Can histamine affect fertility and our ability to conceive?

Can histamine affect fertility and our ability to conceive?

Contents

  1. What is histamine
  2. What is a neurotransmitter
  3. What does histamine do in the body
  4. How does histamine affect fertility and my ability to conceive
  5. How to support your chances of getting pregnant
  6. Scientific literature

What is histamine?

Histamine is a neurotransmitter naturally found in many tissues of the body, including the brain, skin, lungs, and gut. It plays a critical role in the body's immune response to injury or infection. 

Health experts recommend using zeolite clinoptilolite products alongside your detox to make sure toxins are safely removed from your body and not reabsorbed. Check out even more educational articles and videos.

What is a neurotransmitter? 

In simple terms, neurotransmitters are tiny messengers that help brain cells communicate and control important functions in the body. Histamine is considered a neurotransmitter, because it acts as a signalling molecule in the central nervous system, transmitting messages between nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. 

A neurotransmitter such as histamine is a type of chemical messenger in the brain that helps to transmit signals from one nerve cell to another. Think of it like a tiny messenger that travels between brain cells, transmitting information and instructions.

Is histamine a neurotransmitter? 

Histamine as a neurotransmitter, is involved in a variety of functions in the brain, including regulating the sleep-wake cycle, controlling the release of other neurotransmitters, and modulating the perception of pain and other sensory information.

So, because histamine is produced and released by nerve cells and acts as a signalling molecule in the central nervous system, it is considered a neurotransmitter. However, it is worth noting that histamine also plays important roles outside of the nervous system, particularly in the immune response and regulation of the digestive system.

What does histamine do in the body?

One of histamine's key functions is its role in inflammation. Inflammation is a complex physiological response that occurs in response to injury or infection and is characterised by redness, swelling, heat, and pain. Hence why, if you have histamine intolerance, if your body releases histamine you can feel the symptoms of histamine intolerance.

When the body is injured or infected, histamine is released from mast cells, which are a type of immune cell, and acts as a signalling molecule to recruit other immune cells to the site of injury or infection.

Mast cell degrading and releasing histamine. In this image Nouveau Healthcare team explain how when the immune system is over reactive and the body comes into contact with an allergen such as pollen or food intolerances it can trigger the mast cell to degrade and release histamine into the body

Once at the site, histamine works to dilate blood vessels, allowing more blood to flow to the area and carrying more oxygen and nutrients to support the healing process. At the same time, histamine also activates pain receptors, leading to the sensation of pain.

In addition to its role in the immune response, histamine is also involved in other processes such as regulating the digestive system, regulating sleep, and regulating the body's response to allergens. However, when histamine levels become imbalanced, it can lead to a variety of health problems, including allergies, inflammation, and gastrointestinal disorders.

How does histamine affect fertility and my ability to conceive?

More and more research is being published to show the role histamine plays in the body. However, one major area of study has been the role histamine plays with fertility in both men and women.
Histamine can cause the contraction (tightening) of smooth muscle in the uterus, making it more difficult for the fertilised egg to implant and develop as there is a smaller surface area for it to attach too. Additionally, high levels of histamine can lead to inflammation in the reproductive tract, making it less hospitable for conception. Furthermore, histamine can also interfere with ovulation and hormonal balance, both of which are critical for successful conception.

It's important to note that while elevated histamine levels can negatively impact fertility, they can be caused by a variety of factors, including certain foods, stress, and some medical conditions like mast cell activation syndrome.


How to support your chances of getting pregnant

Infertility is a growing concern for many couples who are trying to start a family. While there are many factors that can contribute to infertility, histamine, heavy metals, and toxins in the body can have a significant impact on a woman's ability to conceive.

So, what can a couple do to increase the chances of conceiving? Here are 4 natural tips to support you to get pregnant

  1. Detox the body: Detoxifying the body can help reduce the levels of histamine, heavy metals, and toxins in the body, which can improve fertility. This can be done through a healthy diet, exercise, and using natural detox methods such as dry brushing, sauna, and fasting. Binders such as Toxaprevent can be used alongside fasting to help detox the histamine from the body.

  2. Reduce exposure to toxins: Reduce exposure to toxins by choosing natural, organic products for personal care and household cleaning. Try to avoid processed foods and limit exposure to heavy metals by avoiding contaminated water and fish.

  3. Improve gut health: A healthy gut is essential for fertility as it helps to reduce inflammation and improve hormone balance. Consuming probiotic-rich foods, such as kefir, sauerkraut, and kimchi, can help improve gut health.  

  4. Get enough rest: Getting enough sleep can help reduce stress and improve hormone balance, which can have a positive impact on fertility. Aim for at least 7-9 hours of sleep each night.

Detoxing histamine and heavy metals can have a significant impact on fertility and the ability to conceive. By detoxing histamine, heavy metals and even toxins such as ammonium can support by reducing inflammation. It has shown that detoxification can improve the quality of sperm and eggs, balance hormones, and enhance the chances of a successful pregnancy. Understanding and looking at effective detox strategies such as a clean diet, using binders such as zeolite clinoptilolite, and stress reduction techniques can support the body's natural ability to eliminate harmful toxins and promote overall reproductive health. We recommend speaking and working with a qualified healthcare practitioner, who will be able to help create a comprehensive detox program tailored to meet your specific needs.

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Scientific literature and research papers

Here are a few research papers that discuss the relationship between histamine and fertility

"Histamine and reproductive functions in women" (2017) by V. Sorokin et al. - This review article discusses the role of histamine in various aspects of reproductive health, including fertility, ovulation, and pregnancy. The authors conclude that histamine plays a complex role in the regulation of reproductive functions, and more research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms involved.

"The relationship between histamine and infertility: a narrative review" (2019) by S. Al-Harbi et al. - This review article discusses the potential role of histamine in infertility and suggests that elevated histamine levels may interfere with fertility by causing inflammation, hormonal imbalances, and uterine contractions. The authors also discuss the potential role of histamine in endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), two common causes of infertility.

"Mast cell activation syndrome and infertility" (2016) by M. D. Khan et al. - This case report describes a woman with mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS), a condition in which mast cells are overly activated and produce excessive amounts of histamine. The authors describe how the patient's MCAS symptoms, including menstrual irregularities and abdominal pain, affected her ability to conceive, and discuss the potential role of histamine in infertility and MCAS.

These are just a few examples of the available research on histamine and fertility. It's important to keep in mind that this is a complex and rapidly evolving field. Something which I hope will get researched more and more!
Here are a few research papers that discuss the relationship between heavy metals and fertility

"The impact of heavy metals on male fertility" (2015) by M. Gharagozloo et al. - This review article discusses the potential negative impact of heavy metals, such as lead, cadmium, and mercury, on male fertility. The authors review the evidence linking exposure to these heavy metals with decreased sperm quality, reduced testosterone levels, and other reproductive problems.

"The effects of lead exposure on female reproduction: a systematic review" (2017) by A. N. Beraldi et al. - This systematic review summarizes the existing evidence on the impact of lead exposure on female reproductive health. The authors find that lead exposure is associated with menstrual irregularities, hormonal imbalances, and reduced fertility.

"Cadmium exposure and reproductive health: a review" (2015) by T. E. Angelone et al. - This review article summarizes the evidence linking cadmium exposure with reproductive problems in both men and women. The authors find that cadmium exposure is associated with decreased sperm quality, reduced testosterone levels, hormonal imbalances, and menstrual irregularities.
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