Dose-dependent use of bioflavonoids suggested?

A study reported in Allergy Asthma Proceedings, Jul-Aug, 2003, appears to further support the concept of using the antihistamine effect of bioflavonoids, in a dose-dependent fashion, to reduce asthma symptoms and improve quality of life.

Researcher, MJ Zitt reported that, “In addition to their effects at the histamine receptor, antihistamines, in a dose-dependent fashion, inhibit the release of preformed mediators such as histamine and mediators synthesized de novo including the metabolities of arachidonic acid from mast cells and basophils. Antihistamines also show, in a concentration-dependent manner, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activity through their effects on epithelial cells, endothelial cells, macrophages, eosinophils, and T lymphocytes.”

The drawback in trying to use drugs to achieve significant histamine control is that “… most antihistamines, both first- and second-generation, cannot be used above recommended doses without causing unacceptable side effects including sedation and psychomotor function impairment. As newer antihistamines with improved therapeutic indices have been developed, asthma studies can and must be conducted to evaluate high-dose therapy with the potential of reaping the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects of these drugs.²²⁸

Thus, the non-toxic, dose-dependent use of bioflavonoids, such as used in the RAINS Study, for the reduction of histamine levels, may be a much better approach.