skin allergies

The tricky signs of hidden histamines & how to reverse them. (life changing)

Welcome back to class as we continue to connect the dots on Histamines! 

Meet Flora.

florae \ˈflȯr-ˌē, -ˌī\
:bacteria and microorganisms in the body of humans intestinal flora.

While I would love to share how we infuse 'sea flora' in to our beautiful food-grade skincare line - today we're talking about the GUT (and much more). 

Think of your gut FLORA as an inner garden; just with any garden,– when you let the weeds take over, it get's a little ugly.

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Beauty & Wellbeing  -  Begins in the Belly.

Hista What?

If you missed our first look at histamines, you can review it here.
For the cliff note version, continue to read below.


GUT HEALTH
+
LOW HISTAMINE FOODS 101 

It's no wonder!  

Our gut is where 70% of the immune system lies, where we metabolize hormones, where we make enzymes, and where we make nutrients.  This is why what goes in our digestive system can impact our mood, health, brain and skin so profoundly. 

Proper nutrition and a gut clean up is the true root of healing for glowing healthy skin and a resurrection of healthy hair growth.  

FIRST, we take a FIELD TRIP back to understanding  the origin of Histamines and the role they play.

Histamines are essential.

Our body naturally makes histamine, but are also introduced through our diet.  Histamine can trigger common allergies, as well as play a essential role in helping us regulate sleep and digestion.

  The Two Enzymes that Impact a Histamine Imbalance

These two enzymes, especially DAO, bind & break down histamine, preventing excess histamine.

The Reaction:  When you are unable to metabolize histamine or eat foods high in histamines - allergy like symptoms can occur.  (ie: redness of the skin, hives, congestion or a runny nose, swelling, fatigue, diarrhea, and other symptoms)  can occur.


Getting to the ROOT

with

Diet and Lifestyle Choices

The Microbiome Connection
Your micro-biome and gastro health is critical.   This is where your natural enzyme diamine oxidase (DAO) production occurs.   * This enzyme is what breaks down histamines. * 

Leaky Gut
Histamine intolerance can occur without a leaky gut, but there is a common link to the release of particles in the body and blood - increasing leaky gut exacerbates and the symptoms of histamine intolerance.

DNA & Genetics
Histamine intolerance is partially genetic and people with certain genes seem to be more predisposed.

Predispo... - WHAT?
A genetic predisposition of poor methylation or unable to obtain the key vitamins (B6, B12, iron, copper and vitamin C) - causes symptoms flare up.

Gas, bloating and constipation?  Hypothyroidism + Hashimoto's + SIBO

What do these three things have in common?
They may be caused by SIBO which is correlated with the Histimine im-balance and thyroid production.   SIBO is an inflammatory condition in the GI tract and is caused by an overgrowth of yeast and bacteria.  50% of those with hypothyroidism have SIBO.



Here are a few hints of histamine high foods to avoid.   
Download this 'done for you' food guide checklist to create ease and clarity on your next field-trip to the store.  

  • Fermented foods  
  • Cow's milk and most cultured dairy (such as cheeses & yoghurt)
  •  Vinegar products (vinegar, pickles, ketchup, mustard)
  • Artificial colors + Artificial preservatives
  • Long cooked bone broth

Lifestyle & Nutrition Tips

  • Avoid eating canned foods and ready meals
  • Avoid eating ripened and fermented foods (older cheeses, alcoholic drinks, products containing yeast)
  • Avoid leftover meat products

Supplements

*Cleanse + Favor Vitamin C
There's a good reason we use THE BIG C in our Evoq skin line.
It's a powerful antioxidant!  We’ve already schooled you on cleansing for spring (you can find it here).  

*How Vita C works? Rather than blocking histamine from binding to receptor sites ( what pharmaceuticals do), Vitamin C prevents histamine from forming in the first place. 

*Honey
FIND A LOCAL HIVE.  Allergies are noticeably decreased by incorporating raw and local honey into the diet.  You can also get this through bee pollen. I love Premiere Research Labs Bee Pollen

*Quercetin
This antioxidant can be found naturally in apples, onions and other produce. Research proves its an effective natural allergy remedy because it is able to lessen the respiratory side effects caused by inflammation in the airways. 

*Stinging Nettle
This plant is a common herb and shows its power in clinical studies revealing that 58% of people rated nettle as more effective than other allergy medications they’ve tried.

*Bromelain
It's best when treating the respiratory distress and other symptoms often associated with allergies, primarily by blocking the action of agents causing inflammation and swelling. 

*Probiotics  
The following probiotics either contain histamine reducing or histamine neutral strains. Best strain? Probiotic that contains Bifidobacterium infantis and B. longum. 
 
*Liver Support
Supporting the liver with herbs like milk thistle, artichoke leaf, wasabi, and sarsaparilla.

*DAO Supplementation
DAO supplements supply the enzyme that breaks down histamine. 

*Luteolin
This flavone is helpful in lowering inflammation, which is often at the core of histamine intolerance. According to a 2000 study in the journal of Pharmacology, luteolin has potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. It also inhibits the activity of mast cells, which release histamine.

*Ginger
In studies, ginger has shown to inhibit histamine release and protect from peptic ulcers. As a culinary herb, you can easily add it to your diet and reap its benefits.

Adaptogens
They have the unique ability to bring stress hormones up when they’re too low, and bring them down when they’re too high. So essentially, they always know what to do to keep your body in the proper balance. This dual action is what make adaptogens a fabulous option among histamine supplements.

**EVOQ CBD Oil

Our *NEW* EVOQ CBD Curing Concentrate is built with 300mg of ACTIVE medicinal cannabinoids and Full Spectrum Terpene natural boosters to instantly calm and balance your immune system.

 


Hope you enjoyed and made it to the end!  

Consider specialized testing — such as organic acid, stool, gluten sensitivity and food allergy testing if the above strategies don’t help you get to the bottom of flora gut dysfunction. You might have to work with a Functional Medicine practitioner to effectively test and treat imbalances in your gut. 

NEXT we review how histamines effect women's everyday aging and the secret tools to fight back. 

xo Love + Health + Beauty      -  Kassandra

Stop overreacting! Are your allergies a misdiagnosis?

For some, the warmer weather is bliss.

For others, it means itchy eyes, fatigue, dry skin and endless "hachooo's."  

Yup...  allergy season.    BUT WAIT  ...

Your puffy, dark under eye circles and may not be from Pollen at all.

 

allergies
  • What is a histamine and histamine intolerance?
  • A Functional Medicine approach - getting to the root and how to reverse the reactions..
  • The hidden foods in your diet revealed.
  • The common "drug muggers" stealing your histamine + immune health.
  • Done for You - Guide to the top foods to avoid and add to your grocery list.
  • How everyday anxiety, fatigue and eczema could be linked to a lack of enzyme reaction.
  • Life changing 'ah-ha' tips and actionable blueprints for a better quality of life 

PSEUDO ALLERGIES 101

This topic is associated with many health and skin issues, so read on - it could be life-changing information for you. 

  • Pseudo allergies (fake mimickers) and how your seasonal allergy symptoms may be a misdiagnosis and really be a histamine reaction.
     
  • HIT ( not your 'high-intensity training' workout )- the real cause of Histamine Intolerance
     
  • Everyday lifestyle beauty blueprint guide to start the journey of identifying the culprits and easy everyday choices - even if you don't suffer from allergies. 

 

Let's hit the books and dive in!

histamines

  MISDIAGNOSED SEASONAL ALLERGY?   ITS TRICKY.   
Symptoms mimic the same as allergic reactions because of the involvement of the release of histamine in the body. It can lead to chronic inflammatory conditions. It's hidden in skin disorders such as eczema, unexplained skin rashes, and itchiness.

WHATS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A ALLERGIES & HISTAMINE INTOLERANCE?

  • Allergies are an IgE mediated, histamine response to an allergen, i.e., pollen or cat dander.
     
  • Histamine Intolerance (HIT) is a toxic response by the body due to the excessive accumulation of endogenous or exogenous histamine from an inability of the body to efficiently breakdown histamine and hypersensitivity of cell antigen receptors.

WHEN HISTAMINES BREAK DOWN IN THE BODY.
Your immune system creates antibodies to fight these elements, prompting the release of HISTAMINES into the bloodstream. 

INTOLERANCE TO WHAT? 
Histamine intolerance (HIT) comes from either...

  • making too much histamine or
  • the 'lack of' the body being able to properly break down histamines.

THE GANGSTA AND A BAD RAP
 Histamine tends to be the 'gansta' with a bad rap because it releases typical allergy symptoms. In reality, though, histamine plays a crucial role in many bodily processes.

SURVIVAL MODE
We couldn't survive without histamine production, but like the perfect man - it can be too much of a good thing.

THE GUT + BRAIN CONNECTION
Your brain functions on histamine as a neurotransmitter, it releases gastric acid as it is the first stage of breaking down protein in the stomach.

BUT I EAT HEALTHY FOOD? 
Many healthy foods can cause issue over time.  For example, fermented foods can causs a genetic SNP in your enzyme gene pathway that hinders the process and causes histamine to build up in your bloodstream!

Did you know....when eating leftovers, you can produce too much histamines? The histamine is produced because bacteria act on your leftovers and produce histamine, then you eat it.

In my next email I will cover this in depth with an actionable guide around the most common "health foods" high histamines with a 'done for you' shopping guide.

ENZYME DEFICIENCY
Growing numbers are starting to take issue with producing the enzyme needed to degrade histamine- Diamine Oxidase (DAO).  

DAO - IT'S IN YOUR DNA
 You may have a genetic predisposition of poor methylation or the inability to obtain the key nutrient vitamins (B6, B12, iron, copper and vitamin C) to process histamines.

THE DRUG MUGGERS
Common medications like antidepressants, birth control,  anti-inflammatories, laxatives (and more) are known as “drug muggers” which steal the nutrients needed to make the enzymes - which breakdown the histamines. 

 Addressing the REAL root cause of histamine balance, diet, improving gut microbiome, and assisting seasonal allergy environmental attacks will naturally help get the body back on track.


homework histimines


ALLERGY + HISTAMINE LIFESTYLE TIPS

*A Happy Home. Create a allergy-safe and immune home and beauty space
 
Give your makeup bag and brushes a soak regularly, check windows for mold and clean out that A.C. filters. 

*Lock in moisture + Avoid chemicals in your beauty products.  
Histamines take a toll on your skin from the inside out.  **Stay tuned on my next insightful email on histamines and aging.  

*Stay hydrated
Drink up (sans lakeside wine) with H20 and a little lemon to alkalanize.    

*Thyroid and Hormone Havoc
The thyroid and histamine balance is commonly interrelated.  You may be one of the 50% of women that experience underlying thyroid disfunction causing depression, weight gain, fatigue and hair loss.   Hyper or Hypo? I shared a great short read on HOW TO TEST the THYROID.    

*Rest & Digest
Pursue relaxation and make it goal to get a good night’s sleep.

*Avoid Gluten
Gluten puts the immune system into overdrive. Try giving gluten a rest, or - stop cheating. (hug)  Get my QUICK GLUTEN FREE INGREDIENT DOWNLOAD LIST to avoid here! 

*Good-bye Puff Eye Beauty Hack!  Sleeping with your head elevated at night will drain fluids and decrease the puffiness in your face for the morning.

*Supplemental Immune Support
"CBD is proven to promote the formation of new immune cells and help to boost your body’s power to defend and heal."

*NEW*
HEMP.  THE IDEAL LIFESTYLE CURING CONCENTRATE

Experience our *NEW* EVOQ CBD Tincture built with 300mg of ACTIVE medicinal cannabinoids and Full Spectrum Terpenes to instantly calm and balance histamine reactions and increase your immune system.


 

 Join our next class as we un-cover...

  • A curated list of key foods and diet that could change your life
     
  • The most common causes of histamine intolerance
     
  • The key supplements needed to assist the body in reversing reactions and getting back to vitality.  
     
  • Evidence based healing blueprint guides pertaining to - the BEST nutrition, supplements, and topical skin care choices for optimal wellness and quality of life. 

Connect soon!  

xo Love + Health + Beauty      -  Kassandra


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