Is Your Estrogen to Blame for your High Histamine?

As women, we’ve normalized blaming many of our symptoms on hormones. I’m moody, hormones. I’m bloated, hormones. I’m breaking out, hormones. Although hormones are suppose to act as a beautifully balanced symphony, they often are not. Estrogen is responsible for regulating our menstrual cycles, controlling fertility and building healthy bones. However, when in excess it can also be up to no good. Now let’s look at an overview of histamine to put the pieces together.

Histamine Intolerance (HIT) is the imbalance of the amount of histamine being released and the body’s inability to breakdown the excess histamine. The DAO enzyme found in the digestive tract is responsible for the proper break down of histamine. When we have high levels of histamine circulating and/or lowered levels of DAO the body starts creating “allergy like” reactions. Some of these high histamine symptoms may present as headaches, sinus issues, hives, skin redness, breathing difficulties, asthma and diarrhea. Often, without realizing, high histamine foods such as strawberries and spinach can be a histamine trigger.

And now to add in how Progesterone comes into the mix. Both Estrogen and Progesterone are female sex hormones but play significantly opposite roles in the body. Estrogen thickens the uterine lining, increases body fat, creates feelings of depression, restless sleep, PMS symptoms, headaches and in excess promotes inflammation. Progesterone keeps a healthy uterine lining, helps turn fat into energy, works as an anti-depressant, supports healthy sleep, and reduces inflammation. Naturally as we age, both our Estrogen and Progesterone decline. By the age of 50 our Estrogen drops about 35% but to our dismay Progesterone drops a whopping 75%. Unfortunately, this creates high levels of estrogen and lower levels of progesterone and this is called “estrogen dominance.”

So, it’s a given. Woman are naturally going to have higher levels of estrogen and lower levels of progesterone as we age. Putting salt on the would would be the many lifestyle factors that also lead to estrogen dominance. Chronic stress, poor diets, excess fat, lack of physical exercise, hormone replacement therapy/contraception and certain prescription medication as well as environmental toxins all increase estrogen levels in the body.

So how do Histamine and Hormones relate? Well first, if you look at the list of symptoms associated with estrogen dominance and then compare it to those of histamine intolerance, they look very much the same. Both can cause abnormal cycles, headaches, gut dysfunctions and bloating and skin issues to name a few. Since the symptoms are so closely related it makes sense that histamine and hormones are related as well.

It is important to note that cells have different types of receptors. These receptors are responsible for cell signaling, they are like the “eyes and ears” of the cell. They receive specific messages from different substances and hormones in the bloodstream telling the cells what to do. This is how hormones are able to affect only a specific tissue in the body. And it just so happens that estrogen and histamine attach to the same receptors. When estrogen binds to a receptor is will cause the release of histamine from the mast cells that are present in the reproductive organs. In short, the more estrogen you have the more histamine you have and the more histamine you have the more estrogen is being produced. Estrogen stimulates the mast cells responsible for histamine production and also down-regulates the DAO enzyme necessary to break down histamine. Progesterone helps to support healthy DAO enzyme levels. Because both estrogen and histamine stimulate the production of each other, it is detrimental to treat them both to stop the negative cycle.

Now what? Where do you start?

Look into starting a low histamine diet and really pumping up the volume on green leafy vegetables. Create time for self care to lower stress responses, such as epsom salt baths, infrared saunas and nature walks. Work with a certified practitioner who can help you with efficient estrogen clearance and liver detoxification as well as the use of supplements to support this process.

When working with your practitioner they should be able to help identify the underlying causes of both issues and put a personalized plan together that is best for your needs and health goals. This is what I have done for many and I’m here to help you.