Histamine Intolerance test

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Histamine intolerance can now be detected in a blood test by means of a newly developed test system. By determining DAO activity, that is the ability to detoxify histamine, the intensity of histamine intolerance can be identified individually. If histamine intolerance is present, it is recommended to avoid histamine-containing foodstuffs. As an alternative, the enzyme can also be taken as dietary supplement before the meals in order to substitute the lacking enzyme.

This blood test measures the levels of DAO (Diamine Oxidase) contained in the blood. DAO is the enzyme responsible for the degradation of histamine. Histamine plays a central role in allergic and pseudoallergic reactions and is produced both in the body and taken in with food in various quantities.

Many people suffer from gastro-intestinal disorders, migraine, headache, skin problems, cardiovascular complaints and asthma that are due to histamine intolerance.

Diamine oxidase, in short DAO, is the enzyme responsible for the degradation of histamine. An activity deficit of the enzyme results in an accumulation of histamine with corresponding, partially severe symptoms. It is often difficult to distinguish between an immediate allergy (type 1), type-III allergy or histamine intolerance since the symptoms often are identical.

If no improvement occurs despite a change in diet according to IgE and / or IgG measurements, a test for histamine intolerance is strongly recommended.

There may be several causes of histamine intolerance. They include, among other causes, vitamin B6 or copper deficiency and a possibly associated limited production of diamine oxidase (DAO). When foodstuffs rich in histamine are consumed, the symptoms described above occur. Intestinal complaints, like e.g. inflammatory intestinal disease or excessive histamine production by putrefactive intestinal bacteria may cause the problems as well. Not only the insufficient production of the enzyme diamine oxidase or increased histamine concentration, but also the inhibition of the enzyme causes histamine intolerance. Possible potent inhibitors of DAO are in particular alcohol, but also some common drugs, including especially antirheumatic agents, that is anti-inflammatory and pain relieving drugs.

It is often difficult to distinguish between an immediate IgE allergy (type 1), an IgG food allergy (type 3) or a histamine intolerance since the symptoms often are identical.