Are there probiotics that can reduce histamine levels?

Probiotics for Histamine Reduction

Specific strains of probiotics, particularly Lactobacillus paracasei, can reduce histamine levels through their histamine-degrading abilities, though the evidence is limited and strain-specific.

Understanding Histamine and Probiotics

Histamine plays a central role in allergic diseases and histamine intolerance. The relationship between probiotics and histamine is complex, with some strains potentially helping to reduce histamine levels while others might produce histamine.

Evidence for Histamine-Reducing Probiotics

Specific Strains with Histamine-Reducing Potential:

• Lactobacillus paracasei: Research has identified specific strains with histamine-degrading abilities 1

  • L. paracasei L3C21M6 demonstrated superior histamine-reducing capabilities along with desirable probiotic features

• Bifidobacterium species: A mixture of B. infantis and B. longum (Lac-B) has shown anti-allergic effects 2

  • These strains suppressed histamine signaling by:
    • Downregulating histamine H1 receptor (H1R) gene expression
    • Reducing histidine decarboxylase (HDC) activity (the enzyme that produces histamine)
    • Decreasing histamine content in nasal mucosa

• Lactobacillus reuteri: Some strains possess the histidine decarboxylase (hdc) gene cluster 3

  • While this might seem counterintuitive, these strains convert histidine to histamine, which then activates histamine H2 receptors
  • This H2 receptor activation actually suppresses inflammation in the colon

Important Considerations

Strain Specificity

The probiotic market is relatively unregulated, with many products making broad claims without sufficient evidence 4. It's crucial to understand that:

• Probiotic effects are often strain-specific, not species-specific 4
• Results obtained with one specific probiotic cannot be extended to others under the "probiotic umbrella" concept 4
• Mechanisms that are likely to be species-specific include vitamin synthesis and gut barrier reinforcement 4
• Neurological, immunologic, and biochemical effects are likely to be dose- and strain-specific 4

Histamine Content in Diet

For those with histamine intolerance, a low-histamine diet is often recommended alongside potential probiotic supplementation 5:

• Fermented foods are unanimously excluded in low-histamine diets due to their high histamine content
• Some foods with low histamine levels are excluded from these diets because they may contain putrescine, which can interfere with histamine degradation by the DAO enzyme

Practical Applications

For those seeking probiotics to reduce histamine levels:

1. Look for specific strains:

   • Lactobacillus paracasei L3C21M6 1
   • Bifidobacterium infantis and Bifidobacterium longum combination 2

2. Consider probiotic quality and formulation:

   • Duration of intake should be at least 8 weeks for optimal effects 4
   • Multiple strains may be more effective than single strains 4

3. Be cautious of marketing claims:

   • The specific strain, dose, duration of intake, and manufacturing methods all matter 4
   • Generic "probiotic" labels without strain-specific information may not provide the desired effects

Limitations and Caveats

• Most research on histamine-reducing probiotics is still preliminary
• Individual responses to probiotics can vary significantly
• Some probiotics may actually increase histamine production
• For severe histamine-related conditions, probiotics alone may not be sufficient treatment

The field of probiotic research for histamine reduction is still developing, and more clinical trials are needed to establish definitive recommendations for specific conditions related to histamine sensitivity or overproduction.