Is it possible that your probiotic could be making you sick? Sadly, it is! In this post I’ll be touching on a fairly uncommon topic–low-histamine probiotics. So what is histamine and what does that has to do with probiotics? Let’s find out.
Probiotics are something that’s commonly accepted as being something that is good for everyone. Gut health is crucial for overall health and probiotics are beneficial bacteria that help to recolonize the gut to restore balance. So one would think that taking probiotics would always be a good thing. Right?
Wrong.
For some people, taking probiotics could be a completely bad idea.
That is, if they are taking the wrong kind of probiotic.
Histamine intolerance is something that we’ve talked about on the blog before. In this post we talked about what histamine intolerance is and in this post we talked about how to deal with a histamine intolerance, or histamine allergy.
One thing that wasn’t mentioned, however, is the role that probiotics play in histamine intolerance treatment.
My Search for Low Histamine Probiotics
Around Christmas of this past year, I kind of “fell into” a detox. Just in case you were wondering, detox isn’t the best idea during the Holiday Season–I don’t recommend it. However, the whole thing led to some very interesting information which I will now pass on to you.
It all started with my taking a heavy-duty liquid fermented superfood probiotic. I had taken it years ago and it had clearly done some heavy duty work on my gut. This time I felt that I needed to get out of my current probiotic rut and wanted to give it another go. It went well for awhile, but then the reactions got a little intense. They subsided, but then came back in another area, and I was pretty scared. Scared that I was histamine intolerant.
So I plunged into researching histamine intolerance online and was determined to figure out what I could do about it.
One of the recommendations that I found was to get on a low histamine probiotic so as to recolonize the gut without inflaming the already problematic condition.
What Is Histamine?
We covered quite a bit about histamine in this post, but here’s a quick review.
Histamine is a chemical produced by your body that is involved in your immune system, proper digestion, and central nervous system during immune responses. It sends messages from your body to your brain, and is a component of stomach acid (which helps you digest your food — I’ve talked about stomach acid and rosacea before). But the role of histamine that is central to our discussion today is how histamine is involved with the immune system.
You mostly like are familiar with the word “histamine” as it being a part of the word “anti-histamine” — those substances that one takes when allergies are being a bother. Histamines are alerting your body of a real (or mistaken) offender and cause an inflammatory response. And it causes this all over the body.
If your body can’t break down the histamine well enough or fast enough, you end up with histamine intolerance.
That leads to the problems outlined in this post on histamine intolerance, but basically you can have all kinds of symptoms including things that one would typically associate with allergies, such as:
itching
sneezing
rashes
nasal congestion
sinus pressure
headaches
fatigue
insomnia
and more.
Histamine and Probiotics
Basically, if you have a histamine intolerance issue, the last thing that you want is to be taking probiotics that make more histamine. If you do that, instead of getting healthier, you could be exacerbating an underlying health issue and well–your probiotics could be making you sick.
And if you are making your own Water Kefir, Homemade Sauerkraut, and more, that may or may not be a good idea depending on your issues with histamine.
Additionally, there are some probiotic strains that have been shown to be helpful in reducing the histamine response.
According to the research that I have done, the following are various probiotic strains and the effect that they have on histamine levels. Of course that research could change in the future.
Histamine Raising Probiotic Strains:
- Lactobacillus bulgaricus
- Lactobacillus casei
- S. thermophilus
- Lactobacillus delbrueckii
- B Lichenformis – appears to raise histamine (source)
- Bacillus Coagulans SL5 **
**I have seen research stating that the B. Coagulans SL5 causes increased histamine, but the B. Coagulans in 2 of the gut health products that I recommend below is MTCC 5856, which is a different strain. In fact, Lactospore (MTCC 5856) is used in some supplements that are made to support those with histamine issues.
Histamine Lowering Strains:
- Bifidobacterium infantis
- Lactobacillus gasseri
- Lactobacillus rhamnosus
- Bifidobacterium longum
- Lactobacillus plantarum
- Bifidobacterium breve
- Lactobacillus salivarius
- Bifidobacterium lactis
- Bifidobacterium Bifidum – (source)
- Lactobacillus reuteri**Lactobacillus reuteri is kind of in a class by itself. Many place it in the “histamine producing” category, but interestingly enough, it doesn’t belong there. Lactobacillus reuteri does, in fact, cause histidine to convert to histamine, but this histamine raises cAMP which actually reduces the inflammatory response. Fascinating! I therefore put it in the “histamine reducing” class due to this aspect. (3)
Lactobacillus plantarum does not appear to have an effect on histamine, but lowers/inhibits tyramine and putrescine.
Histamine Neutral Strains
- Lactobacillus acidophilus
- Lactobacillus Lactis
- Lactococcus Lactis
Possible Histamine Intolerance Supports:
- Saccharomyces-Boulardii.
There are a number of studies on its effectiveness in treating gastroenteritis (source). Some researchers have linked this condition to high histamine/mast cell issue (source 1 & source 2). So possibly this strain could be a good support.
There are some reports apparently about this yeast causing histamine issues in some people, but it has been used for detoxifying gliotoxin (source) and apparently increases DAO production which means it should help with histamine issues. (source) - L. Paracasei has been shown to possibly help with leaky gut or allergies (source)
Low-Histamine Probiotics
Does this all make you feel like your head is going to burst?
I get it.
Basically, if you are looking to avoid probiotic strains that might make histamine issues (and inflammation) worse, you want to avoid the Histamine-Raising Strains and get probiotics that have the Histamine-Lowering Strains in them and if they have the Histamine-Neutral Strains in them that’s fine too.
Make sense?
So—In order to work on mine and my son’s possible histamine issues, I went a hunt to find probiotics that had the strains that we wanted, but didn’t have the problematic strains.
It was quite a job, trying to figure out what to buy with all of those “lacto this” and “bifido that” words popping out at me. I thought I would go a little cross-eyed trying to sort it all out, but I did find some products that were just perfect for what I was looking for.
Where to Buy Low-Histamine Probiotics
I buy my supplements in several places. One of my favorite places to shop is Iherb. They have fast service and very very good prices. Another great option is Pure Formulas.
Some of the brands listed below, like Metagenics, claim that their product is fine when not refrigerated during shipping, etc. If you are concerned about that please take care to buy them either in a store where they are refrigerated or have them shipped in a cold pack.
Following are a bunch of options that will fit the bill……
One of My Favorite Probiotics Ever
Recently, our family started using GutPro. It’s a probiotic unlike many others in that it’s super concentrated. It’s not cheap, but it lasts a REALLY REALLY long time.
Just a teensy bit on a teensy spoon and that’s all you need!
I have tried sooo many probiotics over the years, and with many of them, I feel NOTHING. But with GutPro? Gurgle gurgle gurgle…..something is happening for sure!
The GutPro Powder is a REALLY economical product (all the frugal folks’ ears just perked up!) Just make sure to get the teensy stainless spoons that Organic3 has if you get this product because you are going to need them!
Depending on how you use the probiotics, you might want to sets so if one is dirty you have another set at the ready. You cannot use the spoons if they are damp at all as that will compromise the bacteria. Wet bacteria, in this case, is dead bacteria.
Other Low-Histamine Probiotic Blends
Seeking Health Probiota HistaminX
This blend was created for the express purposes of having a blend for those with histamine intolerance. Some have said that this probiotic blend has really helped with their histamine issues, both to probiotics and to other foods. The company has a great Subscribe and Save program so you can save money. Some people use this product alongside the company’s Histamine Block.
Following are some blends of various strains that should not exacerbate histamine intolerance and might even help heal it.
These are the blends that I purchased after researching this topic and I am continuing to use them.
Metagenics Ultra-Flora Immune Booster
Metagenics Ultra-Flora Balance
Low-Histamine Probiotic Singles
The following are individual strains of bacteria that should be helpful for histamine intolerance.
Klaire Labs Ther-biotic Factor has only Lactobacillus rhamnosus.
Custom Probiotics L. plantarum probiotic powder or
Jarrow Formula’s Ideal Bowel Support for Lactobacillus plantarum.
Most natural practitioners who recommend rotating between different kinds of probiotics so as to populate the gut with different strains. So purchasing several or all of the above varieties and rotating between them would achieve that goal.
What probiotics do you use?
Sources:
1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18544899
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3042653/
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22384111
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3316997/
which probiotics names do u suggest if a person has to take an antibiotic?
I am prone to thrush, but presently I have a sinus infection for 2 weeks and the dr wants to be take Amoxicillin. I have had thrush in the past after taking medications so I am concerned. I want to take a good probiotic with helpful strains.
Hi there. There are so many to choose from it’s hard to know. One thing to note is that most probiotics should be taken 2 hours or more away from antibiotics, but this brand says you can take theirs WITH antibiotics at the same time.
Here is my affiliate link https://justthrivehealth.com/?rfsn=2955029.720bd
and you can get 15% off with code wholenewmom.
You can read more about their usage with antibiotics here. Hope that helps!
Probiotics should be taken 2 hours away from PROBIOTICS? Uh… 🙂
oops typo – it’s fixed now 🙂 That would be hard now, wouldn’t it :)?
Hi, would you happen to know if Saccharomyces Boulardii by SeekingHealth is low in histamine? I’ve been taking about 4 days now and experiencing a bit of brain fog, sleeping a lot, major bloating. It however almost eradicated the pain from my left shoulder which was injured over 2 years ago. Maybe, there’s a parasite in me which is causing the pain in my shoulder. Everything’s so confusing.
Hi there! The info for Saccharomyces Boulardii is in the post. I am taking it currently as well. Yes, it’s hard to sort everything out!
I’m planning on ordering Bacillus Coagulans MTCC 5856 but before I do, I want to confirm that it is not high in histamine? I’m currently taking D-Lactate and Histamine free probiotic which I’m doing great on but I’m still far from perfect and I figured the MTCC 5856 can help control my diarrhea better
Hi there. According the research that I shared in the post that strain isn’t high in histamine. If you search the post for MTCC 5856 you can see the information. Hope that helps!
what abut low-salicylate probiotics? do you have any info about strains and/or brands you recommend for those who are Salicylate sensitive as well?
Hi there. I’m sorry but I do not. I thought I had responded to this but looks like the response didn’t go through.
I use this probiotic listed on another site for low histamine. – Vitanica, Flora Symmetry, Intestinal Probiotic Support, Vegetarian, 60 Count – So far seems good. However, I am on day two of NOW Saccharomyces Boulardii, and I seem to get throat congestion after taking it. Hmmm just pondering if it could be the guar gum in it?
Thanks!
Hi there–I really don’t know but Saccharomyces Boulardii has a variety of actions including acting (according to Neil Nathan, MD) as a binder for mold so I don’t know. Have you reacted to guar gum before?
I bought GutPro but it’s done nothing for me or my family. My naturopath told me that powdered probiotics aren’t very effective. It’s also really expensive!
Hi there–that’s interesting. What kind of probiotic does your naturopath recommend? There are a lot of people who have great responses to powdered probiotics so not sure what the reasoning would be there. Was there an explanation given as to why powdered isn’t recommended?
She recommends a probioitc that releases its bacteria slowly. Apparently powders just get eaten up in the stomach. The one she gave me was much more effective for my digestion.
Hi again – do you mean a capsule? GutPro is apparently proven to not get eaten up in the stomach. I hope to add some more to this list :).
Most capsules can’t protect their bacteria in the stomach, so I don’t know how a powder could possibly do that? It doesn’t give the bacteria any protection at all.
Hello again. Got this answer back from GutPro. Hope this helps!
GutPro gave me the runs big time, and didn’t seem to reduce histamine issues. I’m going to try Lynch’s Probiota HistaminX — it has lots of good reviews on Amazon (which I know is just anecdotal). At least they gave me a refund.
But interestingly, it has different proportions of the same bacteria that’s in GutPro, but doesn’t have the l. gasseri, which another blog says has been shown to produce histamine in certain circumstances.
One thing that’s helped me recently is saccharomyces boulardi.
Hi there. Sorry you had that issue w/ the GutPro- maybe too much too soon? It can be really powerful!
I just added a link to the Probiota in my post along with some possible good companions for you. I had meant to do that for awhile so thanks for the reminder. They have a money saving option as well.
About the L Gasseri, could you direct me to where you have seen that?
I like Saccharomyces Boulardi–using it now for addressing mold toxicity. Neil Nathan uses it in his practice. thanks!
Not sure if this will show up in the right place. I couldn’t find a reply tab under your reply Adrienne.
Anyway, thanks for your speedy reply. I’m not sure if I used ‘too much’ or not…it’s been about 7-8 months, so the brain fog prevents exact recall. I do remember using that scoop, at least at first, so I’m guessing that I started as per their dosing.
Here’s the link — on Alison Vickery’s site. I’ve seen some conflicting and sometime erroneous info there, but she cites a study to back up the claim, and as you’ll see, it also mentions b. longum and salivarius as problem strains, but perhaps only under some circumstances.
https://alisonvickery.com.au/histamine-producing-gut-bacteria/
One study that I found interesting was this one, that found in the long run, the more diversity, the better one is able to deal with histamine.
And the other day I found this huge study, which suggests that healthy controls have a higher diversity of bacteria, and twice as much from the Bacteroides family, compared to histamine intolerant patients.
http://jpp.krakow.pl/journal/archive/08_18/pdf/10.26402/jpp.2018.4.09.pdf
Thanks for this. Very confusing. Did you find out which of her sources was the one where the gasseri was implicated? There are so many there and I’m up to my eyeballs here. Thanks!
BTW, the scoop can definitely be too much at first. Many people start with just a little on the tip of their finger, so that likely could have been your problem.
Hi there.
Interesting and complicated and of course not definitive. I would have to see the study. Do you know which one of her sources is the one in which gasseri is implicated?
As for GutPro, yes that definitely could have been the issue b/c taking the scoop to start can be way too much. Some people start w/ just a little on the tip of their finger.
As for the latter study, are they saying that you want diversity of all kinds of good bacteria?
Yes, I’m not sure which study she’s linking to as there are several from the same year listed in her references. You might want to contact her for clarification.
The latter study, yes, I think — emphasize ‘think’ — that in general, that’s what they’re saying. I doubt though that they mean to just throw everything in at once. But gradually as one’s histamine intolerance improves, then increasing diversity should make things better all around.
One more thing. I found by accident that it seems like a lot of folks are finding benefit from using Ancestral Supplements ‘Kidney’ Glandular, apparently because the kidney has the highest concentration of the DAO enzyme that also helps break down histamine in the gut.
I haven’t tried it yet — need to win the lotto — but a google search will turn up glowing reviews on Amazon.
I wish I could dive into this but I am just so swamped here. I think she needs to clarify. It’s very hard to follow up on sources when an author lists them in this manner. We are supposed to trust them or spend a bunch of time trying to read their sources, not knowing which goes to what statement.
As for the Ancestral Supplements, I have that. I tried it once but seemed to react badly to it, which might mean I need it. It’s an interesting thing.
So many other things you can try as well like homeopathy and just plain eating fewer histamine causing foods. There are other triggers as well–like mold exposure.
“GutPro bacteria are very hardy and can withstand lower PH ranges than most think.”
If that’s the case, why do other brands use delayed-release capsules and tablets?
I think it’s extremely unlikely that GutPro will survive as well as a capsule or tablet.
Some of the bacteria may survive, but I think most of the more temperature-sensitive strains would be completely wiped out before reaching the gut.
Do you have some kind of knowledge that some of them are more temperature-sensitive than others?
Adrienne,
I didn’t mean to imply that I was expecting you to ‘dive into’ anything. I hope you don’t think others are demanding that as well.
IMO, we all need to do as much of our own research and own inner work as possible, and stop looking to others — or expecting others — to solve our issues.
Annabel, again just my opinion, but while certainly some bacteria don’t survive, different strains do different things from the nose all the way to the ‘other end’. And if bacteria didn’t survive the gut, then kefir — which by the way is horrible for histamine intolerant folks — would have no effect on the gut.
Some of it must, capsule or no capsule.
Over and out. 🙂
No worries. I would like to—just way too much going on here. Maybe another time? Helpful response!
Hi! Do you have a recommendation for a low histamine probiotic for a 12 month old baby? We were given a rec that is adult strength and seems too intense for a baby!
Hi there. Sorry for the delay – The Gut Pro one has an Infant formula and some people just give a lesser amount to a baby basing it off of body weight so that could be an option as well. Hope that helps!
Hi,
Thanks for the great post!
Regarding Saccharomyces-Boulardii, you state:
“…but it detoxifies gliotoxin…”
I checked the source you provided but didn’t see any reference to gliotoxin.
I recently had a mycotoxin test and have high levels of gliotoxin, so this is of great interest to me.
Hi there. Thanks for pointing that out. I’m not sure where that reference went. I found something else that, while not as helpful, is something to check out. Thanks for reading.
Hi,
Do you have an opinion on ProBio 5 from Plexus regarding histamine? It does not have to be refrigerated which works best for me.
Thanks, Tammi
Hi there. That is a conundrum. There are mostly lowering strains in there, but one is a possible concern. Also, ascorbic acid is from corn and can be an issue for some people w/ histamine intolerance. I am looking at another product that doesn’t require refrigeration. Are you needing it to be shelf stable b/c you travel?
Before this, without understanding about the histamine triggering probiotic. I purchased Dr Ohhiras probiotic. Honestly, it did have a positive effect on me. Somehow, after some time i noticed that my histamine level raises. Thats when i noticed and realised about the histamine triggering strains. Thankfully i did not stock up on the probiotic. However, it was a good probiotic. Just not for a histamine intolerance person
I thought is was as well but it does have some ingredient(s) that I’m not necessary sure about. I mentioned it here: https://wholenewmom.com/health-concerns/the-straight-poop-about-probiotics/
Just found your blog. I have purchased a probiotic from iherb. What do you think of LactoBif Probiotics, 30 Billion CFU by california gold for histamine intolerance people? Can you check for me? And give me your opinion on it?
Hi there and welcome. Casei is a histamine raising strain. That would be my concern. Thanks for reading and hope that helps!
Do you know of any soil based probiotics that are low histamine?
Hi there — I have read that they might reduce histamine but I haven’t researched it enough to make any statements about it.
Hello … I am in the throes of sorting out my recently diagnosed histamine intolerance. In doing research on advisable strains of probiotics I’ve encountered recommendations for Saccharomyces Boulardi. Considering this is a probiotic yeast, and yeast contributes to histamine, how is it that this particular form of yeast is copacetic with histamine intolerance, or is it?
Thank you – every day is a challenge and learning opportunity!
Hi there. Thanks for reading. I just updated the post w/ more information that should help. It’s an interesting thing for sure. Let me know what you think.
Yes hello my fiance has been suffering from terrible eczema and I have been trying to cure her by making home-made sauerkraut and feeding her Kefir But it has just been making it worse we have only just discovered what a histamine intolerance is and now I am wondering if there is anything I can make her which is natural and not a supplement which will help with her histamine intolerance not hinder it…
I would be eternally grateful for any help you could give thank you so much
Hi there. I have been doing a ton of research into this recently. Perhaps this post and the follow up will help. I hope to write more on this topic in the future. https://wholenewmom.com/health-concerns/histamine-allergies-causes-histamine-intolerance/ Let me know what you think and best wishes.
Hi this was very informative I have a question though which natural probiotics help with a histamine intolerance?
Please help us
Hi there–do you mean fermented foods?