Improving DAO Enzyme Function When You Have Histamine Intolerance

If you want to to improve the symptoms associated with histamine intolerance, you need to improve the function of DAO enzyme activity. Today’s article we will also dive into the different supplements you can take to improve DAO enzyme levels.

Last week I did a video on histamine intolerance and gut problems. I went through some of the causes of histamine intolerance, the symptoms of histamine intolerance and I talked about a very important enzyme that is one of the major causes of histamine intolerance.

Today I’m talking about how you can

1. Increase DAO enzyme activity naturally,
2. Some of the vitamins needed to keep DAO enzyme working properly
3. Supplements that improve DAO enzyme Activity
4. Some very practical tips on how to get started with a low histamine diet.

If you remember DAO is the enzyme that prevents the accumulation of histamine in the body. If you are DAO deficiency, you may also be deficient in certain vitamins and minerals that this enzyme requires, then you will have a problem with the symptoms of excess histamine and all the symptoms of too much histamine.

How To Improve DAO Enzyme Activity

I you take a look at this illustration, you will notice that at the very top we have histamine, histamine is broken down by HNMT on the left and DAO on the right. In green letters you are going to see SAMe on the left and Iron, B6, B12, copper and vitamin C on the right.

What this means is that if you are deficient in any of these vitamin cofactors, the DAO enzyme or HNMT enzyme won’t work properly, in turn, histamine will not be broken down and ultimately, you will experience excess histamine.

Take the Histamine Intolerance/MCAS Quiz here, Assess Your Risk Today.

Consider Some Of These Reasons for Low DAO Enzyme Production

Things I want you to consider if you suspect low DAO production or Low DAO activity include heavy menstrual cycles, fibroids, endometriosis, hemorrhoids, ulcers, H.Pylori infection, IBD, IBS, SIBO you are a vegan or vegetarian. If you suffer with any of these, you could have low Iron levels. Iron is needed for proper DAO enzyme production.

If you have Pernicious anemia, or a genetic Mutation of the MTHFR gene, or you used the following medications such as proton pump inhibitors, birth control pills or are taking antidepressants,  deficiencies in B12, B6, CoQ10 and vitamin C are very common.

If you have been pounding down zinc (more than 30-60mg per day), you might also be low in copper. Zinc and copper have an inverse relationship. high zinc will depress copper levels and vice versa.

To support the HNMT enzyme pathway, you need to support your methylation pathways. Here is where SAMe and other sulfur based donors like NAC, methionine can help with that pathway.

Supplements That Are Effective At Reducing High Histamine Levels

There are many supplements that are quite effective at reducing high histamine levels.

Quercetin: When you intake Quercetin, you’re helping your body to calm the inflammation. It also blocks the releases of histamine from your mast cells. Quercetin has strong antioxidant activity and has been shown to support immune health by mediating the release of inflammatory compounds including leukotrienes and prostaglandins. Quercetin is known for its ability to stabilize mast cells, diminishing the release of histamine, the compound known to cause hypersensitivity reactions during seasonal changes

DAO™ is a patented enzyme formula containing diamine oxidase (DAO)—the main enzyme responsible for the degradation of ingested histamine. This enzyme has been clinically tested and found to break down food-derived histamine in the digestive tract. DAO is not absorbed and does not have systemic activity.

Stinging Nettles Leaf Extract– Stinging nettles leaf is a plant that has been shown to balance immune response, specifically in the airways and nasal passages. Studies have shown that the extract of stinging nettles leaf balances a variety of inflammatory mediators

Bromelain- Bromelain is a plant enzyme naturally found on the stem and fruit of the pineapple plant. Bromelain is a proteolytic (protein-digesting) enzyme that aids in in the breakdown of large protein complexes, including antigenic compounds, and has been shown to enhance the absorption of quercetin. Bromelain has been shown to reduce circulating allergenic protein complexes associated with hyper-immune sensitivity and seasonal discomfort.

Omega-3 is an important one, they have been shown to release DAO and in women.

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Supplements That Can Help Boost Your DAO Enzyme Levels and Lower Histamine

You can take DAO supplements, which will increase your levels in your digestive tract and enhance histamine breakdown of anything that’s eaten. However, DAO supplements do not get into your bloodstream and cannot increase your DAO levels internally. This means that supplementing with the DAO enzyme only helps you break histamine down that you are consuming. Scientists have found a number of nutrients that are effective at boosting DAO enzyme levels. These nutrients include:

1. Omega-3 fatty acids
2. Saturated fat
3. Phosphorus
4. Calcium
5. Zinc
6. Magnesium
7. Iron
8. Vitamin B12

Not Sure Where To Start? Watch the video below for additional ways to improve DAO activity

People Who Read this Article Also Recommend.

1. How To Get Started on a Low Histamine Diet – Part I
2. How to Get Started on a Low Histamine Diet-Part II
3. Supplements to help support Histamine Intolerances 
4. Histamine Intolerance and Gut Health
5. Estrogen Dominance and Histamine Intolerance- Hormonal imbalances that trigger Histamine/MCAS symptoms
6. Why Adrenal Cortisol Testing is so Important for GI Problems
7. Natural Ways to Increase DAO enzyme activity to help break down ingested histamine