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Histamine intolerance isn’t a true allergy, but a condition where your body has difficulty breaking down histamine from foods. This can happen if you have a deficiency or a lack of activity in the enzyme Diamine Oxidase (DAO), which is responsible for degrading histamine in your gut. When DAO isn’t working properly, histamine levels can build up, leading to symptoms that often mimic an allergic reaction.
Your body naturally produces the DAO enzyme, but various factors can lead to a deficiency or reduced activity, including genetics, certain medications, and gut health issues. A DAO supplement can help by providing the essential enzyme needed to break down excess dietary histamine in your small intestine. This helps to manage histamine levels and reduce the uncomfortable symptoms associated with histamine intolerance or ingesting high-histamine foods and beverages.
While some vegan Diamine Oxidase (DAO) supplements are available, they are typically derived from plant sources like pea sprouts. The DAO enzyme in OmneDiem’s Histamine Digest is sourced from porcine (pig) kidney protein extract, which has been shown in clinical studies to be a highly effective and stable source of the DAO enzyme. This animal-derived source is known to have a strong and effective histamine-degrading activity, which is crucial for delivering the best results to our customers. OmneDiem is committed to providing the most effective products, which is why we currently source our DAO from a porcine kidney. Our ongoing research and collaboration with manufacturers ensure we’re ready to transition to a plant-based alternative as soon as a stable and active source becomes available.
Antihistamines work by blocking histamine receptors in your body, which can prevent the histamine from triggering a response. Our DAO supplement works differently. It provides the natural enzyme that breaks down and neutralizes histamine in your digestive tract before it can be absorbed into the bloodstream. This makes it a non-systemic approach that addresses the root cause of the histamine buildup without.
Histamine is found in many common foods, particularly those that are fermented, cured, or aged. Some of the most common high-histamine foods include:
- Aged cheeses 🧀
- Fermented foods (like sauerkraut, yogurt, and kombucha)
- Cured meats (salami, sausages)
- Alcoholic beverages (especially red wine and beer) 🍷
- Certain fruits and vegetables (like tomatoes, spinach, and avocados)
No. Our DAO supplement is designed to help with histamine intolerance, which is a different condition from a true food allergy. A food allergy is a serious immune system response that can be life-threatening. OmneDiem’s Histamine Digest is not a treatment for food allergies. You should always avoid foods to which you are allergic and carry an EpiPen® or other prescribed medication if you have a severe allergy.
Yes, our product is both gluten-free and non-GMO. We prioritize using high-quality, pure ingredients to ensure our supplement is safe and effective for as many people as possible.
We don’t recommend opening the capsule. The capsules are specifically designed to protect the delicate DAO enzyme from stomach acid, ensuring it reaches the small intestine where it can be properly absorbed and begin to work.
A high-histamine food directly contains large amounts of histamine (e.g., aged cheese). A histamine-releasing food doesn’t contain much histamine itself but can trigger your body to release its own stored histamine. Examples of histamine-releasing foods include citrus fruits and chocolate.
Histamine Digest is designed to support the body’s natural histamine response. The benefits of this support can vary. We always recommend consulting with a healthcare professional to discuss your individual health needs.
The body’s ability to produce the DAO enzyme can be influenced by various factors. These may include genetic predispositions, as some individuals may naturally produce less of the enzyme. Additionally, certain medications, alcohol consumption, and imbalances in gut health can impact the activity and production of the DAO enzyme.
There isn’t a single definitive test. A healthcare provider might use a histamine elimination diet to see if symptoms improve. They may also run a DAO serum test to check your enzyme levels, or a histamine blood test to look for excess histamine in your system.
The body’s ability to maintain a healthy histamine response is a key component of overall wellness. Some people find that certain probiotic strains can support this process by contributing to a balanced gut microbiome. When choosing a probiotic, it’s beneficial to look for strains that have been researched for their role in gut health and a balanced histamine response. Different strains of probiotics have different functions, so it’s wise to be informed about the specific strains you are consuming and their intended purpose.
HDU stands for Histamine Digesting Unit, the officially recognized measurement of the enzymatic activity of diamine oxidase, the enzyme that neutralizes dietary histamine in the gut. Enzymes are a type of protein that play a role in many bodily functions (like dietary histamine neutralization). In the case of diamine oxidase, its enzymatic activity is quantified by its ability to digest dietary histamine. The number of Histamine Digesting Units is dependent on the activity of the enzyme, as well as the amount of porcine kidney present during the extraction process.
Symptoms of histamine intolerance vary widely, as histamine receptors are found throughout the body. Common symptoms can include digestive issues like bloating, cramps and diarrhea; skin reactions such as urticaria or flushing; and other symptoms like head discomfort, a stuffy or runny nose, and an irregular heartbeat. These symptoms typically appear shortly after consuming histamine-rich foods.
The benefit of a porcine-sourced DAO product is that it is a well-studied and biologically active form of the enzyme. DAO from porcine kidney extract has been widely used in dietary supplements because it has been shown to effectively break down histamine. This source is recognized for its ability to support the healthy degradation of histamine in the digestive tract.
Dietary histamine refers to the histamine compound naturally present in foods and beverages, especially those that are aged, fermented, or cured. Environmental histamine, on the other hand, is produced by the body’s immune system in response to allergens and other triggers, such as pollen or dust. The key difference is that dietary histamine is ingested from external sources, while environmental histamine is produced internally.
For optimal effectiveness, we recommend taking OmneDiem’s Histamine Digest 15-30 minutes before consuming a meal or beverage. This allows the DAO enzyme to be present in your digestive tract and ready to assist the body’s natural process of breaking down histamine from the food you consume.
If you suspect you have DAO deficiency or histamine intolerance, it’s best to consult with a healthcare professional. They may recommend an elimination diet to see if your symptoms improve.
Histamine Digest comes in three sizes and strengths: A 15,000 HDU 30-count bottle, a 30,000 HDU 60- or 120-count bottle, and a 40,000 HDU 60-count bottle. Depending on your usage—whether you take it daily or just before high-histamine meals—one bottle can last anywhere from one to three months.
Our supplement is generally safe to take with most other supplements. However, it’s always best to consult with your doctor or a healthcare professional, especially if you are taking prescription medications, as certain drugs can affect DAO enzyme activity. We recommend consulting with your doctor or a healthcare professional, especially if you are taking prescription medications.
The diamine oxidase (DAO) enzyme is a natural compound in your body that helps to support the breakdown of histamine from food. Histamine Digest provides supplemental DAO to support your body’s natural processes. As an enzyme that works in the digestive tract, it does not act on the body systemically. Based on the known safety profile of DAO supplementation, Histamine Digest is well-tolerated when used as directed. As with any supplement, we recommend consulting your healthcare professional before beginning any new regimen.
We advise against using any supplement during pregnancy or breastfeeding without first consulting your doctor. While the ingredients are generally safe, it’s best to seek professional medical advice before taking any new supplement during this important stage of your life.
Certain nutrients, such as Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, and copper, play a role in the body’s natural production and function of the DAO enzyme. In addition, a diet that includes a variety of fresh, non-fermented foods can help support healthy histamine levels. Some individuals also choose to use a DAO supplement to provide additional enzymatic support for the breakdown of dietary histamine in the gut.
No, they are different conditions. Histamine intolerance is a problem with breaking down histamine. MCAS is a disorder where mast cells—which store and release histamine—are overactive, leading to an excess release of histamine and other inflammatory mediators. While the symptoms can overlap, the underlying cause is distinct.
This is a crucial distinction. The main difference lies in how your body responds:
Food Allergy: This is an immune system response. Even a tiny amount of the food can trigger a reaction, which can be immediate and severe, potentially leading to life-threatening symptoms like anaphylaxis (swelling of the airways, hives, and a drop in blood pressure). The body mistakenly identifies a harmless food protein as a threat and releases chemicals like histamine to “fight” it.
Food Intolerance: This is a digestive system issue. It happens when your body can’t properly digest a food, often due to a lack of a specific enzyme (like DAO for histamine or lactase for lactose). Symptoms are typically less severe and are usually limited to digestive discomfort like gas, bloating, and diarrhea. Unlike an allergy, an intolerance is not life-threatening, and you may be able to tolerate small amounts of the food without a reaction.
OmneDiem’s Histamine Digest provides the enzyme Diamine Oxidase (DAO), which helps to support the healthy metabolism of histamine from food. Histamine Digest is specifically designed to aid in this natural digestive process and has no impact on food allergies. If you suspect a true food allergy, you should seek immediate medical attention from a healthcare professional.
OmneDiem’s Histamine Digest is formulated with a well-researched porcine-derived DAO enzyme. We chose this source because it has a long history of use in supplements and a well-established safety profile. The porcine-sourced DAO is recognized for its enzymatic stability and effective histamine-degrading activity. Our manufacturing process allows us to create a consistently high-quality and stable product, ensuring you receive a reliable dose of the enzyme in every capsule.
This allows us to focus on what we do best: providing a trusted solution to support your body’s natural histamine metabolism.