A runny nose, difficulty breathing, headaches or hot flashes are just a few of the many complaints that can occur when the body is overloaded with histamine. The necessary remedy is provided by drugs – so-called antihistamines (“antiallergics”) – which weaken or neutralise the effect of the body’s own messenger substance histamine by blocking histamine receptors or reducing their receptor activity. But also numerous vitamins and minerals as well as plant substances have a great potential due to their valuable ingredients to better break down excess histamine in the body.
The cross with histamine
Histamine is a natural substance that the body itself produces or ingests through food. The tissue hormone is indispensable because it serves a variety of functions in the body – such as stimulation of gastric juice, the sleep-wake rhythm, wound healing, appetite control, regulation of body temperature and blood pressure, and much more. It also plays an important role in the defence against foreign substances and is released explosively in the course of an immune reaction to allergenic substances. This reaction is reflected in the typical physical symptoms such as the frequently occurring “flush” (skin redness with a feeling of heat) or diarrhoea, itching, headaches as well as migraines and dizziness – to name but a few. Histamine is also involved in allergies and appears in the classic symptoms – the question of natural alternatives is all too often great. But how sensible is the use of micronutrients actually? The following info. part shows an explanation.
Zinc
The trace element zinc modulates and sustainably strengthens the immune system – after all, it has an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antiviral effect. As a component of more than 300 enzyme systems, it is involved in all important processes in the body. This power substance is indispensable especially for allergies and allergic reactions and is used in accompanying therapy. Studies have shown that zinc reduces the release of histamine from mast cells and promotes the biochemical degradation of histamine. As an existing zinc deficiency reduces the overall immunological defence, care should be taken to ensure a sufficient supply. Good sources of zinc are animal foods such as meat, offal, oysters, dairy products, eggs or fish. The plant-based zinc suppliers primarily include spinach, oat flakes, wheat germ and wholemeal products.
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Calcium
Calcium plays a central role in allergic reactions. The vital mineral is responsible for the preservation and stabilization of the cell membranes. It is assumed that calcium stabilizes the membranes of mast cells and thus suppresses the release of histamine. The administration of calcium is recommended to prevent sun allergy. Calcium is able to reduce the erythema and wheals caused by histamine. Calcium is found in considerable amounts in animal foods, although some vegetables such as kale, fennel and broccoli as well as various nuts such as almonds, Brazil nuts and hazelnuts are also considered rich in calcium. Depending on the degree of hardness, drinking water can also provide considerable amounts of calcium and contribute to daily requirements.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is one of the most important antioxidants and at the same time involved in a variety of metabolic processes. The water-soluble vitamin can break down histamine effects in the body – this is why it is also known as a “natural antihistamine”. Clinical studies suggest that the administration of vitamin C has a positive effect on reducing oxidative stress and inflammation in people with allergic diseases. In acute situations in particular, it can quickly inhibit histamine and prevent the immune reaction. In the plant kingdom, all fresh fruits and vegetables provide plenty of vitamin C. Particularly high amounts of vitamin C contain acerola cherries, sea buckthorn, paprika, broccoli, green leafy vegetables, kiwi and citrus fruits. Those who want to cover their vitamin C requirements with high-quality micronutrient preparations are well advised to use a particularly stomach-friendly vitamin C compound. Unlike pure ascorbic acid, buffered vitamin C in the form of calcium ascorbate does not react acidically and is also suitable for sensitive persons.
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Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 – also known as pyridoxine – plays a key role. It acts as a coenzyme in amino acid metabolism and promotes histamine degradation. An undersupply should be avoided, otherwise an excess of histamine is encouraged. Vitamin B6 occurs almost ubiquitously in animals and plants. Meat, fish, whole grain products, legumes, nuts and potatoes are considered to be rich in vitamin B6.
Plant extracts and Co
Plant antioxidants – such as bioflavonoids or polyphenols – provide additional value because they support the immune system and have anti-inflammatory properties. They can be found in various concentrations in almost all types of fruit and vegetables. OPCs from grape seeds, hesperidin, rutin and quercetin are true all-rounders in the plant kingdom. The latter is known to stabilize mast cell membranes and reduce the release of histamine. They are mainly found in brightly coloured foods such as elderberries, sea buckthorn, rose hips and citrus fruits. Sulphur compounds such as methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) also support antioxidative reactions. Not to forget the valuable ingredients of curcuma, which also have immunomodulatory properties. And also the well-known black cumin oil has proven itself for a long time due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mode of action for the prevention and alleviation of symptoms of allergic reactions.
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Conclusion
The classic antihistamines are indispensable in emergency treatment and in severe allergic reactions and it is impossible to imagine life without them. Finally, the good news is that micronutrients can also make a significant contribution to better resisting a histamine surplus.
