Hi, folks. I have been reading the posts lately and seeing a lot of mention of lowering histamine levels with antihistamines. Can you provide some guidance on how much?'
I quite often take 1/2 a benadryl before bedtime to greatly help my sleep. I'm a light sleeper and this "puts me more under" so that every ache, pain, and cramp doesn't wake me up.
I also take quercetin with bromelain (about 800 mg. divided) twice a day which really helps with seasonal allergies. There seems to be some good research indicating that this lowers histamine levels as well.
Your thoughts???
OTC antihistamines
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Hi,
Actually, antihistamines do not lower histamine levels. They simply block the histamine receptors so that histamine cannot attach. Thus histamine remains in circulation and levels can build up to the point where this may become a problem, unless our diamine oxidase enzyme level is adequate (DAO is produced by the body and one of it's functions is to purge residual histamine from the system). Unfortunately, IBDs tend to interfere with DAO production, and as normal use depletes the supply, this typically results in below-normal DAO levels. Histame, for example, is a DAO supplement or substitute. Cromolyn sodium can be used as a mast cell stabilizer (to prevent mast cells from releasing histamine and other proinflammatory agents).
Unfortunately, according to most of the posts that I've read on this board, neither of those supplements/medications seem to beneficial enough to be worth writing home about, for most of us. We tend to get much more bang for our buck, from plain old OTC antihistamines.
Some members only take a non-drowsy antihistamine first thing in the morning, while others find that it's helpful to take benadryl at bedtime. Note that the regular version of Claritin contains lactose. Because of that, most of the members who choose Claritin use the Claritin Redi-Tabs, which are free of lactose.
Allergists typically treat severe, chronic urticaria with up to 4 times the labeled dose of antihistamines for extended periods, so obviously doses in this range are considered to be safe. For our purposes, doses this high haven't been tried, as far as I'm aware, because most of us see significant improvement in symptoms with much lower doses.
You are correct that there are many, many medications that actually act as antihistamines, but they are not promoted as such.
Tex
Actually, antihistamines do not lower histamine levels. They simply block the histamine receptors so that histamine cannot attach. Thus histamine remains in circulation and levels can build up to the point where this may become a problem, unless our diamine oxidase enzyme level is adequate (DAO is produced by the body and one of it's functions is to purge residual histamine from the system). Unfortunately, IBDs tend to interfere with DAO production, and as normal use depletes the supply, this typically results in below-normal DAO levels. Histame, for example, is a DAO supplement or substitute. Cromolyn sodium can be used as a mast cell stabilizer (to prevent mast cells from releasing histamine and other proinflammatory agents).
Unfortunately, according to most of the posts that I've read on this board, neither of those supplements/medications seem to beneficial enough to be worth writing home about, for most of us. We tend to get much more bang for our buck, from plain old OTC antihistamines.
Some members only take a non-drowsy antihistamine first thing in the morning, while others find that it's helpful to take benadryl at bedtime. Note that the regular version of Claritin contains lactose. Because of that, most of the members who choose Claritin use the Claritin Redi-Tabs, which are free of lactose.
Allergists typically treat severe, chronic urticaria with up to 4 times the labeled dose of antihistamines for extended periods, so obviously doses in this range are considered to be safe. For our purposes, doses this high haven't been tried, as far as I'm aware, because most of us see significant improvement in symptoms with much lower doses.
You are correct that there are many, many medications that actually act as antihistamines, but they are not promoted as such.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
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Gabes-Apg
- Emperor Penguin
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In line with what Tex has written above anti-histamines block histamine receptors. Long term this is not ideal, as we do need a small amount of histamine for effective digestion.
After using OTC anti-histamines for 2 years, I swapped across to a protocol of high dose Vit C, Magnesium, Zinc to balance histamine inflammation. This has worked really well.
I also got Sodium Chromoglycate capsules from the compounder and have used these for events/meals at a family wedding to minimise inflammed reactions. (they also work well)
hope this helps
After using OTC anti-histamines for 2 years, I swapped across to a protocol of high dose Vit C, Magnesium, Zinc to balance histamine inflammation. This has worked really well.
I also got Sodium Chromoglycate capsules from the compounder and have used these for events/meals at a family wedding to minimise inflammed reactions. (they also work well)
hope this helps
Gabes Ryan
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama