Histamine: characteristics and functions

You’ve probably heard of histamine or antihistamines. These two substances are directly related to allergies and their treatment. However, What you probably don’t know is exactly what its function is. nor why it is capable of producing reactions to certain foods, plants or elements.

Thus, in this article we will talk about what histamine really is and how What are their roles within our body?. In addition, you will also discover their exact relationship with allergies and how they influence their manifestation.

Prepared? Go for it!

What is histamine: main characteristics

Histamine is a molecule that fulfills a double communication function in our body. Depending on where it is located, it can act as both a hormone and a neurotransmitter. Therefore, its task is regulate some of our biological functions. In addition, it allows certain cells to transmit information between themselves.

On the other hand, it plays a fundamental role in regulating the immune system. In addition, it regulates certain functions of the digestive system, such as the creation of gastric acid in the stomach. Also plays a fundamental role in regulating our vital rhythms.

Thus, thanks to this neurotransmitter, our sleep rhythms remain more or less stable. Lastly, it is also related to some parts of the human sexual response.

How is this substance produced?

Unlike many other hormones, histamine cannot be synthesized directly in the body. On the contrary, it is necessary to obtain it from another substance, histidine. This molecule is one of the essential amino acids; That is, it is an element that our body does not produce and that we must obtain through what we eat.

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That’s why, Food plays a fundamental role in the production of histamine in our body. A diet rich in protein is essential to maintain adequate levels of this substance. Thus, a person whose diet is low in this macronutrient may suffer from more allergies than usual, according to some research on the subject.

Once we have ingested enough histidine, our body produces histamine through a process known as decarboxylation. This takes place in certain components of the immune system: mast cells and basophils. In addition, certain parts of our brain are also capable of producing this substance, due to its importance as a neurotransmitter.

How histamine affects our body

Hormones and neurotransmitters must be absorbed by certain elements of our body to have an effect on it. Those in charge of doing so are the receivers; and in the case of histamine, Up to four different types have been discovered. They are distributed throughout the body, and each of them causes different effects on our body.

Thus, for example, some are located within the digestive system, while others occur in the bronchi or the brain. Researchers did not discover the last of the four types until recently. Thus, It is possible that in the coming decades we will be able to detect new ways in which this hormone impacts our body..

Functions of histamine

To finish, we are going to study some of the main ways in which this substance creates changes in our body.

1- Inflammation

The main function of histamine is to generate inflammation in the body. This response helps our body to isolate external and problematic agents, to be able to fight them better. However, this is also the reason why when this hormone does not work correctly, allergic reactions occur in the body.

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The way in which inflammation occurs is through vasodilation. This allows the blood volume to increase in the area infected by the external component.

On the other hand, histamine also attracts white blood cells to the same area, which causes inflammation, heat, itching and redness. However, these are just side effects that we have to pay for so that our health is protected.

2- Sleep regulation

This hormone also produces the opposite effect to melatonin in the body; that is to say, It is responsible for regulating activation and wakefulness in the body. In fact, most medications designed to treat hypersomnia (excessive sleeping) are responsible for activating the same receptors as this substance.

3- Sexuality

Finally, histamine also plays a very important role in controlling sexual response. Above all, it has a lot to do with orgasm: several studies have shown that deficiency of this hormone can cause anorgasmia. And vice versa, an excess of the substance tends to produce premature ejaculation in men.

As you can see, histamine It is a fundamental substance for the well-being of our body. Therefore, eating a balanced diet and maintaining healthy habits that promote its production is important to take care of our health.