A couple weeks ago I posted an article all about the effects of histamine in the body: Histamine: Your Body's Secret Frenemy - Part 1.

I wrote about a certain type of histamine receptor and constricts smooth muscles and blood vessels causing areas of low oxygen in the body. Read: tension, cramps, pain, tightness.

But there are other receptor types that also have powerful effects, causing a variety of symptoms and illnesses. And I've had a few eager beavers ask me about the rest of the histamine receptors.

So wait no more! I'm happy to share the rest of what I learned from Dr. Schafer's lecture at my naturoapthic conference.

There are three more types of histamine receptors, but I'm only going to review 2 more types.

The low down in Type 2 Histamine Receptors

When histamine binds to these receptors we see opening of blood vessels, and increased permeability. The blood vessels become more leaky, putting excess fluids of various types in different body tissues. Like type 1 histamine receptors - these are all over the body. This can look like all or any of the following symptoms:

• congested pressure in the head, throbby migraines

• sensitive to light / sound

• congestive heart failure

• dilated blood vessels in the heart

• fluid retention

• weakness in the heart

• low blood pressure

• hive reactions

• rosacea

• flushing responses - including hot flashes

• excess mucus in the sinuses and respiratory tract

• sneezing

• wet cough

• mucousy asthma

• urinary frequency (with increased or decreased urinary production)

• increased perspiration

• throbby aches and pains

• lax ligaments, loose joints

• heart burn (This is why heart burn medications are typically some kind of histamine blocker. Check more on this tricky topic here.)

• bloating

• nausea

• diarrhea

A solid list, right? Histamine biochemistry is complex and wide spread.

What about type 3 Histamine receptors?

When histamine binds to the 3rd type of receptor we see neurological over stimulation. This just isn't in the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord) but anywhere in the body where there are nerves. So. Everywhere.

Here is the list of symptoms we might see from type 3 stimulation:

• dizziness

• nausea

• inability to regulate body temperature and appetite

• insomnia

• panic attacks

• generalized anxiety

• depression

• wonky heart rhythms - too fast or too slow

• heightened pain sensitivity - especially in the skin

• chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder

• irregular breathing

• irritated bladder

• interstitial cystitis

• bed wetting (I most commonly see wheat reactivity related to this in children - but it certainly could be any other food  OR any other factor that doesn't work with their biochemistry.)

You can see that there is overlap between the groups, and there are a lot of symptoms that can be related to histamine production and excess in the body. Several of these symptoms can be caused by other factors - and that's why it's always good to see Naturopathic doctors or other health care practitioners to help you identify the cause of your symptoms.

People tend to have a histamine receptor type response they are more prone to, but any one can have any of these reactions, in any of the three categories.  So while it can seem confusing clinically treatments follow the same general principles:

• Identify and avoid foods that cause a histamine response IN YOU (there are lists of histamine heavy foods - but it's more important to find out what works or doesn't for you as an individual.

• Eat clean food - toxins in our food in the forms of pesticides or preservatives can create a histamine response. Again remember from part 1 that, "Histamine is a molecule released in stress, trauma, infection and allergies."

• Take methyl donors to improve histamine break down such as: methylcobalamin (B12), MSM, SAMe

• Consider a probiotic with a high proportion of Lactobacillus rhamnosus which helps decrease histamine release

• Drink clean water

• Reduce and manage stress

• Breath clean air. At this same naturopathic conference Dr. Walter Crinnion spoke. He is one of the leading naturopathic doctors on environmental medicine - how the dirty world we're living in affects our health and what to do about it. He said that above clean water and food is clean air. It is more important clincially than the other two combined. He thinks everyone should have an air filter in their bedrooms, if not in the rest of their house as well.

So there you have it!

Histamine as your secret frenemy.

Remember - it's just doing it's job - which is to protect you. If you don't like the effects of it - then figure out why so much of it is being released in your system and change that factor or combination of factors. I can help.

Root cause medicine. Boom.

To your healthy, thriving, delightful life!