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Histamine Manager: Answering Your Questions

by Carly Neubert, BA, NC on December 07, 2022

Histamine Manager, as seen in Women’s Health Magazine, has been so popular in the past year, that I decided to write about it again! Check out my first article on it here if you need a refresher. In this article, I will be going through some additional FAQs and information on the relationships amongst histamines, your body, and Histamine Manager. 

What does histamine do to your body?

Histamines are chemicals created by your body to defend against an allergen or irritant. White blood cells, including mast cells, release histamine into your bloodstream. While seasonal allergies are what most of us think of, as I wrote previously, there are foods that can cause these reactions as well. 

What are the symptoms of a histamine response?

Those suffering from histamine intolerances may experience diarrhea, shortness of breath, and/or skin irritation. But symptoms may not be as noticeable as this. You can find a full list of possible symptoms here.  Approximately 1% of the population has histamine intolerance. This means that there is too much histamine being produced without any breaking-down processes. If you think this is the case for you, make sure to make an appointment with me so we can see what the root of the problem is. Whether it is a poor diet and lifestyle, a chronic infection like Lyme disease, or mold exposure, there is always a root cause for histamine intolerance. 

How can I flush histamine out of my body?

There are a few ways to naturally lower your levels of histamine. The first would be to adhere to a low-histamine diet. This will calm your body’s inflammatory response and hopefully reduce some of the painful and uncomfortable symptoms. Check out my first article on Histamine Manager for a list of foods to avoid and a list of foods to try. The second way is to incorporate foods rich in vitamin C. Vitamin C is a natural antihistamine, so consumption of these foods (citrus, broccoli, cauliflower, etc.) can reduce histamine naturally. How long it takes for histamine levels to diminish depends on the tactics being used.  Histamine Manager supplements are an integral tool for reducing food-related histamine release. 

What triggers histamine release?

When histamine is released from cells into your body, it is in response to an antibody. This antibody, immunoglobulin E, is released in response to a virus or substance that you are allergic to. Anything your body deems to be an “invader” can provoke this release. This antibody can be released when you breathe, eat, or touch something that your immune cells or mast cells identify as foreign or dangerous.  

Is histamine good or bad?

Like almost everything in life, there needs to be a balance. We need an optimal balance of histamine in order to properly fend off invaders. Histamine has been described as having a “paradoxical nature” as it can both help and hinder your body through the manipulation of inflammatory responses. 

Does coffee have histamine?

The answer to this question is: it’s complicated. There are so many chemical compounds involved in coffee that it is complex to evaluate if it is the coffee bean or the presence of caffeine that is influencing the reaction. According to Dr. Dempsey, the coffee itself can cause a histamine reaction, but caffeine can manipulate the severity of the reaction. Low-quality coffee usually has a high mycotoxin load and fungal spores. It is important to select high quality, low mold coffee if you are sensitive to histamine or suffering from Mast Cell Activation Syndrome, Histamine Intolerance, or Histamine Overload. 

Why does histamine cause itching?

What may seem like such a simple response - you are bitten by an insect or are exposed to an allergen and start itching - is actually quite a complex scientific situation. The type of itch that occurs in this circumstance is pruriceptive itch. This is an itch that is due to allergies, inflammation, or dryness (different than an itch due to a nervous system issue). When histamine is released, the itching sensation is triggered by unmyelinated C-fibers. The signals that these fibers send to the spinal cord then move through the thalamus to the sensory cortexes in the brain.

Do antihistamines suppress the immune system?

Antihistamines weaken an immune response, not necessarily the overall immune system. 

Does COVID-19 cause a histamine reaction?

A study in 2020 examined the rise in Mast Cell Activation Syndrome and Long Haul Covid. One of the long term effects of Covid is excess histamine release by your mast cells.  

Is garlic high in histamine?

Vampires, beware! Garlic is a powerful and natural antihistamine that can help boost the immune system. 

Does turmeric have histamine?

As I have discussed in previous blogs, the active ingredient in turmeric is curcumin. Not only is this spice beneficial for its anti-inflammatory properties, but it has also gained recognition in academic works for its ability to inhibit histamine release from mast cells. 

Is lemon high in histamines?

Lemons, as well as other citrus fruits, are not usually high in histamine. Did you know, however, that there is a theory that they can trigger histamine release? The science is not proven on this, but it is something to consider when discussing a low-histamine diet with your health support team. 

Does exercise release histamine?

This is a question that has proved very difficult to answer in the scientific community. One of the difficulties that come with answering this question is people saying, “does that mean you can be allergic to exercise?” Histamine releases can coincide with periods following exercise. This can include the instances of vasodilation, or the decreasing of blood pressure, following a workout. In order to properly analyze this phenomenon, there needs to be bridges in our knowledge gaps for the differences in individual exercise events and prolonged training. 

Concluding Thoughts

Evaluating your body’s relationships with histamines goes beyond seasonal allergies and food intolerances. By taking a look into your diet, lifestyle, and environment, you can gain a better perspective on how the factors in and around your life are impacting your overall wellbeing. Interested in purchasing Histamine Manager, but still have a couple questions? Schedule a Pre-paid Product consult with me, Carly Neubert BA, NC., and the $15 can go towards your purchase of Histamine Manager. 

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