Low stomach acid causes histamine issues
Low stomach acid, or hypochlorhydria, can lead to histamine problems through numerous mechanisms:
Increased Bacterial Overgrowth – Stomach acid acts as a barrier to prevent bacterial overgrowth in the stomach and small intestine. Low stomach acid can lead to bacterial overgrowth, including bacteria that produce histamine. This can result in higher levels of histamine in the gut.
Impaired Protein Digestion – Adequate stomach acid is essential for the proper digestion of protein. When stomach acid is low, protein may not be fully broken down, leading to the accumulation of partially digested protein and peptides. These can trigger the release of histamine as part of the immune response.
Increased Histamine-Producing Foods – Low stomach acid can cause delayed gastric emptying, leading to increased fermentation of food in the stomach. Fermented foods are naturally high in histamine. This can exacerbate histamine levels in the body, contributing to symptoms such as headaches, hives, and gastrointestinal issues.
Decreased DAO Enzyme Activity – Diamine oxidase (DAO) is an enzyme responsible for breaking down histamine in the digestive tract. Low stomach acid can negatively impact the function and production of DAO, leading to decreased histamine degradation and histamine levels.
Inflammation and Gut Permeability – Low stomach acid can lead to gut inflammation and increased intestinal permeability, also known as leaky gut. This allows larger molecules, including histamine, to pass through the gut lining into the bloodstream, triggering systemic histamine symptoms.
Stress on Mast Cells – Low stomach acid can lead to changes in the gut environment that stress mast cells, which are immune cells that store and release histamine. This stress can cause mast cells to release more histamine in the gut, exacerbating histamine intolerance and related symptoms.
Managing stomach acid levels and supporting proper digestion can help mitigate these issues and reduce histamine-related symptoms. If you react to taking stomach acid supplementation, including by using apple cider vinegar, it means there’s damage to your stomach lining that first needs to be repaired.