Before trying to rectify the supposed defects in the body that
create improper histamine effects, we need to know what histamine is. We
know that it is the central neurotransmitter, which affects the activity of the
whole brain and oversees the production of other neurotransmitters. Thus
its activity determines the mood, energy levels, sleep, appetite, degree of
aggression and fear, lactation in nursing mothers and contractions in labor,
hormone production, etc. The regulatory center of all those functions is
hypothalamus/pituitary block. Histamine prevails in this block.
Let us have a look at histamine’s role in the immune processes.
Histamine is the very first substance spilling out of the cells in ANY
reaction. Do you feel a slight itch when a tiny grass touches your skin?
The itch is the result of the spilt histamine. You hurt your leg
and see swelling at the site of the injury – again histamine is the very first
substance to collect at the site. An abscess is accompanied by local
inflammation – histamine is there. A touch of stinging nettle results in
hives – histamine reaction; a bee sting causing a general reaction – also
histamine in higher amounts leaking from the cells all over the body. A
reaction to vaccination (no matter with or without mercury) may lead to a mild
or severe reaction up to death in occasional cases – histamine flood resulting
in vascular and respiratory spasm. The only conclusion a layperson can
make is that nature purposefully or negligently made our cells produce this
evil substance, and therefore, we do not have a choice but to suppress it by
hook or by crook. This is exactly what we are taught to do. We are
taught to avoid histidine-containing foods (the healthiest ones, by the way),
to suppress histamine production with antihistamines or, if this is poorly
achievable, then with more potent medications (naturally, with side
effects). However, ask yourself a question: is nature evil?
No, nature is tuned to harmony. We are born to live and multiply, and
multiplication with the rotten core cannot be the plan of nature. We
should look for a different explanation of histamine ill effects and
undesirable spills.
Where does histamine come from? Although all cells produce
it, the production is in small amounts. Only two kinds of cells are its
main producers. In fact, from the point of view of their function, they
are one cell; they only differ in their mobility –one is mobile, while the
other is stationary. For easiness, we combine then under one name – mast
cells. The word ‘mast’ comes from a Greek root “pertaining to breast”, in
other words, cells containing food. In the majority of the languages, the
same meaning is preserved. What “food” do those cells contain?
Mostly histamine, which is kept in them in granules. Those granules are fragile
containers of histamine, and they leak at the slightest signal from outside or
inside. The signal may be a touch of grass, a stream of air, a whiff of
smoke, the change in hormonal level in one’s own blood, an injury, a nervous
strain, etc. Histamine is the FIRST substance to announce any
reaction. In healthy people, this is a normal response to a stimulus; in
people with a certain defect, the leakage is profuse. Anything above the
norm causes discomfort in the body. A profuse leakage leads to a
discomfort. When leakage occurs all over the body, like in reaction to a
vaccine, for instance, there may be general discomfort with numerous
symptoms. In the tissues with the prevalence of mast cells, the
discomfort is felt most. What are those tissues? Brain (oh, yes,
headaches and mood swings!), vessels (constriction in migraine headache or
anaphylaxis in a generalized allergic reaction), skin (wow, the itch!), lungs
(cough unrelated to cold), gastrointestinal tract (reactions to histamine-containing
foods). Now, it is clear why we have migraine due to weather changes, or
after drinking a glass of beer, or being under a stress in the expectation of
test, or (this is mostly for women) feel under the weather during menses.
Any internal or external change affects the touchy mast cells, and their only
response is histamine leak.
Saying that we, actually, blame the body for creating mast cells
with their vulnerability to any and all influences, and thus, we blame the
nature for this defect. Do not be so fast in assumptions. Mast
cells are immune cells, and all cells in this category are our
defenders. They are quick to respond not to harm but to defend the body
from those changes. And histamine is a DEFENDER. Being the first to
pour out makes it the main defender. Surprised? Don’t be.
Simply go to the dictionary and see that histamine is an autacoid, with
‘auta’ meaning ‘self’ and ‘coid’ meaning ‘remedy’. Histamine is a
self-remedy. It is the body’s drug against attacks from inside and
outside.
Next time we need to talk about the paradox: how a
self-remedial substance plays the opposite role and brings upon us a lot of
symptoms, with migraine headaches among them.