Histamine is a substance that exists in the body and plays an important role in producing a number of body reactions such as allergies, anaphylactic shock, increased secretion of tears, nasal discharge...etc. Through this article, let's learn about the formation of Histamine as well as its mechanism of action and impact on the human body, and provide a solution to quickly check the amount of Histamine in food. 
What is Histamine?
 
Histamine is one of the substances closely related to anaphylactic shock, inflammatory reactions, allergies, nerve transmission and gastric secretion. Histamine is detected throughout the body's tissues with uneven distribution, mainly in lung, intestinal, and skin tissues.

 
Conditions for histamine formation?
 

Histamine formation begins with the decarboxylation of Histidine under the catalysis of decarboxylase. Under electrostatic attraction, Histamine with a positive charge easily binds with Heparin with a negative charge, forming a Histamine - Heparin complex that has neither activity nor biological effect. This complex is stored in granules in mast cells, stomach and intestinal mucosa cells, nerve cells... and only when affected by external factors such as cold, air dust, chemicals. Only then will cells containing this complex be stimulated to release free Histamine. If this amount of Histamine exceeds the body's allowable threshold, it can cause allergic reactions commonly seen in people with sensitive skin. Some bacteria and viruses that cause dangerous diseases when infected with the intestinal tract can also produce Histamine.
 
Mechanism of action of Histamine