The Low Histamine Chef

Hi there, 

he problem with B12 is that it's a bacteria, it's fermented, and sometimes even made with yeast! Naturally yeast and bacteria both raise histamine levels. Generally anything fermented should be approached with caution. 

I don't believe in supplementing vitamins. You need to get the vitamins in their natural state, with their co-factors in the correct balance, to truly benefit from them. Numerous studies now show that taking vitamins can actually shorten your lifespan for that reason, and because they are just not natural. 

Did you know for example that vitamin d is made from sheep hair? Or that most vitamin c tabs are made from fermented corn? I thought I had a serious issue with vitamin c but I believe it was the fermented issue. I now only take Viridian Nutrition supplements (and only quercetin) once in a while if I absolutely must. 

I find that I can get enough of what I need nutritionally. 

You've raised a very interesting point - I'm going to write up a blog post about it :) 

"Industrial production of B12 is through fermentation of selected microorganisms.[35] Streptomyces griseus, a bacterium once thought to be a yeast, was the commercial source of vitamin B12 for many years.[36][37] The species Pseudomonas denitrificans and Propionibacterium shermanii are more commonly used today.[38] These are frequently grown under special conditions to enhance yield, and at least one company, Rhône-Poulenc of France, which has merged into Sanofi-Aventis, used genetically engineered versions of one or both of these species. Since a number of species of Propionibacterium produce no exotoxins or endotoxins and are generally regarded as safe (have been granted GRAS status) by the Food and Drug Administration of the United States, they are presently the FDA-preferred bacterial fermentation organisms for vitamin B12 production.[39]"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitamin_B12

sickofhistamine wrote:

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I have read in several place, that high histamine folks shouldn't be taking B12.  Is that correct?  If you're taking B6 (co-factor for DAO) and let's say Folate (in my case) you really need to add B12 or that will go to low.  What's the thinking on B12.

 

Thanks.

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I think this blog is a great resource as members can benefit each other. If one cannot obtain enough B12 via diet maybe vegans, vegetarians - are B12 patches an option or are they also out? Spirulina is high in B12- is it high histamine?

Thank you! I certainly hope so - helping each other is what it's all about :) 

I can take sirulina - but some might lack the enzyme to digest it? In the same way the Japanese lack the enzymes to digest milk, we in the west could lack the enzymes to digest soy and seaweed. 

I have no information on b12 patches - I would think that since you need the b12 to enter the bloodstream to work, that it will raise histamine. Do you know for sure that you're low in b12? So many people feel the need to supplement it for no reason and then continue to do so indefinitely without running follow up testing. 

I know I did!

Anonymous wrote:

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I think this blog is a great resource as members can benefit each other. If one cannot obtain enough B12 via diet maybe vegans, vegetarians - are B12 patches an option or are they also out? Spirulina is high in B12- is it high histamine?

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Good job on the prevention front. I was vegan for a long time but couldn't find any other way to get the b12 and iron once I came up deficient. It might be an idea to get tested once every few months as you make the transition. I used to take Floradix Florvital syrup which, though it is made from spinach, is sufficiently natural to cause the least bother. Keep in mind this isn't a good idea if your histamine levels are high...I only use it when my levels are very low and it makes me quite "speedy" but it brought my levels up nicely. But I now have added some meat back to my diet. 

Anonymous wrote:

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I'm actually on the ok side of B12 but since being diagnosed I'm leaning towards a more vegetarian/vegan diet with no animal products except eggs so I worry that in the long term it may be an issue.

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-- Edited by admin on Sunday 19th of August 2012 08:24:24 PM

admin wrote:

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Hmmm, folate is generally not a good idea with histamine issues either. But it sounds like your gene mutation should probably take precedence! Have you tried getting these through diet and then getting tested to see if you're managing it? You could use something like www.fitday.com to track your nutrient intake...

That's what I did for a year. I made it to Dirk with no nutritional deficiencies but B6. I wasn't aware of it's importance at the time...

It's really not that hard to get these through diet - how much folate do you need daily? Vit d is a bit harder if you live somewhere there's no sun. Can you sunbathe at all? I put on a very large hat and sit out in the garden as much as possible, not that the English rain does me much good. 

 

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Yes, I knew about folic acid not being good but had hoped that folate is another issue.  It's actually a special folate, 5-MTHF (Folate as L-5-Methyltetrahydrofolate).  I would LOVE to replace the few vitamins I take with diet but not sure if on that one it will work.  The gene mutation is such that we don't have something that can process the folic acid from food.   I take 1000mg of this type of folate. 

On the D front, I was very low.  I'm very pale and am no fan of the heat so sitting in the sun is not much of an option for me.  I also live in Washington which is very similar to England in our weather and rain.  So, yes I'm at a place on the planet that has very little of the good sun.

Are you still supplementing B6?  How do you test B6 on England?  I have some kind of weird deal with B6.  When I take a regular dose my levels go sky high and make me very very tired.  A normal dosage is 33.8mg, I only take 1/2 that.  The whole dose puts me in a coma.  I wonder though if I'm testing B6 in the correct way???  Any advise you can offer for that. 

Thanks

Too bad but you should stick with what works anyways...no sense in rocking the boat. You're allergic to potatoes? Is that the maltodextrin issue?

I now go to my generalist/general practitioner to get it done. I usually get a full nutritional work up to make sure everything is balanced...

I didn't know that! I thought I reacted to it because of the potato thing. I do use a soup stock that has it, doesn't seem to bother me that much...at times! 

sickofhistamine wrote:

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No, not allergic to potatoes.  Maltodextrin makes my heart race, that you wouldn't believe.  Maltodextrin is an excitotoxin right up there with MSG and artificial sweeteners (don't get me started on those). ;>)

admin wrote:

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Too bad but you should stick with what works anyways...no sense in rocking the boat. You're allergic to potatoes? Is that the maltodextrin issue?

I now go to my generalist/general practitioner to get it done. I usually get a full nutritional work up to make sure everything is balanced...

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