Sulphate, histamine and salicylate intolerance

Author: Jessica Lloyd
Senior Vulvovaginal Specialist Naturopath | BHSc(N) | ISSVD, ISSWSH, BSSM, ATMS

Last reviewed: July 22, 2026

A build-up of histamine and salicylate can occur when the body doesn’t produce enough sulphate, which we use to detoxify the body of these substances. Excess undetoxified metabolites can cause symptoms, particularly excesses of salicylates and histamine.

How we use sulphate to detoxify histamines and salicylates

One of our detoxification pathways utilises sulphate. Sulphate attaches to phenols (salicylates and others) and amines (histamine and others) to assist detoxification¹.

Our bodies must first make sulphate, which it does using protein, converting it to sulphite, then converting sulphite to sulphate^2,3.

To make sulphate, we need:

Protein
Molybdenum
Magnesium
Zinc
Omega-3 fatty acids
Vitamin B1, B2, B5 and B6

Enzymes transport the sulphate to its final destination, attaching sulphate to phenols (salicylates) and amines (histamine).

Where it gets tricky

If you’re not a good sulphate producer, you’ll find you react to salicylates in food, medicines, aspirin, paracetamol (Tylenol), histamine-rich foods, histamine in the immune system, tyramine in mature cheese, and phenylethylamine in chocolate, for example⁴.

Fruits and vegetables slow down this transportation as they contain large amounts of salicylates. Epsom salts (magnesium sulphate) may improve sulphate levels since the sulphate passes through the skin and can be used to detoxify histamines and salicylates.

There is a limited capacity for us to make sulphate and get it around the body. It can only do what it can do at its own speed, particularly with high levels of phenols and amines.

Phenols have a failsafe system whereby we can add glucuronide, deactivating them. Salicylates have no such failsafe.

Gilbert’s syndrome and sulphate production and transport

If you have Gilbert’s syndrome, a liver function test will show raised bilirubin. Gilbert’s is a common inherited reduction in the enzyme (UGT1A1) the liver uses to glucuronidate bilirubin and other compounds⁵. Because glucuronidation and sulphation are the two competing routes for clearing phenols, reduced glucuronidation throws more of that load onto sulphation⁶ – so if your sulphation is already limited, phenols and salicylates are harder to clear.

Taking calcium D-glucarate can help, as this calcium salt inhibits beta-glucuronidase – a phase 2 liver detoxification enzyme⁷.

Detoxifying amines and histamine

Adding sulphate is one way to improve the detoxification of amines and phenols; however, there are more options.

Adding diamine oxidase (DAO) can help, alongside ensuring sufficient levels of copper. Low DAO can be genetic or due to a copper deficiency⁸.

We can also add what’s known as methyl groups to amines to process them efficiently⁸. You need sufficient magnesium, zinc, vitamins B1, B2, B6 and B12, and folate while also having sufficient methyl groups.

Beetroot is a good source of methyl groups, while if you want a supplement, you can take dimethylglycine (DMG) or trimethylglycine (TMG), or choline as a supplement. B12 and many other substances also provide methyls.

Reducing overall phenol and amine intake overall

Reducing dietary histamine and salicylate won’t be enough, as the detoxification pathway is still required to degrade all amines and phenols you ingest. However, it can help ease symptoms while you work on other areas.

The issue is compounded because quercetin, commonly used to degrade histamine, is a phenol. Vitamin C, also used to degrade histamine, often contains bioflavonoids and phenols.

Some foods cause the excretion of vitamin B2 (tomatoes, chilli, capsicum/peppers, soy, peanuts, broccoli, parsnips), which impedes your ability to make sulphate, produce energy, methylate and make some enzymes and hormones. B2 also recycles glutathione. Avoid supplements that contain boron (often in tablets).

It can be challenging to work out and treat, so see an experienced practitioner for support.

This article is general information and not a substitute for personalised medical advice. This is complex to work out and treat, so please see an experienced practitioner.