Diamine oxidase supplementation

Diamine oxidase supplementation

adiDAO® is a diamine oxidase (DAO) enzyme developed to support histamine metabolism in the gastrointestinal tract. adiDAO® is proven to breakdown food-derived histamine and significantly helps manage digestive discomfort linked to low DAO levels.  Supported by clinical studies evaluating its benefits for disorders related to histamine intolerance. 4.2 mg per serving.

adiDAO® - Key features

  • Highly active DAO enzyme, low dose

  • Diamine oxidase enzyme from animal or vegetable origin

  • Supplements the body’s own DAO production for breaking down histamine from food

  • Helps manage the discomforts linked to histamine intolerance

  • Patented ingredient for its use and application in various clinical manifestations linked to HIT

Science supporting adiDAO®

More than 18 years of scientific research have been dedicated to the characterisation and clinical validation of adiDAO® in supporting histamine metabolism. The clinical benefits of adiDAO® in digestive comfort and gut function have been demonstrated in a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Its efficacy is supported by application patents and regulatory recognition, including EU Novel Food and GRAS status. 

Characterisation

adiDAO® is a diamine oxidase (DAO) ingredient obtained through controlled physical processes. It delivers high enzymatic activity and is available from two sources: adiDAO® original from pig kidney extract and adiDAO®Veg from pea sprouts. Both sources are carefully processed to preserve enzyme integrity and ensure consistent activity.

Composition
•    adiDAO®: Protein extract from pig kidney
•    adiDAO®Veg: Dehydrated powder from pea sprout

Enzymatic activity
•    adiDAO®: ≥0,25 mU/mg of ingredient (≥12.000 HDU/mg of ingredient)
•    adiDAO®Veg: ≥0,17 mU/mg of ingredient (≥8.160 HDU/mg of ingredient)

Recommended daily dosage: 4.2 mg per serving, up to 3 servings a day

Microcapsules: A Strategic Solution for DAO Combination Products
We provide a microencapsulated form of adiDAO®, obtained through a dual-layer encapsulation process that creates two protective barriers.

Key Advantages of Microencapsulation:

  • Enzymatic Isolation: Prevents direct interaction between DAO and other active ingredients, preserving its structural integrity and enzymatic activity.
  • Moisture Barrier: Protects DAO from humidity, improving product stability and reducing the risk of bacterial contamination.
  • pH Resilience: Enhances resistance to pH variations within the formulation and throughout the digestive tract, supporting consistent enzyme performance.

Histamine intolerance

Histamine is a biogenic amine naturally produced by the body, essential to the immune, digestive, and nervous systems. While endogenous histamine has a positive biological role, exogenous histamine from food (e.g. fermented products, wine) can cause disorders if not properly degraded.

Diamine oxidase (DAO) is a digestive enzyme that breaks down histamine from diet. Under normal conditions, exogenous histamine is metabolised by the enzyme diamine oxidase (DAO) in the small intestine. However, when DAO activity is reduced, histamine from food can accumulate instead of being efficiently degraded.

This imbalance is known as histamine intolerance (HIT) and leads to digestive symptoms, as well as extraintestinal disorders such as skin reactions, headaches, and respiratory discomfort.

A recent clinical study on DAO supplementation conducted on 100 adult patients with histamine intolerance determined the prevalence of these symptoms.

Gastrointestinal, nervous system, and musculoskeletal issues are among the most common. Headache, bloating, and fatigue affect more than 60% of people, while pruritus, flushing, rhinitis, muscle pain, constipation, and low blood pressure are also frequent. On average, individuals experience eight different symptoms, and 99% had three or more at the same time, making histamine intolerance a challenge that affects overall quality of life. 

This highlights the importance of nutritional strategies that help maintain histamine balance, creating opportunities for innovative ingredient solutions such as DAO supplementation. 

KEY INSIGHTS

  • DAO activity is influenced by genetics, gut disorders, diet, and certain medications.
  • 66% of the population may have a genetic predisposition to DAO deficiency.
  • Up to 88% of individuals with HIT report digestive discomfort.
  • Elevated histamine levels can overwhelm even normal DAO function, triggering symptoms. 

Clinically supported benefits

Double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled study.

LOCATIONS

Madrid, Spain
Research Center in Nutrition and Health (CINUSA Group)

YEAR & DURATION 2023
8 weeks
POPULATIONS

100 women with fibromyalgia
Age: 33-61 years old

PARAMETERS

Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ)

Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS)

Clinical Symptoms related to gastrointestinal disorders, Bristol scale, sleep quality, atopic dermatitis, migraine, physical exercise.

INTAKES

GASTRO-RESISTANT TABLETS
4.2 mg of adiDAO® or placebo
3 tablets per day, 20 min before main meals

 

adiDAO® has been demonstrated to significantly reduce gastrointestinal burning intensity and flatulence. 

Changes in burning intensity between subjects treated with DAO vs placebo.


Changes in Burning & Flatulence intensity between responders (> 20% improvement in FIQ scores after treatment) treated with DAO vs placebo pre- and post-intervention.


This study highlights the potential of adiDAO® supplementation to support histamine metabolism and enhance quality of life, with demonstrated relevance for complex wellness strategies such as those addressing fibromyalgia.

adiDAO® is safe.

No adverse event linked to adiDAO® supplementation has been recorded.

adiDAO®Veg has undergone safety testing:

  • Study on 30 healthy subjects, a daily dose of 10x/20x/50x the daily recommended dose was administered. No adverse effect recorded on clinical and biological parameters: Heart rate monitoring, haematology, clinical chemistry, coagulation, urinalysis.

  • In a group of 10 women with symptoms of histamine intolerance, the administration of escalating doses of adiDAO®Veg - up to 100.8 mg/day over 8 weeks - was well tolerated and raised no safety concerns. No changes were observed in vital signs or biochemical parameters.

Unlock the Potential of DAO with adiDAO®

We offer a full spectrum of solutions, from raw material to finished product, designed to meet the evolving needs of healthcare and nutraceutical markets.

At the heart of our offering is adiDAO®, a high-purity diamine oxidase enzyme available in animal-derived, plant-based, and microencapsulated formats. Designed for stability and compatibility, adiDAO® is the foundation for a wide range of digestive and histamine-regulating applications.

Semi-Finished Formats for Custom Development

Accelerate your development pipeline with our ready-to-integrate delivery systems:

  • adiDAO® Tablets: Gastro-resistant tablets containing only the DAO enzyme.
  • EFICAPS adiDAO® capsules - Vitamin C & QuercetinGastro-resistant tablets with controlled-release DAO in the intestine and immediate-release of complementary active ingredients such as Vitamin C and Quercetin.
  • EFICAPS adiDAO® capsules – Caffeine & B VitaminsCombines DAO enzyme with Caffeine, Folic Acid, Vitamin B6, and Vitamin 12 , which act as complementary ingredients to promote optimized function

Our semi-finished delivery systems are engineered to optimise enzyme protection and targeted intestinal release. Offered in bulk, blister, and dispenser formats, they provide a versatile foundation for custom product development.

Interested in semi-finished formats?
Contact us to discuss your formulation needs

Regulatory & Certifications

adiDAO®: Non-GMO, gluten-free
adiDAO®Veg: Non-GMO, Halal, Kosher, gluten-free, suitable for vegetarians.

EU: Classified as Novel Food under EU Regulation 2018/1023.
US: Recognised as Generally Safe (GRAS) under FDA regulations.

References

COMPETITOR ANALYSIS
Alemany-Fornes et al. bioRxiv. 2023

CLINICAL TRIALS
Molina Perelló P et al.; Int J Transl Med. 2025; 5(4):46.
Fortes et al.; Genes, 2024
Duelo et al.; Nutrients, 2024
Okutan et al.; J. Clin. Med. 2023, 12, 6449
Izquierdo Casas et al.; Clin Nutr. 2019; 38(1):152-158
Izquierdo-Casas et al. J Physiol Biochem Feb, 2018

PATENTS
EP2686004 (Fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue)
EP2844277 (ADHD)
EP2685005 (Hangover)
EP2685841 (Functional food for migraine)
EP2686005 (Topical applications)

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