"Histamine Metabolism"

Histamine Metabolism

What is histamine and why is it so important? Carl Pfeiffer studied more than 20,000 people with schizophrenia and determined that 90% of them fell into three bio-chemical subgroups: high histamine, low histamine, and pyrroluria - hence the term “The Schizophrenias” (Pfeiffer, 1970; Walsh, 1997b). Histamine is a reflection of neurotransmitter availability. Histamine is integral in balancing the electrical activity of the nucleus accumbens, which is an area of the brain responsible for behavioral responses, filtering incoming sensory information, and communicating with the hypothalamus, ventral tegmentum, and amygdala (Shoblock & O’Donnell, 2000; Otake & Nakamura, 2000; Chronister et al, 1982). A plethora of research has determined that people with schizophrenia have poor ability to filter incoming sensory information. It has also been reported that 15-20 % of people with schizophrenia have high whole blood histamine levels and another 30-40 % of people with schizophrenia have low whole blood histamine levels (Heleniak, 1999; Pfeiffer, 1988; Heleniak, 1985; Chronister & DeFrance, 1982; Rauscher et al, 1977; Pfeiffer, 1972a).

A person with schizophrenia who has high histamine is under-methylated (Walsh, PTC- Ref. B; Heleniak & Frechen, 1989). A person with schizophrenia who has low histamine is over-methylated (Walsh, PTC- Ref. B; Heleniak & Frechen, 1989). Taking detailed patient histories is key (Jackson et al, 1998; Edelman, 1996; Jaffe & Kruesi, 1992; Pfeiffer, 1988; Walsh, PTC - Ref B). People with high histamine have been found with typical symptoms of high intelligence, thought blanking, low grade hallucinations, and thought disorder, perfectionism, competititiveness, obsessions, compulsions, suicidal and seasonal depression, defiance, and phobia.

High histamine individuals are inherently high in folic acid. Although folic acid is used along with B-12 in the production of methoionline it is also involved in histamine production along with B-12. Consequently B-12 and folic acid are strictly avoided in high histamine patient care. These patients need to avoid multi-vitamins.

People with low histamine have been found with typical symptoms of under-achievement, more severe thought disorder and hallucinations, paranoid thoughts with less pronounced obsessions, suicidal depression, cyclic or suicidal depression, and anxiety. (Jackson et al, 1998; Edelman, 1996; Jaffe & Kruesi, 1992; Walsh, PTC - Ref. B).

Excess copper and zinc defiiciency, discussed below under heavy-metal overload, are typical low histamine traits that need to be addressed (Sandstead, 1994; Wallwork, 1987; Pfeiffer & Braverman, 1982; Walsh, PTC - Ref. B)

Metal Imbalance

Metal imbalance is associated with schizophrenia, behavior disorders (including ADHD), and hormonal depression (Walsh, PTC- Ref.C).

Copper excess causes brain dopamine levels to rise in low histamine schizophrenia. “Copper poisoning with zinc deficiency will explain the present dopamine theory of simplistic schizophrenia since this condition occurs only in one-half of patients labeled schizophrenic”, that is, in low histamine schizophrenia (Pfeiffer, 1987b). Paranoia is also associated with elevated copper (Pfeiffer & Iliev; Walsh, 1997b). Copper oxidizes catecholamines such as dopamine and therefore propagates neurotoxin formation (compare "Niacin Section" above). Zinc imbalance is associated with central nervous system disorders such as schizophrenia and autism and several other pathologies (Walsh & Usman, 2001a; Ebadi, 1995; Walsh, PTC- Ref. C).

Some nutrients help remove heavy metals but environmental exposure must be addressed. This includes restrictions on diet and the elimination of environmental factors such as copper tea pots, copper sulphate (jacuzzi or swimming pool water), bad drinking water, prenatal vitamins, copper IUD’s, etc. (Walsh, PTC- Ref.B). Drugs such as neuroleptics, antibiotics, antacids, cortisone, tagamet, zantac, diuretics, and birth control pills, etc. may exacerbate copper overload. (1)

(1) Copyright © 2002 by Raymond J. Pataracchia B.Sc., N.D.