Morning Sickness GuideUpdated 4 hours ago

Morning sickness is a typical condition faced by pregnant women, characterized by symptoms such as:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Heartburn or Reflux
• Food aversions
• Motion sickness
• Overall discomfort throughout the digestive system

Despite its misleading name, "morning sickness" can occur at any time of the day, not just in the morning. Affecting approximately 70% of pregnant women, it becomes particularly challenging during the first trimester. Symptoms generally begin around the 6th week, intensifying between the 8th and 10th weeks, leaving many women simply enduring the discomfort. Thankfully, relief is typically on the horizon as they near the end of the first trimester or transition into the second. While uncomfortable, morning sickness is generally not harmful to either the mother or the baby

What Causes Morning Sickness?

Morning Sickness results from an overproduction of histamine and a reduced ability to break it down. The sources of histamine come from a few different locations during pregnancy:

As histamine is the problem here, it’s no surprise that doctors frequently turn to antihistamines as their go-to treatment for managing morning sickness during pregnancy.

A Hidden Ancestral Benefit

Morning sickness might have given us an evolutionary edge by acting as a protective measure. This condition triggers aversions to specific foods, especially those potentially harboring harmful pathogens, including meat, eggs, dairy, and strong-flavored vegetables. Such aversions likely reduced the risk of foodborne illnesses during the crucial early stages of pregnancy, thereby enhancing survival rates.

What is Histamine’s Role During Pregnancy?

• It acts as a messenger between the baby and the uterus assisting in the development of cells essential for the placenta to implant successfully and start growing.

• Enhances blood flow crucial for nourishing and supporting the growing baby.
• Helps keep the mother’s immune system in check balancing everything so that the mom's body can safely support both her health and the baby's.
• Boosts hormonal production, important for maintaining a healthy pregnancy.
• Influences uterine contractions which are really important when it's time for the baby to be born!

Histamine is very important during pregnancy. However, it is essential to maintain balanced histamine levels. If these levels get thrown off balance, it could lead to significant issues for both the mother and the baby.

What Are the Potential Dangers of High Histamine Levels During Pregnancy?

Excessive histamine levels during pregnancy can sometimes lead to serious complications, such as:

• Extreme Pregnancy Sickness (Hyperemesis Gravidarum)

  A much more severe than typical morning sickness. Women experiencing this feel intense nausea and vomiting, affecting about 0.5 to 3% of pregnancies. It's not just an inconvenience—it can threaten the well-being of both mother and baby by causing dehydration and poor nutrition. Proper care is crucial to ensure the best outcomes for both mother and child.

• Pre-eclampsia

  Identified by high blood pressure and potential harm to organs, this condition often is linked to the maternal spiral arteries embedded in the placenta not developing well in early pregnancy. The poor development is probably due to high histamine and/or low DAO enzyme levels. 

• Miscarriage and Early Birth

  High histamine levels may increase the chance of miscarriage and going into labor earlier than expected, mainly due to their effects on contracting blood vessels and the smooth muscles in the uterus

Key Enzymes Associated with Morning Sickness Severity

DAO

A very important enzyme during pregnancy and for supporting histamine levels is the DAO enzyme. The DAO enzyme’s job is to break down histamine that is found outside cells. The placenta produces its own DAO enzyme in high amounts. The problem is the placenta doesn’t really start making DAO in sufficient levels until the 2nd trimester - which is exactly when most women’s morning sickness abates. Another factor is the placenta also makes a tremendous amount of histamine itself!

GDF15

The developing placenta produces another enzyme called GDF15. This enzyme produces a particular hormone that may contribute to symptoms such as taste aversion, nausea, and vomiting during pregnancy. GDF15 can also be released by other organs that are under stress.

Dirty Genes and Morning Sickness

A significant factor is a Dirty DAO. If a woman has a dirty DAO gene, her ability to break down histamine is significantly reduced. This leads to higher histamine levels. These higher histamine levels increase the risk for morning sickness. Not only that, the higher histamine levels further increase inflammation and oxidative stress, which then increases GDF15 levels and, thus, further worsens her symptoms.

A Dirty DAO Gene is Caused by:

• Common genetic variations which may significantly reduce its ability to function
  
  
• Nutrient deficiencies, especially vitamin B1, B6, calcium, glutathione
  
  
• Mental stress, as this increases mast cell activation

  
  
• Physical stress and high-intensity exercise as this increases histamine production

  
  
• Gut inflammation, parasites, infections, food allergies and food intolerances
• Food and drinks that are high in histamines


• Medications like metformin, antidepressants, ibuprofen and aspirin
  
  
• Histamine-producing probiotics like L. fermentum, L. casei, L. bulgaricus, Streptococcus
  
  
• Gallbladder issues are mainly caused by choline deficiency and hormone excesses. Choline is a nutrient needed for bile production and flow. When bile isn't functioning optimally, it can disrupt the balance of the gut microbiome, potentially leading to inflammation caused by an overgrowth of bacteria and fungi. These may produce more histamine.
  
  
• Dirty ALDH gene.The DAO enzyme breaks down histamine into a toxic aldehyde. This toxic aldehyde must be eliminated by the ALDH enzyme. If it’s not functioning properly, symptoms of high histamine occur. The ALDH enzyme must also be supported by vitamins B1, B3, and zinc, avoiding low smoke point oils and using Ghee or avocado oil

Clean Your DAO Gene by:

• Avoiding allergens which may significantly reduce its ability to function

• Limiting high-histamine foods and drinks leftovers, fermented and aged foods such as aged cheeses, kefir, chocolate, kombucha, aged meats, condiments, and sauces are best avoided as they can exacerbate histamine issues.
• Hydrating to support overall bodily functions, including the metabolism of histamine. Support potassium intake by incorporating coconut water, a variety of fruits, vegetables, beans, and dairy products (when tolerated) into the diet for a well-rounded approach.
• Implementing stress-reduction techniques such as meditation, walks, time in nature, yoga, or deep breathing exercises. Stress can worsen histamine intolerance symptoms, so managing it effectively is crucial.

• Moderating physical activity as excessive, especially intensive exercise, may trigger an overproduction of histamine. Balancing your exercise routine with adequate rest and incorporating other forms of physical activity, such as flexibility exercises, can help manage histamine responses more effectively.

• Ensuring adequate sleep as poor sleep can exacerbate inflammation and histamine intolerance symptoms.

A Dirty Gene is Caused By:

• High Blood Sugar
  Stimulates more GDF15 production

  
  
• High Insulin

  Stimulates more GDF15 production

  
  
• Fat Tissue

  Produces more GDF15 than other tissues.

  
  
• High Histamine

  As this increases stimulates further inflammation and oxidative stress which further stimulates more GDF15 productionmast cell activation

Clean Your GDF15 Levels By:

• Maintaining a healthy weight

  which keeps adipose levels at a healthy level.

  
  
• Eat protein, healthy fat and lower carbs

  to support healthy insulin and blood sugar levels.

  
  
• Go for walks after eating

  to support healthy glucose and insulin levels. Just 10 minutes of walking supports healthy glucose and insulin levels after a meal.

  
  
• Eat when you wake up

  and again before nausea sets in. Don’t wait too long to eat and make sure you’re eating enough with your meals. This tip has been shared with me by women. They said it makes a huge difference.

  
  
• Do not fast or skip meals

  because this may increase your risk of nausea

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