Diamine oxidase (DAO) is an enzyme that plays a crucial role in the metabolism of histamine, a compound involved in immune responses, gastric acid secretion, and neurotransmission. Histamine is present in various foods and produced endogenously in the body. DAO primarily breaks down histamine in the digestive tract, preventing excessive histamine levels that can lead to adverse reactions.

  Supplemental Benefits of Diamine Oxidase:

Management of Histamine Intolerance: DAO supplements can help individuals with low endogenous DAO activity manage histamine intolerance. Symptoms such as headaches, migraines, skin rashes, hives, and gastrointestinal issues can be alleviated with DAO supplementation.

Support for Allergic Conditions: By reducing histamine levels, DAO supplements may provide relief for those with allergic conditions. This includes reducing symptoms such as nasal congestion, itching, and asthma-like symptoms.

Digestive Health: DAO supplements support gut health by preventing histamine-induced digestive issues. They can be particularly beneficial for individuals with conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) that may be exacerbated by histamine.

Improvement of Food Tolerance: For individuals with histamine intolerance, DAO supplements can improve tolerance to histamine-rich foods such as aged cheeses, fermented products, and certain fruits and vegetables.

   Forms and dosage:

Porcine Kidney Extract: This is one of the most common sources of DAO. The enzyme is extracted from the kidneys of pigs. It`s used in many commercial DAO supplements due to its effectiveness in breaking down histamine.

Bovine Kidney Extract: DAO can also be extracted from the kidneys of cows. Similar to porcine sources, bovine-derived DAO is used in supplements for its histamine-degrading properties.

Plant-Based Sources: There are limited plant-based sources of DAO. Some supplements may use a combination of plant extracts that contain DAO or promote DAO activity. These are less common and may be used in supplements marketed as vegetarian or vegan alternatives, although they may not be as effective as animal-derived sources.

Microbial Fermentation: Advances in biotechnology have enabled the production of DAO through microbial fermentation processes. These supplements are produced by fermenting specific strains of bacteria or yeast that have been engineered to produce DAO. This method can provide a consistent and controlled source of the enzyme

Understanding DAO Supplement Potency and Dosage

Diamine oxidase (DAO) supplements are evaluated based on their effectiveness and potency, which are measured in HDU (Histamine Degrading Units) and milligrams.

HDU (Histamine Degrading Units) measures the enzyme’s activity by indicating how many histamine molecules are degraded per minute or per second. Higher HDU values indicate a more potent supplement that can degrade histamine more efficiently.

Milligrams measure the total weight of all proteins, including the DAO, in the enzyme sample. While the milligram content gives an idea of the overall quantity of the supplement, it does not directly measure the enzyme’s activity or effectiveness.

  Daily dose:  10,000 – 20,000 HDU (or 4.2 mg)  Take DAO supplements 15-30 minutes before meals that contain high histamine.