Liver Health and Histamines: Understanding the Crucial Connection for Natural Healing
It’s allergy season! And honestly, I have never seen so many people with allergies here in my area! It’s everybody! Even those who have not had allergy issues are dealing with the symptoms of high histamine levels. Including myself! What could possibly be causing this? What is histamine and how does imbalance affect us? In this blog, we explore the intricate connection between liver health and histamines, shedding light on natural healing approaches to support optimal liver function and histamine balance.
Histamine is a naturally occurring compound produced by the body as part of the immune response and is involved in various physiological processes including mood regulation, stress response, attention, and cognitive function just to name a few. Histamine is a good thing! Until the methylation process (explained later) is not working correctly. Imbalances in histamine levels can lead to a range of health issues, including allergies, inflammation, and digestive problems.
The Role of the Liver in Histamine Regulation
The liver plays a pivotal role in maintaining histamine balance. When histamines are released in response to allergens, inflammation, or viral infections the liver breaks down excess histamines to prevent an overwhelming immune response. Methylation occurs when the liver tries to break down the folate (B9) in your diet to a usable form in order to help with B12 processing. This makes a substance called methylene (a methyl donor known as SAMe). SAMe helps break down histamine. If the liver is burdened or not functioning optimally, it may struggle to process histamines efficiently, leading to histamine intolerance and related health problems. And guess what? When the pollen is flying around, your histamines are going to react. BIG TIME! Other common symptoms of histamine intolerance include headaches, hives, sneezing, itching, digestive issues, fatigue, and even anxiety!
How You Can Naturally Help Your Histamine Intolerance
A well-functioning liver is vital for effective detoxification, eliminating toxins and metabolic waste from the body. When the liver is overwhelmed by toxins from environmental pollutants, processed foods, medications, and alcohol, its ability to process histamines may be compromised. Supporting liver health through a natural healing approach is essential for optimal histamine regulation. Here are some ways to get started!
1. Stay away from histamine-rich foods such as alcohol, aged cheese, processed or preserved meats, pickled foods, shellfish, avocados, eggplant, and spinach.
2. Opt for organic, pesticide-free foods to reduce the liver’s workload.
3. Consume more antioxidants to help protect the liver from oxidative stress and support its detoxification function. Incorporating herbs like milk thistle, dandelion root, and turmeric can further enhance liver health and function
4. Start incorporating herbs into your diet that promote histamine balance. Some examples are nettle leaf, quercetin, and bromelain.
5. Gently detoxify your liver with vidanga, schisandra berry, or milk thistle. Don’t take these together. Research and do one that works for you! My favorite is Schisandra berry because it works as a natural histamine as well!
6. Look into those natural histamine supplements such as B1, B2, B6, B12, magnesium, zinc, molybdenum, Schisandra, and iodine (unless you have thyroid issues).
7. Practice stress management. Chronic stress can strain the liver and exacerbate histamine imbalances. Implement stress-reduction techniques such as meditation, yoga, deep breathing exercises, and spending time in nature to support both liver health and histamine regulation.
8. Keep the anger in check! When we are in defensive mode, our neurological system is greatly affected and can cause swelling in our gallbladder and liver. This impacts the methylation process.
Maintaining a healthy liver is essential for optimal histamine regulation and overall well-being. By supporting liver health through a natural healing approach, we can alleviate histamine intolerance symptoms and reduce the risk of related health issues. Embrace a nutrient-rich diet, prioritize gut health, manage stress effectively, and incorporate liver-supporting herbs to restore balance in histamine levels naturally.
Always remember that each individual’s journey is unique, and it’s essential to listen to your body and work with a qualified healthcare practitioner or natural healing expert to tailor a personalized plan for liver health and histamine balance. With dedicated self-care and holistic practices, you can experience the transformative power of supporting liver health for a healthier and more vibrant life.
Here are some links to some great supplements to help as well:
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