Understanding Histamine Intolerance: Why It Matters for Women Over 40
If you find yourself battling unexplained headaches, bloating, skin rashes, or mood swings, especially during perimenopause, you might be puzzled when nothing seems to help. Histamine intolerance (HIT) may be an overlooked factor. Although not universally recognized as a medical condition, HIT can trigger frustrating symptoms when your body struggles to break down dietary histamine, or when it produces too much internally.
What Is Histamine Intolerance?
Histamine is a natural compound involved in immune response, digestion, and brain function. Your body normally regulates histamine via enzymes like DAO (diamine oxidase) in the gut and HNMT in the nervous system. HIT occurs when histamine builds up faster than these enzymes can break it down—or when the enzymes are inhibited.
Why Women Over 40 May Be More Affected
- Hormonal Changes: Estrogen fluctuations in perimenopause can increase histamine release and reduce DAO activity, making symptoms more likely.
- Gut Imbalance & Medications: Gut conditions like SIBO, celiac disease, or the influence of medications (NSAIDs, antidepressants) can stress DAO function and elevate histamine.
Symptoms That May Be HIT-Related
Because histamine affects multiple systems, symptoms can look like allergies or hormone imbalance:
- Flushing, headache, itchy skin, hives
- Bloating, diarrhea, nausea
- Anxiety, brain fog, mood swings
- Palpitations, low blood pressure
- These often flare hours after eating, especially histamine-rich foods.
How to Address Histamine Intolerance Empathetically
- Track & Observe
Keep a food-and-symptom diary for 2–3 weeks. Note when reactive symptoms occur after meals.
- Try a Low-Histamine Diet Carefully
Eliminate common high-histamine foods like aged cheese, fermented items, processed meats, vinegar, leftover cooked meats, strawberries, spinach, and citrus—then systematically reintroduce for feedback. Work with a dietitian if possible.
- Support DAO Function
Allow fresh meals rather than relying on leftovers. Minimize gut imbalances and use supplements judiciously under guidance, research on DAO supplements is inconclusive and not clinically validated.
- Prioritize Gut Health & Stress Management
Heal dysbiosis, moderate stress (which increases histamine release), and favor a balanced, anti-inflammatory whole-food diet. NuBloom supports this holistic approach; balancing hormones, calming inflammation, and strengthening your foundation.
Bottom Line (NuBloom Insight)
Histamine intolerance can feel bewildering and it’s not your fault. For women over 40, shifting hormones and gut changes can make histamine sensitivity flare. A mindful, compassionate approach fueled by whole foods, lifestyle shifts, and root-cause testing helps your body recalibrate, not just react.
You’re already listening to your body by showing up here. If you’d like help designing a personalized plan that nurtures metabolic, hormonal, and gut health instead of chasing symptoms we’d love to walk alongside you. Click here to take our Metabolic Bloom Quiz designed to help you discover some possible causes for your ongoing symptoms. If you’re ready to learn more about how we can help you with a personalised plan which will target your root causes, click here to schedule a FREE Bloom Session.
References
- DrBrighten: What Is Histamine Intolerance?
- Wikipedia: Histamine Intolerance overview and nuances
- Health in Menopause: Histamine Intolerance during Menopause
- Self: Food Allergy vs. Histamine Intolerance
- EatingWell: Low-histamine diet essentials
- RealSimple: High-histamine foods to avoid
- DAO Enzyme details and supplementation research
This content is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or replace professional medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement, medication, or wellness program. NuBloom provides access to licensed medical professionals through individualized programs, but blog content does not establish a provider-patient relationship. Bloom wisely.