Intoleran DAO Mini
$65.50
Digestive enzyme supplement: Diamine Oxidase (DAO) enzyme derived from pork kidney protein extract, 20,000-30,000 HDU per tablet.
Intoleran DAOfood Mini in a small 5mm tablet, taken just before histamine-containing meals or drinks.
Not suitable for vegetarians or vegans; contains animal-derived pork kidney protein extract.
Only 2 left in stock
Ships same business day from Melbourne (orders before 2pm)
What is Intoleran DAO Mini and who is it for?
Intoleran DAO Mini is a digestive enzyme tablet providing Diamine Oxidase (DAO), an enzyme naturally present in the gut lining that is involved in the breakdown of histamine and other biogenic amines from food. Each small 5mm tablet contains 20,000-30,000 HDU of DAO enzyme sourced from pork kidney protein extract, taken just before a histamine-containing meal or drink. It’s designed for people who have identified low DAO activity as relevant to their experience of histamine or amine intolerance, including those who notice reactions after consuming high-histamine foods, fermented products, or alcohol.
The “Mini” format makes it practical to carry and use at restaurants, social events, or when travelling – situations where dietary control is limited. This is not a therapeutic product intended to address the underlying cause of low DAO activity; it functions as an additional support during meals, much like a digestive enzyme taken with food. A varied, balanced diet with consideration to your food intolerances remains the foundation, and working with a dietitian is recommended for comprehensive management.
Fairfield Nutrition Thoughts
DAO enzyme supplementation fills a genuinely practical gap for people navigating histamine intolerance in real-world eating situations. Dietary restriction alone can be difficult to maintain consistently, especially when eating out or travelling, and having an enzyme supplement to take just before a meal provides a useful safety net without requiring the meal to be avoided entirely.
The evidence base for exogenous DAO supplementation is still developing, with much of the research coming from smaller clinical trials and mechanistic studies. That said, the rationale is straightforward: if insufficient DAO activity in the gut lining is contributing to histamine accumulation from food, providing additional DAO at the time of ingestion makes logical sense. Intoleran’s DAOfood range is one of the few products that has been specifically developed around this mechanism, with the HDU (Histamine Degrading Units) measure giving a more meaningful indication of enzyme activity than milligrams alone.
Why This Formulation / How It Works
Most digestive enzyme supplements are formulated around broad-spectrum digestion – amylase, lipase, protease. DAO Mini is different in that it addresses a single, specific enzyme pathway: the breakdown of histamine and other biogenic amines in the gut. The tablet is small (5mm), designed to be swallowed whole just before eating, and the enzyme activity is measured in HDU (Histamine Degrading Units) rather than milligrams. This matters because DAO is an enzyme, and its potency varies batch to batch – the HDU range of 20,000-30,000 per tablet reflects the actual functional activity, not just the weight of the extract. Intoleran specifies this range transparently, which is worth noting.
The enzyme is sourced from pork kidney protein extract, which is the same tissue where DAO is naturally concentrated in mammals. This is not an arbitrary source choice – pork kidney is one of the richest natural sources of DAO enzyme activity, and the extraction process preserves that activity in a stable tablet form.
Role of DAO in Histamine Metabolism
Diamine Oxidase is an enzyme produced in the cells lining the small intestine. Its primary role is to break down histamine and other biogenic amines (like putrescine and cadaverine) that enter the gut from food before they can be absorbed into circulation. When DAO activity in the gut lining is low – whether due to genetic variation, gut lining integrity, or other factors – histamine from high-histamine foods may pass through more readily. Supplemental DAO taken just before a meal provides additional enzyme activity in the gut lumen at the time it’s most needed.
Enzyme Activity vs. Milligram Content
Unlike vitamins or minerals where milligrams directly indicate dose, enzyme potency is measured by activity units. The HDU (Histamine Degrading Unit) measure reflects how much histamine the enzyme can break down under standardised conditions. Because DAO is a biological extract, the exact HDU per batch varies within the stated range of 20,000-30,000 HDU per tablet, while the milligrams of pork kidney extract (4.2mg) remain consistent. This is standard for enzyme products and is why HDU is the more meaningful measure when assessing DAO supplements.
When to Consider This
This enzyme supplement provides support for histamine and amine metabolism during meals. It makes sense if you’re:
- Working with a healthcare professional or dietitian who has identified low DAO activity as relevant to your histamine or amine intolerance.
- In situations where dietary restriction is difficult – eating at restaurants, travelling, or attending social events where high-histamine foods are likely to be present.
- Someone who notices reactions after consuming fermented foods, aged cheeses, wine, or other high-histamine foods and wants additional support during those specific meals.
Supplement strategy: DAO Mini is typically used alongside dietary management rather than as a standalone approach. Many people use it as an “as needed” tool during specific meals while continuing to work on dietary foundations with a dietitian. It’s not intended for continuous daily supplementation in the same way as a foundational supplement – it’s taken situationally, just before meals that are likely to be high in histamine or amines.
⚠️ Not suitable for: Vegetarians, vegans, people with pork or pork-derived product allergies, children (consult a healthcare professional before use in minors), pregnancy or breastfeeding without healthcare professional guidance.
How to Use
Take 1 tablet just before a histamine-containing meal or drink. Swallow the tablet whole – do not crush or chew. The maximum recommended amount is 3 tablets per day, used across separate meals or drinks as needed.
Timing matters here: the tablet should be taken immediately before eating, not during or after. This gives the enzyme time to be present in the gut when histamine from food arrives. The 5mm tablet size is intentionally small for ease of use in social or restaurant settings.
Ingredients
Per tablet:
Diamine Oxidase (DAO) enzyme – 20,000 to 30,000 HDU (from 4.2mg pork kidney protein extract)
Other ingredients: Microcrystalline cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, potato starch, sodium alginate, magnesium stearate, medium chain fatty acids, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, oleic acid, stearic acid.
Allergen information: Contains pork-derived ingredients (pork kidney protein extract). Not suitable for vegetarians or vegans. Contains no gluten-containing ingredients, however always check with your healthcare professional if you have specific allergen concerns.
Common Questions
Why does the label say “20,000-30,000 HDU” rather than a fixed number?
DAO is a biological enzyme extract, and like all enzymes, its activity varies slightly between production batches. The milligrams of pork kidney extract stay consistent at 4.2mg per tablet, but the actual enzyme activity – measured in Histamine Degrading Units (HDU) – falls within this range depending on the batch. HDU is the meaningful measure for an enzyme supplement, not milligrams, so Intoleran provides the activity range rather than a fixed number that wouldn’t accurately reflect potency.
Can I take this every day, or just when I eat high-histamine foods?
DAO Mini is designed to be taken situationally – just before meals or drinks that are likely to be high in histamine or biogenic amines. You don’t need to take it with every meal, only those where high-histamine foods are present. Maximum use is 3 tablets per day.
Is this a long-term solution for histamine intolerance?
Intoleran is clear that DAO Mini is a support tool, not a therapeutic product aimed at the underlying cause of low DAO activity. It’s best used alongside dietary management and, ideally, guidance from a dietitian who can help you understand and address your specific food intolerances more comprehensively.
Why is this not suitable for vegetarians?
The DAO enzyme is sourced from pork kidney protein extract, which is currently the most effective natural source for this specific enzyme. There is no plant-derived equivalent that provides the same HDU activity. Each tablet contains 4.2mg of pork kidney protein extract.
Warnings & Storage
Do not use if: You are vegetarian or vegan, have an allergy to pork or pork-derived products, or are pregnant or breastfeeding without first consulting a healthcare professional.
Cautions: This product is not intended to modify the underlying cause of histamine or amine intolerance. Maximum 3 tablets per day. Keep out of reach of children. Consult a healthcare professional before use if you have any pre-existing conditions or are taking medications.
Storage: Store away from direct sunlight in a dry, room temperature environment.
Always consult your healthcare professional before use if you have any pre-existing conditions or are taking medications.
| Weight | 0.1 kg |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 4 × 4 × 10 cm |
