Depression, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder & Perfectionism Revealed - samanthagilbert

takeaway snippets

• High homocysteine must be addressed first before embarking on a protocol to balance methylation
• Like gluten intolerance, merely staying away from high histamine foods does not address the underlying problem
  

Depression, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder & Perfectionism Revealed

https://www.samanthagilbert.com/histamine/

We're all familiar with histamine, especially as it relates to allergies.

According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation, an estimated 50 million American's suffer from all types of allergies, and it's the 5th leading chronic disease in the U.S.

But what if I told you there's more to histamine than just allergies, asthma, and hives?

Histamine is a physiologically active amine that is found in plant and animal tissue, and released from mast cells as part of an allergic reaction in humans. It stimulates gastric secretion, causes dilation of capillaries, constriction of bronchial smooth muscle, decreased blood pressure, and also functions as a neurotransmitter.1

Yep, that's right. A neurotransmitter.

As a neurotransmitter, histamine influences mood, appetite, sleep, and thought.

When elevated, histamine causes depression, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), and perfectionism.2

Yep, that's right again.

We now know there's a biochemical reason we read our emails 12 times in a row and get really irritated when the Christmas tree leans over a 16th of an inch.

When histamine is too low, there is a tendency for high anxiety, panic disorder, depression, and food and chemical sensitivities.

Like gluten intolerance, merely staying away from high histamine foods does not address the underlying problem. In both scenarios, there is an imbalance of Metallothionine (MT), which are cystein-rich proteins with powerful antioxidant capabilities. MT proteins also perform a wide variety of vital functions including but not limited to:

• Detoxification of mercury and other toxic heavy metals
• Development and functioning of the immune system
• Delivery of zinc to cells throughout the body
• Prevention of yeast overgrowth (SIBO and dysbiosis are both linked to over and under methylation)
• Regulation of stomach acid pH
• Taste discrimination by the tongue
• Protection of enzymes that break down casein and gluten
• Enhanced efficiency of the intestinal and blood-brain barriers
• Reduction of inflammation after injury or illness 3

This explains why I struggled for so many years with disordered eating and depression. With a blood histamine level of 120 (the functional range is 40-70), my biochemistry wouldn't let me move forward until properly corrected.

Disordered eating typically has an undermethylated profile, and simple blood tests are all that's required to determine status.

Whether it's drugs, alcohol, food, sex, or gambling. All addictions share a common theme: imbalanced biochemistry.

If you know of someone who struggles with addiction or depression, please share this post. If you struggle, please share your experience in the comments below. It is through sharing your story that we create community, eliminate guilt and shame, and bring about healing.

 

Love,

Sami

 

[1] Walsh, William J. (2012). Nutrient Power: Heal Your Biochemistry and Heal Your Brain. (173).

New York, NY: Skyhorse.

[2] Mensah, Albert. Bowman, Judith. Retrieved from personal treatment protocol.

[3] Walsh, William J. (2012). Nutrient Power: Heal Your Biochemistry and Heal Your Brain. (190).

Comments

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Mel says

November 15, 2015 at 12:16 am

What diet would help a low histamine type? Generally. Should it be high histamine foods?

Reply

Sami G says

November 17, 2015 at 5:00 pm

Hi Mel,

If you're low in whole blood histamine, this indicates you are an overmethylator.  [according to ledowski at mthfrsupport australia, in her practice/experience/clients, his isn't always true.]  Whole blood histamine has nothing to do with histamine intolerance though many of my patients also have these challenges. The best diet for an overmethylator is a vegetable-based, high folate diet with appropriate amounts of protein.  

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Reply

Samuel says

March 28, 2016 at 8:18 pm

Hi Sami,

I have OCD and have high homocystein. My naturopath advised me not to stop the methyl folate because that will lower the high homocystein. I am not sure how will I reduce my homocystein if I do not take any form of folate?

Are there accurate tests to find out if I am under methylated and if I have high histamine?

Thanks!

Reply

Sami G says

April 19, 2016 at 11:15 am

Hi Samuel,

High homocysteine must be addressed first before embarking on a protocol to balance methylation. Please don't assume you are undermethylated because you struggle with OCD, as there could be other imbalances at play. Keep in mind that overmethylators tend to exhibit Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD), while undermethylators exhibit true OCD. You must be accurately tested with an assessment before determining methylation status with lab determination after the assessment.