top of page
Search

Beat the Bloat - Is Histamine Contributing?

Updated: Feb 12




Do you feel bloated? Does your abdomen get more and more distended throughout the day?



Maybe you even wake up with that bloated, distended feeling.



Bloat is uncomfortable! Your clothes feel too tight, and you might have a tight feeling in your tummy. It might even be painful and impact your daily life.


It happens when gas or air fill your digestive tract. It can be accompanied by burping and/or flatulence, but these aren’t always present.


Temporary bloating usually isn’t usually a concern, but when it’s ongoing it needs to be explored.


A Real Gas!


Gas forms when you eat food, and it gets broken down in the digestive tract. Your gut microbes are responsible for this gas formation.



Microbes in the digestive tract will ferment (they eat the food you eat too) carbohydrates. When they do this, gas is produced.


While this microbial gas formation is a normal occurrence after eating, it shouldn’t leave you feeling uncomfortable or like your clothes no longer fit comfortably.


When bloating is accompanied by distension, pain, diarrhea, constipation, reflux, or excessive burping or flatulence it isn’t enjoyable.


Not only is it not fun, but it’s a sign that something might potentially be wrong!


What’s Wrong?

There are many reasons why you can feel bloated, but bloating is a sign. It’s your body’s way of trying to communicate to you that something is wrong. Excessive gas is an indication that something is going on in your digestive tract that isn’t normal.



Some factors contributing to your bloating can include:



Histamine and mast cells may have a role in each of these factors.




Here’s what the research tells us:

  • Bloating is one of the most common symptoms of histamine intolerance (1)

  • IBS can have mast cell involvement (2)

  • Many GI infections have been studied as triggers to mast cell activation including SIBO (3) and candida albicans (4)

  • Hormone changes throughout women’s menstrual cycles impact histamine release from mast cells (5, 6, 7)


Quit it, you old gasbag!


Ways to stop the bloat

  1. Always consult with your doctor or medical team first if you have severe bloating. Bowel obstruction, Crohn’s, colitis, celiac, organ failure, and cancers can also be causes of chronic bloating. It is important to rule these out.


  2. Get tested for SIBO and other possible GI infections like H. pylori or candida albicans with your functional or integrative practitioner. These microbial imbalances will require treatment.

  3. Eat a low histamine, mast cell stabilizing diet. You can download our Shopping List to get started.






If you're ready to understand the signs your body is telling you, we'd love to see you at our upcomign free Histamine Connection Master Class webinar.





We encourage you to join us live whenever possible, as each session is followed by a Live Q&A, giving you the opportunity to ask questions and learn alongside others on a similar path.



If you can’t attend live, that’s absolutely okay. A replay link is sent shortly after, and you’ll have five days to watch at a time that feels supportive for you.

 
 
 

Comments

bottom of page