatory reactions come up, as it sends out an alarm to the body that an invader has come in (ie. bacteria, infection, etc.) and it needs to be dealt with. This is great for a healthy body and immune system, as it protects you from unwanted, foreign aggressors that could cause potential health problems. But what if that signal went off when an invader wasn’t present? This can lead to histamine intolerance.
Histamine also influences the secretion of gastric juices and is an intrinsic part of your digestive process. This is especially significant if you are struggling with H. pylori, as your stomach and bowel symptoms may become much worse due to the influx in histamine production and therefore HCL (stomach acid) production.
H. pylori and histamine can be an extremely dangerous combination, especially when histamine intolerance builds up.
Contrary to what many believe, histamine intolerance does not mean a lack of histamine production in the body. It means that your body is producing so much histamine, that the signals are constantly going off for invaders, even when there is absolutely no threat to your immune system, which could mean a greater risk for the development of food allergies and sensitivities. Not to mention, more stress is put on your body, which could mean even more symptoms, including adrenal fatigue and the danger of developing other issues and chronic illnesses.
Histamine intolerance can be caused by leaky gut, bacterial overgrowth (including SIBO), allergies (IgE), IG bleeding (ulcers), and diets high in histamine-rich foods. Other than diet, all of these culprits can easily be linked back to being possible symptoms of H. pylori, so it is important to get to the root cause of the histamine intolerance (GI-MAP for H. pylori is a great start!), instead of dealing with band aid-like, temporary solutions.
Healthcare professionals, and the health and wellness industry, need to be more open-minded when it comes to strains of bacteria, especially ones as harmful as H. pylori.
Simply because H. pylori is still deemed by many medical professionals as “not as common” in developed countries due to our hygiene and high use of pesticides, antibiotics, and sanitizers, does not mean that H. pylori should be taken lightly, especially as it can wreak severe havoc on the whole body through the gut.
Nothing works in complete isolation, so if there is a bacteria invader that can weed its way into the lining of your stomach, you best believe it will affect your entire being – through skin issues, inflammation, allergies, and sensitivities; the list is endless.
Often, if you suspect that you have H. pylori but have not developed an ulcer yet, your healthcare professional will not test you, therefore making these bacteria that much easier to spread to others and much more difficult to heal.
Knowledge is power, so knowing your options and knowing that a GI-MAP DNA Stool Analysis test can give you the answers to what pathogens, viruses, worms, yeasts, and other bacteria (good and bad) live in your gut, and the amounts that are there. This is incredible information to have and work with a professional to have a plan to eradicate any overgrowth in the safest, healthiest way.
Depending on how long you’ve been dealing with this bacterium and how severe the infection is, antibiotics may be the only way to truly rid yourself of H. pylori. However, H. pylori has become more and more resistant to antibiotics, making it even more difficult to eradicate. Focusing on healing options through diet and supplementation is an excellent addition to any H. pylori protocol.
Some things I’ve found helpful in my practice:
· anti-inflammatory diet
· variety of fermented and probiotic foods
· 1-3 cups green tea per day (including matcha)
· 1 tablespoon manuka honey per day (if appropriate)
· raw garlic, as tolerated
· Aloe Vera Juice - 1⁄4 cup before meals
· Slippery Elm Powder - 1-2 tablespoons 2x/day
· Marshmallow Root Infusion - 1-3 cups per day
H. Pylori and histamine intolerance can be a very rough combination and tend to work a little too well together, which means that not compromising your health is absolutely your number one focus. Putting emphasis on a clean diet filled with low-histamine foods (fresh meats, fresh fruits, and vegetables, gluten-free grains, eggs, etc.) will help to ensure you don’t create a histamine intolerance.
Unfortunately, when it comes to pesky bacteria like H.pylori, there’s only so much you can do, especially when you travel to developing countries and it becomes even more of a risk. However, knowing what symptoms to look out for, how the bacteria will affect your body, and how you can heal it is much more important to focus on than trying to self-diagnose via Google.
Also, if you have already been diagnosed, or are in the process of finding a diagnosis with H. pylori, knowing your options and the dietary and supplementation modifications can make a major impact on your healing process.
______________________
Sources: