Histamine is a biologically active substance that potentiates the inflammatory and immune responses of the body, regulates physiological function in the gut, and acts as a neurotransmitter. Drugs that antagonize these effects by blocking or inhibiting histamine receptors (H receptors) are called antihistamines. Antihistamines are divided into two classes (H1 antihistamines and H2 antihistamines), based on the type of H receptor targeted.

H1 antihistamines are mostly used to treat allergic reactions and mast cell-mediated disorders. This subtype is further divided into two generations. While the first-generation H1 antihistamines have a central nervous system effect (drowsiness) and are also used as sedatives. The second-generation H1 antihistamines have less drowsy effects and are used primarily as hypoallergenic drugs.

H2 antihistamines are indicated primarily for gastric reflux disease because they reduce the production of stomach acid by reversibly blocking the H2 histamine receptors in the parietal cells of the stomach.

Use of most H1 and H2 antihistamines…

Histamine plays a major role in the immune response for allergies, as well as various other purposes in other body systems. The compound is involved in least 23 physiological functions.  The body can synthesize histamine in all tissues, but the lungs, skin, and gastrointestinal tract contain the most histamine.

One of the most widely understood functions of histamine is the role it plays in allergic reactions. Researchers believe that the allergic process has two phases: early and late. Within seconds or minutes of allergen exposure, the body releases histamines. This begins the early phase of an allergic response. Different areas of the body have different histamine receptor proteins. Depending on which receptor proteins histamine interacts with, a variety of allergic and inflammatory responses can occur, such as: itching, sneezing, coughing, and watering eyes.

Diamine Oxidase (DAO) also known as histaminase, is involved in the metabolism, oxidation, and inactivation of histamine. In some individuals, their levels of DAO are…

Cheese is one of the most commonly craved foods, suggesting the possibility of opiate activity, as has been demonstrated with other craved foods, particularly chocolate. Like other dairy products, cheese contains casein, which is the major protein in cow's milk. This is unlike human milk, in which the primary protein is whey.

Casomorphin is an opioid peptide (protein fragment) derived from the digestion of the milk protein casein. Casomorphin is one of the opioid compounds formed in our stomachs when we drink milk.

The opiate-like casomorphins liberated from the cow’s milk protein, casein, are also accused of participating in the cause of other conditions including type I diabetes, postpartum psychosis, circulatory disorders, food allergies, and autism.

The researchers “report a case of a breast-fed infant with recurrent apnea episodes, which have always been preceded by his mother’s consumption of fresh cow’s milk.” Lab tests revealed a high level of casomorphin…

Tyramine-rich foods might interact with or alter how medications work in your body. For example, certain MAOIs, including certain antidepressants and medications for Parkinson’s disease, can cause tyramine buildup.

Excessive tyramine intake may lead to a hypertensive crisis that can be fatal, according to the Mayo Clinic. A hypertensive crisis can occur when blood pressure is so high that you have a greater chance of stroke or death.

If you have a poor ability to break down amines such as tyramine or histamine, you may experience allergic-type reactions to small amounts of amines. Your doctor may say that you’re “amine intolerant.”

For the majority of people who are amine intolerant, tyramine’s effects are most obvious when you have excessive amounts. At high enough levels, you might experience symptoms, such as:

Heart Palpitations Nausea Vomiting Migraine Headaches

If you think you may be sensitive to tyramine or if you’re taking MAOIs…