Histamine Intolerance No More: How Diamase Diamine Oxidase Can Help Keep Your Symptoms Under Control
Diamase diamine oxidase (DAO) is a crucial enzyme that plays a major role in the digestion and elimination of histamine in the body. DAO helps break down histamine in our digestive system, with the highest concentration of DAO being found in the small intestine.
In this article, we will explore DAO in-depth, including its properties, functions, DAO activity, diagnostic tests, treatment options, and nutritional supplements.
What is Diamine Oxidase?
Diamine oxidase (DAO) is an enzyme found in the digestive system that plays a crucial role in breaking down histamine, a biogenic amine.
Histamine is produced by mast cells and is present in some foods. A DAO deficiency can result in the impairment of histamine breakdown, leading to histamine intolerance and inflammatory responses in the body.
Without sufficient DAO activity, histamine can accumulate in our body and lead to histamine intolerance and mast cell activation.
People with histamine intolerance may experience a range of gastrointestinal symptoms and allergies after consuming histamine-releasing foods.
Benefits of Diamine Oxidase
Have you ever felt bloated, itchy or nauseous after eating certain foods – only to crave them again the next day? You’re not alone. For many people, a lack of an important enzyme called diamine oxidase (DAO) is the culprit.
DAO breaks down histamine – a chemical found in certain foods like aged cheeses, cured meats and fermented drinks. Our bodies produce histamine as part of the immune response, so too much circulating histamine can lead to inflammation.
DAO is meant to keep histamine in check, especially what we consume through food. But when DAO levels are low, that extra histamine has nowhere to go but into your body. And that’s when the fun begins!
Symptoms like digestive upset, headaches, itchy skin rashes and more – we’ve all been there. But for some people, chronically low DAO is behind these random reactions to food that ruin an otherwise good meal.
The good news? There are ways to boost your body’s BFF – DAO. Certain nutrients play a key role in DAO production, so supplements like copper, vitamin B6 and vitamin C can help raise DAO levels.
Testing is available to determine if you have a DAO deficiency. And a little sleuthing can uncover the histamine bombs hiding in your diet.
Once you identify low DAO as the culprit behind your bothersome symptoms, arming yourself with the right nutrients, dietary changes and tests could give DAO the backup it needs to keep inflammation at bay.
How Diamine Oxidase Aids Histamine Digestion
Histamine is a biogenic amine found in small quantities in some foods. While it plays a vital role in the immune system, too much histamine can lead to uncomfortable symptoms such as hives, headaches, and itching.
For individuals with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome and Histamine Intolerance, it’s crucial to have sufficient histamine-degrading enzymes to break down excess histamine in the digestive system to avoid the escalation of symptoms.
This is where the enzyme diamine oxidase (DAO) comes into play. DAO is mainly found in the digestive tract and plays a vital role in breaking down histamine found in food. The process is quite simple, DAO binds with the excess histamine present in the food and breaks it down into imidazole acetaldehyde, which is then further broken down into ammonia.
By this process, DAO reduces the amount of histamine that gets absorbed in the bloodstream, reducing the risk of histamine intolerance and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome symptoms.
To further aid the digestion of histamine, it is recommended that individuals with DAO deficiency take DAO enzyme supplements before meals. These supplements help maximize DAO activity, increasing the chances of histamine digestion before it triggers any adverse reactions.
Issues with Low Levels of Diamine Oxidase Activity
DAO activity is essential in the digestion of histamine and other biogenic amines found in food, preventing their absorption into the bloodstream. DAO’s primary function is breaking down histamine into various byproducts, such as imidazole acetaldehyde and ammonia.
Low levels of DAO activity can lead to several issues. For instance, lowered DAO values in maternal blood during early pregnancy may indicate trophoblast-related pregnancy disorders like early-onset preeclampsia.
Copper is a crucial component necessary for DAO’s typical activity. Copper intake is especially crucial during pregnancy, as pregnant women need to consume adequate levels of copper to ensure consistent DAO activity.
When DAO activity is low, it can cause gastrointestinal symptoms like bloating, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and other digestive disturbances. The inflammatory response can also negatively affect the immune system and cause food intolerance.
Allergies may develop, with possible adverse histamine levels and mast cell activation. Histamine intolerance can cause numerous symptoms such as headaches, skin rashes, itching, flushing, hives, or asthma-like symptoms after consumption of histamine-releasing foods.
Fortunately, DAO supplements can help combat histamine intolerance if taken in the appropriate amounts. These nutritional supplements can increase DAO activity in the digestive system, decreasing the risk of histamine intolerance symptoms.
It is worth noting that DAO inhibitors such as alcohol, painkillers, and certain medications can reduce DAO activity. In such cases, taking DAO supplements can provide relief and assist in the management of histamine intolerance.
Dietary Considerations for Those with Histamine Intolerance
Histamine intolerance is a condition that affects several people worldwide. It is a condition where the body has difficulty breaking down histamine in the body, leading to unpleasant symptoms.
One of the ways to manage this condition is by paying attention to what we eat and being mindful of the nutritional supplements we consume.
In this section, we will explore dietary considerations that people with histamine intolerance should keep in mind and ways to manage the symptoms with the help of enzyme supplements and diagnostic tests.
Foods Rich in Histamine
Histamine, a biogenic amine, occurs naturally in our bodies and some foods. It helps regulate functions but excessive levels inflame, especially when released by mast cells.
If you have histamine intolerance or DAO deficiency, you may get stomach upset, rashes, headaches.
One cause is foods high in histamine. Aged cheeses like blue and parmesan have a strong taste from histamine. Cured meats like salami, ham and bacon used in sandwiches and pizza contain it.
Smoked fish like salmon, mackerel and herring as snacks have it.
Fermented foods like sauerkraut, kimchi, soy sauce and kefir are produced during fermentation.
Alcoholic drinks, especially wine, beer and champagne though not all spirits have histamine.
Some produce may have histamine, like spinach, eggplants and avocados when not fresh. Histamine varies in foods by storage, prep and processing.
If you suspect histamine intolerance, get tested for DAO activity and inhibitors. Besides avoiding high- histamine foods, supplements for gut & immunity can help. Treatment includes a low-histamine diet and lifestyle adjustments to lower your exposure.
Additional Sources of Histamine
Many things besides high histamine foods can trigger histamine intolerance symptoms.Bacteria growing too much in the gut make extra histamine as a byproduct, adding to a person’s histamine load and causing symptoms.
Fermented foods like sauerkraut and kefir have lots of histamine made during fermentation.Though healthy, they’re unsuitable for those with histamine intolerance.
Alcohol, especially wine, beer and champagne, and aged meats and cheeses contain high levels of it and can cause histamine nightmare.
To manage intolerance, know these histamine sources. A DAO deficiency – lack of the histamine-breakdown enzyme DAO – plays an important role.
DAO inhibitors and mast cell activation make the inflammation worse.
Diagnostic tests and treatments like DAO-boosting supplements exist. With proper management, you can find relief and live better.
Strategies to Reduce Adverse Effects from Excess Histamine Intake
For histamine intolerance, caused by DAO deficiency, mast cell activation or inhibitors, avoid high histamine foods. Reduce aged cheeses, fermented/alcoholic drinks.
Nutritional supplements like vitamin C and copper boost DAO, breaking down histamine. Probiotics maintain gut health, minimizing histamine buildup.
Herbs like quercetin and nettle leaf reduce histamine effects, supporting immunity and calmness. They act as natural antihistamines.
Getting tested confirms histamine intolerance, so treatment, combining diet, supplements and herbs, suits you best.
Avoiding excess histamine intake while supporting histamine degradation helps minimize symptoms, promoting comfort.
Compliance with a Diet for Histamine Intolerance
Follow a histamine diet to manage intolerance/DAO deficiency. Avoiding high histamine foods impacts your comfort.
Histamine helps immunity but excess from mast cells or foods cause discomfort, rashes, headaches.You must avoid aged cheeses, cured meats, fermented/alcoholic drinks to reduce histamine effects.
Know additional histamine sources like DAO inhibitors that lower DAO, the enzyme breaking down histamine.
Supplements like zinc and copper boost DAO activity, reducing histamine levels and symptoms. Focus meals on low histamine fruits,non-cured meats and freshly caught seafood.
Get tested to confirm intolerance,then work with doctors to find a plan catering to your needs. This may involve diets, avoiding triggers and supplements to handle symptoms from excess histamine levels.
Planning meals around avoiding histamine sources while supporting DAO activity helps you lead a more comfortable life. Staying compliant is vital to managing your symptoms.
Factors that Influence Level of Histamine Intolerance
Several factors influence how severe histamine intolerance becomes:
Mast cell production
When mast cells release too much histamine, as happens with allergies and inflammation, it worsens intolerance.
Foods high in biogenic amines like histamine
They add to how much histamine enters your body. Aged/fermented foods cause problems.
DAO deficiency
The DAO enzyme breaks down histamine. Lower DAO means histamine lingers in your body, worsening symptoms.
- Treatments aim to address these factors:
- Avoid triggers that provoke mast cells like allergens and stress
- Follow a low-histamine diet that limits problematic foods
- Use supplements to boost DAO levels and aid histamine breakdown
- Take antihistamines to block histamine receptors and relieve symptoms immediately
- Treat bacterial overgrowth causing extra histamine production
Managing histamine intolerance involves identifying and avoiding triggers that cause excess histamine production and release while supporting the body’s ability to degrade histamine through diet, supplements and medications. Taking these steps can help minimize intolerable reactions.
Genetic Variants That Affect Affinity for and Degradation of Histamine
Genes play a big role in histamine intolerance by affecting how your body processes histamine.
The DAO gene makes the DAO enzyme breaking down histamine in the gut. Mutations lower DAO activity, risking intolerance.
The HNMT gene creates an enzyme breaking down histamine elsewhere in the body. Mutations impact metabolism of histamine.
Variants in histamine receptor genes influence how your body responds to histamine.
Diagnostic tests measure DAO activity, histamine levels and inhibitors.Share your gene history with doctors for targeted supplements.
Treatments include avoiding histamine sources, DAO supplements to boost enzyme activity and mast stabilizers/antihistamines for symptom relief.
The Impact of Stress, Age, and Hormone Changes on Histamine Loads
Stress triggers mast cells to release histamine. Anxiety/depression raise histamine while relaxation/sleep lower it. People under stress are prone to intolerance.
As we age, histamine metabolism slows. So elders have high histamine levels, making them susceptible to intolerance.
Hormone changes during menopause or periods spike histamine. Estrogen inhibits DAO enzyme, breaking down histamine. Menopause significantly raises histamine as estrogen falls.
Manage it with:
- Targeted supplements supporting healthy histamine degradation
- Lowering stress and improving sleep
- Histamine/DAO tests
- Avoiding trigger foods
- Taking DAO inhibitors
Being aware of factors raising histamine levels helps manage symptoms and prevent issues from high histamine loads.
Managing Symptoms Associated with High Levels of Histamines
Here are the main steps to manage symptoms from high histamine levels:
Follow a low histamine diet. Avoid aged/fermented foods and leftovers. Focus on fresh produce cooked immediately.
Reduce stress. Use breathing exercises, meditation and yoga to lower histamine release.
Take probiotics/eat prebiotic foods to aid histamine metabolism. They boost enzyme production and lessen inflammation.
Supplement with DAO enzymes. DAO deficiency causes intolerance,so DAO boosts histamine breakdown.
If you have histamine intolerance, talk to your doctor. Get tested to find the root cause. Treatment may include:
- Lifestyle changes like a low histamine diet and stress management
- Customized supplements
Managing symptoms involves a coordinated approach: limiting sources triggering histamine release while utilizing natural remedies and medications to support the body’s ability to degrade histamine. This balanced strategy can provide much needed relief.
Diamase Diamine Oxidase: Frequently Asked Question
What is Diamase Diamine Oxidase?
Diamase Diamine Oxidase (DAO) is an enzyme that breaks down histamine in the body. It is produced by cells lining the small intestine and helps prevent histamine from being absorbed into the bloodstream.
What is the Role of DAO in Histamine Intolerance?
Histamine intolerance occurs when the body has difficulty breaking down histamine due to low levels of DAO. This can lead to symptoms such as headaches, digestive issues, and skin rashes. Supplementing with DAO or consuming foods that are high in DAO can help keep histamine under control.
How Does DAO Work?
DAO works by breaking down histamine into imidazole acetaldehyde, which is then converted into N-methylimidazole acetic acid (NMIA) by the enzyme histamine N-methyltransferase (HNMT). NMIA is then excreted from the body.
Can DAO Help Prevent Histamine Damage?
Yes, supplementing with DAO or consuming foods high in DAO can help prevent histamine damage by breaking down histamine in the body before it can cause harm.
Can Consuming Histamine Meals Cause Histamine Intoxication?
Consuming histamine-rich foods can contribute to histamine intolerance and may cause symptoms such as headaches, digestive issues, and skin rashes. However, true histamine intoxication is rare and typically only occurs with the consumption of very high levels of histamine.
How Do I Keep My Histamine Under Control?
Keeping your histamine under control can be achieved by supplementing with DAO, consuming foods that are high in DAO, and avoiding histamine-rich foods. It is also important to support your body’s natural production of DAO by maintaining a healthy gut microbiome and reducing stress.
