Histamine Intolerance/Allergies

Histamine is a naturally occurring chemical that plays a role in our immune and neurological systems. It serves as a neurotransmitter, where it sends messages from the body to the brain, and helps regulate our stomach acid so we can digest food.

Most notably, histamines are associated with allergies to pets, ragweed, mold, grass, etc. . The curious thing is how important the right levels of them are for normal body functions.

Histamines perform many functions by binding to receptor sites, which are located all over the body.  If you suffer from severe allergies, histamine intolerance, mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) or any other condition that causes your histamine levels to be higher or your body to less tolerant, then you know firsthand how powerfully histamine can rule over your life. 

When histamines are generated faster than they can be degraded, an intolerance can develop.

• Headaches
• Itching and hives
• Flushing of the face and neck area
• Accelerated heart rate
• Anxiety and/or panic attacks
• Dry mouth/increased need for fluids
• Nasal congestion and sneezing
• Fatigue
• Dizziness or vertigo
• Tissue swelling
• Difficulty sleeping
• Irregular menstrual cycles
• Low blood pressure

Think of your body like a cup – if the accumulated amount of histamines surpasses the body’s ability to break it down, the cup will overflow.  And this is when all those random symptoms start to show up.

    Allergies occur when your immune system reacts to a foreign substance — such as pollen, bee venom or pet dander, or a food that doesn't cause a reaction in most people. Your immune system produces substances known as antibodies. 

     Allergies can come and go based on seasons such as pollen in the spring, and ragweed in the fall.  Or it can be year round for some with many multiple allergens. Often times when we restore gut dysbiosis, allergies symptoms improve.  At Hope Health of Texas, we also use Functional Medicine Lab testing to test for food sensitivities.  When food sensitivities are eliminated for a time it allows the digestive tract to heal and allergic reactions tend to decrease.   

    We use supplements that help the body break down histamine faster when our body needs extra support.  By focusing on a low histamine diet, and foods that decrease histamine in the body we can reduce the histamine load on the body.  

  Furthermore, we can tailor a supplement protocol that blocks Interleukins and  Leukotrienes to reduce the inflammation cascade at the source.   

   When allergies have stressed the body extensively, the adrenals can fatigue which may open the door for autoimmunity, SIBO, Candida, and other imbalances.  This is a stand out reason why Hope Health of Texas is your choice for digging deep to  address allergies holistically.