What Is Histamine? Histamine is an important neurotransmitter and immune messenger molecule. It is involved in processes involving hydrochloric acid secretion for digestion, triaging water reserves to key areas of the body, and the inflammatory response. Histamine receptors are located all over the body and have many important functions, including: Histamine H1 receptors: Smooth muscle and endothelial cells affecting skin; blood vessels (Benadryl and Claritin block activity of these receptors) Histamine H2 receptors: Cells in the intestines control acid secretion, abdominal pain, and nausea; heart rate Histamine H3 receptors: Central nervous system controls nerves, sleep, appetite, and behavior Histamine H4 receptors: Thymus, small intestine, spleen, colon, bone marrow, and white blood cells; inflammatory response One of the major effects of histamine is causing the blood vessels to swell and dilate. When the body senses that it is threatened, it will secrete higher amounts of histamine. This allows the white blood cells to quickly move through the bloodstream and find the potential threat or infection. This is an important component of a healthy immune response. When Does Histamine Become A Problem? Histamine only becomes a problem when we have metabolic disturbances that do not allow us to effectively metabolize histamine properly. When histamine is formed, it is broken down by specific enzymes. In the central nervous system, it is metabolized by histamine N-methyltransferase (HMT), while in the digestive tract, it is broken down by diamine oxidase (DAO). The experts state that DAO is the major enzyme involved in histamine metabolism (6). The enzyme converts the histamine into imidazole acetaldehyde, which does not trigger any sort of reaction in the body. DAO is responsible for ensuring a steady histamine level required for the balance of numerous chemical reactions taking place in the body. Altered DAO Enzyme Production: Some individuals have altered DAO production due to a number of different factors, including (7): Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) – some gut microbes produce high amounts of histamines as a byproduct of their metabolism. Copper, Vit C & B6 Deficiency: Copper and Vit C are crucial components of the DAO enzyme, and B6 is a key cofactor that enables DAO to degrade histamine. Leaky Gut Syndrome: Intestinal permeability creates major inflammatory stress in the body, which can contribute to poor DAO function. Genetic Polymorphisms in DAO enzyme – this can be seen on the 23andme SNP’s. A homozygous DAO would make someone more susceptible to developing a histamine intolerance. Use of Certain Medications: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen, aspirin) Antidepressants (Cymbalta, Effexor, Prozac, Zoloft) Immune modulators (Humira, Enbrel, Plaquenil) Antiarrhythmics (propanolol, metaprolol, Cardizem, Norvasc) Antihistamines (Allegra, Zyrtec, Benadryl) Histamine (H2) blockers (Tagamet, Pepcid, Zantac) What Are Some Common Symptoms Of Histamine Intolerance? Headaches/Migraines Difficulty falling asleep, easily aroused Hypertension Vertigo or Dizziness Arrhythmia, or accelerated heart rate Difficulty regulating body temperature Anxiety Nausea, Vomiting Abdominal cramps Flushing Nasal Congestion, Sneezing, Difficulty Breathing Abnormal Menstrual Cycle Hives Fatigue Tissue swelling Histamines travel throughout the bloodstream and therefore can affect the gut, lungs, skin, brain, and entire cardiovascular system. This is why there is such a wide array of health problems associated with it, and it is quite challenging to pinpoint and diagnose if you are not aware of the condition (13, 14). What Are The Key Histamine Reducing Supplements, And What Is The Recommended Dosage? There are several supplements that help the body to reduce histamine levels naturally. These supplements should be done in conjunction with a low-histamine diet and healthy lifestyle activities that are described in detail in this article. Leaky Gut Support: This postbiotic supplement contains butyric acid (or butyrate), which has been shown to reduce histamine and mast cell activation. Normal Dosage: 1 cap – 2x daily, with or without food Advanced Dosage: 2 caps - 2x daily, with or without food Mega IgG2000: The immunoglobulin blend in Mega IgG2000 strengthens gut structure and physiology, detects and removes pathogenic agents and their toxic by-products, as well as assists in maintaining the gut immune system and your overall wellness. Normal Dosage: 2 caps - 2x daily (morning and night) with or without meals Advanced Dosage: 3-4 caps - 2x daily ImmunoCharge: This product is specifically designed to provide you with optimal dosages of these key immune-modulating nutrients and compounds. The synergy of these key nutrients and compounds strengthens immune function and improves the process of inflammation. Normal Dosage: Take 1 capsule - 2x daily with meals for optimal absorption, or as directed by your healthcare practitioner. Advanced Dosage: Take 2 capsules - 2xdaily with meals for optimal absorption, or as directed by your healthcare practitioner. When introducing a new supplement, we recommend beginning with 1 at a time and/or the lowest dose for 2-3 days. As tolerated, increase the dose until you have reached the recommended normal or advanced guidelines. Reduce to a tolerable dosage if adverse effects occur. FAQs Can this Support Pack be taken with other Support Packs or bundled products? No. Every Support Pack is designed to address specific bodily needs and detoxification strategies. We discourage introducing additional Support Packs or using multiple phase bundles at any one time. Always consult a practitioner if you are looking for advanced strategies to support your unique health goals. When introducing a new supplement, we recommend beginning with 1 at a time and/or the lowest dose for 2-3 days. As tolerated, increase the dose until you have reached the recommended normal or advanced guidelines. Reduce to a tolerable dosage if adverse effects occur. Do any of the supplements interact with medication? Always consult a licensed healthcare practitioner when introducing a new supplement. As a general guideline, it's recommended to take all supplements at least two hours away from prescription medications. Is the protocol safe for children and women during pregnancy/breastfeeding? For children and women during pregnancy/breastfeeding, we recommend working with a healthcare practitioner.
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