Histamine...two definitions?

[SilverLining]

http://kidshealth.org/parent/asthma_center/words_know/histamine.html

Histamine - a chemical found in some of the body's cells - causes many of the symptoms of allergies, such as a runny nose or sneezing. When a person is allergic to a particular substance, such as a food or dust, the immune system mistakenly believes that this usually harmless substance is actually harmful to the body. In an attempt to protect the body, the immune system starts a chain reaction that prompts some of the body's cells to release histamine and other chemicals into the bloodstream. The histamine then acts on a person's eyes, nose, throat, lungs, skin, or gastrointestinal tract, causing allergy symptoms. You've probably heard of antihistamine medications - these help to fight symptoms caused by the release of histamine during an allergic reaction.

http://www.fda.gov/food/guidanceregulation/guidancedocumentsregulatoryinformation/sanitationtransportation/ucm056174.htm

HISTAMINE
A chemical compound formed by the bacterial decomposition of seafood.

[SilverLining]

I don't get it.

[Macabre]

Histamine is found in foods, too. Shrimp is actually quite high in it, and I believe strawberries are, too.

Some people who have reactions after eating shellfish are not actually allergic to shellfish but are responding to the histamines. My understanding that the problem with the contrast dye for CT scans is actually related to the histamines, not shellfish protein. Regardless, I had bad hives for five days after the one I had--so no more contrast dye for me.

I believe one of the questions behind ykw's recent thread about her DS and strawberries was about histamines in them.

[SilverLining]

I am aware some foods are high in histamine.  I think pheasant is.

By why does the FDA single out shell fish in it's definition?

[Macabre]

No idea. I'm sure it's a mistake in their part.

[rebekahc]

I don't think it was a mistake.  You need to read the definition within the context of the document.  That definition was from a glossary in a document titled:

Defect Levels Handbook
The Food Defect Action Levels
Levels of natural or unavoidable defects in foods
that present no health hazards for humans

So histamine, as used in the context of this handbook, refers to it's rising level as seafood decomposes.  Histamine is part of the definition of decomposition metabolites.

[SilverLining]

Thanks.  That helps.

  Histamine is part of the definition of decomposition metabolites.

I've always referred to foods with my allergens as rotten. 

[CMdeux]

Yeah-- histamine is being referred to by source/origin in those definitions-- when in fact, neither is complete as a definition since histamine is a biogenic amine:



The synthesis of histamine is variable depending upon the source-- but amines (in general) are quite common as decomposition products-- many of them tend to be stinky (they all share that ammonia-like chemical functionality-- see the nitrogen in the histamine).

[SilverLining]

I think I want that symbol on a t-shirt.