Histamine Lowering Probiotics for People with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome and Histamine Intolerance
If you have Histamine Intolerance and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome, you’ll want to know about low histamine probiotics and histamine lowering probiotics.
And you’ll want to know why some probiotics can trigger your Mast Cell Activation and make your histamine levels worse!
My symptoms got so much worse when I started taking probiotics.
I got so itchy!
My sleep got worse.
My nose ran more.
I had so much gas and bloating.
I didn’t understand why this was happening because I was taking a high-quality probiotic blend. And it had over 20 probiotic strains. With all these different strains of bacteria, surely that meant it was better, right?
But I felt awful!
I started to think that probiotics weren’t for me.
Eventually I found out that some probiotics can raise histamine levels. That’s why I was reacting.
Here’s the good news, though.
There are probiotics that are well-tolerated by those of us with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome and Histamine Intolerance.
And not only are there low histamine probiotics, but some are histamine lowering probiotics as well!
Keep reading to learn clear information about probiotics for Histamine Intolerance and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS).
You’ll learn:
- Why probiotics can be helpful if you have MCAS or Histamine Intolerance
- The best probiotics to consider if you have MCAS or Histamine Intolerance
- High histamine probiotics to avoid if you have MCAS or Histamine Intolerance
- Which probiotics to consider with SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth)
- Probiotics to avoid if you have SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth)
Let’s jump in!
Why Histamine Lowering Probiotics?
You’ve probably heard about probiotics in relation to good gut health. But that’s not all probiotics can help with.
You’ll read about some of the other benefits of probiotics in just a bit.
But gut health is especially important if you have Mast Cell Activation Syndrome. That’s because so much of your immune system is in your gut.
Supporting your immune system supports your mast cells. Your mast cells are your body’s first line of immune defense!
But there’s more. You probably know that mast cells are in almost every part of your body…including your gut wall.
And that’s why you can get so many gut-related symptoms with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome.
My gut has always been a weak point for me. So, I thought a probiotic would help.
But like you just read, I only got worse.
If you have Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) or Histamine Intolerance like me, not just any probiotic will work for you.
Later, you’ll read about some of the probiotics to avoid if you have Mast Cell Activation Syndrome, Histamine Intolerance, or SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth).
But first, just what are probiotics? And what benefits can low histamine probiotics have?
Health Benefits of Low Histamine Probiotics
Probiotics are live bacteria and yeast that live in your body.
They come from foods and supplements.
And, depending on the type, probiotics can offer many health benefits.
They may:
- Have mast cell supporting properties
- Lower inflammation
- Bind mold toxins
- Promote good digestion
- Balance the gut’s microbiome
- Reduce growth of harmful bacteria
- Improve nutrient absorption
- Decrease susceptibility to viral infections
- Help improve the immune system
- Help lower histamine levels
- Help with leaky gut
- Help with skin conditions like eczema and acne
- Help the body produce vitamins such as
- B1
- B2
- B5
- B12
- Biotin
- Folate
- Vitamin K
If you have Mast Cell Activation Syndrome and Histamine Intolerance, you might struggle with:
- A dysregulated immune response
- Inflammatory response (increased inflammation)
- Elevated levels of histamine
- Gut issues like poor digestion or leaky gut
- Skin conditions
- Nutrient deficiency
- And more
So, you can see how the benefits of probiotics may be especially helpful if you have MCAS or Histamine Intolerance.
Probiotics are usually very safe. But those with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome and Histamine Intolerance have special considerations when choosing probiotics.
So, what should you be looking for in a low histamine probiotic? And what should you be avoiding?
That’s up next.
Choosing Probiotics with MCAS or Histamine Intolerance
There are so many probiotic choices out there. How do you know where to start?
Here are 4 things you want to consider when choosing your probiotic:
- You’ll want to start with choosing a low histamine probiotic.
- Make sure your probiotic will get to your intestines. (That’s where powder vs capsule comes into play.)
- Avoid mast cell-triggers like fillers and additives.
- Choose one that lowers histamine levels
Keep reading to learn more about each of these points.
Let’s start with choosing a low histamine probiotic. That starts with knowing more about the types of probiotics out there.
Understanding Types of Probiotics
Usually, you’ll see probiotics listed as two words.
For example, Lactobacillus rhamnosus.
Lactobacillus is the genus. Rhamnosus is the species.
Think back to biology class. You’ll remember that all living organisms are categorized using the scientific classification system. Genus and species are two of the categories used in that system.
It’s important here because that’s where the names of probiotics come from. (Some probiotics are also listed with a subspecies and numerical designation.)
You’ll also often see the genus indicated by just the first letter. For example, L. rhamnosus is the abbreviated form of Lactobacillus rhamnosus.
Knowing these names will help you identify which probiotics are histamine-raising and which are histamine lowering.
Another thing you’ll often see on probiotic labels is “CFU”. This stands for colony-forming unit. That just means the number of live microorganisms found in each serving.
Often product marketing will advertise how many CFU are in their brand.
But higher CFU counts don’t necessarily mean you’ll get more health benefits. If you have MCAS or Histamine Intolerance, CFU isn’t as important as the type of probiotic you are choosing.
Related Article: Can Paraprobiotics Support Mast Cells?
Next, let’s look at the other 2 factors you want to be aware of when choosing low histamine probiotics.
Probiotic Capsule Differences
Most probiotics come in gelatin or cellulose capsules. That’s ideal.
But sometimes, probiotics are available as a powder. That can be a problem if your probiotic is not spore-based.
A spore-based probiotic comes from bacteria that naturally occur in soil and vegetation.
Some people can be deficient in this type of bacteria. That’s because nowadays, we need to be so diligent with cleaning our vegetables due to pesticide residue and other environmental toxins.
Spore based probiotics mostly fall under the genus Bacillus. These forms are fairly resilient.
However, non-spore-based probiotics are more fragile. These probiotics made from non-spore-based bacteria lack a protective spore shell.
That means they can be more easily killed. And here’s why the powder form of non-spore-based probiotics can be a waste of your money.
Non-spore-based probiotics die in your stomach acid. If the probiotic is a powder, it will just die before it has a chance to do you much good.
However, if these non-spore-based probiotics are in a delayed-release capsule, it will get through the stomach acid intact. Then they can make their way to the intestines before the capsule dissolves. That’s what you want.
In the intestines, these good bacteria will help balance any bad bacteria that may lead to problems like SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowtth.)
You know it is a delayed-release capsule if it says the capsule is hydroxypropyl methylcellulose or Hypromellose.
Starting Low Histamine Probiotics with Sprinkles
You’ve probably heard me say to onboard new supplements with “drops or sprinkles.”
That’s because so many people with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome are super sensitive. It’s important to slowly introduce new things and gradually build up.
But you just read that delayed-release capsules were important, right?
So, should you start probiotics with sprinkles if it means taking it out of the delayed-release capsule? The answer is yes.
Here’s why.
You are slowly getting your body used to this new thing you are introducing.
Think of it as laying the groundwork.
The goal will be to work up to the whole capsule. Once you get to the whole capsule, the probiotics can start doing the work you intend.
However, many people with sensitivities need to build up to that point.
So, yes. Go ahead and start with just sprinkles.
To recap, you’ve learned that the type of probiotic is an important part of choosing a probiotic supplement.
And that a delayed release capsule for your low histamine probiotic is important.
There’s one more thing you should know. Read about that next.
Fillers and Additives
Be sure to look at the inactive ingredients in any probiotic supplement. Or any supplement.
There may be allergens or mast cell-triggering ingredients hidden in there.
Watch for things like:
- Maltodextrin
- Lactose
- Soy
- Wheat starch (may contain gluten)
- Titanium dioxide
- Artificial colors
- Talc
Any of those ingredients listed above may cause a reaction if you are dealing with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome or Histamine Intolerance.
Now you know the basics of what to consider when choosing a low histamine probiotic supplement.
Next up, you’ll read about what probiotics you want to be careful of if you have Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS), Histamine Intolerance, and SIBO.
Then I’ll share with you my favorite low histamine probiotics that can actually help lower histamine levels.
High Histamine Probiotics to Avoid if You Have Mast Cell Activation Syndrome or Histamine Intolerance
Some probiotics can be problematic for sensitive people with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome or Histamine Intolerance.
That’s because some bacterial strains commonly found in probiotics are bacteria that produce histamine. When these bacteria start to populate the gut, they can release histamine.
And histamine can trigger mast cells to release more histamine as well as other mast cell mediators.
Here’s a list of some common high histamine probiotics found in popular supplement blends:
- Lactobacillus helveticus
- Streptococcus thermophilus
- Bacillus Licheniformis
- Lactobacillus casei
- Lactobacillus delbrueckii
Note: You may see Lactobacillus delbrueckii listed referencing a subspecies sometimes. You may see it as Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus or as Lactobacillus delbrueckii or Lactobacillus bulgaricus.
These may increase histamine and/or tyramine.
You may also need to consider which probiotics to avoid if you have SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth.)
Probiotics to Avoid with SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth)
SIBO is an imbalance of bacteria in the small intestine.
Sometimes SIBO is an overgrowth of a particular kind of bacteria. Sometimes SIBO happens when the bad bacteria have outcompeted the good bacteria.
Either way, your gut health is out of whack.
There are several reasons why someone may develop SIBO.
SIBO and a Faulty Migrating Motor Complex (MMC)
The MMC moves food through the stomach and small intestine. When it isn’t working well, food doesn’t move through the gut like it should.
The lingering food matter then becomes a food source for the bad bacteria in your gut.
They can thrive under these conditions.
Then SIBO is more likely to occur.
Another issue that can lead to SIBO is leaky gut.
SIBO and Leaky Gut
Most of our gut bacteria are supposed to be in the large intestine/colon. When the sphincter between the two doesn’t close properly, bacteria from the colon can back up into the small intestine.
The small intestine is where absorption is supposed to take place. If it’s overrun with bacteria that don’t belong there, absorption isn’t as good.
And the gut lining can get compromised. Next thing you know, you’ve got a leaky gut.
Leaky gut can lead to:
- Chronic inflammation
- Poor absorption of nutrients
- Autoimmune disease
Leaky gut can also contribute to:
It can worsen FODMAP and Salicylate Intolerances as well.
In addition to the uncomfortable symptoms of SIBO, there’s another issue.
Gut issues like SIBO can trigger mast cell activation. And, if the overgrowth is of a histamine-producing bacteria, that can contribute to Histamine Intolerance, too.
So, if you have SIBO, you’re likely seeking health improvements by getting it under control.
And you may be looking at low histamine probiotics to introduce good bacteria.
Studies have shown that some probiotics can help with SIBO.
Related Article: SIBO Diet, Lifestyle Changes, and Supplements
But you must be careful about what you introduce. Even some low histamine probiotics may not be right for you if you have SIBO.
If you already have an overgrowth of a certain kind of bacteria, you don’t want to add any more of that bacteria! That could leave you feeling even worse.
There aren’t any specific guidelines of which probiotics to avoid for SIBO. It really depends on what type of overgrowths and imbalances you have.
But here’s what I’ve seen in the practice.
Those with SIBO tend to experience worse symptoms with:
- Lactobacillus probiotics
- Bifidobacteria probiotics
If you don’t have SIBO, you may not need to be concerned with those. That’s why it’s good to work with a practitioner to see what might be right for you.
When it comes to probiotics, it’s not just supplements you need to be aware of. Next, look at the probiotics in foods.
Probiotic Foods
Earlier you read about all the potential health benefits of probiotics.
That’s why people dealing with most types of chronic illness are often encouraged to consume fermented foods.
Fermented foods like sauerkraut, kimchi, and yogurt are often recommended to improve gut health, for example.
Unfortunately, people with Histamine Intolerance and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome usually don’t do well getting their good bacteria from ferments.
This is because those foods are usually fermented with histamine-producing bacteria.
Related Article: High Histamine Foods
Here are some of the common “Probiotic Foods” and the high histamine probiotics often found in each.
- Yogurt
- Lactobacillus delbrueckii
- Lactobacillus delbruecki bulgaricus
- Streptococcus thermophilus
- Lactobacillus casei (L. casei)
- Fermented plant foods (Sauerkraut, Kimchi)
- Lactobacillus casei
- Pediococcus pentosaceus
- Aged cheeses (Gouda, Swiss, Cheddar, Gorgonzola)
- Lactobacillus casei
- Lactobacillus bulgaricus
- Lactobacillus helveticus
- Streptococcus thermophilus
If you are trying to lower your histamine levels, eating foods with histamine raising probiotics isn’t the best choice.
Now you know what to avoid.
Next, read about low histamine probiotics and histamine-lowering probiotic supplements that you can consider.
Low Histamine Probiotic Supplements for those with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome or Histamine Intolerance
With Histamine Intolerance, your histamine levels are higher than your body can keep up with.
Eating high histamine foods can contribute to build up of histamine in your body. That’s why a low histamine diet can be helpful.
You’ll also get histamine release when your mast cells are triggered.
I see a lot of people with Histamine Intolerance, including myself, support themselves by taking the histamine degrading enzyme, DAO (diamine oxidase).
Related Article: Diamine Oxidase (DAO) for Mast Cell Activation Syndrome or Histamine Intolerance
But in addition to taking a DAO enzyme, you can support Histamine Intolerance with histamine lowering probiotics.
Naturally, you want to start with a low histamine probiotic.
But just because it is low histamine, doesn’t mean it is histamine lowering.
However, several probiotics have been shown in studies to support mast cells by reducing inflammatory mediators such as histamine:
- Bifidobacterium infantis
- Bifidobacterium longum
- Bifidobacterium bifidum
- Bifidobacterium breve
- Lactobacillus plantarum
- Lactobacillus rhamnosus
- Lactobacillus gasseri
- Lactobacillus salivarius
- Saccharomyces boulardii
Saccharomyces boulardii has also been shown in animal studies to increase DAO activity (DAO is a histamine degrading enzyme).
Another probiotic, Lactobacillus reuteri, sometimes (but not always) works for people with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome or Histamine Intolerance.
But because it’s not as generally well-tolerated, I usually recommend introducing L. reuteri after someone has started to improve.
Next, look at which probiotics may be more helpful if you have SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth)
Low Histamine Probiotics for SIBO
If you have SIBO and you also deal with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome, there are certain probiotics that you can consider.
What I’ve seen in the practice is that clients with SIBO tend to do better with:
- Spore-based probiotics
- Saccharomyces boulardii
Wondering where to start? Next, you’ll read about my favorite histamine lowering probiotic supplements.
My Top Histamine Lowering Probiotics
It’s important you know that this blog post is for informational and educational purposes. It’s not meant to treat any health condition or to be prescriptive for anyone. If you have any medical condition, it is critical you work under the care and guidance of a licensed medical provider.
In the Mast Cell 360 practice, I generally recommend that super sensitive people don’t start with a probiotic blend.
It will be easier to pinpoint what you are reacting to if you start with just one thing at a time. This includes starting with one probiotic species at a time.
I suggest starting low and slow. Start with just one probiotic species if you are very sensitive.
Lactobacillus rhamnosus
This Ther-Biotic Factor 1 Lactobacillus rhamnosus probiotic can be a good place to start. It’s both a low histamine probiotic and a histamine lowering probiotic.
Lactobacillus Combo
If you aren’t as sensitive, you might even be able to start with a probiotic blend that has several species of the same genus.
Be sure to get both a low histamine probiotic and a histamine lowering probiotic.
This Lactobacillus probiotic includes:
- L. plantarum
- L. rhamnosus
- L. salivari
If you are tolerating probiotics and ready for a combo probiotic, next are 2 very good histamine lowering probiotic supplements.
Histamine Lowering Probiotic Blends
There are 2 histamine lowering probiotics that tend to be well tolerated by the sensitive population.
Ther-Biotic Metabolic Formula Probiotic
This Ther-Biotic Metabolic Formula Probiotic includes:
- Lactobacillus acidophilus
- Lactobacillus plantarum
- Lactobacillus rhamnosus
- Bifidobacterium lactis
- Lactobacillus gasseri
- Bifidobacterium breve
- Bifidobacterium longum
Probiota HistaminX
And this histamine lowering probiotic blend, Probiota HistaminX includes:
- Bifidobacterium infantis
- Bifidobacterium bifidum
- Bifidobacterium longum
- Lactobacillus salivarius
- Lactobacillus plantarum
- Bifidobacterium lactis
- Bifidobacterium breve
Now, let’s look at a beneficial yeast probiotic. Remember, probiotics are both bacteria and yeasts.
Saccharomyces boulardii
Saccharomyces boulardii (S. boulardii) is a type of beneficial yeast.
It can help out-compete candida in the gut.
And it can be helpful for those with mold illness. Animal studies have shown that S. boulardii can work as a mycotoxin binder for:
- Ochratoxin A
- Gliotoxins
- Sterigmatocystin
- Zearalanone
Related Article: How To Detox Your Body from Mold Gently
And like you read earlier, it’s one that I have seen better tolerated with SIBO.
Here is a good quality one:
Spore-Based Probiotics
Like you read earlier, spore-based probiotics can withstand the acidity of the stomach.
So, they don’t have to be in delayed-release capsules like other probiotics.
Like non-spore-based probiotics, they help:
- Balance the immune system
- Reduce inflammation
- Improve digestion
- Help in gut repair
- Lower cholesterol
- Reduce pain
- and more
These are also typically well tolerated with SIBO, as you’ll recall.
Here are my favorites.
BioSpora
The BioSpora probiotic blend has:
- Bacillus coagulans – can also help with oxalate digestion
- Bacillus subtilis – produces natural antibiotics to keep your gut free of harmful bacteria
B. coagulans
But if you aren’t ready for a blend, you can get just the spore-based B. coagulans.
Do you like learning through watching or listening? Be sure to check on my presentation on Histamine Lowering Probiotics.
No need for Facebook to watch!
How To Consider Onboarding Low Histamine Probiotics
There are a lot of probiotics out there! Some could raise histamine, and some are histamine lowering probiotics.
Do your research. And talk with your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns.
I suggest introducing all new supplements very slowly.
You can start with a tiny sprinkle.
This is easy to do by emptying a small portion of the powder into 4-6 ounces of water. Or even onto food.
Most people with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome and Histamine Intolerance do much better increasing very slowly this way. You might give yourself 4-6 weeks to work up to a full capsule.
What low histamine probiotics have you tried? Have histamine lowering probiotics supported your gut health?
Learn more about Low Histamine Gut Health
- What Is Histamine Intolerance?
- SIBO and Histamine Intolerance
- SIBO Diet, Lifestyle Changes, and Supplements for MCAS and HIT
- Can Paraprobiotics Support Mast Cells?
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Selle, K., & Klaenhammer, T. R. (2013). Genomic and phenotypic evidence for probiotic influences of Lactobacillus gasserion human health. FEMS Microbiology Reviews, 37(6), 915–935. https://doi.org/10.1111/1574-6976.12021
Silva, M., Jacobus, N. V., Deneke, C., & Gorbach, S. L. (1987). Antimicrobial substance from a human Lactobacillus strain. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, 31(8), 1231–1233. https://doi.org/10.1128/aac.31.8.1231
Tham, W., Karp, G., & Danielsson-Tham, M. L. (1990). Histamine formation by enterococci in goat cheese. International Journal of Food Microbiology, 11(3–4), 225–229. https://doi.org/10.1016/0168-1605(90)90015-w
These probiotics lower histamine (rather than raising it) | Healing Histamine. (n.d.). https://healinghistamine.com/blog/these-probiotic-strains-lower-histamine-rather-than-raising-it/
Thomas, C. M., et al. (2012). Histamine derived from probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri suppresses TNF via modulation of PKA and ERK signaling. PloS one, 7(2), e31951. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0031951
Yue, Y., et al. (2020). Probiotic strain Lactobacillus plantarum YYC-3 prevents colon cancer in mice by regulating the tumour microenvironment. Biomedicine &Amp; Pharmacotherapy, 127, 110159. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopha.2020.110159
Yun, X., Shang, Y., & Li, M. (2015). Effect of Lactobacillus salivarius on Th1/Th2 cytokines and the number of spleen CD4⁺ CD25⁺ Foxp3⁺ Treg in asthma Balb/c mouse. International journal of clinical and experimental pathology, 8(7), 7661–7674.
Most complete and in dept info on the subject I’ve found anywhere. Thanks.
Great Article!
Thank you.
A very big thank you for the effort this took! It is appreciated beyond words.
This is soooo helpful!! I’ve had issues with basically all probiotics I’ve tried. I even tried the sm bourdarri as a mold binder. Tried an SIBO blend. About ready to give up on probiotics. Then someone suggested the histaminx by seeking health so though ok, what does mast cell 360 say as histamine has been key for me during recovery. Glad I read this bc now I know when I’m ready, I’ll start very slow with the suggested gentle ones. Thank you for providing all this information! It helps so much!
Great!
Wow, I so needed to hear this. Appreciate the detailed info on the numerous strains. I have never done well with the conventional probiotics either. Just bought a spore strain and my body biotested really well with it. My small intestine is quite inflammed, this should really help. Just bought some prebiotics too, so a discussion about these for MAST cell people would be helpful too.
This is great! – is there a way to print it in a condensed version?
Hi Karla,
We don’t have a printable list for the probiotics at this time. You could copy/paste the information you wanted to have handy into a new word document for easier printing.
I may have both mcas and sibo and have lots of diarrhea recently, though I’ve had those issues a lot longer.
Using a cdsa test, I found in totally lacking in any lacto. species. So even thought you’re saying to avoid it, that’s the one I don’t have at all.
Hmmm.
I also have Lyme disease and mycotoxin illness. An all around fun time…
Thanks for reaching out. I am sorry to hear you are dealing with these issues. I know it can be frustrating, to say the least. Everyone is different and should consider their own circumstances and needs when addressing what supplements to take or not to take. You have to listen to your intuition and body and talk to your doctor, too, to come up with a plan that will work best for you. While Beth will share only things she has found useful for herself and her clients, there is no one-size-fits-all protocol. We are all unique, and sometimes, that makes healing a bit of a challenge. But there is hope and the team here encourages you to keep working toward what will yield the best results for you.
Thanks for giving such detailed information, set out so clearly!
Great article. I have found Just Thrive extremely helpful. The four Strains Included in Just Thrive Are:
Bacillus Subtilis HU58.
Bacillus Indicus HU36.
Bacillus Clausii.
Bacillus Coagulans.
Hi Amy,
Beth says,
Glad you liked the article! Yes, it’s a very good probiotic people can graduate to. Many with MCAS and sensitivities do well to start with a 1-2 strains first and then can work up.
My son has FUT2 SNPs (and is a nonsecretor with autoimmunity problems). I am going to try the spore probiotic you recommend above. I also have started him recently on camel’s milk. Would you also recommend the non-histamine non-soil probiotics? Or would you recommend sticking with either soil based or non-soil based? Thanks in advance!
Hi Pat,
Beth says, “There are so many factors, that I can’t say for sure. I can tell you, in general, people with FUT2 variants often have less bifido bacteria, so those can be useful. I don’t know his case though, so you will want research this and talk to your doctor to make an informed decision.”
Does taking the probiotic out of the capsule mean it won’t survive through the stomach acid if it’s not a spore based probiotic?
Hi Danielle,
Yes, that’s correct, but it can still be a good way to get your body used to taking a probiotic and be able to build up slowly to a full capsule. –Beth
The links are mixed up on this blog post. Some of them aren’t the ones stated in the description right above it. Letting you know so it can get fixed! :). Thank you for this info.
Thank you so much, Tiffany! I will get this looked at right away!
I have a hard time swallowing capsules- are there any options for me? Maybe a smaller capsule or a chewable form?
Hi Chelsey,
You might want to look into smaller, delayed release caps which you can find on Amazon. Chewable probiotics won’t survive stomach acid.
Hello, I’m sorry if iv misunderstood or its talking about 2 different things but in the section what Probiotic we might want to avoid it states b.coagulans but then further down the page biospora is recommended which contains bacillus coagulans. Are they different things? Thanks so much for your help
Hi Laura,
B. Coagulans SL5 caused increased histamine in research, but the B. Coagulans MTCC 5856 (branded as LactoSpore®) seems to lower histamine.
Hello,
Is acacia gum also an ingredient you want to avoid? Similar to the guar and xanthan gum? Or is this ok?
Also: I’m learning so much because of this website and am slowly starting to heal myself. Thank you!
Hi Beth,
Which strand do you recommend for L. reuteri?
Thank you!
Hi Michelle,
This one contains a good L. reuteri: https://us.fullscript.com/o/catalog/products/U3ByZWU6OlByb2R1Y3QtOTMyMzM=/U3ByZWU6OlZhcmlhbnQtMTEwMTgw/
You’ll want to talk with your practitioner to see if this is the right choice for you. And if you decide to try it, we suggest starting very slowly with just “drops or sprinkles” and then gradually building up if you can tolerate it well.
If you use the link above to register an account, you’ll get 15% off your FullScript orders.
Hello,
The link does not work. What is the brand you recommend?
Will do Thank you!
-Michelle
Thank you so much for this information!! I’m dealing with high histamine levels. I have a yogurt maker machine. Can I use coconut milk + a capsule of the helpful probiotics listed here to make a yogurt that can ease the mast cell activation? Love, from Spain
Hi Cristina,
Yes, I’ve heard of some people doing this. Just keep in mind that the longer the yogurt sits out, the more histamine will naturally build in it from normal bacteria in the coconut milk, too. –Beth
Hi Suz,
I’d love to purchase the L.reuteri probiotic through your fullscript however the link you posted does not work. Would you be able to post the link again?
Thank you!
https://us.fullscript.com/o/catalog/products/U3ByZWU6OlByb2R1Y3QtOTMyMzM=/U3ByZ
Hi Michelle,
I just tested the link and it seems to be working. You might try a different browser or check your privacy settings. This link will take you to a page to register an account. It won’t take you directly to the product without having an account. That might be what you are seeing.
This one contains a good L. reuteri: https://us.fullscript.com/o/catalog/products/U3ByZWU6OlByb2R1Y3QtOTMyMzM=/U3ByZWU6OlZhcmlhbnQtMTEwMTgw/
You’ll want to talk with your practitioner to see if this is the right choice for you. And if you decide to try it, we suggest starting very slowly with just “drops or sprinkles” and then gradually building up if you can tolerate it well.
If you use the link above to register an account, you’ll get 15% off your FullScript orders.
I also had a question about B. Coagulans. I purchased the B. Coagulans from SeekingHealth and wondered if the B. Coagulans SNZ 1969 increases histamine levels and inflammation.
Also, I purchased both recommendations – Klaire Lab Biospora and SeekingHealth. Does Klaire Lab use the MTCC 5856 B. Coagulan?
Hi Reece,
This is what the product description from FullScript says. For more information, you might reach out to Klaire directly. Thanks for your interest!
BioSpora™ is a powerful, hypoallergenic blend of genetically certified Bacillus coagulans and B. subtilis species formulated to provide unique probiotic support of healthy gastrointestinal and immune function.† Spore-forming bacilli have often been referred to as soil-based microorganisms because of their ubiquitous presence in the earth. When isolated from the human GI tract, spore-forming bacilli have long been thought to be transient bacteria. However, current research shows that Bacillus species are present in the GI tract in numbers higher than can be explained by ingestion alone. Germination of Bacillus spores within the human small intestine and transient colonization is now thought to be part of the normal life cycle of human-associated Bacillus species providing specific stimuli for healthy GI and immune system development and function. Each capsule of BioSpora™ supplies a total of 2 billion CFUs of B. coagulans and B. subtilis spores positively identified through independent 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing. The spores are resistant to extremes of heat, ultraviolet radiation, solvents, hydrogen peroxide, and enzymes. The spores withstand stomach acid and germinate in the small intestine within 6 hours of ingestion. Ingested B. coagulans and B. subtilis reside in the human GI tract for up to 7 days following consumption. BioSpora™ is recommended for enhanced support of normal GI and immune function.† It is certified free of casein, gluten, and soy. BioSpora™ does not require refrigeration.
As a dietary supplement take one capsule daily with food or as directed by a healthcare practitioner. Capsules may be pulled apart and nutrients taken separately.
Serving Size: 1 Capsule
Amount Per Serving
Probiotic Blend … 240mg*
(2 billion CFUs) in a base of cellulose
Bacillus coagulans
Bacillus subtilis
Other Ingredients: Vegetarian capsule (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, water) and coconut oil powder.
Hi Reece,
The supplements Beth has listed here should not increase histamine levels or inflammation. If for some reason, you experience any kind of reaction when starting something new, stop use right away and talk with your doctor. Your doctor may advise you to start more slowly if you try again.
Best regards,
Suz, MC360
Could you recommend a probiotic that would increase Butyrate?
Hi Stephanie,
For butyrate, Beth likes Tributyrin X by Healthy Gut. You can find it here: https://healthygut.com/product/tributyrin-x/?oid=5&AFFID=435312&coupon_code=MC36015TRX
And if you want to read more about what Beth has to say about it, you can check out this article: https://mastcell360.com/enzymes-short-chain-fatty-acids-scfas-and-gut-health-in-sibo-mast-cell-activation-syndrome-and-histamine-intolerance/
Best wishes, Suz
Hi, do you know what this could be a problem?
When taking more probiotics than recommended I get histamine release big time? Even with a lot of prebiotics foods. Can you help to understand that? I was good at taking more in the beginning, but now my body will not take it.
Hello!
I recently bought a spore-based probiotic from Global Healing, Brevibacillus laterosporus. Do you know if this is a histamine lowering strain or a liberating strain? I’ve looked all over google and can’t find an answer.
Thank you!!
Kristen
Hi Kristen,
Beth said she’s not been able to find any data on it, but if anyone reading this has a study on this, she’d love to read it.
Thanks. One more question – does Beth know if Securil probotic (with two strains of Propionibacterium freudenreichii) is a histamine liberator or histamine lowering? I’ve read it’s very good for gut health, but I don’t want to take it without asking first.
Great information! But in one part you say that you can’t open the capsules bc it would be destroyed by stomach acid. And then you recommend just that for MCAS. Should I open or not?
Yes, that’s correct they’ll die in the stomach acid outside of a delayed release capsule. However, most of our community has significant supplement sensitivities and can’t start things with a whole capsule. This approach of starting with sprinkles is to help people who have supplement sensitivities allow their nervous system and immune system to get acclimated to the probiotic with less chance of reaction than they’d have to the whole capsule. This is a method that has allowed a lot of sensitive people to get probiotics on board. If you aren’t supplement sensitive and feel comfortable, you could of course start with a whole capsule. Another option is to transfer sprinkles to an empty delayed release capsule, but some people find this to be cumbersome.
One more question – does Beth know if Securil probotic (with two strains of Propionibacterium freudenreichii) is a histamine liberator or histamine lowering? I’ve read it’s very good for gut health, but I don’t want to take it without asking first.
Does Beth know if Securil probotic (with two strains of Propionibacterium freudenreichii) is a histamine liberator or histamine lowering? I’ve read it’s very good for gut health, but I don’t want to take it without asking first.
Hi Suz, above you mentioned that we could transfer sprinkles to an empty capsule, so that the stomach acid would not ruin the probiotic. But if you are taking a spore-based probiotic, this isn’t necessary, correct? For example, I am starting a new spore-based probiotic, can I just sprinkle its contents of that capsule in my water, without worrying about it being ruined by the stomach acid? Or are we not allowing to open this kind of (spore-based) capsules and instead must take them whole?
You’re correct. Spore-based isn’t affected by stomach acid.
You have the Single Strain Rhamnosus listed as something else
Hello!
Thanks for reaching out. The single strain rhamnosus are: Ther-Biotic Factor 1 (Lactobacillus rhamnosus) Probiotic and Seeking Health Bacillus Coagulans. It isn’t actually called single strain, which can be confusing. That just means there is one strain in this formula. I hope this helps!
Hi,
You emphasize how important the right strains are, however, some of your recommended products do not list strains at all, only species, which I find quite disappointing…
Would you know of strain-specific bifido probiotics that are ok for histamine (and if possible MCAS) patients?
https://www.probioticadvisor.com/probiotic-essentials-1/the-importance-of-strain/
HI Gabi,
Several of the products shown have bifidobacterium. Just click on any product and you’ll be able to see what’s in each one in the description on Fullscript.
Any product that Beth recommends, she will have looked into that particular product to see if it would be generally well tolerated by those with MCAS and/or HIT.
We do list some of the strains to avoid and some to consider in the section just above the recommendations.
I hope this helps clarify!
Suz
Does anyone know about the histamine properties of L. sporogenes (Allergy Research Group)?
Thanks.
Hi Arlene, Thanks for your interest! The probiotics we’ve found work best for those with HIT and/or MCAS are the ones we mention in the blog. We are unfamiliar with the strain you are inquiring about.
Hello
My doctor gave me a probiotic that has:
Saccharomyces boulardii, Bifidobacterium lactis Bi-07, Lactobacillus plantarum Lp-115, Lactobacillus salivarius Ls-33, Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM, Streptococcus thermophilus St-21,
Bifidobacterium lactis Bl-04
I did my research but it appears S. Thermophilus raises histamine. First question is, does this strain raise levels? Second question, if this stain is mixed with others that lower histamine, will it even itself out? This seems to be the only strain that raised histamine.
I’m pretty wired after taking it and my sense of smell is very heightened ( for me an indicator of histamine in my body) this leads me to believe this probiotic may not be good with that strain. Any thoughts?
Hi Christine. Unfortunately, S. Thermophilus does raise histamines as stated in the post. Since you know your body better than anyone and experienced symptoms after taking this one that had both histamine lowering and raising strains you may want to explore a different probiotic at this time. Last week, Beth reviewed this topic on a FB live, you can watch the replay here: https://www.facebook.com/MastCell360/videos/1226158864912495
Hi Beth and team 🙂
You are saving my life and my hope. And I see you doing the same for many more lost souls around here!
Thank you so much for all the information you share with the world; such solidarity and empathy isn’t usually found nowadays.
I have a question for you:
I understand that taking the Saccharomyces Boulardii is ideal in form of delayed release capsules (and I’m now just starting “with sprinkles”, taken from opened capsules).
But… in the country I live in, there’s only very (sorry) shitty S.B. products, with capsules that contain artificial colors, inulin, titanium dioxide, etc.
I’ve researched ALL of them.
In top of that, bringing “medicine” (as this kind of supplement/probiotic is considered by our government’s regulations) is rendered almost impossible for a normal person like me (not a pharmaceutical industry, pharmacy, or professional authorized medicine importer).
I’ve even written to many of such companies trying to convince them to import this and other products you suggest, for the people whit problems like mine, like ours…
They’re not interested, as it is not a massively known issue here. They just say “there’s already S.B. and other probiotics here… And HIT and MCAS isn’t something in this country, so it won’t sell”.
Well… I’ve tried. But the result is pathetic…!
So: in this case, is it better if I continue taking the content inside the capsules, without the capsules? or do I take the capsules with harmful ingredients anyway so the S.B. reaches my intestines intact and stays only there?
I don’t know what’s best… or worse…!
I’m sorry this story got long.
Thank you once again and a million more times!
Hi Eila, We’re sorry to hear you are having a hard time getting the supplements you need in your country. You may be interested in looking into MYUS as a way to get products shipped internationally. You can explore that here: https://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=k/vTI4BDfsk&offerid=376619.14&type=3&subid=0. To answer your question, it really depends. Unfortunately, since we are unfamiliar with your individual case we cannot say what supplements are the best fit for you. With MCAS, you might be activating your mast cells with the additives. Our recommendation to start with sprinkles is for the sensitive population to help onboard a new supplement. You can always experiment taking the supplement both ways to see which one works best for you.
Thank you so much for your kind reply and help! 🙂
Have a nice year.
Hi,
I took the Thorne Bacillus Coagulans last night and woke up to a severe MCAS flare – nausea, diarrhea, vertigo, headache and shortness of breath. It’s lasted most of the day. I would not recommend Thorne’s product. Curious why you’re recommending it when the Google machine says it’s a histamine liberator. My experience agrees – not good for us sensitive mast cell individuals.
Hi,
I occasionally read Beth’s blogs and some are very helpful for my son who has many food allergies and intolerances including histamine and oxalates. He is doing well on this Smidge® Sensitive Probiotic powder which has eight clinically-proven strains of probiotics for gut health (seven human strains: L. gasseri, L. salivarius, B. bifidum, B. breve, B. infantis, B. longum, B. lactis; and L. plantarum, a plant-based strain).
Website link: https://www.getsmidge.com/products/sensitive-probiotic-powder
This probiotic is available world wide and has great reviews.
Cheers Cindy.
Hi Cindy! Thank you for sharing your experience. Glad to hear you have found something that works for your son.
Hi from northern Sweden i wondering if Lactobacillus Acidophilus is good for lowering histamine and mcas?
Hi Alexander! In the article, Beth discusses a histamine lowering blend that includes the strain Lactobacillus Acidophilus as generally well tolerated. Of course we cannot say if this particular strain will or will not work for you, so if you decide to try it you may want to onboard it slowly.
Hi Jamie,
I recently bought Florajen Digestive Probiotic as they claim it does not produce tyramine, however do you know if they produce histamine?
It contains:
Lactobacillus acidophilus LA-14 and acidophilus NCFM
Bifidobacterium lactis B1-07 and lactis HN019
Bifidobacterium longum BL-05
I haven’t had the means to get tested yet but I have severe sensitivities to medications, supplements and most definitely fermented foods. I’ve been to the ER several times due to hypertensive crisis and had no idea it could be related to foods, ect…… Thank you for putting this information out, as none of the doctors I’ve seen even suggested it could be. Thanks to your website I’ve learned a lot and have been following a low histamine diet which is helping, I’ve got a lot to learn and praying to be able to get tested for intolerances soon.
Thank You so much for all that you all do to bring about awareness!
Hi Lora, we are unfamiliar with Florajen Digestive Probiotics, so we cannot comment on it at this time. Although if you compare to the other products Beth discusses, it does contain probiotic strains that may support mast cells. Since we are unfamiliar with your individual case, we cannot say if this product will or will not work for you.
We are happy to hear that our resources have been helpful for you starting a low histamine diet which is helping. Another area you may want to explore more is working on your nervous system. This is one of the first steps our practitioners work on with private clients, and especially helpful when experiencing severe sensitivities. You can learn more about our Nervous System Reboot here: mastcell360.com/mastcell-reboot/
What are your thoughts on Megasporebiotics?
Megasporebiotics is a product that we may recommend to clients on a case by case basis. Beth has recently found research that spore based probiotics can effectively bind to certain mycotoxins. You can learn more about this in our Mold Course: https://mastcell360.com/mold-course/
If you’d like to purchase MegaSpore, you can use this link for 15% off: https://us.fullscript.com/product_cards/91000/redirect?store_slug=mastcell360. You can also get 15% off anything at Fullscript anytime when you register with this link. If you don’t have an account already, it’s free and you just enter your email address to sign up. It never costs you any more, but your Fullscript purchase helps support Mast Cell 360 free online resources.
Hi There! Thanks for this helpful info!
Do you have any info on whether the probiotics in this high-quality dental-health probiotic (https://www.greatoralhealth.com/collections/oral-health-products-1/products/patent-7-strain-formulation-oral-probiotics) increase histamine?
(Ingredients include: Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus Reuteri, Lactobacillus Paracasei, Lactobacillus salivarius, Steptococcus thermophilus, S. salivarius K12 (BLIS K12), S. salivarius M18 (BLIS M18)).
I see that none are on the high histamine list in this article. But I’ve been getting stomach aches with these probiotics, and am beginning to suspect histamine…(The problem is, I really need to take an oral health probiotic (due to a dental issue)).
I’d appreciate any info.
Thanks!
Hi Katharine,
Unfortunately, the article above states that Lactobacillus Reuteri sometimes (but not always) works for people with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome or Histamine Intolerance. Some of the strains listed in the product you’re inquiring about are histamine lowering, but there are also some that we do not have information regarding histamines at this time. Since we are unfamiliar with your individual case we cannot say whether or not you should stop this product, but since you are having a reaction, you may want to discuss an alternative option with your medical provider who is familiar with your case.
Warm greetings,
Do you have any low-histamine probiotics you recommend for dental health (e.g. designed specifically to help the microbiome in the mouth?)
I’ve been searching with no luck.
Thanks for your prior answer to my other question and providing all this great info!
Hello!
I’m looking for a low-histamine probiotic that contains Lactobacillus reuteri and/or Lactococcus Lactis (both good for oral / dental health).
(Ideally, I’m looking for a probiotic with just those 2 strains. If a product contains other strains too, they’d need to be low histamine or neutral histamine.)
Might you have any companies or products to check for a probiotic that contains those strains? (I’ve checked Klaire labs and Seeking Health…)
Thanks SO much!
Doesn’t the Bacillus Coagulans cause constipation? I have experimented with it in the past and that is what I have experienced. Would the Lactobacillus Rhamnosus be a better choice for someone like me with MCAS & Methane SIBO to help with motility?
Hi Jan, Different people may have different reactions to certain probiotic strains. When it comes to the microbiome we each have a very unique make up, it is like a fingerprint! Lactobacillus Rhamnosus, as mentioned in this blog post, can help lower inflammatory mediators such as histamine so some with MCAS can find it useful. Some people also find Saccharomyces boulardii, a type of beneficial yeast, useful when SIBO is part of the equation. Since we are unfamiliar with your individual case we cannot say for certain what strains of probiotics will or will not work for you and recommend discussing with your practitioner before adding anything new. For more on SIBO you may find this post helpful as well: https://mastcell360.com/sibo-diet-and-lifestyle/
Hi! I have been diagnosed with histamine intolerance and am wondering your thoughts on MegaSporebiotic are? It contains Bacillus licheniformis SL-307, and I see that Bacillus Licheniformis is listed above as one of the high histamine probiotics. I ask because I found a website by Alison Vickery (functional health practitioner in Australia) who said that after a period of die-off symptoms, MegaSporebiotic has worked exceptionally well for many of her clients. Do you think it’s ok to try (my doctor said yes but that it might either help or raise my histamine levels) or do you think it’s a bad idea?
Hi Andrea! MegaSpore is a product that our practitioners sometimes recommend for a client as part of their detox protocol. Unfortunately, since we are unfamiliar with your individual case we cannot say if it would or wouldn’t work for you individually.
This is a great article, very helpful. Thank you.
I am however not sure how to evaluate which spore based probiotics are advisable for mcas. How can I eg find out if the probiotic by youth and earth is ok?
Thanks a lot
We are not familiar with the probiotic by Youth and Earth, but I would compare the strains listed on the label to the low histamine strains listed above.
Is there a best time to take a probiotic? I always thought morning was best but bottle says after dinner… thoughs?
Hi Michele, we are unable to advise on when you should take your supplements and recommend discussing this with your licensed medical provider who is familiar with your case.
Thank you for your articles. MegaSpore was bad for my case with histamine intolerence. I stopped taking MegaSpore because I couldn’t sleep at all for itchy hives occurred.
We are sorry to hear that you had a reaction to MegaSpore. It is important to listen to your body, so we are glad to hear you were able to figure out the cause of your symptoms and stop to remove the reaction. While MegaSpore is one of the products we recommend, not everything we have on the website will be right for everyone so we always recommend discussing any new supplements with your licensed medical provider.
A quick question of ‘Bacillus Coagulan’. I saw that B.coagulans (SC-208) is high histamine probiotic. What do you think of B. Coagulans (MTCC5260) ? Link – https://compoundingpharmacyaustralia.com/products/spectrumceuticals-sporebiotic-90-caps?variant=43000196792496¤cy=AUD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gclid=CjwKCAiApuCrBhAuEiwA8VJ6Jo0wawYqIRpMv1zT1tAtDxXS8ocm-WAueRXO5lqiljBJNU4zAq9PrBoCxvEQAvD_BwE
Thank you.
I’m sorry but we do not have any information to share on specific B.coagulan strains at this time and are not familiar with the product you posted. In the clinic, we have generally found that the spore based probiotics work for many with histamine intolerance, but of course since everyone is different and you may need to experiment to see what products do and do not work for you. Please always discuss any new products with your licensed medical provider.
Is Lactococcus lactis a degrader or producer of histamines? I don’t find much information about it in human use, just for making dairy products. Thanks!
Hello, we don’t believe that lactococcus lactis is a histamine producer, but I don’t have a resource to confirm that at this time. Please note that everyone’s tolerances are different so you may need to discuss this with your licensed medical provider and experiment if this strain does or doesn’t work for you.