PLEASE NOTE, THE TESTIMONIALS REFER TO YASMINA’S ORIGINAL WEBSITE THE LOW HISTAMINE CHEF WHICH HAS BEEN RE-NAMED HEALING HISTAMINE.
DR. THEOHARIS THEOHARIDES, MD, PH.D., www.mastcellmaster.com.
Professor of Pharmacology and Internal Medicine in the Department of Integrative Physiology & Pathobiology at Tufts University School of Medicine and Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences & Director of Molecular Immunopharmacology and Drug Discovery at Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA. He has published 376 papers and 3 textbooks with 23,637 citations and is in the top 5% of authors most cited in pharmacological and immunological journals. He is continuously funded by the National Institutes of Health and a mast cell expert. His NeuroProtek supplement was created to help mast cell activation patients.
“I’m impressed not only with Yasmina’s extensive knowledge in the area of low histamine nutrition, but also with her unique gift for communicating the information in an accessible manner—a quality that is readily apparent in her bestselling books and interviews with leading figures in the field. Her ability to communicate a scientifically sound message to a lay reader is unparalleled, and as a result I am always happy to refer anyone with an interest in the subject to her industry-leading website, TheLowHistamineChef.com”.
DR. BEN LYNCH,www.MTHFR.net and www.SeekingHealth.org andwww.SeekingHealth.com
“Histamine intolerance is a very pressing issue which is largely unknown and, therefore, needlessly plaguing countless men, women and children. It is not easy to identify histamine intolerance let alone treat it. I am constantly referring physicians and the public in general to Yasmina’s amazing resource, The Low Histamine Chef. Her information allows people to quickly understand, identify and take action against histamine intolerance. Thank you for your work – and I look forward to doing a webinar together on this important topic.”
DR. JANICE JONEJA, author and immunologist www.allergynutrition.com
“You are providing an invaluable service to all those afflicted with mast cell disorders and histamine intolerance issues. There are very few remedies available to people struggling to cope with these conditions, and negligible resources based on natural foods, which as you and I are well aware, can and should be the basis for ensuring optimum health while remedying many of the chronic conditions associated with food sensitivities. Unfortunately the medical paradigm for management of such illnesses inevitably relies on medicinal drugs, which can and do result in unacceptable side-effects. It is work such as yours, which applies the data from scientists involved in the field (in which I humbly number myself) in a practical way so that natural remedies are available to everyone in need. I have referred a number of my patients to your work, and have received very positive comments from all who have visited your site. They are very grateful for the information your provide. I welcome the opportunity to continue to contribute to your valuable work.”
DR. DIANA DRISCOLL, POTScare.com
“Controlling inflammation is essential for many of us to recover. I recommend Yasmina’s site (TheLowHistamineChef.com) for her great guidance in using your diet to help you recover your health.”
KEITH BERNDTSON, MD www.parkridgemultimed.com
“I refer patients to Yasmina’s website because I know they will benefit from her balanced sensibilities on using lifestyle change to cope with their mast cell activation disorders. If you are histamine-challenged and looking for perfectly-seasoned insight, you’ll get it from The Low Histamine Chef.”
DR JOEL FUHRMAN, MD www.drfuhrman.com
“You can’t put this problem in a vacuum. Such as avoiding histamine containing foods, on a standard deficient and toxic diet. The body works in conjunction with thousands of complicated chemical reactions, and only with superior nutrition can the histamine sensitivity be better controlled. So exposure to thousands of phytochemicals and even to a low dose of histamine in their diet is good, not bad and can offer hope of getting better over the years to come.”
“I would like to say thank you. I have been dealing with autoimmune urticaria since 2008, with a short period of remission and each bout lasting 13 months. The last bout was the most difficult one, dealing with the hives 24/7 and 85% coverage. Anyway, last September I was at my worse and on one of my sick leave days, I did additional research and found your site. I have been following the diet and no longer take hydroxychloroquine 2x/day, hydroxyzine at night, 2 xyrtec and 2 xantac. If I do break out, I will take zyrtec and xantac, otherwise, no meds. So, thank you for giving me my life back.”
– A.E.
“When I suddenly developed mysterious symptoms and decided to do some research on the internet, the first website to answer my questions was The Low Histamine Chef aka Yasmina Ykelenstam. She was the candle in the window that lead me out of the darkness I was in and shed some light on why I was experiencing those symptoms. Her articles, her e books and her guidance helped me to overcome my symptoms naturally without pills (if possible) via diet, meditation, breathing techniques and an awareness of what histamine does in the body and what happens when there is too much in the body. I have been on a low histamine, healthy eating plan for 3 months and have seen a dramatic reduction in my symptoms. With all the inflammation reduced with this diet, I was also able to drop 17 lbs and it is still going. All that inflammation had been hanging on to those pounds. If I hadn’t run into Yasmina’s site, I would have still been miserable and frustrated as my doctor could not explain my health issues nor help me with them. Thank you so much Yasmina! You have made a huge difference in my life!”
– PAMELA KULLMAN, USA.
“When I suddenly developed mysterious symptoms and decided to do some research on the internet, the first website to answer my questions was The Low Histamine Chef aka Yasmina Ykelenstam. She was the candle in the window that lead me out of the darkness I was in and shed some light on why I was experiencing those symptoms. Her articles, her e books and her guidance helped me to overcome my symptoms naturally without pills (if possible) via diet, meditation, breathing techniques and an awareness of what histamine does in the body and what happens when there is too much in the body. I have been on a low histamine, healthy eating plan for 3 months and have seen a dramatic reduction in my symptoms. With all the inflammation reduced with this diet, I was also able to drop 17 lbs and it is still going. All that inflammation had been hanging on to those pounds. If I hadn’t run into Yasmina’s site, I would have still been miserable and frustrated as my doctor could not explain my health issues nor help me with them. Thank you so much Yasmina! You have made a huge difference in my life!”
– PAMELA KULLMAN, USA.
“Within two days of changing my diet to primarily your anti-histamine green juice I was out of bed with more energy than I had had in months (without the use of steroids). My chronic flushing was dramatically reduced and my itching disappeared. My muscle and joint pain were gone by day three. I am so thankful that I read your inspiring e-book. I am looking forward to learning more about the research you have done on the healing powers of food. I am a believer!”
– VS, USA.
“Yasmina is a light in the storm for those of us who are feeling our way through histamine intolerance/mast cell disorder. She has taken control of her health, and inspires others to do the same. Her recipes are fresh and delicious with a focus on using food to heal one’s body. This isn’t just a cookbook or a meal plan, Yasmina is creating a way of life.”
– LOBELIA LAWSON, UK.
“Because of all your wealth of information & tireless research, diligence, and the sharing your own experiences, you have helped me not only physically, but more importantly, “mentally”. At this time last year, I was experiencing so many symptoms that I thought I was never going to get better and so scared that no one knew what was wrong with me! As the year went on, writing to you, learning from you and taking control over my health has been amazing. I am proud to say that this year, I am off all my meds. I stopped taking antihistamines in February and so far have only had to take them 3 times during a random high pollen day or after an international flight for hives. Also, I have only had a total of 4 migraines from May of last year until today. Three of them were last year and only one so far this year, but I knew what the trigger was! I think just knowing my triggers, understanding how to “not panic” when I do feel unwell, and to be patient when my symptoms are bad has helped me loads. Now I feel like I know what I need to do to get better and the bad reaction will pass. Thanks to you!!”
– MFW, GERMANY.
“Yasmina’s fabulous and easy to use cookbooks, and her blog, “The Low Histamine Chef”, have changed my entire outlook on suffering and controlling MCAD. She has led me to a place of acceptance, which is necessary to learn and help heal myself as best I can. Yasmina herself has proved it can be done! In turn, it is my goal not only to feel better, but to get awareness out there and learn, and to help others to help themselves.”
– SB, USA
“Yasmina has made understanding the low-histamine way of eating accessible and easy to understand. Her recipes are luscious and personally researched!”
– JMS.
“My symptoms have reduced 90% by following many of Yasmina Ykelenstam’s tips. Mainly: ginger, stinging nettles, quercetin, Vit C (non corn source) and the biggies, the nigella sativa oil/turmeric powder combo and Chaga mushroom (amazing immune modulator) along with a whole foods, low histamine diet. I highly recommend giving the natural route a try. It’s very powerful! Of course all sensitive people should only add in one thing at a time and go slow…”
– AW, USA.
“Yasmina, I’m one of those people who benefited beyond belief from the retreat you and Jan Marie put together in Colorado! I was one who told you on day 1 that I wasn’t sure I could eat anything there — in fact, I’d brought all my safe foods with me in case. I hadn’t made recipes from your cookbooks yet because I was afraid of the ingredients. I had been eating only 8-10 foods for 2 1/2 years since becoming ill. But at the retreat you encouraged me just to TRY your greenies, and soups with herbs, and salads, and I decided that I had little to lose (I had Dr. Theo there, my Epi-pen, my liquid and powdered Benadryl) and so I went for it. I was flabbergasted, and ecstatic, to find I did OK!! During the retreat I believe I added about 15-20 new foods to my diet (with only a little bit of Benadryl use that was probably more my nerves making me react than the food)! The meditation was a wonderful help, as was your encouragement and example.
Since I’ve been home, I’ve continued to eat much better. I have made your smoothies, “best green soup ever”, several veggie and bean soups, and your Thyme onion sweet potato bake, and in fact have just planted my own herb garden so I can add those wonderful and tasty anti-inflammatories, anti-histamines to everything. I still have reactions sometimes and I modify what foods I use in recipes based on my sensitivities, but they are small reactions (do-able with meditation and, only rarely, Benadryl) and I feel stronger every week now that I’m eating more nutritiously! I have cut back on how many prescription antihistamines I take, without adverse effects (yes, I told my doc). I just think my body is healing, having less reactivity overall, and my hair has even stopped falling out!”
– CS, USA.
“I discovered your website a few weeks ago and just want to send a massive thank you for fast tracking my life into balance. I wish I could give you a big hug! You have saved me a lot of pain, cleared out some serious confusion and proven that one can be beautiful, sparkling, healthy and high achieving despite being unfortunate enough to suffer from histamine intolerance. It is so important to have someone to turn to when no healthcare professionals seems to understand the very basics of histamine intolerance. I have struggled with light symptoms for about 20 years and severe symptoms for the past three. Having avoided a lot of foods and ventured done the path of rawism my health was improving slowly but surely. It was not until reading your posts that everything finally came together and I have been able to rely moreso on hard facts as opposed to gut feeling. And now, feeling well is a possibility for the first time in years. I will take this opportunity to become clean and reduce inflammation and with time, hopefully less strict with my diet (I.e. reintroducing some moderate/high histamine foods). Like you I refuse to be defeated by this condition and expect to live on without feeling held back.”
– CL, UK.
“I also found that after a few months of strict low-histamine diet, after I lost some weight and skin conditions started clearing up, I could eat some of my favorite foods that used to make me very sick, infrequently, with no negative effects.”
– CC, USA.
“You might not remember but I contacted you several months ago while I was living in a college dorm and I just wanted to let you know that with your help I have been able to feel well again and really retake my life. You gave me a way to combat all of this adversity and I am incredibly grateful. thank you, truly.”
– DD, USA.
“Fresh on the heels of a terrific dinner I am motivated to write a bit. We had a HUGE pot of red lentil daal. It has become a staple in our house. I always make that recipe times 6 or more!! That way the boys (12 yr old son and husband, both tall and always hungry) can eat to their hearts delight and I can freeze a portion or two for emergencies. [I know you say not to freeze but it is better for me to eat frozen than snack on unbalanced foods when I am pressed for time so it is a helpful “rescue” technique for me..] And then we had the farinata as our “bread”. It was pretty much like having Ethiopian food with injera – so very yum. It was even what my husband asked for as his fast-breaker after Yom Kippur. Anyway.here you go.
The anti cookbook and the Low Histamine Chef have transformed me into an enthusiastic cook. For over 20 years, I had not cooked much because my ex-chef husband loves to cook. In fact, I often really dreaded cooking. But with the advent of a HIT diagnosis, I really wanted to participate in the kitchen once again. I might have despaired with the new “limitations” from the food lists, I know many do. I was accustomed to a diet that, while otherwise very healthy, consisted in a long list of high histamine foods. But the “high histamine buffet” had done tremendous damage to my skin, my mental state and my digestion, so I was highly motivated to change. But motivation is not enough. I also needed to learn a new way to cook and eat. The Low Histamine Chef and the Anti-cookbook gave me the hand-holding that I needed to get started. It has been a life saver.
The best thing about the cookbooks/the Anti-Cookbook is how it takes foods we may not be accustomed to cooking and provides simple recipes that can form the foundation of a low histamine diet. There are lots of new quick and easy “comfort foods” like the red lentil daal which I now cook once or twice a week as well as more involved recipes which I am more likely to cook on weekends or when I have extra time. Instead of feeling limited, I feel like my world has broadened to include so many new and delicious foods and ingredients. I now cook regularly with herbs like cilantro and basil, spices like fresh ground cumin or fresh grated ginger and turmeric, veggies like fennel bulb and kale and more “exotic” ingredients like garbanzo flour (easily found at my natural foods market).
One amazing development is how much my family enjoys the new foods too. I had assumed that my husband and my 12 yr. old son, both foodies with excellent and demanding palates, would refuse my cooking or the new ingredients, especially when they were not motivated by the health issues that motivate me. But while they still enjoy the odd pizza or so, they also eagerly embrace the cooking I have learned from the Anti-Cookbook. Even my son, who previously had shunned zucchini and kale, eagerly requests the delicious kale pancakes (now our Saturday morning favorite) or the zucchini cousa mehshi. The chick pea farinata have even replaced tortillas in our house! We don’t cook much with sweets in our house but I’ll bet that many families would also dive into all of the yummy looking dessert recipes too.
The book also shows how easy it is to get creative in the kitchen. After following the recipes closely for a couple of weeks, I felt ready to try new combinations and ingredients – and my creations even taste good! The books are full of suggestions of how to mix and match ingredients to suit each person’s individual needs, tremendously helpful in a community of highly sensitive and yet unique and reactive bodies!
The best part of the Low Histamine Chef’s approach, more than the yummy recipes, the helpful suggestions, the research into each ingredient and how it can be an agent for healing in our bodies, is how Ykelenstam’s personality radiates off of every page. It is like having a friend to coach you and coax you through each step. She has seen it all in this little world of ours – my symptoms have never come to the level she has had to deal with. And yet her success from her cooking and lifestyle changes speak for themselves. Readers hear her voice on every page – encouraging us to have patience and courage, to try new things, to trust the healing power of food, and trust that we can heal. And more than anything, she encourages us to stop fighting against the limits of our condition and to instead embrace the possibilities of a life filled with excellent food and stronger more stable health. Thanks, Yasmina.”
– SUSAN, USA.
“I’ve been quietly following you and downloading your books for a few weeks now. I am way overdue for sending you this note. I want to say thank you for saving me from losing my mind and my health. I am still in the beginnings of finding my way. The pea experiment haas arrived at the perfect time. Please keep doing what you do. You are making an amazing difference in the lives of so many. No pressure, lol!”
– HJ, USA.
“I wanted to tell you, again, thank you for your help and insight. My diet’s changed a lot already and is going in a direction I already intuitively knew to be a good one, although I didn’t really follow it for many reasons you probably know already (fear of food, apathy, blah, blah, blah). But I’m really getting that it’s not about what you take out (histamines) but what you put in (highly healthful foods)…and I’m experiencing a joy in eating I felt was lost. I am also able to feel the effects (feeling great after a super nutrition-dense smoothie, for instance).”
– LL, USA.
“Your book has already been helping me and my 8 month old with the hives he has developed from all the high histamine foods on the GAPS diet – which has helped his Eczema tremendously. All of your tips, plus switching to anaerobic fermentation methods, have allowed us to reduce our histamine levels without cutting out any more foods!”
– CK, USA.
“I just wanted to give you a HUGE THANK YOU! Thanks to your website & changing how I eat (avoiding food I’m allergic to & known histamine releasers/triggers) & drinking freshly “juiced” fruits/vegetables daily, I am down to 171 lbs today from 197 lbs. I haven’t weighed 171 lbs since the day after I had my almost 22 year old son! I still have my allergies but they’re not as bad as they usually are.”
– SG, USA.
“May I tell you that was the best advice that I have NOT received from all 50 doctors combined in the last 10+ years. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I will do every and all that you have suggested. I will have faith that it will work for me – and that I may finally get better. I will be “positive” as you also suggested through it all…..very hard at times. I pray all of this works and if it does my children will thank you for bringing their mother “back” to earth!”
– SPL, USA.
“Purchasing your cookbook has literally changed my life… It’s so comforting to know I’m not alone. Sometimes I feel that way. I had 25 of the listed symptoms, so nowhere near the severity of you, but it is a struggle at times. Thank you for your kindness and I wish you continued success.”
– CA, USA.
“Thank you for your informative website, and your recipes. At least one meal a day has come from you. You’ve supplied a very helpful support system for a very complicated life change! Already I am having more pain-free days than painful ones. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.”
– RV, USA.
“I found your site last week. I have hives (daily/multiple times a day for months), enlarged lymph nodes and my veins will pop out really big especially in my hands. Since finding your site I’ve been balancing histamine foods with non/low histamine foods…My skin is starting to heal now that I’m not scratching uncontrollably…I feel like I am finally on the right track! Thank you so much for sharing all that you do!”
– SH, USA.
“I just wanted to say a big thank you. After a month of your recipes, my panic attacks have stopped and my rash has gone. I feel so much better, I’m so grateful for having found your site. After 6 months of 4 different doctors, continual anti-histamine prescriptions, as well as steroids and anti-inflammatories, I feel like I’m getting my life back.”
– LAILA, UK.
“Just wanted to say a massive thank you for all the research, information, cook books and general cheerleading you do. I’ve been following lots of your advice, switching to higher nutrient, antihistamine foods etc, for the last 7 months or so, and can’t believe the difference it’s made to all my not life-threatening but definitely life-diminishing allergic symptoms – asthma, eczema, bloating, lethargy, hayfever etc etc. I have so much more energy and focus now! Specifically, I went out to dinner recently to a local south indian restaurant, armed with your info on how to deal with eating out and the information to send in advance… I’ve never had such good service and such a delicious custom meal, and never felt so good after a meal out. I absolutely credit you for giving me the confidence and the tools to get this done!”
– HF, UK.
PRAISE FOR THE COOKBOOKS
THE ANTI-COOKBOOK
“I can’t believe how this book has revolutionised the way I eat.” Angela.
“Oh my god thank you. I can eat again now.” –Lucie.
“I had no idea there were so many beneficial foods I was completely ignoring!” – Jane.
“Wow. Just wow. You’ve changed my life. Again.” – Marianne.
THE ANTI-COOKBOOK (PALEO)
“Such a relief to find a low histamine Paleo book – with antihistamine foods. Bonus!” – Mike.
“Yes! Finally. You’ve taken the stress out of eating.” – Anne Marie.
LOW HISTAMINE ON THE GO
“As someone who struggles in the kitchen at the best of times, this book is a godsend.” BB.
“The menus from the Low Histamine Chef have given me the support and guidelines to cook, grocery shop, eat at restaurants and basically get my life back with food reactions reduced to a minimum. Best of all the recipes are delicious.” PD.
“The recipes in this book are delicious and really simple.” MAMFW.
“..family and friends never know what to cook for me, (now) we can all eat together again.”SU.
“This book is a life saver for me. I can’t cook and being on low-histamine diet meant that I ate tasteless meals. The book completely changed my life. Now people at work can’t believe how much I eat and stay skinny.” MM.
“The shopping list and recipes are a godsend. I wasn’t seeing any improvement since being diagnosed but in the three weeks since using your recipes, I’m finally starting to feel better.” DB.