DAO for histamine

Many people use DAO for histamine intolerance to help reduce symptoms caused by high histamine levels in the body.* Histamine is a natural compound found in the human body and many foods, playing vital roles in immune responses, digestion, and neurotransmission. However, when histamine levels rise uncontrollably—often due to excessive dietary intake or an inability to metabolize it—unpleasant symptoms like headaches, skin rashes, and digestive issues can emerge. This is particularly concerning for individuals with histamine intolerance, a condition where the body struggles to break down histamine effectively.

The importance of DAO

Diamine Oxidase (DAO) is an essential enzyme responsible for degrading histamine in the digestive tract. For those with histamine intolerance, DAO levels are often insufficient, leading to an accumulation of histamine in the body. Supplementing with DAO for histamine intolerance can help reduce symptoms by breaking down histamine consumed through food.*

How DAO works as a histamine digester

DAO functions as a specialized “histamine digester,” targeting dietary histamine before it enters the bloodstream. Foods high in histamine, such as aged cheeses, fermented products, and processed meats, can exacerbate symptoms in those with histamine intolerance DAO deficiency. Supplementing with DAO before consuming such foods ensures that the histamine is broken down effectively, helping to reduce its potential to cause adverse reactions.*

Histamine rich foods

Below you will find 10 foods that contain high levels of histamine.

Aged Cheeses (e.g., Parmesan, Gouda, Swiss)
Fermented Foods (e.g., sauerkraut, kimchi, miso)
Processed Meats (e.g., salami, ham, bacon)
Alcoholic Beverages (e.g., wine, beer, champagne)
Pickled or Canned Foods (e.g., pickles, canned fish like tuna or sardines)
Smoked or Cured Fish (e.g., mackerel, smoked salmon)
Certain Fruits (e.g., bananas, avocados, strawberries, citrus fruits)
Tomatoes and Tomato-Based Products (e.g., ketchup, tomato sauce)
Spinach and Eggplant
Vinegar and Vinegar-Based Products (e.g., balsamic vinegar, salad dressings)

These foods naturally contain higher levels of histamine or can trigger its release, which might affect individuals sensitive to histamines or those with histamine intolerance.

The role of enzymes in histamine metabolism

Enzymes like DAO are critical for maintaining balance in the body’s biochemical processes. Enzymes are biological catalysts that facilitate chemical reactions, ensuring efficiency and precision in metabolic pathways. DAO specifically targets histamine, breaking it down into metabolites that are harmlessly excreted by the body.

For individuals with DAO histamine intolerance, supplementing this enzyme bridges the gap left by insufficient natural production. Beyond DAO, other supportive practices—such as maintaining a diet low in histamine—can further help to reduce symptoms.

Next steps

You can read more about the topic in our knowledge bank or you can contact one of our dieticians for personalized advice. If you’re facing symptoms and don’t know where they come from, you can take the intolerance test for more information:

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.