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Amines are naturally occurring chemicals found in many foods.  They result from the breakdown of proteins or through the fermentation process, and are responsible for giving the food its flavor.  The more intense the flavor, the higher the amine content, so the longer, say, a fruit ripens or a meat cures the more amines it will contain.

A complete list of high amine foods is available on the website, but the highest amounts can be found in aged cheeses, chocolate, wine, many alcoholic beverages, aged meats such as sausage or salami, canned or smoked fish, banana, avocado, and tomato.  Amine content increases as certain fruits ripen and as meats and fish age, so those sensitive should only consume the freshest produce, meats and fish.

When you eat a food high in amines, the histidine it contains is metabolized by enzymes and bacteria to amines which are quickly absorbed in the gut and, in people who are sensitive, an allergy-type of response occurs.  The end result is widening of blood vessels, tissue inflammation and swelling just as our own natural histamine creates.

Tyramine vs Amine and More…Tyramine is a type of amine, just as histamine is a type of amine.Those on MAOI’s must reduce tyramine rich foods, but can tolerate foods high in histidine because they are broken down differently in the body by different enzymes.  Tyramine uses monoamine oxidase, while histamine uses diamine oxidase and other enzymes.Taking diamine oxidase may help you to tolerate foods high in amines, but may not help you if you have a tyramine intolerance.  And remember, it takes two sets of enzymes to break down histamine, so the diamine oxidase will only help if it is the enzyme you’re lacking.Salicylates are not considered amines. They are a totally separate form of food chemical.  They may stimulate histamine response, but are not considered amines themselves.

Heidi Turner, MS, RD, CD
FoodLogic, PLLC
@ The Seattle Arthritis Clinic
10330 Meridian Avenue North, Suite 250
Seattle, WA 98133
206.291.8707
www.foodlogic.org