Food Intolerances, Allergies, and Blood Pressure
Relatively many people suffer from allergies and/or food intolerances. The fact that these can also influence blood pressure is often not considered.
Swiss researchers were able to find a connection between pollen allergies and blood pressure. In a study, they demonstrated that the blood pressure of participants increased by 2 mmHg systolic and 1.5 mmHg diastolic on days with high pollen concentrations in the surrounding air. Given the longer periods of pollen release due to climate change and the large group of people affected, this represents a significant burden.
Swiss researchers were able to find a connection between pollen allergies and blood pressure. In a study, they demonstrated that the blood pressure of participants increased by 2 mmHg systolic and 1.5 mmHg diastolic on days with high pollen concentrations in the surrounding air. Given the longer periods of pollen release due to climate change and the large group of people affected, this represents a significant burden.
A patient reported to us that after years of unsuccessful medication treatment for her high blood pressure (140-150/90-95), she was diagnosed with a wheat intolerance and a lactose intolerance. Just 14 days after eliminating wheat and lactose from her diet, her blood pressure normalized (values around 100-115/70-80).
Why can the intestinal wall be damaged? Poor diet and lifestyle contribute to this. Alcohol, stress, medications, infections, or environmental toxins can damage the intestinal mucosa. Other pathways to develop an allergy have also been described - for example, inhaling pollen in the case of pollen allergies. Inhaled fine dust (soot particles, which have increasingly come under criticism as an environmentally harmful result of road traffic) has been shown to have a negative impact on blood pressure.
Whether allergies and intolerances involve a wheat allergy, celiac disease (gluten intolerance), or lactose intolerance: all of these conditions can be accompanied by high blood pressure. Often, doctors do not find the cause and treat high blood pressure with medications instead of recommending a dietary change.
In cases of diagnosed histamine intolerance, high blood pressure, as well as tachycardia and arrhythmias, are mentioned as accompanying symptoms. In food intolerances such as lactose intolerance, hypotension and extrasystoles are also reported. The prevalence of clinically relevant food intolerances is estimated at 1 to 2 percent of the population. According to self-reported data from surveyed individuals, the numbers are significantly higher - namely 10 to 20 percent. One in 200 people suffers from celiac disease (gluten intolerance). However, since only 20 percent of those affected show the full picture of this condition, accompanying symptoms caused by celiac disease, such as high blood pressure, are often not associated with gluten intolerance.
Another aspect should also be considered: if you take medications for one of your allergies or intolerances, such as histamine intolerance (if it is blamed for a reduction in blood pressure), it can secondarily lead to an increase in blood pressure.
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By Sabine Croci.
This article is medically reviewed. Last updated (06/2024).
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