What Is Tyramine?
Tyramine is found in many foods, such as wine, ripe cheese, and aged food.
Why Should I Eat This Way?
People who take monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) may need to be on a low tyramine diet. This is found in some medicines that treat problems like depression, Parkinson disease, and infection. Taking these and eating foods that are high in tyramine can cause health problems. Some of these are high blood pressure, headaches, and chest pain.
Eating Plan
Food Type | Foods to Eat | Foods Not to Eat |
---|---|---|
Grains |
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Veggies |
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Fruits |
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Milk |
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Meat and Beans |
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Oils |
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Drinks |
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Other |
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Tips
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Fresh food is less likely to have high levels of tyramine.
- Cool or freeze foods right away.
- Use or throw away leftovers within 48 hours.
- Eat fresh meats within 3 days.
- Eat cheese within 3 to 4 weeks.
- People taking MAOIs should stay on this plan for 4 weeks after they stop taking it. Ask your doctor how long you should stay on it.
RESOURCES:
Eat Right—Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
http://www.eatright.org
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
http://www.niddk.nih.gov
REFERENCES:
Low tyramine diet. Queensland Government website. Available at: https://www.health.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/145802/oncol_maoi.pdf. Updated October 2016. Accessed March 12, 2019.
Medication errors: preventing—general principles. EBSCO Nursing Reference Center website. Available at:https://www.ebscohost.com/nursing/products/nursing-reference-center. Updated May 18, 2018. Accessed March 13, 2019.
Last reviewed March 2019 by EBSCO Medical Review BoardDianne Scheinberg Rishikof MS, RD, LDN