During pregnancy, the production of the DAO enzyme in the placenta increases, in order to create a metabolic barrier and to prevent the entrance of excessive histamine to the fetus. Studies show that the activity of the enzyme is between 500 and 1000 higher during pregnancy. This fact occurs to any woman, whether she has or not DAO deficiency.
The difference lies in those women that suffer from migraine or other typical symptoms of histamine accumulation, given that they notice a very relevant change. They go through a glorious stage during pregnancy: they do not have to use any drugs, do not have migraine crises and they feel good. This increase of the DAO enzyme starts between the second and third month of gestation and many women say that up until lactation they do not have any symptoms again.
Besides this great advantage of not suffering from migraine crisis, they do not have to worry that much about diet, because it does not need to be very low in histamine. My recommendation is to be careful with those foods that are richer in histamine, like canned food, hard-cheese and obviously alcoholic beverages, but other than that, they can have a normal lifestyle. During pregnancy there is no need to take DAO supplements if the symptoms have disappeared.
It has been studied that when the activity of the DAO enzyme remains low, and therefore there is an accumulation of histamine, there may be gestational complications. It can lead to premature rupture of the membranes, uterine tumors, and other disorders like diabetes, abortion and premature birth, although this is not usual. At any rate, it is important to control the levels of the enzyme during pregnancy, as well as the levels of histamine in plasma and urine. These three markers may be added to the protocols in the following years.
What are the 3 markers to be added to the protocol (you mentioned in the last sentence)?
Hi Tamara,
The most important is the Diamine Oxidase (DAO) enzyme activity level. In addition, it would be interesting to see the histamine level in blood and its metabolites in urine 24h (N-metil imidazol acetic).
Take care!
I think your third paragraph and the last paragraph highly contradict each other. Stating the diet doesn’t need to be very low histamine and no DAO supplement is necessary during this period of time in pregnancy and then saying it’s important to control the enzyme levels during pregnancy is highly confusing. Could you clarify this?
Hi Bre,
What we say is that during pregnancy, in normal circumstances, DAO enzyme levels naturally increase making not necessary to follow a low histamine diet. However, in some cases, this enzyme growth never turns up, so this may partly explain complications of pregnancy in the future. For this reason it is important to control DAO levels (from the 3rd month).
Once we know DAO activity level is high we can leave the diet during 6 months. On the other hand, if the enzyme level remains low it will be essential to take DAO pills and to follow the low histamine diet during all the period.
I hope I have clarified the misunderstanding.
Kind regards!
Thank you Adriana, yes that does clarify. I am also wondering where to find DAO pills?
Thanks again
Hi Bre,
Sorry for the delay in replying your comment. You can find DAO pills at the pharmacy.
Take care!
Do we need to take DAO pills if we have a histamine problem? Is better to take DAO pills while we’re pregnant?
Hi Julie,
It’s been demonstrated that best treatment of histamine intolerance due to a DAO deficiency goes through a low histamine diet with DAO supplement from pig kidney.
During the first pregnancy trimester yes, it’s better to take DAO pills. Just in case you DAO activity doesn’t increase.
If you need any other information please, do not hesitate to contact us through our patient care email info@adrianaduelo.com.
Kind regards!
I take kidney supplement for DAO. I just found out I’m pregnant and histamine load is high now. Is it safe to take kidney still it should I buy DAO instead?
Hi Amy,
Do not worry about DAO kidney. It is save during all term of pregnancy.
Our recommendation is to check your DAO activity level when you arrive to the 12th or 14th week of pregnancy. Just to make sure it improves.
If you need any other information or if you need to schedule an online appointment please, do not hesitate to contact us through our patient care email info@adrianaduelo.com.
Kind regards!
Hello, how can you test whether or not the placenta is producing adequate amounts of the DAO enzyme? What tests should I ask of my doctor? And what is a general dosing guideline if someone needs to supplement with DAO for any reason?
Hi Leo,
Our recommendation is to check your DAO activity level through a blood test when you arrive to the 12th or 14th week of pregnancy. Just to make sure it improves.
The general dosing, at least during the firsts months, is 1 mini tablet 15 minutes before breakfast, lunch and dinner (Daofood®).
Take care!
Hello Adriana,
I am histamine intolerant since entering menopause. I was wondering if taking a placenta supplement (bovine) would help to increase my DAO levels. Since the placenta is so high in DAO, I thought it might help. Appreciate your input!
Hi Patricia,
Sorry for my delayed answer.
The DAO supplementation we recommend is DAO food. If you eat placenta the DAO will be deactivated in the stomach.
King Regards!
Can it hurt to take DAO pills in first trimester if you don’t know if your levels are actually low? Is it better to wait and see, or any symptoms to watch out for?
Hi Kristin,
Sorry for my delayed answer.
You can take DAO without problems as long as you do not know that the placenta is creating enough DAO through a blood test.
DAOfood has no side effects.
King regards!
Hi Adriana,
Thanks so much for this knowledgeable article! I was wondering if a vegan DAO (pea shoot derived) is also safe to take in the first trimester as needed. I sadly cannot take DAOfood because of a red meat allergy.
There’s just is no one who seems to know the answer, and I’d be grateful for any guidance. Thank you so much for the work that you do!
This is the vegan DAO I was using before getting pregnant
NATURDAO – https://a.co/d/iowErBl
Hi Lydia,
We recomended DAOfood® veg
Regards,
Hi Lydia,
Yes, of course you can take DAOfood® veg.
Regards!
What happens if I’m in the US and there is not a blood test available to confirm DAO levels ? I am in the second trimester and my bloating has decreased but I have the occasional stuffy nose. Is it safe to take DAO supplement during second and third trimester ? Are there any studies that have been completed for pregnant women?
Hi Alissa,
Our recommendation is that you follow a low histamine diet prescribed by a specialist. In case you can not find professionals you can make an appointment with our team. There is no study at the moment but our experience with DAOfood® and pregnant patients is very reassuring and so far we continue to prescribe treatment with the enzyme.
Regards!
I have access to Histarrest which has 20,000 HDU Diamine oxidase that comes from porcine kidney protein concentration. Is this similar to DAOfood? What is the fee to have a consultation through your team?
Hi Alissa,
Helena will contact you to explain how the on-line visits work. As for the supplementation, the number 1 is DAOfood® thanks to its activity and I believe you will soon be able to buy it on Amazon USA. In the meantime, Hist-Arrest is an option, yes.
Regards!
Hi Do you work with people in england
Hi Vicky,
As we do with patients from all over the world, on-line visits.
Regards,
Hi
I had 6 miscarriages in last few years and im suspecting histamine caused it. Can it cause fertility issue as well. I m taking dao supplements. Is there anything else that i can do to increase my healthy egg quality with histamine.
Dear Mehmona,
Thank you for your patience. It is true that high levels of histamine can cause miscarriages, though there may be other contributing factors to consider as well.
If you are already following a low histamine diet and your doctor has not found any irregularity I suggest you to put yourself in the hands of an expert. Here you have the Clinician Directory of the International Institute of DAO deficiency.
Best!