Be aware of the dangers of histamine intolerance

When we have an allergic reaction, our body releases a compound called histamine as the first step in an inflammatory response. These chemicals have important benefits in dealing with an injury or irritant, but elevated levels can lead to problems, especially if we develop an intolerance.

Anti-histamine products help to relieve symptoms of seasonal or food allergies. When histamine is present in our body, vessels will swell large enough for white blood cells to get access to the parts of our body needing to be defended.

This also results in increased permeability, allowing fluid to escape from capillaries into our tissues. That is why we get a runny nose and watery eyes. And because histamines irritate the nerve cells in the nose, signals are sent to the brain which trigger us to sneeze in an attempt to expel foreign particles.

Ever noticed we don’t sneeze when sleeping? This is because those neurons are not stimulated and reflex signals are not sent to the brain when we are dreaming.

Some people will sneeze though when walking out of a dark building into bright light. This is called “autosomal dominant compulsive helio-ophthalmic outbursts of sneezing.” Otherwise known as the ACHOO syndrome. I sneeze every time I eat a breath mint.

Histamine, considered a neurotransmitter, is completely natural and is required for various functions in the brain, digestive tract, and for supporting our immune system. Histamine controls the release of stomach acid. It increases our alertness, reduces appetite, helps us focus on a task, makes us thirsty when dehydrated, improves memory, decreases body temperature, and combats depression.

When histamine builds up too high you may get a headache, itchy, or feel flushed. It will also travel into your gut, lungs, brain, skin, and overall cardiovascular system. You may get asthma, dermatitis, and a decrease in bone density. More serious problems can arise such as ulcers, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis.

At some point, we will reach our own limit of intolerance and a whole host of strange problems will appear. Every one is different in how much their body can tolerate, and this constantly changes.

Difficulty sleeping, dizziness, anxiety, indigestion, cramps, hives, fatigue, swelling, accelerated heart rate, and poor body temperature regulation can all be symptoms of histamine intolerance. I’ve also seem some people feel irritated by almost everything they eat. It may appear they are having an allergic reaction to food, but it could actually be elevated histamine.

High histamine levels can also arise from bacterial overgrowth in our intestines. There are types of microorganisms that make histamine from protein and undigested food. This happens when our stomach and gut aren’t working well.

Diamine oxidase, or DAO, is an enzyme in our intestinal lining that normally breaks down histamine. When our gut lining gets damaged there is a progressive decrease in this enzyme’s activity, and a corresponding rise in histamine levels.

This degradation in enzyme activity can also be affected by inherited genes or an epigenetic expression triggered by acid-blocking medications, immune suppressants, Chron’s, colitis, IBS, and celiac.

Under-methylation, also influenced by genetics, can contribute to a lack of appropriate breakdown of histamine. This is where part of the body’s detoxification processes isn’t functioning optimally.

In addition to histamine that is produced in our body and by gut bacteria, there are things we eat and drink that increase levels. Fermented alcohol, like wine and beer, aged cheese, sauerkraut, cured meat, yeast products, spinach, and tomatoes are all considered histamine-rich. Decreasing these foods can help.

Fish can also be a problem as histamine is produced in their gut after they die as bacteria multiply. Improperly processed fish, and even shellfish, can have high levels of histamine.

Getting pregnant can help women with allergies and histamine intolerance. Histamine levels tend to fluctuate with hormone levels, especially estrogen. During pregnancy, the placenta makes a lot of DAO enzyme that helps break down histamine.

Vitamin B6, SAMe, and Betaine can increase methylation activity. Quercitin, MSM, and Bromelain can support histamine breakdown. Additionally, DAO enzymes can be taken. All these, combined with diet considerations, can keep histamine within tolerable levels.

Come on down if you discuss more options.

Scott Porter, a functional medicine pharmacist, is the director of the Center for Functional Nutrition at Sandpoint Super Drug.