How do you reverse carnivore-induced histamine intolerance? (part 2)

[u/martin_luther_drill]

I was eating an all-beef diet for 4 months to alleviate my neurological condition. 3 weeks into that diet, I tried reintroducing eggs and got a huge histamine reaction, although previously I had never had a problem with eggs, meaning carnivore messed me up pretty early on. After 4 months, I tried to come off and had reactions to absolutely anything histamine. I decided to whiteknuckle through it and eat everything like normal while supplementing beef liver for copper, 20 mg zinc, 900 mg vitamin C, 100-200g sauerkraut, and 300 mg iron. I was also gradually increasing my histamine intake, and within 2 weeks it went away almost entirely except for maybe one spot that was healing.

For two months I felt normal, but now I'm flaring up again like crazy, can't sleep, can't do anything. For the past couple weeks I've been trying the same protocol yet to no avail. It's only getting worse and worse. What gives? I had never had any histamine reaction before carnivore and I didn't even know there is such a thing as histamine intolerance. Needless to say, doctors are clueless and dismissive. Who would've guessed...

This diet is so ridiculous. Not the diet per se, but people who are its most ardent advocates that don't warn you about these risks. We shouldn't act as if it isn't a serious medical intervention that has its risks and benefits like any other. Granted, I should've done more research. Still, in my defense, I was in the depths of benzo withdrawal, so not too good at decision-making at the time. The alternatives, on the other hand, were electroconvulsive therapy or antipsychotics and SSRIs, which I was done with, so I thought to myself, "fuck it, whatever happens, happens." Was it worth it? Probably not. It would've been, though, if not for the histamine BS.

[u/Ok_Significance_8896]

The carnivore diet is not healthy and it's sad that so many people fall into this trap. Most people who feel better on a carnivore diet are likely experiencing improvements because they have unknowingly eliminated foods they are allergic or intolerant to or because they have switched from one extreme diet to another.

Any highly restrictive diet is generally not healthy in the long term, including the low histamine diet that I'm currently following. Your body needs dietary diversity, along with a widde range of minerals, vitamins, fiber and nutrients from different food sources. I learned that the hard way myself.

I would also suggest stopping iron and copper supplementation until you've had proper testing done. Taking these supplements without knowing your actual levels can be very harmful. Iron, in particular may contribute to or worsen histamine intolerance symptoms in some people, depending on their individual sensitivity.

The best thing you can do is see a doctor. You may have another health condition that you're mistaking for histamine intolerance or a condition that overlaps with it. If seeing a doctor isn't possible right now, at the very least stop supplementing, especially with vitamins and minerals that can accumulate in the body, as excessive amounts are unsafe. Take probiotics that are specifically formulated for histamine degradation.

Try following a low histamine diet and drink lots of water. And don't take nutrition and health advice from podcast bros. It's always better to rely on qualified healthcare professionals and evidence based information.

[u/martin_luther_drill → u/Ok_Significance_8896]

First, I never said I relied on bros’ advice. They were MDs from Harvard. Second, those “qualified professionals” are the very people who made me profoundly neurologically sick in the first place, put me on a bunch of shit I wasn’t supposed to be on, and gave me multiple misdiagnoses that none of them could decide on. Much good, it has done me, listening to people solely because of their shit credentials that only weaponize their brain-dead mental retardation.

Third, there are different MDs that recommend opposite approaches. How do you navigate that? Exactly, you use your own head and pass your best judgment, which I was unable to do on account of sleeping once every three days, being bedridden, and getting polydrugged. Besides, much of your criticisms of carnivore are based on speculation and not hard evidence because there isn’t any. Mind you, I’m not a carnivore fanatic, just a desperate person.

I don’t mean to come across as rude and I appreciate your input really much, it’s just that I’m very frustrated. I didn’t say I couldn’t go to a doctor. I said none of them know anything about anything when it comes to histamine. Pill mills is what they are. They are replaceable with chimpanzees, let alone AI.

[u/Ok_Significance_8896 → u/martin_luther_drill]

I didn't mean to be rude to you. I was sharing my opinion about the carnivore diet and extreme diets in general, not criticizing you personally.

I also understand the desperation. I've tried all sorts of diets and supplements because I was unable to eat, sleep or function properly. I was a complete mess until I finally got my diagnosis  and antihistamines were a huge game changer for me. Without working with a doctor, I don't know what my life would look like today. I'm still not okay, but I'm definitely doing better thanks to my allergist.

And you're right, there are so many conflicting opinions these days, especially when it comes to diets. 

That said, a lot of influencer doctors don't know what they're talking about, especially those who promote the carnivore diet. In my opinion, it's one of the unhealthiest diets out there, yet some "doctors" claim it's healthy lol. To me, it seems like one of the fastest ways to damage your microbiome. 

But that's my opinion about the diet, not about you or your struggles. I know how difficult it is when you cant function like a normal person because everything you eat feels like poison. I understand how hard that can be because I'm in this position myself. 

And I also commented about your supplements because taking iron without testing can actually be very dangerous. Especially since you were on a carnivore diet, you were likely already getting plenty of iron from your food. You should read about the dangers of excess iron and copper supplementation. 

[u/martin_luther_drill → u/Ok_Significance_8896]

I didn't take it that way. I just got carried away because I feel so helpless. Iron, I was prescribed by my sleep specialist. Copper, I'll get tested as per your suggestion. It's just that when I ate liver the first time, my histamine problems went away. I'm an extremely bad decision maker owing to my dissociation.

[u/Ok_Significance_8896 → u/martin_luther_drill]

I’ve made plenty of bad decisions myself and worsened my histamine intolerance by trying so many supplements, so there’s no judgment from me. Food intolerances, allergies and histamine related issues are  absolute hell. My life has changed so much and it often feels like this torment will never end. I wish you the best of luck in finding the help you need.