HISTAMINE AND HORMONES
Histamine is an immune signalling protein, which is released by mast cells – a type of immune cell. Histamine is also a neurotransmitter, and too much of it can cause anxiety and insomnia, and block serotonin (your happy chemical) production. Thus, histamine can have a big impact on your mood.
Histamine also stimulates oestrogen production. Oestrogen also stimulates histamine production! So when it comes to conditions of excess oestrogen, such as PMS, PMDD, endometriosis and adenomyosis, histamine can be a big piece of the puzzle. Histamine creates oestrogen, which creates more oestrogen, which creates more histamine, and a vicious cycle occurs.
Symptoms of elevated histamine include:
Brain fog
Headaches or migraines
Nausea
Insomnia or sleeping difficulties
Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
Irritability
Anxiety
Diarrhoea
Joint pain
Sweaty feet
Fluid retention
Breast tenderness
Premenstrual anxiety (PMS-A)
Low blood pressure
Nasal congestion
Asthma or breathing difficulties
Urticaria (hives)
Itchy skin or itchy eyes
Dermatographia – raised, red marks after light scratching of the skin
Car sickness or sea sickness
Alcohol intolerance, especially red wine
Shellfish intolerance
Chocolate intolerance
Intolerance to fermented foods such as yoghurt, sauerkraut, kim chi, cheese
Feeling irritable, hot or itchy after eating
If you experience any of these symptoms, it is probably time to have a look at how your body is handling its histamine. If you have a hormonal condition, then it is definitely time to have a look at how your body is handling its histamine!
There are many natural solutions to lowering histamine. Some favourites include quercetin, bromelain, vitamin C, and certain types of probiotics. Dietary intervention also plays a critical role. As always, it’s best to be guided by your healthcare practitioner before self prescribing any natural medicines as the correct form and dose is the key to achieving results.