An allergy or intolerance is a health problem that can have many consequences. Sometimes, deficiency or over-activity of some substance in the body is the cause of these reactions and is not always detected correctly. Such as the enzyme DAO, which is increasingly monitored and can lead to a disturbance in the metabolism of dietary histamine.
DAO enzyme assay
It is an enzyme involved in the process of digestion and metabolises histamine. It acts as a a neurotransmitter hormone whose main function is the regulation of gastric acid productionIt also helps to balance the biological rhythm of sleep and control food cravings. However, when it does not function normally, it is associated with allergic problems.
How does our body obtain the enzyme DAO?
This substance is obtained by two processes within your body. The endogenous histamine has a regulatory job in the body and acts in a specific way. You create it. In contrast, the exogenous you get it through some foods and expelled naturally through urine (metabolised by the enzyme DAO).
What is the problem if DAO enzymes are not working properly?
If not we produce or metabolise histamine on a regular basis Due to a deficiency in the enzyme that "processes" it, a large amount of this substance from the food we eat every day accumulates in our blood. This can cause allergies and intolerances of various kinds, including those related to food or the skin.
Intolerance and health problems associated with deficits or overactivity
When histamines are not being metabolised correctly, you may start to notice different symptoms. Among the most frequent, we can highlight the following:
- Severe headache (almost 90 % of deficit patients suffer from severe headache).
- Digestion problems (colic, recurrent vomiting, etc.).
- Breathing difficulties (feeling short of breath).
- Muscle aches and body fatigue.
But low levels of the DAO enzyme may have other consequences such as its involvement in ADD; it has been observed in recent studies that many patients with ADD (attention deficit disorder) experience a low level of the DAO enzyme. However, studies on this topic are still ongoing to look for possible causes and to try to provide solutions for patients with DAO deficiency in their tests.
What can you do if you suffer from any of these symptoms and the reason for your ailments has not been found?
- Specific analytical tests that determine the level of DAO enzyme production and activity in the body at any given time.
- Adequate food. The less exogenous histamine-laden products you consume, the better you will feel. Your blood will not accumulate as much histamine and, consequently, it will circulate better. Avoid cheeses (semi-cured or cured), fats, processed or prefabricated foods, alcohol and some foods rich in histamine, such as cucumber, aubergine, tomato or cabbage.
- Supplementation. This extra food can help you increase your DAO level. It is a nutritional supplement that only contains the enzyme you are missing or lacking. It is not a substitute for food, but only helps you to metabolise it in the right way.
Ultimately, don't forget that it is important to have a overview of the symptoms and the health problems they may be associated with. The Integrative Medicine has a very open vision in this sense as it does not focus on the symptoms of an ailment but looks for the origin.
To this end, at Biosalud Day Hospital we have developed different specific analytical tests with which we can provide you with the information you need to put an end to the negative consequences of an allergy or intolerance on your body. The HANA syndrome or histaminosis is only one of the aspects that we can measure in our unit of analysis.
For this reason, watch your diet and follow professional criteria when taking care of yourself.
