Keeping a Kleenex tucked in your sleeve or pocket 24/7 isn’t normal, no matter what your grandmother tells you.
Over the last decade, I’ve seen a big rise in sinus issues, especially as my client population gets older.
I’m beginning to think there’s a deeper histamine connection.
In my last email, I mentioned histamine intolerance is on the rise.
Could this be because people are aging, progesterone is declining, and collagen is decreasing so the skin barrier is thinning?
When the skin barrier weakens, it’s easier for mast cells (the ones that release histamine) to dump histamines into the system.
So, the more toxins, scents, or fragrances your body encounters, the more likely you are to have a stuffy or runny nose depending on how inflamed your sinuses are.
And here’s something I’ve noticed:
The more sensitive someone becomes to their environment, the more sensitive they tend to be to foods, herbs, and supplements.
That’s why one of my favorite protocols for these cases starts with lowering the histamine load in the body.
To do this, you’ve got to support the nervous system, gut, liver, urinary, and lymphatic systems.
All need to be working well so histamines don’t build up.
What most people miss?
The nervous system itself can trigger histamine release.
Histamines are your body’s built-in alarm system meant to warn and protect you.
You make histamines every time you eat as they alert your digestive system that food’s on the way.
They increase circulation, call in white blood cells, and bring extra fluid to wherever help is needed.
Histamines aren’t the enemy, they’re helpful, in moderation.
But when they’re constantly firing, you’ll notice swelling, nasal discharge, or even vaginal irritation.
Blocking them completely isn’t the goal (that would stop your body from functioning).
Regulating them is.
Because no one wants to invest in Costco-sized Kleenex packs for life.
So how do you keep histamines in check?
- Clean out your liver, gut, and lymph a few times a year – I like to use Standard Process’ SP Cleanse and I pair it with systemic enzymes (like Healthy Gut’s Holozymes – in between meals vs with meals).
- Use a binder (like GI Adsorb by Standard Process or Cell Core’s Biotoxin Binder) to mop up what your body dumps out.
- Lower histamines with Histamine Scavenger, Quercetin + Nettles, Antronex (Standard Process) and when needed, DAO.
I’ve recently started using HistaHarmony, a DAO supplement by Healthy Gut and have had better results than using DAO with other companies before.
Want to see my histamine lowering protocol? Click HERE.
In addition to lowering histamines with support it’s wise to keep your gut and digestion optimized.
A Whole30-style, “closest to nature” diet and occasional fasting (1–3 days a month) can help balance the gut microbiome and reduce histamine production.
And don’t forget your nervous system.
Chronic stress can keep histamines firing.
Test out the tools that I personally use like, Brain Tap, Innercise, or portable PEMF devices like the one from Resona Health, anything that soothes rather than stimulates.
If exercise triggers your symptoms, focus on restorative movement and positional parasympathetic breathing (lay down with legs up x 5 minutes) or hand-skating nervous system resets (rub your palms over each other x 6 times).
Put it all together, and you’ve got a solid plan to keep histamines and Kleenex use in check.
If you haven’t checked out my podcast with Steven Wright, it’s one of my favorites all year – click HERE to listen in!
Here’s to lowering your histamines and freeing your sinuses,
Dr. J
