Histamine

by Lucia Stansbie

Substances released by white blood cells (mast cells), normally associated with allergic and inflammatory reactions. Histamines cause capillaries to dilate and muscles to contract, and can also have an impact on sleep/wake cycles. Excessive histamines are broken down in the gut by an enzyme called DAO and deactivated in the liver by a B vitamin dependent process called methylation. Excessive histamine built up due to poor gut health or immune system excessive activation, can lead to histamine sensitivity or histamine intolerance, where you body reacts to a variety of stimuli with bloating, skin rashes, insomnia and anxiety.