DAO deficiency and migraines

Diamine oxidase (DAO) is the enzyme responsible for reducing histamine, which is a molecule the body uses to respond to substances it considers harmful. With a DAO deficiency, histamine builds up, causing allergies and bothersome symptoms, which can be worsened by eating foods that contain high levels of histamine, such as tomatoes, fish preserves, processed sauces, dairy products and other foods. One of the best-known consequences of DAO deficiency is migraines, but dizziness, irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn’s disease, stomach pain, nausea and/or vomiting, abnormal blood pressure and arrhythmias can also occur.
The AOC1 gene is responsible for producing the DAO enzyme, and several studies confirm that mutations in this gene create a propensity for this process to malfunction, with the consequent generation of reduced levels of DAO.