Learning from relaxing on your diet at Christmas. A lovely lady had very bad cramping pain. Her doctor was sympathetic and all necessary investigations were done. She was delighted and very relieved when the pain went away on the Low Chemical diet. She reacted especially to amines The main culprits was eventually realized to be the turkey roll she had in her work lunch roll each day with salad. The problem is that because the nicely aged meat was taken out of the refrigerator and used so … [Read more...]
Tyramine sensitivity update
A comment from Kent has made me ask should tyramine sensitivity be a separate food sensitivity syndrome, as it is a group of symptoms. Kent writes “I have read a sampling of the comments on this page [in the Blogs] and I see quite a few people who state that they are sensitive to tyramine but that they do not get migraines. They then describe symptoms which are typical of migraines! I think most people have the misunderstanding that migraines = headaches. But migraines present a blanket of … [Read more...]
Is histamine intolerance part of food chemical intolerance?
One group of researchers think it can be considered on its own. But they add in additives and spices among excluded foods. They researched 137 references to write a review. You can read it from Histamine and histamine intolerance, by Maintz L, Novak N. in the Am J Clin Nutr 2007;85:1185-96 2007. That is nearly 10 years ago but little has changed since then. I recommend reading this article, even this comment, or just the abstract, for a view of this hypothesis of adverse reactions being … [Read more...]
Why is there no test for tyramine sensitivity?
Question from Jesse: For the last two years I have noticed heart palpitations and hypertension following ingestion of "processed" foods. These include Cheeses (bleu cheese is the worst), Pizza, mozzerela sticks, store-bought salad dressing, Bacon, etc. I've been tested for literally hundreds of potential causes, with no luck. Does this sound like a tyramine intolerance? Dear Jesse, Let’s start by saying you definitely sound as if you are food intolerant. And that you have been wise to make a … [Read more...]
Interesting tyramine reactions
Tummy pain on a healthy diet Hi. I have serious tummy problems and believe I have a dairy intolerance. However my tummy ( and wheezing) gets worse when I eliminate dairy and eat a ‘healthy’ diet of lots of fruit, vegetables, seeds, nuts and avocados and dark chocolate. I don’t eat meat but do eat fish. I’m beginning to wonder whether I have a problem with amines? Could you suggest an elimination diet or any advice? Thank you x Dear Rebecca, When we eliminate some food we … [Read more...]
Important references on amines in food
Thanks to dietitian Fiona Florakx for her extensive literature search. Allen DH, Van Nunen S, Loblay R, Clarke, L. Adverse reactions to food. The Medical Journal of Australia 1984; Sept; Special supplement : S37-S42. Provides documentation of amine exclusion as part of elimination diet in Australia in 1984 Breakey J. Dietary management of the hyperkinetic syndrome. 1977 Brisbane Yeast extracts, tomatoes excluded re histamines as well as chocolate; and overripe … [Read more...]
Amine diet investigation
The following guidelines are provided where amines, particularly tyramine, are suspect in headaches, migraines or other food sensitivity symptoms. Amines should not be the only exclusions since where they cause reactions other food chemicals are also likely to also be a problem. These include additive colours, flavours, preservatives, monosodium glutamate, and natural salicylates. So diet investigation should begin with a low chemical elimination diet such as that outlined in Are You Food … [Read more...]