Are Genetics to Blame with Histamine Intolerance?

A question I get a lot is, "Do I have HIT because I have MTHFR gene mutation?" or other related genetic questions. 

The answer to this isn't black and white. Have you heard of the saying, genes load the gun and epigenetics pull the trigger? This saying means that you have a genetic blueprint which may include mutations which have to do with how your body processes histamine, but if you live a clean lifestyle (drinking filtered water, getting enough sleep, eating nourishing foods, limiting environmental toxins, maintain a healthy gut...), then those genes will stay turned off and you won't develop symptoms. This is why clients are able to reverse their symptoms because we have the power to put them into remission.

So genes can play a role varying from 10%-30 or 40% if someone has quite a few genetic mutations, but I would say really more in the 20% range. 

There can be a variety of genetic mutations that affect someone with HIT including but not limited to:

  • MTHFR (several different types) relates to methylation detox in the liver

  • COMT helps our body break down dopamine and estrogen

  • Glutathione (several different ones) helps to detoxify a wide variety of toxins

  • DAO an enzyme to help break down histamine

  • MAO enzyme that removes neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin, epinephrine from the brain

  • PH1, PH2 HOGA1 which relates to oxalates

and the list goes on. 

When we get genetic testing it can be validating to see why we may react more to something than others, but this isn't required in order to heal although it can take out some of the guess work if you are having a particularly hard time finding the right protocol that works for you.

When I work with clients we use a brief genetic quiz which can be helpful along with a symptom intake and functional lab tests which can sometimes indicate a potential for a genetic mutation. 

Moral of the story though, we can't blame the condition of our health on "bad genetics" because we have the power to turn those genes on of off with a healthy lifestyle and doing our best to have a non toxic environment.

Heather Oricchio