How To Clear Histamine From Body

Overview

Some basic lifestyle and diet modifications may help you clear histamine from the body. 

Histamine is a chemotactic factor responsible for allergic reactions in our body. Although histamine is not necessarily bad, it is a defensive component of our body. 

When any foreign object or antigen enters our bodies, the body even mechanism produces histamine and other defensive measures. 

Histamine causes inflammation to attract the antibodies and macrophages to initiate a greater immune response. Consequently, it helps in the elimination of antigens and other harmful substances. 

However, a high histamine level may make your life tough. Allergic reactions, headaches, and fever may become your daily partner. In that case, you must find a way to clear histamine from your body. 

This article discusses the role of histamine, its effect, symptoms, natural methods of clear histamine from the body, and clinical treatment. 

What is histamine?

Histamine is a chemical, more specifically biogenic amine. It produces in our bodies and exists in a variety of foods.

Histamine is produced as a response to an immune reaction in our bodies. For example, when an allergen enters our body, it initiates a response. As a result, some substances are produced to eliminate those allergens from the body, including histamine.  

Having a normal level of histamine in the body is normal. But sometimes, the presence of excess histamine in the body may cause some complications. 

Source of Histamine

• Mast Cell
• Basophil
• Various foods
• Some dietary products
• Exogenous Histamine

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Functions of Histamine

Histamine facilitates the functions of macrophages and other inflammatory cells in our body. 

The functions of histamine may include;

• Histamine increases vascular permeability and facilitates the movement of macrophages and other inflammatory cells from the vessels to the effector organ.
• Histamine initiates allergic reactions.
• Responsible for inflammation
• Causes and aggravates some allergic and autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis
• Histamine also has some anti-inflammatory effects. 
• Decrease the blood pressure
• Histamine may cause edema (histamine-induced edema)
• It may cause asthma.
• It may cause diarrhea.

High Histamine Level Symptoms

When the body’s histamine level gets higher level the normal range, it’s called high histamine or clinically histamine toxicity. 

The common symptoms of histamine toxicity may include;

• Skin rash
• Flushing
• Dizziness
• Headache 
• Diarrhea

Other symptoms

• Abdominal pain
• Blurring of vision
• Cold sensation
• Nausea 
• Vomiting
• Tachycardia

High Histamine Levels Causes

Refrigerated fishes

Some fishes and foods become affected by bacteria if they are refrigerants inappropriately. These bacterias produce histamine and are known as histamine-producing bacteria. 

Consuming these bacteria with the food leads to histamine toxicity, known as Scrombroid poisoning. 

Some specific types of fish are more likely to be affected by these bacterias and lead to histamine toxicities such as;

• Tuna,
• Mackerel,
• Mahi-mahi,
• Herring, 
• Anchovies, 
• Bluefish, 
• Amberjack etc. 

DAO Deficiency

DAO is the short form of diamine oxidase, an enzyme. This enzyme metabolizes the excess histamine, and it eliminates from the body. DAO enzyme deficiency causes higher histamine levels because the excess histamines cannot be metabolized. 

The causes of lower DAO may include;

• Certain bacterial overgrowth
• DAO inhibitors such as Diclofenac, suxamethonium, thiamine, and metoclopramide
• Hormonal imbalance
• GIT conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis, etc. 

Increase the number of Mast cells

In certain conditions, the number of mast cells in the body increases. Sometimes the mast cells appear where they shouldn’t be present in a normal body. 

As more mast cell releases more histamines, the level of histamine increases. 

Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth

Some infectious conditions of the small intestine may give rise to multiple bacterial species. These are often known as opportunistic microorganisms. 

These excess amounts of bacteria may lead to high histamine levels in the body. 

Mast Cell Activation Disease

Mast cell activation disease is characterized by hyperactive mast cells in the body. In this condition, the mast cell become activated without any allergens or positive stimuli.

The most common reason behind mast cell activation disease is some common triggering factors such as pollens and allergens. 

More mast cell activation leads to more histamine release, and eventually, the body’s histamine level increases. 

Often, this condition is left undiagnosed and untreated, leading to a more complicated condition than before. 

Viral Infections

Some viral infections, including the Sars Cov-2 increase the histamine release from the mast cell and basophils. 

Other infections may include the respiratory virus such as Hemophilus influenza etc. 

Vitamin Deficiency

Some vitamin deficiencies, especially vitamin b12 deficiency, are related to a high histamine level.

Certain Environmental Conditions

Environmental conditions include industrial chemicals such as mercury, cobalt, copper, etc. 

Other environmental pollutants may include pollens, dust, dirt, etc.

Living or working in a dusty area is a common cause of allergies and high histamine release. 

Drugs and Medications

Drugs causing High histamine release may include;

• Chemotherapeutic agents: chlortetracycline, polymyxin B
• Spasmolytic agents: Atropine
• Vasodilators: Hydralazine
• Centrally Acting Drugs: Morphine, Pethidine
• Sympathomimetic drugs: Amphetamine
• Neuromuscular blocking agents
• Others: codeine, penicillin, etc. 

Other causes of high histamine levels may include;

• IgE mediated histamine release as a result of type I hypersensitivity reaction
• Some physical factors such as; burning, soap, exposure to sun, radiation, animal scratch
• Some chemicals such as dextran, bile salts, lecithin
• Certain foods such as crabs, lobsters, shrimp, etc. 

Complications

• Angioedema
• Tongue swelling
• Respiratory distress
• Abortion
• Cardiac Arrest 
• Death

How to clear histamine from the body at Home

Get rid of Stress

Stress is an exaggerating factor for histamine release, and it may also lead to many complicated conditions. 

Both physical and emotional stress affects our bodies. First, stress causes the release of more neurotransmitters, and eventually, it leads to a high histamine level.

To relieve stress, you follow some meditation, yoga, and other kinds of healthy methods. If any of these methods do not work, consult a doctor to get pharmacological treatment. 

Consume Low Histamine Foods

Consuming a low histamine diet is an essential way to reduce the histamine level in the body. Because some foods contain a high amount of histamine and some foods have elements that trigger histamine release.

The high histamine containing foods may include;

• Fermented foods
• Wines
• Beer
• Refrigerated meats and cheese
• Tomatoes
• Olives
• Vinegar
• Kombucha
• Certain kinds of seafood
• Spinach
• Sauerkraut etc.

It may seem impossible to eliminate all of these foods from the menu. But it will help you get rid of high histamine complications.

Removing the high histamine-containing foods is the first thing you have to do. However, sometimes you do not need to take any medicine, and removing these foods works very well. 

Suppose you are not comfortable with changing the food menu. Remove these high histamine foods gradually. 

Take Histamine Reducing Foods

Some foods help to reduce the histamine level naturally. These foods are known as natural anti-histamine-containing foods. By consuming them regularly, you can clear the excess histamine from your body. 

Some of the anti-histamine foods may include;

• Garlic
• Olive oil
• Basil
• Onions

Some of the anti-histamine fruits may include;

• Apples
• Blueberries
• Parsley

If you do not like these foods or fruits, you can have some sauce made up of these combinations. Taking these foods may help you to stay away from anti-histamine medications. 

Eat Enough Fibers

Consuming enough fiber-rich foods helps you to clear histamine out of your body. But, you may wonder how it works? 

The fibers in your diet prolong the digestion time. As a result, your body’s digestive system gets more time to metabolize the histamine and transform it into nontoxic metabolites. 

High fiber-rich foods may include;

• Beans
• Lentils
• Berries
• Broccoli
• Avocados
• Popcorn
• Whole grains
• Dried fruits
• Apples, etc. 

Take Natural Antihistamines

Taking a full meal or whole food often cannot be accepted for multiple adverse effects such as high-calorie intake can cause a problem the people with diabetes. 

While taking the whole food is a problem for you, you may go for natural anti-histamines such as quercetin, stinging nettle, and astragalus. 

The most common and most effective natural anti-histamine is quercetin. Quercetin is a natural antioxidant and works as a phenomenal anti-histamine. Chemically it’s a polyphenol antioxidant found in apples and pears. 

You can take the natural extract of quercetin from apples and pears natural anti-histamine to clear histamine from your body. 

Increase Diamine Oxidase (DAO)

DAO is necessary to break down and remove the extra histamine in our body. It’s an enzyme produced and secreted from the renal system and works along with histamine methyltransferase (HNMT). 

DAO can be increased mainly by two methods;

• Taking DAO containing foods
• Taking the foods that enhance the production and release of DAO

More DAO means more metabolism and excretion of histamines from the body.

The foods that increase the release and action of DAO may include;

• Organic proteins
• Grass-fed meats
• Omega-9 fatty acids are found in fresh eggs, coconuts, and olive oil
• Quinoa
• Rice, corn
• Millet
• Fresh pea sprouts

DAO can be found both in meat products as well as in some vegan products. So, you can make your particular diet plan even if you are a vegan.

Avoid Enzyme Inhibitors

There are some hormones and substances that work as an enzyme inhibitors. Especially estrogen is a hormone that acts as an enzyme inhibiter. Therefore, it reduces the metabolism of histamine and increases the body histamine level. 

On the other hand, some substances and hormones act as an enzyme inducers. For example, testosterone is an enzyme inducer that increases the metabolism of histamine and other substances. 

Avoid taking exogenous estrogen into your body. It may help you to clear histamine from the body. 

Workout Regularly

Performing regular exercise increases the activity of your body. The more you stay active; the more energy and the substances of your body are being used. 

Daily working out uses the excess histamine in your body and helps to reduce the high histamine effects on your body. 

If you cannot go to the gym, try some home workouts or go out for a walk in the morning. Swimming and playing physical sports such as football also help. 

High Histamine Levels Risk Factors

Some risk factors may be associated with high histamine in the body such as;

• Eating refrigerated fish
• Eating high histamine containing foods
• Obesity
• Diabetes Mellitus
• Not being physically active
• Eating a lot
• Taking certain drugs etc.

Prevention

The prevention of high histamine in the body focuses on eliminating the risk factors end the causes of high histamine levels. 

• Avoid refrigerated fishes, especially mackerel, herring, tuna, mahi-mahi, anchovies
• Avoid taking high histamine containing foods
• Take the foods that can increase the DAO
• Take the foods that have natural anti-histamines
• Workout regularly
• Take histamine reducing foods
• Take high dietary fiber-containing foods
• Lead a stress-free healthy life

Takeaway

Clearing the histamine from the body is not a difficult task. You have to follow some basic lifestyle rules and lead a healthy life to prevent high histamine in your body. 

Workout regularly, taking low histamine foods, avoiding high histamine-containing foods, and staying away from refrigerated fish may help you clear histamine from the body. 

Last Updated on August 26, 2022 by Learn From Doctor Team