Histamines and methylation

http://www.healthrecovery.com/HRC_2006/Depression_06/D_roller_coaster.htm How It Works in the Brain In your hypothalamus, histamine stimulates the release of the important neurotransmitters serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine. Another role of brain histamine is to counterbalance dopamine in that area of the brain that filters sensory information coming into your brain. With too little histamine, dopamine levels are elevated. The result of too low histamine can be thought disorders or even hallucinations that feel like your mind is playing tricks on you. Other psychiatric symptoms develop when too MUCH histamine heightens and distorts the release of these key neurotransmitters serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine. When abnormally high, histamine will cause over stimulation, aggressiveness, compulsivity, and a racing brain (among other symptoms.) Histamine and Prostaglandin E1 Appear Linked Histamine levels and PGE1 levels (made from Omega 6 essential fatty acids) have recently been shown to move in the same direction. The same natural substances raise and lower both histamine and PGE1 in the brain and body. Their interrelationship is significant as we set out to repair the many psychological and psychiatric problems that their abnormal levels trigger in us. Description of a Low Histimine Child Dr. Linus Pauling in Orthomolecular Psychiatry gives us a composite case history of a low histamine person: "The patient is a hyperactive male child who is unnaturally healthy. For example, the rest of the family may get head colds, but this low histamine child misses the cold, or the virus infection fails to produce a rhinitis. He is hypo-allergic ... he may show no signs of pain even when seriously bruised or when a venous blood sample is obtained. Corporal punishment is relatively useless because a slap causes little pain. The child is constantly active and sleeps poorly. His attention span is short so learning is poor. Although his ability in some areas may be high when tested, a high degree of disperceptions may be present, such as sensory, time, body, self, and perception of others." *****A high protein diet worked best as it provides the needed amino acid histidine, which easily converts to histamine. Refined carbohydrates, i.e. sugar, white flour, junk foods, were prohibited. Seth had been living on white flour in the form of white bread sandwiches, crackers, potato chips, and pasta. He loved cookies and sweets. The family loved colas and kept a ready supply on hand. Seth's special diet needs meant no more junk food in the house. Copper and Low Histimine A recent client was living on two anti-depressant drugs, Wellbutrin and Effixor, but still felt anxious and depressed and had bouts of crying. Brett complained that he had lost his sex drive, tired easily, felt irritable and frustrated most of the time. His growing paranoia had affected his job relationships. Lab testing showed not only low histamine levels but abnormally high hair copper: eight times the normal level. The toxic effect of copper stems from its properties as a nervous stimulant. Excess copper creates histapenia (low histamine) by decreasing histamine in the brain. Copper contains the enzymes that regulate histamine, and too much copper allows histamine degradation to take place. The lowered histamine levels in turn, allow more copper to accumulate. High copper in the brain can cause a state of restlessness, insomnia, violence, depression, irritability, paranoia, and high blood pressure. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Histadelia – HIGH Histamine 1.) Histadelics are often over stimulated, almost manic; their compulsive drives may lead them to alcohol to break their inner tension and buy them some peace. 2.) Sleep is a problem. They are light sleepers, usually needing seven or less hours. Insomnia can be severe. 3.) If histamine levels get too high, phobias, compulsions and blank-mindedness develop. These people are the perfectionists and the "doers" that never seem to know how to relax. Histamine increases their cellular metabolism so their body temperature may be above normal and they burn up their food quickly. Typically histadelics have no problem with weight gain. If there is a weight problem, it is coming from food and chemical allergies that set off hunger or binging. Upon identification and avoidance of these allergic triggers, histadelics will slowly lose unwanted body weight (this process may take a full year) and recover the natural high energy levels that their allergies were masking. 4.) Because of their elevated metabolic rate and higher body temperature, their bodies develop anatomically to help dissipate the extra heat: ears, nose, hands and feet may be enlarged. Fingers and toes are usually long. I often ask clients to show me their second toe. In a histadelic, it is frequently longer than their big toe. They also have very little facial and chest hair, again helping to promote more rapid loss of extra body heat. (This is the mate who keeps turning down the thermostat!) 5.) Suicidal depression puts these people at high risk because they have the energy to carry out a suicide plan and the impulsiveness to act quickly without thinking it over. Not all histadelics are depressed. It is not known why some have depression and others do not. 6.) Since histamine produces an abundant production of fluid secretions, histadelics have an overproduction of saliva that keeps their teeth free of cavities. (Sometimes, saliva is literally dripping from the corners of their mouth.) Sexual orgasms are easy because of their increased mucous. This mucous also accounts for assisting the smaller, faster male sperm to win the race to fertilize the egg, so high histamine families produce mostly male children. 7.) Most histadelics have a very low pain threshold and will over-react, to pain. Headaches and respiratory allergies are common. The High Histamine Child Most histadelic children are very self-motivated and achievement-oriented. However, some are so self-directed that they resent giving up their control to a parent or teacher. They can't stand being told what to do by adults. These youngsters become disruptive within their families and classrooms. Physical discipline only causes their behavior to intensify. They may not easily make friends with their peers, preferring much younger children or adults. If counseling is pushed, it typically will be a failure. A diagnosis of "oppositional defiant disorder" often results. These children tend to get obsessively hooked on activities. This can be advantageous to the child who pursues learning or sports, but will present problems if the focus is on negative activities like playing video games excessively. Drug use among histadelic (high histamine) teens is five times as likely as with histapenic (low histamine) young people. These drugs steadily worsen their nervous system imbalances. If they start cigarettes, they may become chain-smokers. It is important to channel their compulsive-obsessive tendencies into productive activities. If you suspect your own child fits this category, a blood test will be able to pinpoint their histamine levels. Usually no drugs are required to lower histamine, as you will see from the formula a the end of this section. To have high-normal histamine levels is a real blessing. The natural energy and drive to succeed in life gives this type a competitive edge. The danger lies in letting histamine rise to such high levels that there is suicidal depression or impulsive sexual addiction or obsessions that are uncontrollable. How To Treat Histamine levels will decrease and symptoms lessen in response to daily doses of methionine, an amino acid that significantly detoxifies histamine by methylating the ring structure forming N-methyl-histamine in the brain. Typical dose is a 500 mg capsule taken four times daily. Calcium, taken morning and evening, releases additional histamine stores and lowers levels in the body. With magnesium, it acts as a natural tranquilizer. If your histamine level is extremely high, your physician may prescribe the drug Dilantin (phenytoin) that works rapidly to interfere with histamine and bring levels back to normal. The dose is 100 mg morning and evening. I have not liked the side effects that I've watched from Dilantin, so its' use should be reserved for difficult cases only. Avoid a high protein diet as most proteins contain histidine, the amino acid from which you will synthesize even more histamine. A preferable diet is one high in vegetables and fruits. Do You Have Low Histamine? The following screen will reveal a strong indication of Low Histamine. (A lab test will then be a good investment for confirmation.) (Ten or more indicates possible Histapenia.) The Histapenic (Low Histamine) Screening Test 1. Do you get canker sores? 2. Do you have slow sexual responsiveness or a low libido? 3. Do you have tension headaches or seldom have headaches? 4. Do you have heavy growth or body hair? 5. Do you tend to carry any excess fat in your lower extremities rather than evenly distributed around your body? (pear shaped) 6. Do you have a lot of dental fillings? 7. Do you have a head full of grand plans but are easily frustrated? 8. Are you suspicious of people or feel paranoid? 9. Have you ever heard voices inside your head? 10. Are you able to stand pain well? 11. Do you have ringing in your ears? 12. Do you get few or no colds? 13. Do you have low tolerance for medications or drugs? 14. Do you tire easily? 15. Do you need at least 8 hours sleep - are you a slow riser in the morning? 16. Is your mouth usually dry? 17. Do you have tendency to despair, or have bouts of crying? 18. Frequent irritability? Copyright©2001 Health Recovery Center, Inc. All Rights Reserved Low Histamine (Paranoia) Formula * Bio-Ester C * Histidine (3 bottles) * Bio-GLA (2 bottles) * Bio-Omega-3 Liquid * Folic Acid * Bio-Niacin (No Flush) * Bio-Zinc (Reacted) * Querciplex (2 bottles) * L-Tryptophan (2 bottles) * B-12 (Methylcobalamin) * Manganese Do You Have High Histamine? The following screen is used at Health Recovery Center to determine the likelihood of excessive blood histamine. The Histadelia (High Histamine) Screen 1. Do you tend to sneeze in bright sunlight? 2. Were you a shy and over-sensitive teenager? 3. Can you make tears easily and are never bothered by a lack of saliva or dry mouth? 4. Do you hear your pulse in your head on the pillow at night? 5. Do you have frequent muscle cramps? 6. Do you have a high sensitivity to pain? 7. Do you have easy orgasms with sex, and hi libido? 8. Do you get headaches regularly? 9. At times does your mind go blank? 10. Do you have seasonal allergies, such as hay fever? 11. Do you tend to be a light sleeper? 12. Do you need only 5 to 7 hours sleep nightly? 13. Do you burn up foods rapidly? 14. Have you thought seriously of suicide? 15. Can you tolerate high doses of medication or drugs? 16. Do you have large ears and long fingers or toes? (Is your second to as long as your big toe?) 17. Are you addicted to drugs, alcohol, or sugar? 18. Are you an obsessive, Type A person who feels driven or a perfectionist? 19. Are you impulsive? 20. Do boys predominate among your siblings? Copyright©2001 Health Recovery Center, Inc. All Rights Reserved