HISTAMINE
Histamine

Detecting increased or decreased histamine levels

Histamine is a biogenic amine and putative neurotransmitter. Histamine performs in particular a neuro-immune regulating / strengthening function. The substance is involved in a large number of cellular reactions, including allergic and inflammatory reactions. Histamine also stimulates stomach acid and saliva secretion and causes tears and excretion from the nose. Histamine is a strong vasodilator and it increases pain sensitivity in the skin. Presumably, histamine also acts as a neurotransmitter in the brain and influences human behavior.
In the body, histamine is made from the amino acid histidine via decarboxylation. The main storage sites of histamine are the mast cells in the tissues and the basophils in the blood. The body is 'detoxified' from an excess of histamine via (mainly) methylation using methionine.

When is it meaningful to perform an Histamine test?

Pfeiffer has found that the histamine level in whole blood can be an important aid in the diagnosis and treatment of schizophrenia (see below).

In addition, it can also be useful to do the test at:
  • Alcoholism
  • Allergy
  • Drug use
  • (Periodic) Headache
  • Weight problems (can not come)
  • Problems with gastric acid secretion
  • Problems with saliva secretion
  • Abnormal pain threshold
  • Stress

CLINICAL MEANING OF THE TEST AT SCHIZOFRENIE

Pfeiffer has identified three main types among schizophrenia patients on the basis of biochemical abnormalities that are also seen in the population as a whole. His characterization of patients around the histamine axis (too high, normal or too low histamine) has proven to be a good tool for the assessment and treatment of schizophrenia patients who have nutrient deficiencies and who are treatable with nutrient (substances) therapy.

Low blood histamine (histapenia): Histapenia is often seen in patients with low levels of zinc and serum folate (and possibly also manganese) and high serum copper (and possibly also iron) .1 Schizophrenia patients with low histamine content - about 50% of schizophrenia patients according to Pfeiffer - mainly have symptoms of paranoia and hallucinations. 2.3
There may be a connection with the high serum copper that is often found. Copper stimulates the brain and 'destroys' histamine. Zinc and manganese can help lower an increased amount of copper (already in food doses). Folic acid (with vitamin B12) can help to raise the histamine level.

High histamine (histemia): Vitamin C acts as a modulator on the synthesis and release of histamine in the body: the human blood histamine increases with the decrease of the plasma ascorbic acid. Low vitamin C levels in the blood promote the synthesis and release of histamine, so that high blood histamine is seen in people with a low vitamin C level.
Allergy, drugs (heroin) and methadone use and lead poisoning may contribute to an increased histamine level. And a high tissue folate can also be accompanied by a high histamine. Schizophrenia patients with high histamine - about 20% of patients according to Pfeiffer - mainly have symptoms of suicidal depression.2 A history with allergies, headaches and a low pain threshold can also be part of the complaints.
Because histamine accelerates the oxidation of food, the patients can be thin and belong to the type that 'can eat and drink everything without arriving'.
 
Vitamin C can help to inhibit the histamine level. Calcium can help release histamine from (brain) tissues and thus lower the level in the tissues. Methionine can help to detoxify the body of histamine through methylation. Furthermore, zinc and manganese and the detection and treatment of possible allergies can have a beneficial effect.

For the 30 - 40% schizophrenia patients with normal histamine, the Kryptopyrrol can be used in urine.

COMPLEMENTARY TESTS:

  • Kryptopyrrol in urine: this test can be used for the diagnosis and treatment of schizophrenia patients with a normal histamine level in blood.
  • Vitamins in blood (especially vitamin C, folic acid and vitamin B12). Different vitamins can affect the histamine level.
  • (Trace) elements / toxic elements in blood (especially zinc, copper, manganese and lead). Different (trace) elements can influence the histamine level.
  • Amino acids in urine (especially methionine and histidine). The test also provides information about the methylation)
  • Foods IgE / IgG4 panel: Allergy can contribute to an increased histamine level. The detection and subsequent treatment of (food) allergies can have a beneficial effect on the histamine level.
  • Essential fatty acids in blood: these are often disturbed (reduced) in schizophrenia.

LITERATURE:

  1. Pfeiffer C.C., Braverman E.R: Folic acid and vitamin B12 therapy for the low-histamine, high-copper biotype of schizofrenia. Folic acid in psychiatry and internal medicine, p.43. Raven Press, New York 1979.
  2. Pfeiffer C.C. Blood histamine, basophil counts and trace elements in the schizophrenias. Rev. Can. Biol. vol 31 suppl. printemps 1972, p.73-76.
  3. Pfeiffer C.C., Mental and elemental nutrients. A Brain Bio Book. Keats Publishing, inc. New Canaan, connecticut, 1975.
  4. Reddy RD, Yao JK. Environmental factors and membrane polyunsaturated fatty acids in schizophrenia. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 2003 Dec;69(6):385-91. 
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