HISTAMINE INTOLERANCE AND DIAMINE OXIDASE INSUFFICIENCY

Numerous undesirable reactions to alcoholic beverages, foods, drugs an d other substances are characterized by allergy-like signs and symptom s and vet show unambiguously negative allergy test results, Such perso ns should be assessed for evidence of histamine intolerance caused by histamine overload and/or diamine oxidase deficiency. Diamine oxidase is the main histamine degrading enzyme with a primarily gut activity. This would explain why nutritional allergies are often suspected. The clinical evidence for histamine intolerance is based on chronic headac he. diarrhoea, vomiting, flush, urticaria, asthma-like symptoms, rhini tis and others, Histamine restricted food, supported if necessary by H I antihistamine blockade are simple but highly effective measures as s hown by us in large patient groups. intolerance to red wine probably i s the most outstanding clinical characteristic and inclusion of a dire cted question must be included into any allergy history in order to av oid missing a very major diagnostic spectrum.