Could your symptoms be due to excess Histamine?

Histamine, often linked to allergies, is a fascinating and vital compound in our body. While many recognise it for its role in allergic reactions, it has numerous functions that directly impact our health. Read on to explore histamine's various roles, its effects on physiological processes, and what happens when our histamine levels become too high.

Note: high levels of histamine is often referred to as 'histamine intolerance'.

Understanding Histamine

Histamine is an organic nitrogenous compound derived from the amino acid histidine. It is predominantly located in mast cells and basophils, types of white blood cells, and is released when our body encounters allergens or experiences tissue injury. Histamine’s roles stretch across multiple systems in the body, making it essential for maintaining balance and responding to environmental stresses. We need it, but when histamine levels build up in the body, it can cause some unpleasant symptoms and lead to excess inflammation.

Histamine's roles in the body and some of the symptoms of excess histamine

1. Immune Response

Histamine is well-known for its role in the immune system. When allergens invade the body, histamine is released, causing blood vessels to widen and become more permeable. This response allows immune cells to infiltrate the affected area quickly, leading to symptoms like itching, hives, and swelling.

For example, during an allergic reaction to pollen, histamine release can lead to dramatic increases in blood flow to the nasal tissues, resulting in noticeable nasal congestion. While histamine helps fight infections, excessive release can lead to chronic allergic conditions.

2. Regulation of Gastric Acid Secretion

In the digestive system, histamine is crucial for managing gastric acid production. It is produced by enterochromaffin-like (ECL) cells in the stomach lining. When food enters the stomach, histamine prompts parietal cells to secrete gastric acid, which is essential for digestion.

Dysregulation of this process can result in conditions like gastroesophageal reflux disease or peptic ulcers. Further down the GIT, excess histamine can lead to abdominal pain, bloating and loose stools.

3. Neurotransmitter Function

Histamine serves as a neurotransmitter in the brain, influencing a range of functions such as sleep, appetite, and cognition. It plays a part in regulating wakefulness and alertness, meaning it is vital for concentration during the day.

Studies show a potential connection between histamine imbalance and neurological disorders. Insomnia and anxiety are also often seen when histamine is too high.

4. Involvement in Allergies and Inflammatory Responses

Histamine significantly contributes to allergic reactions and inflammation. When it binds to specific receptors, it can trigger bronchoconstriction in the lungs, causing breathing difficulties in individuals with conditions like asthma.

Moreover, histamine promotes blood vessel dilation in inflamed areas, leading to the typical swelling and heat associated with injuries. While these reactions help healing, high levels of histamine can exacerbate conditions like eczema or chronic sinusitis.

5. The curious link between Estrogen and Histamine

   Histamine symptoms are more common in women and often follow the menstrual cycle. They tend to show up when estrogen is high—around ovulation and just before the period.

   Estrogen tells mast cells to release histamine and also reduces the enzyme (DAO) that clears histamine from the body. At the same time, histamine can cause the ovaries to make more estrogen. This can create a loop: more estrogen → more histamine → more estrogen → and so on. Women often report a heavier period, PMDD and PMS symptoms.

   Progesterone, on the other hand, calms mast cells and boosts DAO, which helps lower histamine.

Managing Histamine Levels

Effectively managing histamine levels is essential to maintaining health. Here are some practical strategies:

• Dietary Adjustments: Temporarily limiting high-histamine foods can be beneficial for individuals sensitive to histamine. Keeping a food diary may help individuals pinpoint triggers and improve their symptoms.

  
  

• Genetic testing: Genetic testing can help reveal the reason why an individual is particularly senstive to excess histamine. This can be due to polymorphisms related to methylation, B12 handling and the various enzymes involved in breaking down histamine.

  
  

• Herbs and Supplements: The right herbal and supplement protocol can make a huge difference to histamine intolerance and reduce symptoms long term. Herbs such as Baical skullcap and Nettle leaves are fantastic at reducing histamine and supplements including DAO enzymes and cofactors, Quercetin, SAMe can also be useful depending on the individual.

  
  

• Individualised Treatment Plans: Depending on the individual it may also be necessary to:

  • Support the liver

  • Correct hormonal imbalances related to excess estrogen

  • Treat the gut (consider SIBO, dysbiosis and histamine producing microbes)

    
    
  
  

Illustration of a histamine molecule representing its roles in the body.

Wrapping up on Histamine

If you're nodding your head to some of the above symptoms, it may be worth considering the role that excess histamine is playing. Could your histamine bucket be overflowing? Book a free discovery call to find out how I can help.