If you answered "Data Access Object" in computer software . . . you would be "correct" . . . but "wrong" about today's topic.
I'm talking about "Diamine oxidase" (DAO). It's an enzyme that is needed for "histamine Intolerance". It's a digestive enzyme produced in the kidneys, thymus and the intestinal lining of the digestive tract and its primary function is to break down excess histamine in the body.
How many of you have inflammation, allergies or swelling? How many are allergic to bug bite, have a food intolerance or migraines and other vascular headache? How about gastrointestinal disorders, such as IBS, constipation, diarrhea, flatulence, or feeling swollen and bloated? Or dermatological disorders such as dry skin, or psoriasis?
The main cause of the enzymatic dysfunction of DAO has a genetic origin. Some people have or produce too few of this "Diamine oxidase" enzyme. Therefore, they have a deficiency of DAO.
And DAO deficiency is an alteration in the metabolism of food histamine that appears when DAO enzyme activity is low.
So what this means is this . . . when the DAO levels are too low in the body . . . it's difficult to efficiently metabolize and excrete "histamine". As a result, "histamine" levels rise, leading to various physical symptoms that resemble those of an allergic reaction.
Histamine intolerance looks a lot like seasonal allergies. If you eat histamine-rich food or drinks, you may experience hives, itchy or flushed skin, red eyes, facial swelling, runny nose and congestion, headaches, soft-tissue rheumatism which is pain in the tendons or joints., back pain, inflammation of the muscles and swelling.
There are several factors that can contribute to diminished DAO activity or overproduction of histamine like genetic mutations, alcohol use, certain medications, "intestinal bacterial overgrowth" (this is the "bad" bacteria I'm always talking about) and eating large amounts of histamine-containing foods like fermented dairy products such as cheese, yogurt, sour cream, buttermilk or kefri, fermented vegetables such as sauerkraut and kimchi, pickles or pickled veggies, or even cured or fermented meats such as sausages, salami and fermented ham.
So how do we fix this problem of low DAO?
Well . . . the best way is to follow a "low" histamine diet that eliminates high histamine foods, which will calm the body's inflammation. Incorporate fresh foods such as fruits like citrus and berries and vegetable like spinach, tomatoes and avocado, fresh meat and seafood, eggs, and whole grains like rice, quinoa and millet. Also adding into the diet oils like coconut and olive oil. And most important lots and lots of "probiotics" to rebuild your army of defense in the intestine and ultimately fixing your immune system and "mast cell" (we'll talk about this tomorrow).
Research also suggests that adding back into the body adequate nutrients like phosphorus, zinc, magnesium, iron and vitamin B12 may play a role in enhancing DAO activity.
So is this the reason for your suffering and discomfort?
As always, feel free to contact me here.