What Is A Histamine Response? (Part II)

(continued from the previous post)

What is interesting, though, at the time, my roommate had a cat. During my first few weeks in that apartment with the cat, I had mild allergic reactions. My roommate mentioned that arrangements might be in the works for the cat to move to a new home. My response: "We should keep the cat, we can make it work. There is probably something I can do to boost my immune system--like modify my diet, exercise, or something." Well, I'm happy to say that I was able to make some changes to my diet and ramp my exercise regimen up to at least six days per week--most days twice per day.

I am not sure exactly what worked, but that is when I started counting my calories and logging my exercises. Perhaps my most significant change was that I began to make wiser meal choices.

By counting my calories and maintaining consistent workouts, I found I could count on steady weight loss. I was able to make adjustments that were significant enough to result in more favorable health and fitness outcomes. Perhaps one of the most significant diet modifications the addition of complex carbohydrates--wheat bread, specific fruits, nuts, and grains.

Now about histamines.
There is something about the immune system, histamines, gut bacteria, and complex carbohydrates. I have not quite grasped all the concepts, but I know enough that make strategic meal choices. For example, carbohydrates work well for immediate energy, but understanding the other functions of carbohydrates is not as cut-and-dry.

There are many aspects of our health and wellness that operate as systems. Some basics like calories-in-calories-out are generally good models for understanding how diet and fitness work together. The thing is the calories-in-calories-out model breaks when it comes to food quality. I know from experience. I can assure you that professional athletes would prefer good quality carbs to lesser quality carbohydrates. From a physical performance perspective, there is a distinct difference between ramen noodles and white rice.

Now, the story continues with gut bacteria. We generally think of bacteria as a bad thing. Well, there are good and bad bacteria. Where the bacteria are residing also makes a difference. Well, there are parts of our digestive tract where healthy bacteria thrive. There are also parts of our digestive tract where the wrong type of bacteria can become a problem and be labeled "bad" bacteria, for example.

Not too long ago, I ingested something that set off a pretty weird immune response. My hand started tingling. It was if my hand was beginning to break out in hives.

The first thing I thought when I realized what was happening: "I need to some quick complex carbohydrates." My next thought: "Taco Bell."

So I hopped in the car, searched my smartphone for directions to the nearest Taco Bell, and started driving. I knew what I was going to order: a potato-soft taco and a bean burrito. I was choosing a potato-soft taco because I knew if I let the potatoes cool off, they would change from a more simple, to a more complex carbohydrate. I was almost half-way to my local Taco Bell when I started wondering how many (and what kind of) preservatives would be in a bean burrito. I was wondering how much these added chemicals might affect my bean burrito when I realized I had a better choice: "Chipotle."

At this point, I was almost 3/4 of the way to Taco Bell, and I was focused. I decided that I needed to relieve the allergic response I was feeling in my right hand (the mild discomfort in my chest) as soon as possible. So I ordered my bean burrito and potato-soft taco. I remember sitting in the car and after the first two bites of the bean burrito, my hand--that had moments before been the source of pain and worry--was getting better. By the time I finished half of the bean burrito, there was no more tingling anywhere. Amazing! Never had I been so happy to eat a bean burrito!

My theory worked this time. I proceeded to go to Chipotle to order more food with complex carbohydrates. At Chipotle, beans (complex carbohydrates) appear to be a little more organic.

So, here is my theory on why complex carbohydrates helped to prevent a severe allergic reaction: Complex carbohydrates get digested by bacteria that are in a specific part of the GI tract. When our diet is low in specific complex carbohydrates, intestinal bacteria may migrate to other parts of our digestive system looking to feed. Intestinal bacteria migrating to other parts of our digestive system may be problematic. Problematic because there are parts of the digestive system that cannot restrict certain bacteria from entering the bloodstream--they may be good at delivering nutrients via the blood, though. Should certain bacteria make it into our blood and body tissue comes into contact with the bacteria, the body attempts to address the situation with its immune response.

Now here are where histamines come into the picture. From simple high school biology, we all know that our immune system makes antibodies. Antibodies protect the body. When these bacteria are present, these antibodies cause cells to release histamines. Histamines get released into the blood to help fight the recently introduced allergens. This reaction can affect more sensitive parts of your body, like your sinuses, airways, or skin.

At this point, my mind is thinking, "OK, how do I get the 'bad' bacteria back to where it needs to be? How do I get the 'bad' bacteria back to the part of my GI tract where it is harmless--less harmful?".

My answer: "Complex carbs."

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