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Histamine is a chemical released in the body to counter allergies.
High levels of this chemical in the bloodstream can cause discomfort.
Some people are more prone to histamine intolerance due to genetic causes.
Histamine is a chemical that protects the body from specific allergens.
It is released in the blood when common allergens like pollen and mold enter the body.
Histamine also plays an essential role in digestion.
It signals the brain to release stomach acids.
Histamine is an important chemical that safeguards the body against allergies.
However, too much of it in the body can cause uncomfortable symptoms like a runny and congested nose.
Most people can easily break down too much histamine.
But some people have genetic reasons that prevent them from adequately digesting histamine.
Histamine intolerance symptoms are challenging to diagnose, even by medical professionals.
In addition, these symptoms overlap with many other conditions and disorders.
However, you can still look out for these symptoms:
It is challenging to exclude certain foods based on their histamine secretion-inducing property.
However, fermented or highly processed foods might cause a problem if you are histamine intolerant.
These foods can be eliminated from your diet and then added back gradually.
Sauerkraut is a type of fermented cabbage dish eaten in Germany.
It increases allergy symptoms in the body.
Histamine reacts with sulfites present in edible alcohol.
Therefore, migraines are often a result of alcohol intolerance.
The cooking method, too, changes the meat’s qualities.
For example, boiled meat is less of an allergen than grilled meat.
These legumes can irritate the mucous membrane of the nose and trigger histamine secretion.
Some people cannot metabolize histamine in their bodies.
This could be due to changes in specific genes.
Histamine is metabolized by two enzymes: diamine oxidase (DAO) and histamine N-methyltransferase (HNMT).
In some people, the genes that contain instructions for producing these enzymes have certain changes in them.
This can lead to lower enzyme levels or enzymes with defective activity.
When this happens, histamine is not broken down effectively.
As a result, histamine build-up occurs, giving rise to all the symptoms.
A genetic test may not be able to diagnose histamine intolerance.
However, it can help identify your risk for this condition.
The test analyzes the genes responsible for producing enzymes that break down histamine to detect any changes.
The test results are used to arrive at a score based on which your risk for histamine intolerance can be identified.
The average histamine level in the blood is 0.3-1.0 ng/mL.
Anything above that can cause histamine intolerance.
Above 1-2 ng/mL, heart rate and stomach acid secretion increase.
Above 3-5 ng/mL, flushing, headaches, and skin itching can happen.
Once the histamine levels are above 100 ng/mL, it can cause a heart attack.
Eating foods high in histamine can also have adverse effects on the body.
For example, eating rotten fish can lead to severe vibrations and blocking of airways.
Different levels of histamine might trigger tolerant and sensitive individuals.
75 mg of liquid histamine can cause allergy symptoms in healthy people.
But histamine intolerant people can be triggered by a much lower amount than that.
For example, canned sardines can trigger a histamine reaction at a lower threshold in sensitive people.
A histamine intolerance diet would mean limiting the consumption of certain foods.
Most fermented foods tend to trigger a histamine reaction.
Eating fresh meat, cooked egg yolk, and plant-based milk is ideal for sensitive people.
Most fresh fruits can also be eaten, except citrus fruits like strawberries.
Histamine is a chemical that shields the body from allergens.
But too much of it can cause adverse effects and problems.
Most healthy individuals can break down histamine naturally in their bodies.
However, people sensitive to histamine can have an overload of this chemical.
It can cause mild symptoms like nasal congestion to severe symptoms like heart block.
Certain foods can cause high histamine levels in the body, and sensitive people should avoid their consumption.
Histamine-intolerant people should eat fresh fruits, meat, and vegetables.
Ghrelin, or the hunger hormone, is produced primarily by the stomach.
This hormone is released as a signal to the brain that the stomach is empty and it is time to eat.
Levels of ghrelin increase between mealtimes and reduce when the stomach is full.
While obese individuals have low ghrelin levels, people who restrict their caloric intake are found to have higher levels of the hormone.
Besides telling your brain you are hungry, ghrelin performs several other functions, such as:
Due to its multifunctional nature, ghrelin is a multifaceted gut hormone.
When empty, the stomach releases ghrelin that travels through the blood to reach the brain.
Here, it acts on the hypothalamus (part of the brain that produces hormones to regulate multiple body functions, including hunger and thirst).
In the hypothalamus, ghrelin activates the growth hormone secretagogue receptor that stimulates hunger.
Ghrelin also activates gastric acid production, which ensures digestion after a meal.
Other parts of the digestive system, like the small intestine and pancreas, also produce small amounts of ghrelin.
Studies have shown that people who are trying to lose weight or have recently lost weight have higher ghrelin levels.
This increases their hunger levels, making it difficult to maintain weight loss.
Image: Hunger regulation by leptin and ghrelin hormones
Studies have reported that ghrelin plays a role in glucose balance in the body and may cause type 2 diabetes.
A study conducted in 2003 stated that low ghrelin is independently associated with type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, and elevated blood pressure.
So, ghrelin may have a role to play in the development of type 2 diabetes.
A mutation (genetic change) associated with low ghrelin plasma concentration is the Arg51GIn.
Ghrelin concentrations are low in people with metabolic conditions like type 2 diabetes.
Many studies report that ghrelin inhibits insulin secretion, causing elevated blood glucose levels or type 2 diabetes.
Ghrelin levels are lower in overweight individuals than in lean individuals.
In fact, ghrelin levels are high in people with anorexia nervosa or cachexia.
This shows how the body makes up for weight loss by inducing food intake and fat storage.
Increased appetite may lead to weight gain, and ghrelin regulates hunger and appetite.
Ghrelin also tells the body to decrease the burning of brown fat (Brown fat burning increases overall calorie burning, enabling weight loss).
Besides appetite, ghrelin also influences your sleep-wake cycle, taste sensation, and reward-seeking behavior.
While ghrelin does not directly contribute to obesity, its levels increase after dieting.
This makes it difficult to lose weight or sustain diet-induced weight loss.
Further studies are required to understand the correlation between ghrelin and obesity.
Growth Hormone Secretagogue Receptor or GHSR is a member of the G-protein coupled receptor family.
It is located on the q arm of chromosome 3.
This gene gives instructions for producing a protein that participates in homeostasis and regulates body weight.
Ghrelin hormone binds to the GHSR receptor and activates the downstream signaling pathways like cAMP response element (CRE) mediated transportation.
Along with its several molecules, this pathway brings about appetite regulation, energy homeostasis, fat accumulation, mood regulation, cognitive functions, and reward-related food behavior.
So far, no study has identified a clear relationship between GHSR gene variants and obesity or type 2 diabetes.
However, a few findings from a 2008 study that may be worth noting are:
None of the polymorphisms in the GHSR gene have so far been associated with type 2 diabetes.
Anxiety is a common problem among people of all ages and can cause physical, mental, and emotional distress.
Fortunately, there are natural remedies that can help reduce anxiety-related symptoms.
One such remedy is L-theanine, an amino acid found in tea leaves that has a calming effect on the mind and body.
It is available in supplement form, and it's important to understand how much L-theanine should be taken for optimal results.
Theanine is a non-protein amino acid or non-essential amino acid.
It exists in two forms: L-theanine and D-theanine. The most common form is L-theanine.
L-theanine is a non-dietary amino acid, as our body cannot produce it.
It is present in tea leaves and mushrooms. It is also available as a dietary supplement.
L-theanine has a therapeutic benefit and is effective in treating anxiety.
It reaches the brain quickly after oral consumption and relieves anxiety.
Theanine is related to glutamate (essential amino acid), which aids in nerve impulse transmission in the brain.
It can sometimes mimic glutamate's effects in the body and works on numerous neurotransmitters simultaneously.
L-theanine has potential health benefits. They are as follows:
L-theanine helps manage mental health conditions like anxiety, stress, etc.
It increases brain levels of serotonin, dopamine, and gamma-amino-butyric acid (GABA).
GABA, an important inhibitory neurotransmitter, controls the anxious state in our mind.
Serotonin and dopamine are neuromodulators that help with neuroprotective effects.
L-theanine is relaxing and not sedating, which aids in quality sleep, relieving insomnia.
According to research, L-theanine decreases anxiety and improves symptoms of schizophrenia disorder.
L-theanine reduces blood pressure in people who experience stressful situations.
It promotes relaxation and reduces resting heart rate.
It improves sleep quality in people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
L-theanine's anti-tumor effect augments chemotherapy drugs to fight cancer better.
People who regularly consume tea are observed to have reduced risks of colon, breast, ovary, prostate, and lung cancers.
A study reported that women with ovarian cancer had green tea every day and were reported to live longer than those who didn't.
L-theanine helps increase memory and concentration when combined with caffeine.
A study reported that L-theanine and caffeine improved cognitive performance and increased subjective alertness.
The study participants reported better concentration during work after having L-theanine (97 mg) and caffeine (40 mg).
L-theanine plays a vital role in promoting the immune system of our body.
It reduces upper respiratory tract infection (UTI), which weakens your immune system.
Antioxidants in green tea (catechins and theanine) effectively prevent the flu.
L-theanine reduces anxiety symptoms, which include a fast heart rate and excessive IgA secretion in saliva.
The anxiolytic property of L-theanine blocks the anxious response from the brain in stressful situations.
It works through the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which selectively excludes blood-borne substances from entering the brain.
Studies show that small or large-molecule neuro therapies cannot pass through the BBB, causing the common treatments for anxiety to fail.
L-theanine easily crosses the BBB and enters the brain directly since it is an analog of glutamate (hydrolyzed in the intestine and passes the BBB).
After crossing the BBB, L-theanine works in various neurophysiological activities:
The anxiety-reducing effects of L-theanine increasing alpha brain waves are captured by EEG (electroencephalogram).
The effect is dose-dependent; the higher the dose, the greater the alpha brain waves.
The standard dosage of L-theanine for adults is 200-400 mg, taken once or twice daily.
The following list provides some broad recommendations for various daily dosages:
L-theanine can be taken with or without food.
After intake, the effects occur between 30 and 60 minutes and last up to 4 hours.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Dosage requirements for each individual can vary depending on various factors. The recommendations provided above are based on literature and may not be suitable for everyone. Please consult a qualified medical practitioner for advice.
L-Theanine is generally well tolerated, and side effects are minimal.
Some of them include
Pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers are not advised to take L-theanine.
The polyphenol EGCG in green tea can reduce the efficacy of chemotherapy drugs.
L-theanine is best as an oral supplement available in capsule, tablet, or liquid forms.
L-theanine alone is not exactly the best method to reduce anxiety.
Other vitamins, nutrients, and supplements support the L-theanine anxiety treatment.
L-theanine, coupled with other nutrients like magnesium, L-glutamine, and omega-3 fatty acids, provides a holistic treatment for anxiety.
GABA is a neurotransmitter that aids in mood regulation and anxiety reduction. L-theanine can help elevate GABA levels in the brain, further lowering anxiety.
L-theanine and NAC (N-acetylcysteine) work together to treat anxiety and depression.
L-theanine can enhance the functions of NAC in the brain and alleviate anxiety.
Low magnesium levels lead to insomnia and poor sleep.
Magnesium is a mineral used to treat anxiety and depression.
L-theanine and magnesium promote relaxation and reduce anxiety.
L-tyrosine is an amino acid that helps improve focus and attention.
L-theanine, when combined with L-tyrosine, the effect is amplified.
Vital nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids may be deficient in people experiencing anxiety.
When omega-3 is combined with L-theanine, it works to enhance mental health by reducing anxiety.
L-theanine is an amino acid present in tea leaves used for anxiety treatment.
It is helpful in cancer treatment, reducing stress, managing blood pressure, enhancing immunity, and improving concentration.
L-theanine works by increasing inhibitory neurotransmitters and regulating brain chemicals that reduce anxiety.
L-theanine is best as an oral supplement available in capsule, tablet, or liquid forms.
The standard dosage of L-theanine for adults is 200-400 mg, taken once or twice daily.
L-theanine is supplemented with other nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, L-tyrosine, magnesium, NAC, GABA, etc.
Twin pregnancy occurs when two fetuses grow in the uterus. About 3% of all live births in the United States are twin births.
Two common types of twins are monozygotic (identical) and dizygotic (fraternal).
Monozygotic twins grow from a single egg that gets fertilized and then divides into two. These twins share the same genes and gender.
Dizygotic twins grow from two different eggs fertilized and implanted simultaneously.
These twins don’t share the same genes and may or may not be of the same gender.
About 70% of all twins are dizygotic.
In most cases, conceiving identical twins is a random event and is not inherited.
However, conceiving fraternal twins could run in families and be passed on genetically.
Your odds of conceiving fraternal twins increases if:
Conceiving twins is a polygenetic trait, meaning it is affected by multiple genes.
Studies now suggest that conceiving fraternal twins could be a result of hyperovulation.
Hyperovulation is a condition where more than one egg is released during ovulation. This could increase the chance of two eggs fertilizing in the same cycle, leading to twins.
Researchers have managed to identify a few genes that could cause hyperovulation in women and refer to them as twin genes.
Both men and women can carry the "twin genes."
In women, these genes can lead to hyperovulation.
Men become carriers of these genes and may pass them on to their daughters.
A study compared the data of 2000 women with fraternal twins with other women who didn’t have them to identify the possible genes that could increase the chance of conceiving twins.
This study narrowed the findings to two Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs).
SNPs are changes present in genes that can lead to normal, neutral, advantageous, or disadvantageous outcomes.
The first SNP was in the FSHB gene (Follicle Stimulating Hormone Subunit Beta gene). This gene changes the levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in the body.
Consistently high levels of FSH may cause the ovaries to release multiple eggs.
Another SNP was in the SMAD3 gene (SMAD family member 3 genes). This gene regulates the way the ovaries respond to FSH.
According to this study, women having just one copy of each SNP have a 29% increased chance of conceiving twins.
Image: Types of Twins
About 3-4 people in 100 go on to conceive twins. With monozygotic twins, the chances are 3-5 per thousand people.
Apart from genetics, other factors like the following could increase the chances of conceiving twins.
Twins could skip a generation, depending on whether the parents had a boy or a girl. Consider this example.
Generation 1 - Grandmother A had the genes for hyperovulation and gave birth to two twin boys, B, and C.
Generation 2 - B and C become carriers of the genes. They don’t have twins because they don’t ovulate. They give birth to one daughter each - D and E and pass on the hyperovulation genes to their daughters.
Generation 3 - D and E may both inherit the gene and give birth to fraternal twins.
If generation 2 had women, the genes might not necessarily skip generations. Skipping a generation depends on whether the gene inheritor is a male or a female.
Cytochrome P450 2C19 (CYP2C19) is an enzyme protein produced in the liver. This enzyme helps in the metabolism of several important drugs in the body.
It is a part of the Cytochromes P450 (CYPs) superfamily of enzymes. These enzymes all play a role in breaking down and clearing various compounds like fatty acids, drugs, steroids, and hormones.
CYP2C19 enzymes make up to 3% of all the CYPs produced in the liver.
The CYP2C19 gene (Cytochrome P450 2C19 gene) controls the production of the enzyme with the same name.
Did You Know? Your genes regulate drug-metabolizing enzymes, drug targets, and other proteins related to the action of drugs. Each individual has a unique genetic makeup. Hence, they might respond differently to certain medications. Learn more:
Pharmacogenomics studies how a person’s gene makeup affects their response to drugs.
Many changes in the CYP2C19 gene influence the enzyme’s ability to metabolize drugs.
The following are some of the most significant variations of this gene. These are called tier I variants.
| Gene variant | Also called | Effect |
| CYP2C19*1 | Wild Type | Normal enzyme activity |
| CYP2C19*2 | Loss of function allele | Reduced enzyme activity |
| CYP2C19*3 | Loss of function allele | Reduced enzyme activity |
| CYP2C19*17 | Gain of function allele | Increased enzyme activity |
Few other extended gene variations also exist.
The following are called tier II variants and are not very common. All of them lead to lowered enzyme activities.
The ability of the body to metabolize a drug will depend on the gene variation the person has.
There are five common types of metabolizers identified.
| Metabolizer Type | Enzyme activity | Genetic variants |
| Ultrarapid Metabolizers (UM) | Very high | *17/*17 |
| Rapid Metabolizers (RM) | High | *1/*17 |
| Normal Metabolizers (NM) | Normal | *1/*1 |
| Intermediate Metabolizers (IM) | Lower than normal | *1/*2, *1/*3, *2/*17, *3/*17 |
| Poor Metabolizers (PM) | Low | *2/*2, *3/*3/ *2/*3 |
If you are a rapid metabolizer, you have higher-than-normal levels of CYP2C19 enzyme activity.
When the enzyme metabolizes a drug, you may have lower or higher drug activity depending on whether it clears the drug or converts it into an active form.
If you are a poor metabolizer, your body experiences lower-than-normal CYP2C19 enzyme activity.
Depending on whether the enzyme clears the drug or converts it into an active form, you may have higher or lower drug activity in the body.
CYP2C19 genetic testing is a scientific way to understand what kind of metabolizer you are.
When it comes to certain drugs, poor metabolizers may have up to 13 times more drug exposure than rapid metabolizers. This can lead to drug toxicity and increased risk of side effects.
Individuals prescribed CYP2C19-metabolized drugs for the long term may benefit from genetic testing before fixing the dosages.
Genetic testing may help alter dosages so the side effects are minimal and the drug effect is high.
One of the most popular drugs metabolized by this enzyme is clopidogrel.
This antiplatelet medicine prevents the risk of developing clots in people with existing cardiac conditions.
The CYP2C19 enzyme converts clopidogrel into its active metabolite form to work in the body.
Clopidogrel resistance is a condition caused by the lower-than-normal effectiveness of the drug when used in certain treatments.
A 2020 meta-analysis concludes that the CYP2C19*2 gene variant may be strongly associated with clopidogrel resistance.
This study further reports that the A allele in the CYP2C19*2 gene may cause clopidogrel resistance, especially in the Asian population.
GABA, or Gamma-Aminobutyric acid, is a neurotransmitter.
The brain produces this amino acid naturally.
Its primary function is to communicate between brain cells.
GABA decreases neuron and central nervous system activity in the brain.
It has many positive effects on the body, such as:
GABA mainly inhibits neurological activity in the brain.
Doing this promotes a calm and relaxed mood and reduces stress and anxiety.
GABA is an anti-anxiety neurotransmitter secreted in the brain.
GABA opposes the action of adrenaline.
Stressful situations cause the secretion of this hormone.
For example, our adrenal glands undergo stimulation when we are in a fight-or-flight situation.
As a result, these glands secrete the hormone adrenaline.
Adrenaline speeds up our heartbeat and increases our blood pressure.
GABA opposes these effects by signaling our brain to relax.
Consulting your doctor before starting any medication is always a good idea.
The following doses have been found in studies and should be verified by a doctor first.
If you wish to treat your anxiety with GABA supplements, consider taking 100-200mg.
If your goal is to treat high blood pressure, consider taking at most 10mg of supplements.
##Please note that GABA can be taken only upon consulting a qualified doctor. If you experience any adverse side effects, dial 911 or call your doctor immediately.
GABA is an essential inhibitory neurotransmitter.
It helps your brain to relax after facing stressful situations.
But GABA is also used to treat several other medical conditions.
A study shows that GABA reduces triglyceride levels in the body.
It also increases lean muscle mass.
Thus GABA regulates the body’s cholesterol levels.
GABA supplements are still under research.
It needs to be clarified how much GABA supplements people should take and how frequently.
GABA supplements are also said to have caused common side effects like:
It is always advisable to consult your doctor before starting any medication.
Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid GABA.
There is not enough research to show whether it is safe to use by new mothers.
People with high blood pressure should also avoid GABA supplements.
GABA has a blood-pressure-lowering effect.
It should be used carefully with high blood pressure medications, as it can cause external blood pressure when used together.
Some natural ways to boost GABA are:
GABA is a neurotransmitter secreted in the brain.
It is an anti-stress chemical that helps the body relax.
It is antagonistic to stress-causing hormones like cortisol and adrenaline.
GABA promotes sleep, prevents depression, reduces obesity, and controls blood pressure.
Doctors prescribe GABA supplements as a treatment for severe anxiety.
However, it would be best to take any supplement after consulting the doctor.
There are also natural ways to boost GABA levels in the body, like exercising and having a healthy diet.
