You may follow a low-tyramine or no-tyramine diet if you're taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors, or MAOIs, or for several other reasons. Tyramine is a substance found in certain foods, such as meats and cheeses. Before you begin a no-tyramine diet, talk with your doctor about how to devise a healthy diet regimen.
Function
Tyramine is an amino acid that's found naturally in high-protein or fermented foods, the Mayo Clinic says. Tyramine acts to normalize your blood pressure, but it can interfere with certain medications and health conditions. Due to this action, consuming large quantities of tyramine-containing foods while taking certain medications, such as MAOIs, can cause high blood pressure, as well as headaches and irregular heartbeat, explains the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
Uses
A low-tyramine or no-tyramine diet may be appropriate for people who take MAOI antidepressant drugs, certain antibiotics and medications to treat Parkinson's disease, says the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. If you take these types of medications or the narcotic Demerol for pain, consuming tyramine can potentially cause a heart attack or stroke. If you have chronic migraine headaches, tyramine can trigger a migraine attack as well, notes the University of Maryland Medical Center, or UMMC.
Foods to Avoid
A no-tyramine diet eliminates foods containing the amino acid, which include aged cheeses and wines, figs, chicken livers and smoked fish, says UMMC. The diet also limits or excludes sourdough bread, fermented olives and pickles, and sauerkraut, as well as Italian bread and fava beans, notes the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Eliminate from your diet Chinese pea pods, bananas, and beer and other aged alcoholic drinks. Also avoid smoked, dried, fermented or processed meats, soy products and fish, as well as vegemite and marmite spreads. As protein-containing foods age or ferment, the tyramine content increases, the Mayo Clinic says. Avocados, chocolate, brewer's yeast, bouillon, soy sauce and monosodium glutamate, or MSG, also contain tyramine.
Safe Foods
Aside from sourdough and Italian bread, you can eat most breads and baked goods, as well as other starches such as rice and pasta, says the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. You can also eat fresh, frozen or canned fruits and vegetables, and milk products that aren't aged or fermented. Nuts, eggs, legumes, and fresh and frozen meats, fish and poultry also contain no or low amounts of tyramine. Ask your doctor or a registered dietitian for a complete list of foods and beverages that contain no tyramine, the Mayo Clinic advises.
Warnings
Follow a no-tyramine diet only as directed by your doctor. If your physician recommends a no-tyramine diet because you're taking MAOIs, you should generally stay on the diet for about one month after you stop taking the medications, notes the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Keep in mind that many processed foods can contain varying levels of tyramine due to certain preparation processes, the Mayo Clinic warns. Discuss a no-tyramine diet with your primary care physician or dietitian before altering what foods you eat.
