How to Reduce Histamine in Your Body

What Is Histamine?

Histamine is a substance released by our immune system. It is mostly recognized for being involved in triggering allergic reactions. Nevertheless, it also plays other crucial roles in controlling our circadian rhythm and mental abilities. Often used drugs that control histamine levels are antihistamines.

How to Reduce Histamine in Your Body

Allergy Defence Mechanism by Histamine

When you encounter an allergy trigger, your immune system recognizes it and initiates a chain response to protect you.

It begins by sending a chemical signal to the "Mast Cells" in your blood, stomach, nose, mouth, lungs, and skin. The single is in the form of the message "release histamines," which are held in the mast cells.

Histamines increase blood flow in the part of your body that is impacted by the allergen once they leave mast cells. This leads to inflammation, which opens the door for other immune system chemicals to intervene and carry out the necessary repairs.

What is the outcome? If your nose gets allergic to pollen, histamines cause thin barriers called membranes to produce more mucus. A stuffy or runny nose is possible. You'll also sneeze. You may cough as a result of the mucus irritating your throat. Histamines might cause itching in your nose and eyes.

How to Reduce Histamine in Your Body

Four Categories of Histamine Receptors?

Histamine's action is determined by the histamine receptors it binds to. Four categories of histamine receptors have been discovered by researchers so far:

H1 Receptors

All around your body, including in the smooth muscle cells of your blood arteries, airways, and brain, reside H1 receptors. The well-known symptoms of anaphylaxis and allergies are brought on by activation of the H1 receptors. It results in:

  • Hypotension, or low blood pressure.
  • Fluid flow through the walls of blood vessels (vascular permeability).
  • Skin irritation (pruritus).
  • Elevated heart rate, or tachycardia.
  • Flushing.
  • Your airways become constricted (bronchoconstriction).
  • Anguish.
  • Blood vessel expansion, or vasodilation.

H2 Receptors

The smooth muscle and cardiac cells in your stomach, as well as the cells that produce acid, are the primary sites for H2 receptors.

When the H2 receptors are activated, it causes:

  • Production of stomach acid, which aids in digestion.
  • Stimulation of your airways' mucous glands.
  • Permeability of the arteries.
  • Low blood pressure.
  • Flushing.
  • Headache.
  • Heart palpitations.
  • Bronchospasm.

H3 Receptors

The primary function of H3 receptors is to maintain the blood-brain barrier. They reside in the neurons that make up your central nervous system. Histamine and other neurotransmitters including acetylcholine, norepinephrine, and dopamine are released in response to stimulation from H3 receptors.

Drugs that block the H3 receptor are now being researched by researchers in hopes of treating neurodegenerative illnesses.

H4 Receptors

Your bone marrow and hematopoietic cells-immature cells that may differentiate into all kinds of blood cells-have H4 receptors. They are involved in the production of certain blood cells.

What Is Histamine Intolerance?

How to Reduce Histamine in Your Body

A high amount of histamine in the body is known as Histamine Intolerance. It might occur if your body is unable to process histamine. Although it can impact many bodily systems, the most typical symptoms are those related to the digestive system like:

  • Digestive Problems
  • Stomach Ache
  • Diarrhea
  • Flatulence
  • Constipation
  • Bloating
  • Feeling Sick and Vomiting

Some typical reactions linked to this intolerance, while they may differ, include:

  • Migraines or Headaches
  • Sinus Problems or Congestion in the Nose
  • Death
  • Hives and Itchy Skin
  • Irregular Periods of Menstruation

What Causes Histamine Intolerance?

Along with the Enzyme Diamine Oxidase (DAO), we naturally generate histamine. DAO breaks down histamine that enters our system through the food.

One may acquire a histamine intolerance if they become deficient in DAO, which prevents them from breaking down histamine.

The following may impact your DAO enzyme and histamine levels:

Genetics: It's possible that a gene mutation you have results in either defective or reduced DAO production.

Medication: Certain drugs have the ability to momentarily inhibit DAO functions or stop production, such as:

  • Mucus reducers like acetylcysteine, antiemetics like metoclopramide, antiarrhythmics like propafenone, blood pressure drugs like hydralazine, and antidepressants like amitriptyline.

Gastrointestinal (GI) Disorders: DAO insufficiency can result from GI illnesses such as Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).

Diet: Diets high in histamine may disrupt the normal action of DAO enzymes. Certain foods can release histamine or inhibit DAO enzymes.

Bacterial Overgrowth: When your body is unable to digest food properly, germs multiply, leading you to create an excessive amount of histamine. The elevated histamine levels in your body cannot be broken down by normal DAO enzyme levels, which results in an allergic reaction.

How to Reduce Histamine in Your Body?

Eliminating histamine from the body helps lessen a number of disagreeable symptoms and shield against severe allergic responses. People who have histamine intolerance or allergies can enhance their quality of life and prevent potentially harmful allergic reactions by lowering their histamine levels naturally through food, exercise, and stress management.

How to Reduce Histamine in Your Body

Here are areas, we should focus on in order to reduce Histamine in our body:

1. Foods to Eat

i. Fresh, Non-Preserved Foods

Foods containing preservatives are generally rich in histamines. Therefore, fresh food that isn't packed is your best option. To lower your histamine levels, make an effort to consume as many fresh meals as you can.

Frozen meat, fish, and vegetables are generally safe to eat as long as they are fresh and don't contain additional preservatives.

Cooking your own meals could be beneficial, so this is an excellent opportunity to learn some new dishes!

ii. Fruits And Vegetables

To ensure that your diet has the necessary vitamins and nutrients, include an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables in your meals.

This rule does have a few exceptions. Avoid foods strong in histamines, such as avocados, spinach, plantains, citrus fruits, eggplant, and bananas.

iii. Whole Grains

Since they already have a naturally reduced histamine content, there should be no issues. Feel free to incorporate flour, oats, bread, pasta, and rice into your regular diet.

When compared to whole-grain bread, yeast products like marmite and sourdough bread often contain more histamines.

If you regularly consume white bread and rice, switch to whole grain and whole wheat goods, as they are often healthier than white alternatives.

iv. Milk Substitutes and Eggs

Dairy products like cheese and milk often elevate histamine levels, although milk replacements are safe. You can substitute soy, oat, or coconut milk for milk in your diet. Eggs that are fresh are also acceptable.

Some people prefer goat or sheep milk over cow milk, so give it a try if you want to incorporate more dairy into your diet. Additionally, these milk sources are used to make cheese.

2. Foods to Avoid

i. Fermented, Pickled, Or Preserved Foods

Preservatives of any kind frequently consist of a lot of histamines. Eliminate foods that are packaged in vinegar, sausages, bacon, cured, and canned goods.

Foods that are often fermented include pickles, yogurt, kefir, and miso. Histamine levels have been shown to be particularly high in sauerkraut.

ii. Citrus Fruits

Even though citrus fruits are generally healthful and tasty, they cause your body to produce histamine. Avoid foods that are similar to oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruits.

The same applies to citrus fruit juices. So, try to say goodbye to the lemonade and orange juice.

iii. Beans And Legumes, Tomatoes, Eggplant, Spinach, And Avocados

How to Reduce Histamine in Your Body

In general, vegetables are very healthy, but if you are histamine intolerant, they are not. Tomatoes, eggplant, spinach, and avocados release histamines; the others are OK. You should also stay away from most legumes and beans because they are also strong in histamines.

iv. Milk And Cheeses

Certain dairy products often release histamines. Eliminate them or use dairy alternatives to prevent aggravating your symptoms.

Keep in mind that soy and coconut milk replacements are still options.

The age and temperature at which cheese was kept might affect its histamine content.

v. Tree Nuts, Cinnamon, And Chocolate

Plant-based items, such as chocolate, cinnamon, and tree nuts, are frequently more prone to contain histamines and other allergens. Therefore, take care to avoid products that include tree nuts, as well as chocolate and cinnamon.

vi. Wine And Beer

Since technically all alcohol raises histamine levels, it's best to completely give up drinking if you're really sensitive.

3. Medical Treatments

i. Take Antihistamines to Control Your Symptoms

Antihistamine drugs inhibit histamines in your body, preventing them from creating problems. Consult your doctor about the most effective medicine to manage your symptoms if dietary adjustments aren't helping them.

Loratadine, cetirizine, and diphenhydramine are common antihistamines. Consult your doctor before taking any antihistamines. Typically, they are not intended for prolonged usage. Additionally, a stronger antihistamine may be prescribed by your allergist.

ii. Work With a Dietician If You Have Trouble Sticking to Your Diet

Since a low-histamine diet might be challenging, it's very acceptable to be in search of some assistance. Consult a nutritionist and explain your histamine intolerance. They can create a diet plan for you, relieving you of the burden of choosing the correct meals.

Ask your allergist for a recommendation or a referral since they typically collaborate closely with dieticians.

How Long Does It Take to Lower Histamine Levels?

Depending on the person and the reason behind the histamine intolerance, there might be differences in the amount of time it takes to reduce histamine levels in the body. In certain situations, such as when a histamine-rich dish is consumed, the symptoms could go away in a few hours or days.

For people with chronic histamine intolerance, however, reducing histamine levels and relieving symptoms can take longer. A complete recovery from histamine intolerance can only be achieved by addressing the underlying cause of the condition. Dietary and lifestyle modifications such as those outlined above can help reduce histamine levels over time.

It's crucial to keep in mind that reducing histamine levels is not a magic bullet and may call for continuous care to stop symptoms from coming back. It's crucial to collaborate with your healthcare practitioner to decide the best plan of action for treating any underlying medical issues or drugs that may alter histamine levels.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Histamine Dump?

When your body creates too much histamine, it accumulates in the brain and causes a histamine dump. Histamine dumps frequently occur in the wee hours of the morning or night. As your histamine levels rise, you may experience abrupt changes in blood pressure, itching, or body warmth.

Is it possible to Remove Histamine with Water?

Water consumption and the removal of high concentrations of histamine are not substantially interrelated. However, research Evidence indicates that dehydration may set off histamine-related immunological reactions.

Consuming enough water throughout the day may help lower the likelihood of histamine-related reactions throughout the body, such as gastrointestinal and asthmatic symptoms.