• Hosts: Ed Jones (Owner – Nutrition World) & Clint Powell
• A variety of topics all related to living a healthy life.

Presented by: Nutrition World

www.nutritionw.com

Production of: Whitfield Media Group

www.vitalhealthradio.com

Broadcasting from the Nooga Dentistry Studio

www.noogadentistry.com

Show Summary & Time Stamps:

Title: Histamines, Kidneys & Hidden Stressors: A Holistic Health Deep Dive

[0:00:00] Intro, and Opening Segment

• Episode topics preview:
  • Kidney health with clinical pharmacist Dr. Curt Dearing.
  • Histamines with naturopathic doctor Naomi.
• Ed briefly shares:
  • Recent podcast (Holistic Navigator) with Jen from Whole Sun Mushrooms:
    • Humans share ~55% genetic similarity with mushrooms.
    • Focus on medicinal mushrooms (shiitake, reishi, turkey tail, chaga, lion’s mane).
    • Potential role in reducing microplastics in the body.
    • Ed’s daily use of Deep Immune Health Mushrooms (Whole Sun) – 3–4 caps/day.
    • Would add mushrooms as a “core 5” nutrient category for daily health.
• Ed plugs Fire Hawk Herbicide:
  • Non‑glyphosate, non‑chemical herbicide.
  • Works by dehydrating plants rather than poisoning them.
  • Marketed as safer for pets and people; available at Nutrition World.

[0:09:30] Naomi – What Histamines Are & Why They Matter

• Introducing Naomi, ND (Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine) from:
  • National University of Natural Medicine, Portland, OR.
  • 4‑year, pre‑med level naturopathic medical training.
  • Holistic, integrative approach from day one (not just “natural” weekends added to standard med school).
• What is Histamine?
  • A messenger molecule produced by the body/immune system.
  • Classic role in allergy responses (swelling, itching, tissue “alert”).
  • Also used in stomach acid production.
  • Problems arise when there is more histamine than the body can break down and eliminate.
• How the Body “Deals With” Histamine
  • Body uses enzymes to break down histamine so it can be eliminated.
  • Naomi’s “bucket” analogy:
    • Your body has a “histamine bucket.”
    • If breakdown capacity (enzymes + cofactors) is adequate, histamine never becomes an issue.
    • If capacity is impaired, histamine builds up, symptoms appear.

[0:15:30] Food, Gut, Hormones & Histamine Overload

• Food Sources of Histamine
  • Many foods (including healthy ones) are high in histamine or affect histamine breakdown:
    • High/aged/fermented: wine, cheese, yogurt, leftovers, slow‑cooked/aged foods.
    • Healthy but histamine‑implicated: citrus, avocado, tomato, eggplant, spinach.
  • Key point: It’s not the food’s “fault” alone, but how impaired your system is at handling histamine.
• Why Foods Bother You Sometimes and Not Others
  • During high pollen season, the histamine bucket is already partly full.
  • Adding histamine‑rich foods then can tip you over into symptoms.
  • People may feel confused:
    • A food may only bother them sometimes – often due to context (season, pollen, stress, hormones).
• Histamine vs Allergy
  • Histamine is involved in true allergies (including anaphylaxis).
  • But histamine from food does not necessarily mean a true immune allergy to that food.
• Gut Microbiome’s Role
  • Changes in the gut microbiome alter how you handle histamine.
  • Even “good” bacteria can be histamine‑producing.
  • Some people take probiotics and feel worse (bloating, diarrhea) because they may have too many histamine‑producing strains.
• High estrogen status:
  • Increase histamine.
  • Compete for the same detox tools (magnesium, active B6/P‑5‑P, etc.).
  • This can:Raise histamine and simultaneously reduce capacity to break it down.

[0:21:05] First‑Line Natural Strategies for Histamine Symptoms

• Acute Symptom Relief Strategy
  • Example: Clint has severe pollen issues, wants to feel better now.
  • Two‑pronged approach:
    • Keep histamine production/release low.
    • Increase breakdown/elimination.
• Stabilizing Mast Cells (Reduce Histamine Dumping)
  • Mast cells store histamine; when triggered, they “degranulate” and dump it.
  • Overactive mast cells lower the threshold for reactions.
  • Natural mast cell stabilizers: Quercetin, Nettle and Vitamin C.
• Supporting Histamine‑Breaking Enzymes (Elimination)
  • Key nutrients for histamine‑degrading enzymes:
    • P‑5‑P (active B6).
    • Pantothenic acid (B5).
    • Copper.
    • Magnesium.
    • B12 and folate.
  • Practical:
    • A good B‑complex as a base.
    • Often add extra B6 and B5 for targeted histamine support.
  • Note on B‑complex:
    • Works better than single isolated B’s because B vitamins are synergistic.
    • Take with food to avoid nausea; high single doses (e.g., B12) may feel jittery for some.
• DAO Enzyme for Food‑Related Histamine
  • Enzyme that helps break down food‑derived histamine in the gut.
  • Naomi and Ed:
    • See it as a useful test tool or short‑term support if symptoms seem food‑driven.
    • Not a full long‑term solution; usually means the “bucket” is full from other causes too.

• Histamine can present as more than sinus/allergy issues:
  • Anxiety, joint pain, heartburn, high blood pressure, etc.
  • Because histamine receptors are distributed all over the body.
• Naomi’s Practice & Availability
  • Practice: Alma Holistic Wellness
    • Website: almaholisticwellness.com
    • Location: Rossville, GA, ~15–20 minutes from Nutrition World.
    • Offers in‑person and virtual visits.
    • Does testing and detailed individualized plans.
  • At Nutrition World:
    • Typically present Wednesdays and Saturdays (most weeks).
    • Available to answer questions in‑store.

[0:32:37] Dr. Curt Dearing – Kidney Health Deep Dive

• Introducing Dr. Dearing: Clinical pharmacist with decades of experience:
  • Pharmacy degree and residency from Mercer (Atlanta).
  • Clinical work at Grady Health System (Atlanta).
  • Returned to Chattanooga in 1997.
  • Now on staff at Nutrition World (since mid‑2024)
• Why Kidney Health Matters
  • Declining kidney function (e.g., lower GFR) is common with age.
  • Often the “death organ” when it fails in later life.
  • Building kidney reserve is like building endurance capacity:
• What Do Kidneys Actually Do?
  • Kidneys are the body’s filter & sorter:
    • Filter everything through.
    • Send everything out, then re‑absorb what’s needed (e.g., sodium, potassium, glucose).
• Many drugs are quietly stressing kidneys over time.

• NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen, etc.)
  • Block prostaglandins:
  • Good: Less inflammation and pain.
  • Bad:
    • Prostaglandins protect kidney blood flow.
    • Less prostaglandins → reduced kidney perfusion.
  • NSAIDs kill ~60,000 people/year, mainly via GI bleeding; kidney damage is also a concern.
  • “Triple Whammy” risk: NSAID + ACE inhibitor (e.g., lisinopril) + diuretic = high kidney risk.
• Antibiotics
  • Directly injure kidney tissue (especially with long use and dehydration).
  • Form crystals that block flow in kidney structures.
  • Some IV antibiotics are so kidney‑toxic they’re only used in‑ hospitals, with pharmacists monitoring labs and adjusting doses.
• Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) – Prilosec, Nexium, Prevacid
  • Intended for short‑term use, but often taken long‑term.
  • Over time, they significantly increase risk of chronic kidney disease.
• Blood Pressure Meds: ACE Inhibitors & ARBs
  • Generally considered renal protective.
  • But in a subset of patients, they can worsen kidney function, so monitoring is key.
• Diuretics
  • Can lead to electrolyte imbalances and dehydration, both hard on kidneys.
• GLP‑1 Agonists (Ozempic, Wegovy, etc.)
  • Create risk of: Electrolyte imbalance & dehydration, which can injure kidneys.
• Contrast Dyes (Imaging) & Laxatives
  • Contrast dyes used in imaging can be nephrotoxic, especially in susceptible individuals.
  • Strong laxatives can cause dehydration, lowering kidney perfusion.

  • Dr. Deering recommends:

• Every 6 months, review your full med list with your doctor.
• He offers medication reviews at Nutrition World:
  • Looks for unnecessary meds.
  • Proposes “green pharmacy” (nutraceutical) alternatives where appropriate.

• PPI Tapering Program
  • Growing demand: at least one consult/week just for getting off PPIs.
    • Step 1: Renew the gut (microbiome support, lifestyle changes).
    • Step 2: Educate on diet/lifestyle for reflux.
    • Step 3: Slow taper of PPI (often 1–2+ months).
      • Goal: restore function instead of long‑term acid suppression.
• Lab Monitoring
  • For ACE inhibitors:
    • Should check kidney function (GFR/creatinine) at baseline and ~1 month after start.
    • Often overlooked in routine practice.
  • Ed also plugs affordable labs via Be Well Labs for self‑advocacy.

[0:49:11] Kidney‑Supportive Lifestyle & Nutrients

• Core Lifestyle
  • Hydration: Absolutely central; dehydration is a common kidney stressor.
  • Electrolytes: Help retain water rather than just urinating it out quickly.
  • Plant‑rich diet: More plants, less highly processed food.
  • Avoid protein overload: Very high protein long term can strain kidneys in some people.
• Kidney‑Supportive Herbs & Nutrients
  • Dandelion root, parsley, celery seed, beets.
  • Dedicated kidney formulas 
  • N‑Acetyl Cysteine (NAC): Supports liver detox, lungs, brain, and also kidneys by reducing toxic load.
  • Nettle leaf: Good for allergies (as Naomi said) and also kidney support.
  • CoQ10: Supports mitochondria, beneficial for kidneys as high‑energy organs.
  • Astragalus root: Immunomodulatory and supportive for kidney tissue.
  • Case example:
    • Dr. D’s son‑in‑law had blood in urine.
    • Used a comprehensive kidney support protocol (herbs/supplements).
    • Hematuria resolved quickly; still saw a nephrologist for proper evaluation.

[0:56:43] Closing Thoughts, Cognitive Health & Self‑Talk

• Ed shares:
  • He maintains hearing aids more for cognitive health than hearing comfort.
  • Poor hearing forces the brain to overwork decoding sounds, leaving less capacity for higher‑level thinking.
  • Advocates proper hearing care as part of brain health.
• Ed references a behavioral immunology perspective:
  • People who talk to themselves out loud often show:
    • Lower cortisol (~35% drops observed).
    • Fewer chronic illnesses and burnout.
  • Suppressed, unexpressed emotions are treated by the body like a toxin.
  • Verbalizing inner thoughts can down‑regulate stress and support immune balance.

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