Re: High Histamines and Under-Methylation

>>>>>>I think there also may be glutathione issues related to histamine<<<<<

***Another way to reduce histamine levels is to supply antioxidants. Free radicals are produced from both external sources and internal natural biochemical reactions. Too many free radicals provoke histamine reactions.

****There are few substances in your body that match the importance of glutathione to maintaining your overall good health and well being. The body’s most potent natural antioxidant and detoxifier, Glutathione neutralizes harmful free radicals, flushes away toxins, supports cell health and integrity, and strengthens immune system activity.

Why is Glutathione Important?
Today’s environment is often plagued by pollution in the air we breathe, the water we drink and in the ground that grows our food. Chemicals, pesticides and other toxins make their way into our bodies, and can cause harm to our cells and systems if left unchecked. L-Glutathione, a tripeptide made up of three amino acids called cysteine, glycine, and glutamic acid, is produced by the body.

Glutathione is a very powerful antioxidant that protects the body by targeting and destroying reactive oxygen molecules and free radicals. It is found in high concentrations in the liver, where it binds to heavy metals such as mercury and lead, as well as chemical pollutants, and transforms them into a form that can be easily flushed out of the body via enzymatic pathways.


----WHY would histamine levels tell you about methylation function?

Methionine is a methyl carrying amino acid + ATP/magnesium = SAMe.
SAMe goes throughout the body delivering methyl groups to over 400 different reactions.

One way histamine is de-activated (eliminated) is by receiving a methyl group from SAMe. So if there is low methylation, there is low SAMe, and the histamine levels are higher because of the lack of methyl groups to deactivate it. If there is high methylation, there is higher amounts of SAMe, and lots of histamine can be deactivated.

Where does this histamine come from?
One source is when the amino acid histidine looses a carboxyl group. Some bacteria can faciliate this conversion too. So if you have a bacteria overgrowth, it may be using up histidine and converting it to more histamine. Another big source is directly from foods. Some people may have a problem eliminating histamine from their foods and this causes reactions which LOOK LIKE allergies, but are not true IgE mediated allergies. You may see a histamine reaction which is just too high levels of histamine and not because an antigen caused an immune reaction to something.

What lowers histamine?
Taking an antihistamine is one way. Antihistamines typically work by either inhibiting the release of histamine (like during an immune reaction) or blocking the uptake of histamine (like from food). Magnesium and vitamin C are natural anti-histamines. Vitamin C can destroy histamine directly. This is why these supplements are recommended when you are sick for any reason.

Another way to reduce histamine levels is to supply antioxidants. Free radicals are produced from both external sources and internal natural biochemical reactions. Too many free radicals provoke histamine reactions.

What does histamine do?
Histamine is located throughout the entire body. In many instances, it causes inflammation, runny nose, itching, hives, sore throat, coughing, flushing, headache and all those other typical allergy reactions. In the gut, it signals the production of gastric acid. This is why some remedies for acid stomach are really antihistamines. In the brain, it functions like a neurotransmitter. A couple of functions include affecting hunger or feeding, and also sleep/wake cycles (the circadian rhythm). A bit more histamine keeps you awake, and lower histamine levels help you sleep. This is why many antihistamines make you drowsy. Some newer antihistamines have been developed to get around this issue.

The role of antioxidants in the immune system is multifaceted as they can serve to either suppress or enhance the immune response. Depending on the desired response, different antioxidants can play different roles in balancing the immune response effectively in an individual. Beta-carotene, selenium, vitamin C, and vitamin E are all examples of exogenous antioxidants. In addition to these that come from our diet, the body also has a system of enzymes, which form the endogenous antioxidants. Together, they work to eliminate free radicals from the body.

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How does mercury toxicity affect methylation?

Mercury toxicity may disrupt this cycle making it practically unsolvable until the metals are removed.

Or a "busted methylation" as Newport calls it.