Diamine Oxidase

Why You Need It

• Stops Digestive Distress: It breaks down histamine in the gut, reducing bloating, cramping, and diarrhea after eating.
• Prevents Skin Flare-ups: By keeping blood histamine low, it helps stop hives, flushing, and eczema triggered by food.
• Clears Sinuses: It reduces the histamine load that causes chronic congestion and runny nose.
• Improves Sleep: Lowering histamine levels can help you fall asleep easier, as histamine is an alertness chemical.

Deep Dive

Histamine isn't just from allergies; it's in many foods (especially fermented/aged ones). If you have a 'leaky gut' or genetic variations (like HNMT or DAO mutations), you can't break it down fast enough. This is called Histamine Intolerance. Taking DAO enzymes (often derived from chickpeas) before a meal acts as a shield. It degrades the histamine in your food before it passes through your intestinal wall, keeping your immune system calm. It doesn't cure the intolerance, but it manages the symptoms effectively.

Natural Food Sources

Unlike most nutrients, we don't eat DAO directly; we eat the building blocks (Copper and Vitamin B6) and foods that help our body produce its own enzyme. However, some foods contain trace amounts of DAO activities.

Supplementation

If you suffer from Histamine Intolerance (HIT), a DAO supplement is often recommended.

• Dosage: Typically 10,000 HDU (Histamine Degrading Units) taken 15-20 minutes before a meal.
• Source: Most supplements are derived from fermented Pea Protein or Kidney Bean extract. They are vegan-friendly.
• Who should take it: People with diagnosed histamine intolerance, those with SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth), or anyone experiencing reactions to healthy foods like avocados or spinach.