Pfeiffer has identified three main types among schizophrenia patients on the basis of biochemical abnormalities that are also seen in the population as a whole. His characterization of patients around the histamine axis (too high, normal or too low histamine) has proven to be a good tool for the assessment and treatment of schizophrenia patients who have nutrient deficiencies and who are treatable with nutrient (substances) therapy.
Low blood histamine (histapenia): Histapenia is often seen in patients with low levels of zinc and serum folate (and possibly also manganese) and high serum copper (and possibly also iron) .1 Schizophrenia patients with low histamine content - about 50% of schizophrenia patients according to Pfeiffer - mainly have symptoms of paranoia and hallucinations. 2.3
There may be a connection with the high serum copper that is often found. Copper stimulates the brain and 'destroys' histamine. Zinc and manganese can help lower an increased amount of copper (already in food doses). Folic acid (with vitamin B12) can help to raise the histamine level.
High histamine (histemia): Vitamin C acts as a modulator on the synthesis and release of histamine in the body: the human blood histamine increases with the decrease of the plasma ascorbic acid. Low vitamin C levels in the blood promote the synthesis and release of histamine, so that high blood histamine is seen in people with a low vitamin C level.
Allergy, drugs (heroin) and methadone use and lead poisoning may contribute to an increased histamine level. And a high tissue folate can also be accompanied by a high histamine. Schizophrenia patients with high histamine - about 20% of patients according to Pfeiffer - mainly have symptoms of suicidal depression.2 A history with allergies, headaches and a low pain threshold can also be part of the complaints.
Because histamine accelerates the oxidation of food, the patients can be thin and belong to the type that 'can eat and drink everything without arriving'.
Vitamin C can help to inhibit the histamine level. Calcium can help release histamine from (brain) tissues and thus lower the level in the tissues. Methionine can help to detoxify the body of histamine through methylation. Furthermore, zinc and manganese and the detection and treatment of possible allergies can have a beneficial effect.
For the 30 - 40% schizophrenia patients with normal histamine, the Kryptopyrrol can be used in urine.
