Histamine is a naturally occurring chemical in the body that plays a key role in the immune response, digestion, and acting as a neurotransmitter. It is stored mainly in mast cells and basophils and is released during allergic reactions to help fight off perceived threats. Histamine causes symptoms like itching, swelling, and redness by dilating blood vessels and increasing their permeability. It also helps regulate stomach acid production for digestion. In the brain, histamine influences wakefulness and appetite. Normally, enzymes like diamine oxidase (DAO) break down excess histamine to keep levels balanced. However, when histamine accumulates due to overproduction or poor breakdown, it can cause symptoms such as headaches, hives, or digestive issues—a condition known as histamine intolerance. But histamine is also present in high concentration in certain foods and our gut flora (gut bacteria) can produce histamine as part of their metabolic activities. Particularly when you have SIBOS (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth syndrome) with the participation of putrefaction flora.
