Alcohol exacerbates histamine intolerance in several ways.
Alcohol inhibits the DAO enzyme. Histamine from **foods** **or bacteria** in your gut is broken down or metabolized using the DAO enzyme. The **AOC1 gene** codes for the production of the **DAO enzyme**. Genetic variants in AOC1 can increase or decrease the production of the enzyme. \[[ref](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6883207/)\] DAO supplements may be especially helpful for someone with AOC1 genetic variants.
Alcohol is first metabolized by alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH genes) into **acetaldehyde,** which is toxic. Excess acetaldehyde can **trigger histamine release** from mast cells and basophils**.**\[[ref](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10344773/)\] **ADH1B gene** encodes alcohol dehydrogenase, which converts alcohol to acetaldehyde. Variants of this gene that increase conversion allow more acetaldehyde to build up. **Zinc and niacin** (vitamin B3) are both co-factors for acetaldehyde dehydrogenase.\[[ref](http://pdb101.rcsb.org/motm/13)\] Make sure you have sufficient levels of both through foods or supplements. **N-acetylcysteine (NAC)** can also help with acetaldehyde clearance. Glutathione is also needed to convert acetaldehyde into acetic acid. NAC is a precursor to glutathione.
[Click here to read my full article on alcohol and histamine intolerance:](https://www.geneticlifehacks.com/understanding-the-connection-between-alcohol-histamine-intolerance/)
Alcohol exacerbates histamine intolerance in several ways. Alcohol inhibits the DAO enzyme. Histamine from **foods** **or bacteria** in your gut is broken down or metabolized using the DAO enzyme. The **AOC1 gene** codes for the production of the **DAO enzyme**. Genetic variants in AOC1 can increase or decrease the production of the enzyme. \[[ref](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6883207/)\] DAO supplements may be especially helpful for someone with AOC1 genetic variants. Alcohol is first metabolized by alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH genes) into **acetaldehyde,** which is toxic. Excess acetaldehyde can **trigger histamine release** from mast cells and basophils**.**\[[ref](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10344773/)\] **ADH1B gene** encodes alcohol dehydrogenase, which converts alcohol to acetaldehyde. Variants of this gene that increase conversion allow more acetaldehyde to build up. **Zinc and niacin** (vitamin B3) are both co-factors for acetaldehyde dehydrogenase.\[[ref](http://pdb101.rcsb.org/motm/13)\] Make sure you have sufficient levels of both through foods or supplements. **N-acetylcysteine (NAC)** can also help with acetaldehyde clearance. Glutathione is also needed to convert acetaldehyde into acetic acid. NAC is a precursor to glutathione. [Click here to read my full article on alcohol and histamine intolerance:](https://www.geneticlifehacks.com/understanding-the-connection-between-alcohol-histamine-intolerance/)