Ep. 70 How do stress and low histamine diets impact mast cell disease?
Part of the series: Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Innovations Podcast
This podcast was made in partnership with Allergy & Asthma Network. We thank Blueprint Medicines for sponsoring this podcast.
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Can a low-histamine diet help with mast cell disease? Why is stress a big trigger for mast cell disease?
Dr. Milner joins us again to discuss two hot topics in managing mast cell disease. We start by demystifying the low histamine diet and sharing when appropriate. The answer may be different from what you expect or want to hear. We also talk about stress, a topic we are learning impacts so many chronic diseases, especially those related to mast cells. Stress can worsen symptoms, and in this episode, both doctors emphasize the importance of stress management techniques.
What we cover in our episode about low histamine diet and stress management:
Why go on a low histamine diet?
What is histamine intolerance?
How well do low histamine diets work for mast cell disease?
The impact of stress on mast cell disease
Stresses impact on the gut
Stress management is integral in mast cell disease treatment
About our guest - Dr. Josh Milner
Joshua Milner, MD, is a renowned leader in discovering and understanding genetic diseases leading to allergic symptoms, including Hereditary Alpha Tryptasemia Syndrome, PLAID, PGM3 deficiency, ERBIN mutation, and others. With a background in biology from MIT and an MD with distinction in immunology from Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Dr. Milner has extensive experience in pediatrics and allergy and immunology, serving as chief of the Laboratory of Allergic Diseases at NIAID.
His vision is to leverage genetic variation to improve diagnosis and care for patients with allergic diseases through comprehensive genetic sequencing and functional studies, aiming for personalized medicine and interdisciplinary collaboration in pediatric allergy, immunology, and rheumatology.
More about Dr. Milner:
More in the Mast Cell Disease Series:
Resources about mast cell disease:
Mast Cell Disease Overview: https://allergyasthmanetwork.org/health-a-z/mast-cell-diseases/
What is Anaphylaxis? https://allergyasthmanetwork.org/anaphylaxis/
What is Epinephrine? https://allergyasthmanetwork.org/anaphylaxis/what-is-epinephrine/
The Mast Cell Disease Society: https://tmsforacure.org/
Exploring the Low Histamine Diet: What You Need to Know
Is a low histamine diet appropriate for histamine intolerance?
In the podcast, we discuss how a low-histamine diet is appropriate for histamine intolerance, which occurs when the body cannot effectively break down histamine, a compound found in various foods. This intolerance can lead to various symptoms, from headaches and digestive issues to skin problems and respiratory difficulties.
Regarding mast cell disease, your body is not having an issue breaking down histamine; therefore, limiting the amount consumed makes little impact. The diet may work as you may be eliminating foods that are triggered, which you have not yet pinpointed.
What to consider before starting a low histamine diet
When considering starting a low histamine diet, the most important factor is to ensure that you are getting proper nutrition. If you are concerned about whether your diet will be balanced, talk to your doctor or a nutritionist to ensure you are getting the appropriate amount of nutrients for your body.
There are many low-histamine food lists online, but not all are trustworthy. Make sure that the source you are accessing is medically reviewed and be sure to read multiple sources. Dr. Milner suggests using medical studies as a launching pad to see how to go about a low-histamine diet.
Remember, Dr. G emphasizes the importance of contextualizing special diets for each patient. While a low histamine diet may relieve some, it's crucial to consider individual factors such as medical history, dietary preferences, and lifestyle habits.
We thank Blueprint Medicines for sponsoring this podcast.
Time Stamps
Ep. 70 How do low histamine diets and stress impact mast cell disease?
00:00:43 - Why go on a low histamine diet?
00:01:39 - Histamine intolerance
00:04:08 - How Dr. G contextualizes special diets for patients
00:04:46 - What to consider when starting a low histamine diet
00:05:36 - How well do low histamine diets work?
00:06:05 - Should you talk to your doctor before starting a low-histamine diet?
00:06:56 - What are the best guidelines for a low-histamine diet?
00:08:17 - The impact of stress on mast cell disease
00:09:28 - The type of stress that makes it easier for mast cells to degranulate
00:10:12 - Stresses impact on the gut
00:11:10 - Stress management is integral in mast cell disease treatment
00:12:52 - Mind-body connection in disease
00:13:36 - Anxiety, depression, stress disorders and their impact on chronic disease
