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Histamine Intolerance Part 3. Probiotics Yes or No?

11 August 2022

Evidence-Based ✅

Recently I discovered something about probiotics (that made my jaw drop quite literally in disbelief).

Are that certain probiotics that should not be taken by individuals who have problems breaking down Histamine.

Not all probiotics are for all people. Through my research, I am learning that some probiotics cause more problems for folks with histamine issues.

There are strains (species) that can raise Histamine (produce Histamine) in the GI tract of human beings. This would not be good for someone who is not properly breaking down Histamine.

If you are here reading this blog today, there's a good chance that you have a histamine problem. Still, it is also possible that you were curious about this topic and aren't sure if you fit into this category or not.

The histamine issue is complex, and we have many blogs on this topic and more to be written.

If you want to take our histamine quiz, read the first blog in our series here.

 

Probiotics Can Also Heal Histamine Intolerance

 

Before you go throwing your probiotics away, you must learn the difference.

It would be best if you learned what ones are safe and helpful for HI (histamine intolerance) and those that raise Histamine.

 

Safe and Helpful Probiotics for Histamine Intolerance

  • Bifidobacterium bifidum - supports allergy symptoms
  • Bifidobacterium infantis - suppresses histamine
  • Bifidobacterium longum - suppresses histamine 
  • Bifidobacterium lactis
  • Lactobacillus rhamnosus - reduces histamine
  • Lactobacillus salivarius - supports mast cells

Probiotics that Raise Histamine (ones to avoid)

  • Lactobacillus bulgaricus
  • Lactobacillus casei
  • Lactobacillus delbrueckii
  • Lactobacillus helveticus
  • Streptococcus thermophilus

Before I knew this information, I'd been taking a probiotic that contains all of the ones that raise Histamine! I have recently discovered I have a problem with breaking down histamines, so I've been making things worse for myself!

 

We live, and we learn, don't we?

 

I feel like the mistakes I make on my own health & healing journey are blessings too! I can be a better teacher as I've lived these experiences. I hope you can also learn from my mistakes.

 

This journey is highly challenging, and I have a little way to go... one thing I know I need to give up to be well and heal truly is coffee. I am just not ready to let it go as my life is so busy, and it gets me up at 4 am!

 

Maybe you can relate to this too?

 

I digress, sorry!

 

So What Probiotic Brands Would You Recommend?

 

I would recommend two different products as I've used them both.

One, we do stock. The other, you can find online if you wish to.

 

IMUNI Specialised+ Probiotics Contain: 

  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae (ibSium®)❓
  • Lactobacillus rhamnosus ✅ (this strain, in particular, can help to stabilise mast cells (mast cells produce Histamine)
  • Lactobacillus plantarum ✅ (this strain helps to break down biogenic amines)
  • Bifidobacterium lactis ✅

We stock this brand. (I currently use this one)

 

Note: Saccharomyces cerevisiae (ibSium®) has not been tested for histamine people. I have had this probiotic and didn't have a reaction (I have histamine issues myself).

 

 

Seeking Health - Probiota HistaminX Capsules:

  • Bifidobacterium infantis ✅
  • Bifidobacterium bifidum ✅
  • Bifidobacterium longum ✅ (this strain helps to degrade Histamine notably)
  • Bifidobacterium lactis ✅ (this strain helps to break down Histamine and tyramine)
  • Bifidobacterium breve ✅
  • Lactobacillus salivaris ✅
  • Lactobacillus plantarum ✅

We do not stock this brand as it's a practitioner-only brand.

 

Other Brands

 

After this, I will list some standard probiotic products (well-known brands) with their species, and if you see a tick, that is good. 

 

Some of these species seem similar but differ (registered trademarks). Therefore, they may not be suitable for histamine-sensitive folks (as they haven't been tested regarding this issue). 

 

On the other hand, if there is an X next to it, it may not be safe for folks with histamine problems. We cannot say if these specific strains (with a ® or a ™) raise Histamine or not.

 

Brands/Types We Don't Recommend for Histamine Intolerant People

 

Bio-Kult Advanced or Bio-Kult Boosted

 

This brand is terrific if you don't have any issues with Histamine, as it contains many great strains of beneficial bacteria. 

 

We are only listing it here because if you do, it's essential to be aware of what ones to avoid. 👇🏼

  • Lactobacillus bulgaricus ❌
  • Lactobacillus casei ❌
  • Lactobacillus delbrueckii ❌
  • Lactobacillus helveticus ❌
  • Streptococcus thermophilus ❌

This probiotic contains some fantastic strains, too, for HI people. Still, the harmful HI strains far outweigh the good ones, unfortunately.

 

The safe (beneficial-for-healing-histamine) 👍🏼 strains in Bio-Kult Advanced and Bio-Kult Booted are:

  • Bifidobacterium bifidum ✅
  • Bifidobacterium infantis ✅
  • Bifidobacterium longum ✅
  • Bifidobacterium lactis ✅
  • Lactobacillus plantarum ✅
  • Lactobacillus salivaris ✅

 

Blackmores - Probiotics+ Immune Defence:

  • Bifidobacterium lactis B1-04 ❓
  • Lactobacillus acidophilus CUL21 ❓
  • Bifidobacterium animalis Subsp lactis CUL34 ❓
  • Lactobacillus acidophilus CUL60 ❓
  • Bifidobacterium bifidum CUL20 ❓

Note: we have no data on these specific strains with their sequence at the end.

 

Swisse - Ultibiotic Daily Digestive Probiotic:

  • Bifidobacterium lactis (HOWARU® La-14) ❓
  • Bifidobacterium lactis B1-04 ❓
  • Lactobacillus acidophilus La-14 ❓

Note: we have no data on these specific strains with their sequence at the end.

 

Fusion Health Probiotic Advanced:

  • Lactobacillus acidophilus (La-14®) ❓
  • Lactobacillus plantarum (Lp-155®) ❓
  • Bifidobacterium animalis spp lactis (HN019®) ❓
  • Bifidobacterium animalis spp lactis (B1-04®) ❓
  • Lactobacillus rhamnosus (HN001™) ❓
  • Lactobacillus rhamnosus (Lr-32®) ❓

Note: we have no data on these specific strains with their sequence at the end.

 

Recap

 

We always encourage folks to do their research. Please consider our suggestions for safe and beneficial brands as these contain histamine-supportive probiotic strains that can help you on your healing journey.

 

Safe for Histamine Intolerant People:

 

Not Recommended for Histamine Intolerant People:

  • Bio-Kult Advanced or Bio-Kult Boosted
  • Blackmores - Probiotics+ Immune Defence
  • Swisse - Ultibiotic Daily Digestive Probiotic
  • Fusion Health Probiotic Advanced

 

Of course, there are many more probiotics on the market. If you are looking at others (besides the ones mentioned here), be sure to check that it doesn't contain any of the following:

  • Lactobacillus bulgaricus ❌
  • Lactobacillus casei ❌
  • Lactobacillus delbrueckii ❌
  • Lactobacillus helveticus ❌
  • Streptococcus thermophilus ❌

 

Ensure that it contains the following strains:

  • Bifidobacterium infantis ✅
  • Bifidobacterium bifidum ✅
  • Bifidobacterium longum ✅ (this strain helps to degrade Histamine notably)
  • Bifidobacterium lactis ✅ (this strain helps to break down Histamine and tyramine)
  • Bifidobacterium breve ✅
  • Lactobacillus salivaris ✅
  • Lactobacillus plantarum ✅

 

For more information on Histamine Intolerance

Be sure to check out our other blogs: 

 

References:

 

https://www.fusionhealth.com.au/fusion-health/shop/everyday-health/probiotics/p/probiotic-advanced/FH-PROBIOTICADV.html?lang=en

https://swisse.com.au/swisse-ultibiotic-daily-digestive-probiotic

https://return2health.com.au/seeking-health-probiota-histaminx

https://www.factvsfitness.com/blogs/news/probiotics-histamine-intolerance

https://www.histaminefreelife.com/post/probiotics-for-histamine-intolerance

https://mastcell360.com/histamine-lowering-probiotics-for-people-with-mast-cell-activation-syndrome-and-histamine-intolerance/

 

Disclaimer: This article is strictly informational and not intended as health advice. Statements made have not been evaluated by the TGA and are not intended to treat, diagnose, cure or prevent. One should always consult with their trusted health professional before adding a new supplement to their diet.

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