For people suffering from histamine intolerance, NHS treatment routes often start by looking at Diamine Oxidase levels, or DAO. Diamine Oxidase is an enzyme and nutritional supplement provided when the suspected cause of histamine intolerance is DAO deficiency.
Histamine intolerance occurs when histamine levels are too high in the body. When DAO levels are too low, the body cannot metabolize and excrete the excess of histamine correctly. This causes the histamine levels in the body to rise, leading to various symptoms.
The complexity of histamine intolerance is rapidly pushing more healthcare providers towards the consideration of holistic treatment methodologies. Additional supplementary solutions could support the performance of DAO and eliminate side effects from histamine intolerance.
Treating Histamine Intolerance
The most common treatment for histamine intolerance is DAO supplementation.
The Diamine Oxidase enzyme in the human body is primarily responsible for breaking down excess histamine in the body. When this substance is in short supply, the body’s natural balance begins to skew, and elevated histamine levels cause side effects like headaches, asthmatic issues, sneezing, nasal congestion, low blood pressure and nausea.
Scientists agree that various factors contribute to diminished DAO activity and the overproduction of histamine, including use of certain medication, bacterial overgrowth in the intestine, and eating high levels of histamine-rich foods.
DAO supplements can benefit patients by improving digestive performance, and reducing the risk of issues like migraine attacks and headaches. In studies, patients have shown a 23% reduction in the duration of migraines with DAO supplementation. Some patients have also reported fewer issues with skin rashes caused by histamine intolerance.
Unfortunately, DAO supplementation may not be enough on its own, as it doesn’t affect the levels of histamine produced in the body. Though supplementation can reduce external histamine reactions and exposure, it is not a comprehensive solution.
Additional Tools for Histamine Intolerance
Alongside DAO supplementation for histamine intolerance, NHS solutions may benefit from supplementation with additional natural products, designed to improve the performance of the immune system and the body’s response to histamine.
Around 1% of the population suffer from histamine intolerance, and issues appear to be growing more severe as imbalance of gut microbiota and problematic digestions become more pervasive. This means treating histamine intolerance may require a more holistic approach, which involves not just DAO supplementation, but also measures like:
- Avoiding high-histamine foods: Avoiding foods high in histamines like alcohol, peanuts, canned seafood, and eggs will help to reduce the amount of histamine produced in the body. Organic meats, poultry, and fresh fish are good alternatives.
- Repairing the gut microbiome: Much of the DAO enzyme is produced at the intestinal level. Therefore, improving the performance of the gut microbiome and enhancing the amount of beneficial gut bacteria available could improve histamine intolerance symptoms.
- Moderating the immune system: Tools for immune system moderation like Agaricus blazei M (Royal Sun Agaricus) and Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi) mushrooms can assist in reducing the body’s overreaction to histamine, which might lower the severity of symptoms in histamine intolerance cases.
Medical Mushrooms for Histamine Intolerance
Medical mushrooms represent a powerful supplemental treatment for Histamine Intolerance NHS solutions. As mentioned above, medicinal mushrooms like Royal Sun Agaricus and Reishi, can help with reducing inflammation-based symptoms of histamine intolerance, while balancing the immune system to reduce the risk of severe responses.
Agaricus blazei Murill (AbM), or Royal Sun Agaricus, is a powerful healing mushroom that balances the Th1/Th2 immune response reducing allergic reactions. Like the Reishi mushroom, this medicinal fungus has exceptional properties for moderating the immune system. Unique bioactive molecules in AbM, like beta-glucans highly concentrated in Royal Sun Agaricus, are excellent for regulating histamine-related allergies. Studies have found the Royal Sun mushroom can even inhibit a compound named 48/80 which induces anaphylaxis-like reactions.
Together with beta-glucans, AbM mushrooms are also rich in essential amino acids, natural esterols, vitamins and minerals, especially Zinc, which support the immune system equilibrium and overall body health.
Similarly, Hericium erinaceus or Lion’s Mane mushroom could be a powerful tool in supporting gastro-intestinal health. As mentioned above, DAO enzyme is produced mainly in the intestine. Improving the performance of the gut microbiota could simultaneously enhance the outcomes of histamine intolerance treatments. Studies have proven the ability of this mushroom to assist with issues like inflammatory bowel disease in the past. Lion`s mane mushrooms also support antibacterial activity, against Helicobacter pylori, to improve digestion and protect against stomach ulcers.
Studies increasingly find that a deranged gut flora may also contribute to elevated histamine levels. Interestingly, the microbiomes of people with histamine intolerance are generally altered in multiple significant ways. For example, a study find that an altered occurrence of Proteobacteria and Bifidobacteriaceae can suggest dysbiosis and intestinal barrier dysfunction in histamine intolerant patients.
The use of medicinal mushrooms, like Agaricus blazei Murill (AbM), Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi) an and Hericium erinaceus (Lion’s mane) could help with fighting the issues of histamine intolerance from an holistic perspective which covers mainly immunomodulation, inflammation and gut microbiota balance.