This graphic {credit: Histamine Digest (formerly Umbrellux DAO)} illustrates foods and beverages that either contain high amounts of histamines or trigger release of histamine.
You may be surprised that many healthy foods are included in this list, such as tomatoes, berries, avocados and fermented foods!
Histamines are not normally a problem unless your body has difficulty clearing them. There are two biochemical pathways that degrade histamine in the body. The histamine clearing pathway in the gut involves an enzyme called DAO (or Diamine Oxidase).
The body produces the DAO enzyme in the intestines, however inflammation in the gut or poor gut health reduces the production of DAO. As we age we also make less DAO enzyme. In addition, alcoholic beverages block DAO activity in the body, which can also potentiate a histamine reaction.
There are many symptoms of histamine reactions (if your body is doesn’t have enough DAO to breakdown the amount of histamines in your body) such as flushing, hives, headache, sneezing, watery eyes, and digestive gas, bloating and diarrhea. See the Histamine Cascade illustration below for better understanding of this systemic condition and how it can affect so many different areas of the body.
DAO (Diamine Oxidase) nutrition supplement can be very helpful with managing histamine symptoms.
There are underlying root causes to histamine intolerance. As a Functional Registered Dietitian Nutritionist I address these in client assessments/consultations.
Contact me for an appointment.
