How DAO Supplements May Help Relieve Symptoms of Seasonal Allergies
Have you noticed that you start sneezing and sniffling every spring? Your eyes feel itchy and swollen, and you’re constantly rubbing them raw? If so, you may be suffering from seasonal allergies, also known as allergic rhinitis.
The symptoms you’re experiencing are likely due to excess histamine in your body. Histamine is an inflammatory chemical released in response to environmental allergens like pollen, pet dander, and dust mites. High histamine levels can lead to a runny nose, congestion, sneezing fits, postnasal drip, coughing, and watery, itchy eyes – staining your pillowcase every night!
For those with histamine intolerance, too much histamine in the body creates even more miserable allergy symptoms. The solution is simple: reducing histamine and keeping it in check. You can do this naturally by taking diamine oxidase (DAO) supplements, which help break down histamine, or by following an elimination diet to pinpoint and remove histamine-releasing foods.
Seasonal allergies don’t have to rule your spring and summer. With some DAO supplements and simple strategies to control excess histamine, you can get allergy relief and enjoy the nice weather at last.
The Role of Diamine Oxidase in Histamine Metabolism
DAO activity is crucial for maintaining healthy histamine metabolism. When you have too little DAO, histamine can build up and cause bothersome symptoms. On the other hand, chronically high DAO activity may lead to histamine deficiency, resulting in issues like low blood pressure, nausea, and dizziness.
Several factors can influence your DAO levels and enzymatic activity. Age, medication use, gut health, liver function, and genotype can all impact how much DAO is available to degrade histamine.
As we get older, DAO activity naturally decreases, which contributes to increased histamine sensitivity later in life. Certain medications like antibiotics, acid-reducing drugs, and chemotherapy agents may also lower DAO.
An imbalance between histamine intake and DAO activity is at the root of seasonal allergy misery. For most people with allergies, supplementing with additional DAO helps restore balance and provides relief from symptoms. A few thousand milligrams of DAO per day is usually well tolerated and effective for reducing excess histamine.
Be sure to talk to your doctor before taking any supplements to determine if they’re right and safe for you based on your full health profile. Maintaining ideal DAO function is key to staying comfortably symptom-free, both during allergy season and year-round.
Seasonal Allergies and Histamine Intolerance
Seasonal allergies and histamine intolerance are closely linked. In simple terms, seasonal allergies occur when your immune system overreacts to normally harmless substances in the environment, releasing excess histamine in the process. Histamine intolerance refers to an inability to properly metabolize excess histamine, leading to inflammatory symptoms.
For those with histamine intolerance, seasonal allergies can be severely debilitating as histamine is not adequately broken down. While over-the-counter antihistamines and decongestants may provide some relief by blocking histamine receptors, they do not address the underlying issue of impaired histamine metabolism. DAO supplements may be an effective solution as they support the enzyme responsible for breaking down histamine.
Diamine oxidase helps keep histamine levels balanced by metabolizing excess histamine released during an allergic response or histamine intolerance flare-up. Several supplements provide DAO, though dosage and bioavailability can vary between products. In general, DAO has shown potential as a natural antihistamine by supporting adequate histamine breakdown.
Though more research is still needed, evidence suggests diamine oxidase could benefit those who frequently experience high histamine levels leading to symptoms like runny nose, itchy eyes, hives, or digestive issues. By supplementing with a DAO product, you are helping to ensure proper histamine metabolism and attain relief from uncomfortable symptoms. The typical dosage range for seasonal allergy and histamine intolerance is 1,000 to 5,000 mg of DAO, though you should always follow the directions on your specific product.
Be sure to talk to your doctor before adding any supplements to determine if they may benefit you and the appropriate dosage based on your health profile. DAO may be helpful as a natural antihistamine, but should only be used under medical guidance.
Identifying Histamine Intolerance in Patients with Seasonal Allergies
Seasonal allergy sufferers may also experience symptoms of histamine intolerance without realizing the connection. Some signs of histamine excess to be aware of include:
- Digestive issues: Nausea, bloating, cramping, diarrhea, or constipation. Excess histamine can irritate the gut lining and change bowel movements.
- Skin conditions: Hives, itching, flushing or rashes, especially after eating foods high in histamines like dairy, nuts, or processed meats. Histamine triggers an inflammatory response resulting in irritated skin.
- Fatigue and low blood pressure: Too much histamine can lead to drop in blood pressure, dizziness or lightheadedness. While occasional fatigue is normal, chronic tiredness may be a sign of histamine overload.
If you frequently experience these symptoms, especially in addition to seasonal allergy reactions, you could have histamine intolerance. The only definitive way to confirm is through a diagnosis from your doctor. They may follow an algorithm including:
- Medical history review: Discussing symptoms, diet, medications, and any underlying conditions.
- Examination: Checking skin, nose, lungs, digestive system for signs of excess histamine activity or inflammation.
- Blood test: Measuring histamine or DAO levels for imbalance or impairment.
- Elimination diet trial: Removing potential high-histamine trigger foods to see if symptoms improve. Then reintroducing one by one.
- Genetic testing: Some forms of histamine intolerance have a genetic component. Certain gene variants can affect how histamine is metabolized and responded to.
For an accurate diagnosis and relief of uncomfortable symptoms, consult with your doctor. Discuss testing options, healthy lifestyle modifications, medication or supplement needs based on the underlying cause of your histamine sensitivity. Treatment may include H2 blockers, DAO supplements, probiotics, or diet therapy.
Managing Seasonal Allergies with DAO Supplements
Diamine oxidase supplements, or DAO, work by increasing activity of the DAO enzyme which breaks down excess histamine. DAO supplements come in two main forms: histamine blockers and histamine digesters.
- Histamine blockers: Contain DAO as an inactive pro-enzyme that requires stomach acid to activate, blocking histamine absorption in the GI tract.
- Histamine digesters: Provide DAO in an active, or already activated, form that is ready to start breaking down histamine as soon as absorbed.
When taking DAO supplements for seasonal allergies, here are some important considerations:
| Effectiveness: | Multiple studies show DAO may reduce seasonal allergy symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, congestion, and hives by up to 50% or more. Results can vary between individuals, but DAO does have potential as a natural antihistamine. |
| Side effects: | DAO supplements are very well tolerated, but may cause nausea, diarrhea, constipation, and abdominal pain in high doses or those with certain health conditions. Talk to your doctor first, especially if taking other medications. |
| Optimal dosage: | Typically 1,000-5,000 mg of DAO three times daily is recommended to support seasonal allergy relief. Always follow the dosage on your supplement product packaging or as advised by your healthcare practitioner. |
| Combination with other treatments: | DAO may be used alongside antihistamines, nasal sprays, eye drops, leukotriene inhibitors, or other allergy medicines for more comprehensive management. Be sure any combination is appropriate and monitored by your doctor. |
| Physician guidance: | While DAO supplements are available over-the-counter, you should consult your doctor before using them, especially if you have an underlying health condition. They can evaluate if DAO may benefit you, the proper dosage and form based on your specific situation, and any precautions necessary. |
Managing seasonal allergies requires a comprehensive approach to relieve unwanted symptoms while reducing inflammation and excess histamine overload. By discussing DAO supplements with your doctor, you ensure their safe and effective use for gaining allergy freedom during spring and summer.
Other Treatment Options for Seasonal Allergies
DAO supplements work well for seasonal allergy relief, but they are not the only option. Other common treatments include:
- Antihistamines: Block the effects of histamine on the body to reduce symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, and hives. Common over-the-counter brands are Zyrtec, Claritin and Allegra. Prescription antihistamines are also available.
- Decongestants: Contain nasal sprays or oral medicines that constrict blood vessels, relieving nasal congestion. Popular OTC options include Afrin, Neo-Synephrine and Sudafed.
- Glucocorticoids: Strong anti-inflammatory steroids available as nasal sprays, eye drops or inhalers. Help shrink swollen nasal tissues and relieve congestion. Brands include Flonase, Nasacort and Azmacort.
- Leukotriene inhibitors: Montelukast blocks chemicals that trigger allergic symptoms. Available as a single ingredient or component in combination allergy medicines. Singulair is the most popular brand.
- Cromolyn and Nedocromil: Stabilize cell membranes in respiratory tracts to prevent inflammation and withstand allergen exposure. Often used in corticosteroid combination inhalers.
For optimal seasonal allergy relief, combining treatment approaches is often most effective. For example:
- Using DAO supplements for excess histamine, antihistamines for symptom relief, decongestants and nasal sprays to open a blocked nose.
- Glucocorticoid inhalers for lung inflammation along with montelukast to also stabilize leukotrienes.
- Eye drop medicated eye wash together with oral antihistamines for reducing eye redness and irritation.
- Modifying environmental triggers, diet, and lifestyle factors as needed to support any allergy medication or supplement regimen. Reducing exposure to allergens helps decrease both symptoms and medication dependence over time.
The key is finding what works for you in consultation with your doctor. Be sure any combination of treatments, medications or supplements are appropriate and safe together before using. An integrative approach that addresses both symptoms and underlying inflammation leads to the strongest, longest-lasting allergy relief.
Find Relief with DAO Supplements from SeeBeyond Shop
Are you tired of seasonal allergy symptoms interfering with your daily life? Consider DAO supplements as a potential solution. At our med spa-affiliated SeeBeyond Shop, we offer a range of high-quality DAO supplements to help support your histamine metabolism and relieve seasonal allergy symptoms. Consult with your healthcare provider before introducing any new supplements into your routine. Take control of your well-being and start experiencing relief today – Visit SeeBeyond Shop now!
