Is OmneDiem's DAO Naturally Sourced?

OmneDiem® Histamine Digest® DAO Supplements: Naturally Sourced Diamine Oxidase

Quick answer: Diamine Oxidase (DAO) is a natural enzyme your body makes in the small intestine to break down dietary histamine.* OmneDiem®'s DAO is naturally sourced from porcine (pig) kidney — not synthetic — and every product lists its potency in Histamine Digesting Units (HDU), the measure that actually tells you how much histamine an enzyme can break down.*

Is OmneDiem® Histamine Digest® DAO Naturally Sourced?

Yes. Diamine Oxidase (DAO) is a naturally occurring enzyme produced in the human body, primarily in the lining of the small intestine, where it supports the breakdown of dietary histamine.* The DAO used in OmneDiem®'s dietary supplements is also naturally sourced — it is not synthetic. OmneDiem® uses DAOgest®, a natural enzyme-rich protein extract derived from porcine (pig) kidney. This is a naturally derived ingredient, not a laboratory-manufactured compound. For a full explanation of OmneDiem's sourcing approach, read Porcine-derived DAO vs. Pea-derived DAO: An Honest Evaluation.

Porcine DAO vs. Pea DAO: What's the Difference?

There are currently two primary natural sources of DAO used in histamine digestion supplements: porcine-derived (from pig kidney) and pea-derived (from pea sprouts). Here is a comparison of the naturally derived sources to consider when choosing a histamine-digestion supplement.

Porcine-Derived DAO (Used in the OmneDiem® Histamine Digest® Family)

Porcine DAO has the longer track record in the supplement market and is the source with the greater body of published human research to date. The safety and tolerability of porcine-derived DAO have been evaluated across multiple studies, with no significant adverse effects reported in the published literature.* OmneDiem's DAO is manufactured through an established, quality-controlled extraction process designed to preserve enzyme activity and potency — measured in Histamine Digesting Units (HDU).*

The primary limitation of porcine DAO is that it is not suitable for everyone. Individuals with a pork allergy or those following vegetarian, vegan, kosher, or halal diets should not use porcine-derived products. OmneDiem is transparent about this and encourages all customers to review ingredient sourcing before making a purchase.

Pea-Derived DAO

Pea-derived DAO has emerged more recently as a plant-based alternative. As a newer dietary ingredient, it is subject to additional regulatory requirements in the United States, including a New Dietary Ingredient Notification (NDIN) to the FDA. While pea DAO may be appropriate for those with dietary restrictions that preclude porcine-sourced products, it currently has a smaller body of published human clinical research compared to porcine DAO. Variability in enzymatic activity between products is also an area to evaluate carefully when considering a pea-derived option.

OmneDiem monitors ongoing developments in pea-derived DAO research and manufacturing and remains committed to offering the most effective, well-studied formulations available. For OmneDiem's full published comparison, read Porcine-derived DAO vs. Pea-derived DAO: An Honest Evaluation.

What Are HDUs? Understanding How DAO Enzyme Potency Is Measured

HDU stands for Histamine Digesting Units — the standardized unit that measures the enzymatic activity (potency) of Diamine Oxidase in a supplement. HDUs tell you not just how much DAO is in a capsule by weight, but how much histamine that enzyme can actually break down under standardized laboratory conditions.*

Why HDUs Matter More Than Milligrams

This distinction sets DAO supplementation apart from many other supplement categories. With vitamins or minerals, measuring in milligrams is straightforward — you know how much of the substance is present. But enzymes are different. An enzyme is defined by what it does, not simply by how much of it is there.

Two DAO supplements could contain the same milligrams of enzyme protein and have very different HDU counts — meaning one is significantly more active at breaking down histamine than the other.* A supplement labeled 15,000 HDU has been tested and confirmed to break down a measurable, standardized amount of histamine under defined conditions.* A supplement labeled 40,000 HDU has more than 2.5 times that capacity per capsule.* When comparing DAO supplements, always look at the HDU count — not just the milligram weight — to understand the actual potency you are getting.*

How HDUs Are Determined

HDU values are established through standardized enzyme activity assays — laboratory tests that measure how efficiently and completely an enzyme degrades histamine under controlled conditions of temperature, pH, and time. The result is expressed in Histamine Digesting Units, giving manufacturers and consumers a consistent, meaningful measure of enzyme strength across products and formulations. This is why OmneDiem® Histamine Digest® supplements always list HDU values prominently on labels and in product descriptions — it is the most meaningful number for understanding what you are actually getting.*

HDU Counts Across the OmneDiem® Histamine Digest® Family

Product HDU Per Capsule
Histamine Digest® (15,000 HDU 30 ct starter; 30,000 HDU 60 & 120 ct) up to 30,000 HDU
Histamine Digest® PureMAX 40,000 HDU
Histamine Complete 15,000 HDU
Menopause Complete 15,000 HDU
Drink HD 15,000 HDU
Histamine Digest® 360 (mast cell support, DAO + P5P B6) DAO²

Most OmneDiem® Histamine Digest® products use DAOgest® — a naturally derived, porcine-sourced DAO enzyme with a well-documented activity profile and established manufacturing standards — while Histamine Digest® 360 uses DAO².* Check each product label for its specific enzyme source. HDU values reflect tested enzyme activity, not just ingredient weight.

Which OmneDiem® Histamine Digest® Product Is Right for You?

OmneDiem® DAO products are porcine-sourced. Most use DAOgest®, while Histamine Digest® 360 uses DAO². If porcine-sourced ingredients suit your dietary needs and preferences, choose the formulation that matches your goals:

OmneDiem Histamine Digest 30,000 HDU DAO enzyme supplement, 120 capsules Up to 30,000 HDU

Histamine Digest®

From $55.95

The foundational formula for supporting healthy histamine breakdown from food and drink.* Available as a 15,000 HDU 30-count starter and 30,000 HDU 60- and 120-count sizes.

Shop Histamine Digest
OmneDiem Histamine Digest PureMAX 40,000 HDU pure DAO enzyme supplement, 30 capsules 40,000 HDU

Histamine Digest® PureMAX

From $29.95

Highest-potency, cleanest formula — pure DAOgest® with no added excipients, for those who may benefit from greater DAO support.*

Shop PureMAX
OmneDiem Histamine Complete 15,000 HDU DAO seasonal and sinus histamine support supplement, 30 capsules 15,000 HDU

Histamine Complete

From $39.95

DAO plus additional ingredients to support healthy seasonal respiratory, sinus, and balanced histamine response — dietary and environmental pathways in one daily capsule.*

Shop Histamine Complete
OmneDiem Menopause Complete 15,000 HDU DAO supplement for hot flashes, night sweats, low energy, and mood, 30 capsules 15,000 HDU

Menopause Complete

From $39.95

Targeted DAO support formulated for histamine changes during menopause — hot flashes, night sweats, low energy, and mood balance.*

Shop Menopause Complete
OmneDiem Drink HD DAO histamine-neutralizing enzyme supplement for wine and aged foods 15,000 HDU

Drink HD

From $19.95

DAO support formulated to help break down the histamine that comes with wine, beer, and aged foods — your night-out drinking buddy.*

Shop Drink HD
OmneDiem Histamine Digest 360 mast cell support with DAO and P5P vitamin B6, 120 delayed-release capsules DAO²

Histamine Digest® 360

$89.95

Advanced formula that supports healthy mast cell function alongside dietary histamine breakdown, pairing DAO with P5P vitamin B6 in 120 delayed-release capsules.*

Shop Histamine Digest 360

Consult your healthcare provider to determine which formulation may be most appropriate for your individual health needs.

* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. OmneDiem® dietary supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or health condition. The information provided here is for general educational and informational purposes only, is sourced from OmneDiem's published materials at omnediem.com, and does not constitute medical advice. Individual results may vary. OmneDiem® Histamine Digest® products contain a porcine-derived ingredient and are not suitable for individuals with pork allergies or those following vegetarian, vegan, kosher, or halal diets. Always consult your healthcare provider before beginning any new supplement regimen.