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Sunday, 18th January 2009
Are you one of the millions of people suffering from excess or unnecessary release of histamine? Do you even know what this is?
If you have any sort of allergy, you are in the above group. In fact, you may be in the group even if you don't know it. If you have eczema, rhinitis (constant runny nose), hay fever, asthma, hives, nasal congestion, itchy eyes, skin eruptions and many other problems, your body may be releasing excess histamine.
Excess release of histamine is a nightmare. In different people, it causes different problems. The release of histamine can be triggered by certain agents such as dust, pollen, foods or environments.
Traditionally, there is very little you can do but to take an anti-histamine. Sounds easy, right? Yes apart from the fact that many anti-histamines can give quite bad side effects such as drowsiness or blurred vision. They are not a "cure" to the problem and merely just "mask" the symptoms.
Excess histamine is caused by different things in different people. Sometimes it is easy to pinpoint the cause and many times it is almost impossible such as in hives (urticaria).
House dust mite, pollen, traffic pollution, wheat, dairy products, heat or perfumes can all cause histamine release. This is not an exhaustive list and there are many other things that can cause your body to release extra histamine. The result (which you can see or feel) can be anything from sneezing, runny nose, red eyes to a skin outbreak.
A toxic body is much more likely to be prone to excess histamine release than a healthy non toxic one. For example, if you eat too much rubbish (cakes, cookies, sweets, artificial foods, fatty foods, alcohol) or too much red meat (as an example) your body will be busy trying to digest and detoxify, thereby exhausting its resources and not being able to deal with other things (pollen for example).
Toxicity exhausts the adrenals and your adrenals are one of the main glands of your body and an important one in fighting "inflammatory" problems, such as histamine release.
It is very possible for you to change the way you live and eat slightly better to have a body more geared up to stopping histamine release.
Imagine, no more blocked or runny nose; no more hives breakouts just when you don't need it.
You need to stick to the advice below and not stray. The release of histamine can be triggered by the slightest stimuli. Stick to the advice below for at least 3 months to give your body a chance to recover and rest. You will see results way before that.
* First things first. Cut down protein intake, especially animal proteins. Try and cut it to around 10% of your daily calorie intake. Excess protein is a drain on your body's resources. You need to cut it down so your body starts resting and not be in a constant over-active state.
* Try and cut out all dairy, wheat and gluten products. Most stores these days sell dairy free and gluten free products. Dairy, wheat and gluten can contribute HUGELY to histamine release.
* First thing upon waking up, drink a full glass of clean water with some lime or lemon juice squeezed in. This is great for a gentle liver cleanse.
* Drink lots of water at regular intervals during the day. Your body releases histamine in order to stop water loss. If you give your body adequate amounts of water, less histamine will be released. This is very important. Many people who suffer from histamine problems are not drinking enough water.
* Cut out ALL artificial sweeteners. This means those found in diet drinks, many foods (low fat/no fat) and chewing gums.
* There is no doubt that an organic vegetarian diet is very good for those who have a histamine problem. A diet high in Quercetin and flavonoids such as citrus fruits, berries, onions, parsley, legumes, green tea, and red wine is especially good.
* Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish, flax, hemp, borage and evening primrose oils are especially good as they decrease inflammation.
* A diet high in garlic and onion is very beneficial also (please say sorry to your partners!)
* Foods high in vitamin C and Bromelain are very good. Vitamin C is a natural anti-histamine. Eat oranges, tangerines, fruit juices and pineapple.
Monitor your body. Buy a diary and mark in there when you get an attack. You will soon see a pattern and will be able to find out the offending foods/environments/triggers. You can then try and eliminate them.
You didn't think I would leave you without some form of "instant help", did you?
Go to your local health shop and get yourself some tablets of:
* Quercetin (take say 1000 mg a day)
* Bromelain (500mg a day)
* Nettle extract (500mg a day)
* Vitamin C (1000 mg a day)
This may all sound difficult to get but don't worry help is at hand. Help comes from food supplements companies that have already thought about this and have started manufacturing all in one tablets with the above.
Start taking the combination pill above and change your diet and you WILL see great results in just days.
If you have any allergy experiences which you wish to share, you can email in to this site.
Good luck!
UPDATE: AVOID HONEY.
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* Please note: The above is NOT a substitute for medical advice. DO NOT stop your medication unless you have consulted your doctor. If you have a medical condition, always visit your general practitioner.