Ever feel like your "healthy" diet is making you feel worse? Join your host, Genetics Expert and International Fitgenes Educator & Trainer Dr. Sam Shay, DC, FMCP, alongside co-host Mikayla Wachsmann, MS, CNS, and Lily - his "Frenchie". In this episode, we dive into the genetics behind histamine metabolism - specifically looking at the AOC1 gene (which codes for the DAO enzyme) and the HNMT gene - and break down what your genetic risk results actually mean for your health. Dr. Sam shares personal experiences and real-life case studies to illustrate how histamine issues manifest, why the histamine load is additive, and how to navigate the frustrating overlap between superfoods and high-histamine triggers. Key topics covered in this episode:• The Genetic Blueprint: How DAO and HNMT genes dictate your body's ability to clear histamine.• The "Healthy Food" Paradox: Why wellness shots, fermented foods (miso, natto, ACV), and aged products can spark unexpected reactions.• Canned vs. Dry Beans: The surprising science behind storage liquids, processing times, and histamine-producing bacteria.• Navigating Dairy & Aged Cheeses: How to manage low-lactose foods that are simultaneously high in histamine.• Flavor Without the Flare-Ups: Practical tips and substitutions for cooking with high-histamine spices like cinnamon, cayenne, and curry powders.• Roadblocks & Protocols: Actionable strategies, nutrigenomic insights, and how practitioners can avoid costly diagnostic pitfalls. If you found this episode eye-opening, don't forget to subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave us a 5-star review to help more people decode their DNA! Connect with Dr. SamIG: @fitgenesusa/W: fitgenesusa Are you a health practitioner ready to decode your patients' genetics and offer truly personalized, root-cause care? Elevate your practice by heading over to FitgenesUSA today to become a certified practitioner and gain access to our advanced genetic testing and clinical support. DISCLAIMERThe information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, cures or treatment. Neither Dr. Sam nor the publisher of this content takes responsibility for possible health consequences of any person or persons reading or following the information in this educational content. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making any changes to your diet, supplement routine, or overall health plan based on genetic information or podcast discussions. Dr. Sam Shay, DC, FMCP is the founder of and has a direct financial interest in FitgenesUSA testing, the Fitgenes Genetic Blueprint, and the CarbChoice Advanced. References: • Ayuso, P., García-Martín, E., Martínez, C., & Agúndez, J. A. (2007). Genetic variability of human diamine oxidase: occurrence of three nonsynonymous polymorphisms and study of their effect on serum enzyme activity. Pharmacogenetics and genomics, 17(9), 687-693. Click Here • García-Martín, E. et al. (2015). Diamine oxidase rs10156191 and rs2052129 variants are associated with the risk for migraine. Headache, 55(2), 276-286. Click Here • Meza-Velázquez, R. et al. (2017). Association of diamine oxidase and histamine N-methyltransferase polymorphisms with presence of migraine in a group of Mexican mothers of children with allergies. Neurologia, 32(8), 500-507. Click Here • Maintz, L. et al. (2011). Association of single nucleotide polymorphisms in the diamine oxidase gene with diamine oxidase serum activities. Allergy, 66(7), 893-902. Click Here • Stevenson, J. et al. (2010). The role of histamine degradation gene polymorphisms in moderating the effects of food additives on children's ADHD symptoms. The American journal of psychiatry, 167(9), 1108-1115. Click Here
