How does histamine intolerance develop?
Histamine is indispensable for the human body since it fulfils vital functions. It is both produced in the body and taken in with food in various quantities. An histamine intolerance is due to a (temporary) deficiency or an inhibition of the enzyme diamine oxidase. Diamine oxydase, in short DAO, is responsible for the degradation of histamine. A reduced enzyme activity or an inhibition of the enzyme results in an accumulation of histamine, which may trigger various symptoms that in part are similar to an allergy. According to the findings available up to now, in most instances, histamine intolerance is not a genetic, but an acquired disease affecting approx. 1% of the population. Approximately 80% of the persons affected are middle-aged women.
