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Histamine intolerance: what is it and what effect can CBD have?

What is histamine?

Histamine is a biogenic amine, it is a nitrogenous substance that is involved in several essential functions in the body. One of these is signaling to the brain, where  histamine is responsible for many processes including wakefulness and sleep. Histamine also acts as a trigger for the production of gastric juices, which is crucial for proper digestion, as well as regulating tissue growth and healing and is released as part of the natural immune response to various stimuli (allergens, bacteria or tissue damage), and in the case of histamine intolerance, too much histamine in the body "makes trouble" and causes unpleasant symptoms.

Histamine is therefore a substance that is found in the body and in food and plays a key role in fighting infections and inflammation. In some people, histamine production in the body can be higher, and this can lead to histamine intolerance. This condition specifies the body's inability to process histamine properly.

What is histamine intolerance?

Histamine intolerance (HIT) is a disorder that occurs due to an excessive amount of this substance in the body. It is not a hypersensitivity or allergy to histamine, but a manifestation that there is too much histamine and the body cannot cope with it. In connection with HIT, you may sometimes come across the term pseudo-allergy.

Histamine intolerance manifests itself with a considerable range of symptoms from stuffy nose to headaches to severe digestive problems and changes in blood pressure.

What are the symptoms of histamine intolerance?

Symptoms of histamine intolerance depend on an individual's sensitivity to histamine. The following symptoms may occur:

  • Digestive disorders - diarrhea, constipation, bloating, heartburn and abdominal pain
  • Skin symptoms - itching, rashes and hives
  • Respiratory problems - stuffy nose, sneezing and coughing
  • Neurological symptoms - migraines, headaches, nausea and dizziness
  • Cardiovascular symptoms - hot flushes, rapid pulse and changes in blood pressure

Rapid onset symptoms include itchy and red skin, hives, swollen lips and tongue, stuffy nose, abdominal cramps and diarrhea, headache and cough.

Chronic manifestations may include painful menstruation, nervousness, sleep disturbances, anxiety and depression.

How is histamine intolerance treated?

Diagnosing histamine intolerance is often a complex process and requires a number of investigations before a correct diagnosis is made.

The doctor (gastroenterologist or allergist) will first of all talk to the patient to obtain a detailed medical history. The patient keeps a food diary, where he or she writes down the diet and any reactions to the foods eaten; this takes 6 to 8 weeks. The most important part of the diagnosis is the elimination-exposure test, an elimination test where the patient follows a low-histamine diet for a certain period of time and then deliberately consumes high-histamine foods. If symptoms appear, this is a strong indicator of histamine intolerance.

In order to make a diagnosis of HIT,  laboratory tests are available. These include, for example, determining blood levels of the enzyme DAO, which is involved in the breakdown of histamine, or determining urinary levels of methylhistamine (a metabolite of histamine). Genetic tests are also performed.

To support the enzymatic breakdown of histamine in the body , taking dietary supplements containing diaminoxidase (DAO) may be helpful. Another option is to take probiotics, which can help maintain a healthy gut flora and support the production of enzymes needed to break down this nitrogenous substance. In some cases, the use of antihistamines may be appropriate to help relieve unwanted symptoms.

A skin test called the prick test verifies sensitivity to histamine but is not considered completely reliable. People with sensitive skin and allergies may also react to this test, so it is not possible to rely 100 per cent on its results alone. Overall, doctors combine multiple diagnostic methods to confirm the diagnosis.

The treatment of histamine intolerance therefore consists of limiting the intake of foods high in histamine and promoting the enzymatic breakdown of histamine in the body.

Table of suitable and unsuitable foods: what to eat, what not to eat

In foods, histamine can be produced from the amino acid histidine by fermenting bacteria. This is a very resistant substance that cannot be easily destroyed by cooking, as for example with bacterial contamination. In addition to deliberate fermentation, excessive amounts of histamine in food can occur during prolonged storage – bacteria multiply and form histamine as part of their metabolism.

The diet should include foods such as cereals, potatoes, fresh meat, some fruits and vegetables, peas and beans, milk and permitted dairy products, and eggs.

Below you will find a table of appropriate and inappropriate foods.

 

Food

Suitable (what to eat)

Unsuitable (what not to eat)

Vegetables

Fresh carrots, celery, parsley, iceberg lettuce, lettuce, romaine lettuce, fennel, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, chicory, zucchini, asparagus, fresh corn, bamboo shoots, garlic and onions (as tolerated), cucumbers and peppers (as tolerated)

Canned, preserved, older, overripe vegetables, fermented vegetables (sauerkraut, pickles, chalamade, pickles), dried vegetables, tomatoes (ketchup, puree), spinach, aubergines, olives, mushrooms, hot peppers, avocados

Legumes

Peas and beans

Lentils and soya beans

Fruit

Fresh apples, pears, unripe bananas, yellow melons, grapes

Canned, preserved fruit, jams, jellies, dried fruit, overripe fruit, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, currants, kiwi, apricots, plums, pineapple, citrus (lemons, oranges, grapefruit), cherries, papaya, guava, dates, figs

Nuts

Macadamia nuts, coconut, chestnuts, poppy seeds

Walnuts, cashews, hazelnuts, almonds, pistachios

Fats

Fresh butter, cold-pressed rapeseed oil, olive oil (depending on tolerance)

Almond and other nut oils, coconut, palm, sesame, linseed, margarines

Spices and condiments

Hot spices, hot peppers, chilli, cinnamon, liquorice, aniseed, nutmeg, curry, preserved spreads, dressings, ketchups, mayonnaise, wine and balsamic vinegar

Sweet

Sugars and syrups, homemade desserts made from permitted ingredients

Chocolate, cocoa butter, cocoa (tolerated to a lesser extent)

 

Suitable beverages include drinking water, still mineral water, juices from permitted fruits and vegetables diluted with water, and decaffeinated coffee. Inappropriate drinks include alcohol such as champagne, red and white wine, beer, bourbon, energy drinks, juices and juices from non-permitted fruits, fermented juices, caffeinated coffee, nettle tea, strong black tea and sugary cola-type sodas.

Food should be as fresh as possible as the amount of histamine increases with storage. The diet is set by the doctor.

 

What effect can CBD have?

CBD is a chemical found in the cannabis plant. CBD does not contain tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive ingredient in the plant that is said to cause highs and 'highs'.

CBD can help alleviate some symptoms of histamine intolerance such as stress, anxiety and depression. This is due to the fact that CBD activates CB1 and CB2 receptors, releasing naturally occurring cannabinoids in the body.

Studies suggest that CBD may have antihistamine and anti-inflammatory properties. Similar to synthetic drugs used to treat allergies, CBD can act as an antihistamine. A study conducted in 2005 showed that CBD has an immunomodulatory effect on cells in the respiratory system and reduces the symptoms of allergies. This study also highlighted the anti-inflammatory properties of cannabis.

There is no evidence that CBD contains histamine.

CBD may be helpful in:

  • Pain relief
  • Stress reduction and depression
  • Promoting better sleep
  • Epilepsy
  • Reducing inflammation
  • Migraine
  • Asthma
  • Menstrual pain
  • Diabetes
  • Skin problems (psoriasis, eczema, acne)

CBD can be taken in the form of capsules, oil, tinctures, ointments and in the form of food supplements, drinks.

CBD and histamine intolerance: Studies suggest that...

In recent years, the use of CBD in histamine intolerance has been investigated. Research suggests that CBD may have anti-inflammatory and antihistamine effects, which could help treat the symptoms of HIT.

A 2006 study titled Differential effect of cannabinoid agonists and endocannabinoids on histamine release from different regions of the rat brain examined histamine release from the brain. Different cannabinoid agents were found to have different effects on histamine release in different brain regions. Specifically, the study says that cannabinoid agonists and endocannabinoids can decrease histamine release in some brain regions but increase it in other regions. These results suggest that the endocannabinoid system may play a role in regulating histamine release in the brain.

Cannabinoid agonists are chemicals that activate cannabinoid receptors in the body. These receptors are part of the endocannabinoid system, which is involved in the regulation of various physiological functions such as pain, stress, mood, appetite and sleep.

A 2003 study entitled Histamine-induced reactions are inhibited by a cannabinoid receptor agonist in human skin examined the effect of cannabinoid receptor agonists on skin reactions to histamine. The results show that the use of a cannabinoid receptor agonist can reduce skin reactions to histamine.

Research in this area is still ongoing and further studies are needed to confirm the results to date and to better understand how CBD affects the body and histamine intolerance.

Conclusion

Histamine intolerance can adversely affect quality of life and cause a wide range of health problems. There are many factors that can trigger this intolerance, including stress, diet, hormonal imbalances and the use of certain medications. CBD is proving to be a promising substance that may help alleviate symptoms due to its suggested anti-inflammatory and antihistamine properties.

 

 

Author: Canatura

Photo: Shutterstock

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