I have wanted to write on the CYP450 medication, inflammation, and histamine connection for some time, as this information has been crucial in my health restoration.
My Story
I developed mast cell activation when put on CYP450 mediated (particularly CYP2D6-related medication).
I have a CYP2D6 genetic mutation that pushed my body into oxidative stress, resulting in chronic inflammation markers (mine were c-reactive protein and ceruloplasmin).
There are many paths to histamine intolerance and mast-cell activation disorder, and my path is just one of them. Medication intolerances, however, are extremely common pathways.
There are several reasons medication may be problematic with histamine intolerance, and I am only addressing one of them here: the CYP450 medication, inflammation, and histamine connection.
Histamine Mechanism
Histamine is an organic compound produced by and stored inside mast cells and blood basophils.
There are two primary mechanisms of histamine release: active and passive.
The active mechanism is generated by an immune response, for example, to an infection, which triggers the organized release of histamine without cell death.
The passive mechanism is generated when toxic stimulus damage the cell membrane, and everything stored inside the cell is released, including histamine. Histamine is released as the cell dies.
Whether active or passive, the integrity of the cell membrane plays a significant role in the release of histamine and the focus of much of what I do to restore health.
Free Radicals
Free radicals are highly harmful to the cell membranes and provoke the release of histamines from mast cells and basophils. Studies show that free radicals interact directly with the cell membrane, eliciting an active release of histamine without damaging the cell. This is part of a complex sequence of events at inflammation sites.
Although free radicals are known to be harmful to cells, they elicit an active (without cell death) release of histamine. This means that receptors on the outer membrane somehow recognize these free radicals and release histamine without cell death.
Our immune system produces free radicals to destroy bacteria when the body faces an infection. The same free radicals elicit the release of histamine, which promotes blood flow to the area of infection and triggers the call for more white blood cells.
Medicines
Medicines metabolized by Cytochrome P450 genes (whether you have a genetic mutation) generate free radicals.
Several studies demonstrated that in mast cells, these free radicals provoke the release of histamine, mainly through an active mechanism (that does not result in cell death but releases histamines as a protective response).
Glutathione
Studies show that if natural antioxidants, particularly glutathione, are present in enough quantities, they can protect mast cells against free radical damage and halt histamine release. This suggests, as a minimum, that glutathione can improve the tolerance of medications and halt any histamines released by them.
Dr. Ben Lynch, and Dr. Bill Walsh, leading methylation experts, also support this hypothesis, as they believe that until the glutathione cycle is optimized, any methylation interventions will be unsuccessful.
The CYP450 medication, inflammation, and histamine connection are proven. Glutathione provides a proven protective measure when taking CYP450 medication.
The LifeWave glutathione patch has been shown to raise glutathione levels by up to 600% and remains my preferred way of supporting glutathione.
I have also found that other support may be needed, which I determine using autonomic response testing.
Conclusion
All medicines have risks. All medicines have benefits. If you are only told the benefits, that is mere marketing.
I am not against medications. Instead, I am in favor of the safe use of medicines. This means understanding those risks and choosing wisely with your medical practitioner.
Recognizing that medicines are often toxins by design that generate free radicals means we should consider supporting our bodies to process that medication.