Histamine, and why it disagrees with some people
Histamine is naturally present in many foods that form part of anyone’s diet: aged cheeses, cured meats, wine, canned fish and, in general, anything that has been through a fermentation or curing process. Our body breaks it down without difficulty thanks to an intestinal enzyme, diamine oxidase (DAO).
When that enzyme works below par, histamine builds up and very recognisable complaints appear: migraines, bloating and digestive discomfort, skin flushing. This is what is known as histamine intolerance. The good news is that it is a problem with a direct solution: reinforcing that enzyme capacity with an external supply of DAO.
A DAO of plant origin, obtained from the pea
What this work documents is NaturDAO, a DAO extracted from the pea (Pisum sativum) through germination and purification. It is a 100 % plant alternative to DAO of animal origin, and it suits both those who look for plant-based ingredients out of conviction and those who prefer them for dietary or cultural reasons.
The important question was whether this plant enzyme measures up. The analyses answer yes, and with very solid data.
A pure, active and reproducible ingredient
Purity confirmed. The analyses show a single protein band of about 85 kDa, with no degraded fragments or accompanying proteins. The enzyme arrives intact and with no detectable protein contaminants.
Mechanism verified. DAO works thanks to copper atoms in its active site. Remove them and activity falls below 10 %; put them back and it recovers above 90 %. A clean demonstration that the enzyme is working exactly as it should.
Batch-to-batch consistency. Four different batches yielded between 294 and 311 units per milligram, with minimal variation. This is what guarantees that the product taken today behaves the same as next month’s.
Manufacturing to international standards
The NaturDAO production process is controlled from start to finish: raw material analysis, sieving, blending, compression or encapsulation, conditioning and packaging, with intermediate checks at every stage. Only batches that pass every control are released to the market. The plant holds ISO 22000 certification, complies with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and undergoes periodic independent audits.
Safety backed by four routes
The safety profile of NaturDAO plant DAO does not rest on a single kind of data, but on four sources pointing in the same direction:
Preclinical studies. Acute and subchronic toxicity tests detected no alteration attributable to the ingredient, with a very wide margin relative to human consumption doses.
Clinical trial in humans. In a phase I study with healthy volunteers, DAO showed excellent tolerability even at doses far above normal use (up to 210 mg of extract), with no relevant adverse effects.
Real-world market experience. More than one million units distributed since 2018 in Europe, the United States, Canada and Japan, with no serious adverse effects recorded.
Regulatory recognition. It is included in Health Canada’s Natural Health Products Ingredients Database and in the lists of ingredients accepted in the European Union.
To this can be added the clinical trials that have shown significant improvements in adults with histamine intolerance, including reduced headache in patients with episodic migraine and DAO deficiency.
How it is taken
The regimen is simple and easy to fit into daily life: one capsule or tablet before each meal, up to a maximum of three a day. Just 0.30 mg of pure NaturDAO per dose is enough to obtain the intended effect. It is intended for adults with histamine intolerance or reduced enzyme activity, and also for those following diets rich in this amine.
As with any food supplement, consulting a healthcare professional is recommended in the case of pregnancy, breastfeeding or use in children, and it should not be used if there is known hypersensitivity to any of its components.
In short
NaturDAO, DAO obtained from Pisum sativum, is a pure, stable enzyme, reproducible batch after batch, manufactured to the most demanding quality standards and supported by preclinical, clinical, market and regulatory data. It offers a reliable, well-tolerated plant alternative to help metabolise dietary histamine, and it is establishing itself as a reference ingredient in functional nutrition and digestive health.
Source
Moran J, Moles G. Plant Diamine Oxidase (DAO) Obtained from Pisum Sativum: Biochemical and Technological Characterization and Safety Profile for Its Application in Food Supplements. World Journal of Food Science and Technology. 2025;9(3):62-67. DOI: 10.11648/j.wjfst.20250903.13.