1. [The histamine-free diet].
- Author
-
Wantke F, Götz M, and Jarisch R
- Subjects
- Adolescent, Adult, Amine Oxidase (Copper-Containing) deficiency, Amine Oxidase (Copper-Containing) physiology, Asthma enzymology, Child, Child, Preschool, Dermatitis, Atopic enzymology, Female, Food Hypersensitivity enzymology, Headache diet therapy, Headache enzymology, Humans, Infant, Male, Middle Aged, Migraine Disorders diet therapy, Migraine Disorders enzymology, Respiratory Hypersensitivity enzymology, Urticaria enzymology, Wine adverse effects, Asthma diet therapy, Dermatitis, Atopic diet therapy, Food Hypersensitivity diet therapy, Histamine administration & dosage, Respiratory Hypersensitivity diet therapy, Urticaria diet therapy
- Abstract
Food intolerance is not IgE-mediated but caused by histamine. A diminished histamine degradation based on a deficiency of diaminoxidase is suspected to be the reason. The therapeutic efficacy of a histamine-free diet was evaluated in 100 patients with food intolerance and allergic diseases, who were required to avoid fish, cheese, hardcured sausage, pickled cabbage, wine and beer for 4 weeks. Considerable improvement was observed in 57 patients, 15 of whom had total remission. The most striking treatment results were obtained in food or wine intolerance (80% P < 0.05; treatment of choice), bronchial asthma (80%), headache (64%) and urticaria (58%). After ingestion of food rich in histamine clearcut recurrence of atopic eczema was seen in 50% of the patients affected. Histamine plays a major part in food and wine intolerance. Histamine in food causes worsening of symptoms in atopics and patients suffering from headache. The results obtained indicate a deficiency of diaminoxidase in patients with intolerance to food or wine. Histamine levels in alcoholic beverages should be displayed on the labels.
- Published
- 1993