A reader pointed me to this blog, our2ndbrain.com. He did a DYI FMT transplant using a donation from his daughter [post] and obtained remission.

” For many of you visiting this site, you may have wondered why I picked my daughter as the donor for Fecal Microbiota Transplant.   “

Kudos!

I say kudos because this is a very ideal choice of donor! (on the matter of DYI Fmt, I choose, for legal reasons, to keep mute). The whys are simple:

• As close to the same DNA as possible (50%)
• Same diet (which means that the bacteria mix has already been tuned to the diet)
• A son could technically be better (since gender is a factor for the microbiome)
• Same longitude (which is a factor)
• Younger microbiome — which usually means stronger and more robust. The microbiome “has not slipped into old age”

Bottom Line

I am not advocating people to volunteer to change diapers of their kids and grandkids to get material for DYI FMT. I am advocating, if you have kids (if you do not have kids, if a sibling has children those are better candidates than a random person IMHO), and have a MD willing to go down the FMT path, to advocate for those people as donors, instead of doing the DYI approach on this site.

The following paper gives some background on FMT. There is still disagreement whether family members give better results ( I suspect those studies were done on siblings and not descendents).

THE POWER OF POOP: FECAL MICROBIOTA TRANSPLANTATION FOR CLOSTRIDIUM DIFFICILE INFECTION

I came across an interest article on enteral-induced histaminosis (Histaminosis: Studies on Three Prognostic Variables in an Epidemiological Model) which identifies some drugs that inhibit DAO production.

• dihydralazine, hydralazine for treating high blood pressure
• aminoguanidine,
• chloroquine, anti-malaria
• pentamidine, for treating various African diseases
• cycloserine, for treating TB
• clavulanic acid, often combined with penicillin-group antibiotics,
• dobutamine, – for cardiac shock
• pancuronium –  aminosteroid muscle relaxant
• alcohol, [1998]

This lead me to this page which gives a fuller list with citations.

Active substance	Examples of products ®	Categories	Histamine effects	References
Acemetacin		Antirheumatic	DAO inhibitor	[Sattler 1985, Fritzsche 2009]
Acetyl­cysteine	Fluimucil, Helvetussin, Muco-Mepha, NeoCitran, Solmucol	Mucolytic, antidote	DAO inhibitor	[Jarisch 2004, Maintz et al. 2006]
Acriflavin		Antiseptic	DAO inhibitor	[Fritzsche 2009]
Alcuronium		Muscle relaxant	DAO inhibitor	[Sattler 1985, Maintz et al. 2006, Forth 2008]
Alprenolol		Beta blocker	DAO inhibitor	[Maintz et al. 2006]
Ambroxol	Ambrovene, Ambroxol, Broxol, Mucosolvan, Mucospas	Expectorant	DAO inhibitor	[Jarisch 2004, Maintz et al. 2006]
Aminocycline			DAO inhibitor	[Sattler 1985]
Aminophyllin	Euphyllin, Mundiphyllin, Myocardon	Antiasthmatic	DAO inhibitor	[Sattler 1985, Jarisch 2004, Maintz et al. 2006]
Amiphenazole			DAO inhibitor	[Sattler 1985]
Amitriptyline	Saroten, Tryptizol, Limbritol	Tricyclic antidepressant	DAO inhibitor	[Jarisch 2004, Maintz et al. 2006]
Carbocromene			DAO inhibitor	[Sattler 1985]
Cefotiam		Antibiotic	DAO inhibitor	[Maintz et al. 2006]
Cimetidine		H2 antihistamine	DAO inhibitor	[Prof. Ralf Bauer Uni Bonn; found in: Jarisch 2004 S.12, Maintz et al. 2006, Fritzsche 2009]
Clavulanic acid	Augmentin	Antibiotic	DAO inhibitor	[Sattler 1985, Jarisch 2004, Maintz et al. 2006]
Colistin mesilate			DAO inhibitor	[Sattler 1985]
Diazepam	Valium	Tranquilizer	DAO inhibitor	[Fritzsche 2009]
Dihydralazine	Nepresol	Antihypertensive, vasodilator	DAO inhibitor	[Wantke et al. 1989, Sattler 1985, Maintz et al. 2006, Fritzsche 2009]
Fenpiverinium			DAO inhibitor	[Sattler 1985]
Framycetin		Antibiotic	DAO inhibitor	[Sattler 1985, Fritzsche 2009]
Furosemide	Lasix	Diuretic	DAO inhibitor	[Fritzsche 2009]
Haloperidol	Haldol	Neuroleptic	DAO inhibitor	[Fritzsche 2009]
Metamizole, dipyrones	Novalgin, Minalgin	Analgesic, antipyretic	DAO inhibitor	[Jarisch 2004, Maintz et al. 2006]
Metoclopramide	Migpriv, Paspertin, Primperan	Antiemetic, gastroenterologic, dopamine antagonist	DAO inhibitor	[Sattler 1985, Jarisch 2004, Maintz et al. 2006]
Neomycin		Antibiotic	DAO inhibitor	[Mathelier-Fusade 2006]
Novamine sulfone	(=Metamizol) Novalgin, Minalgin	Analgesic, antipyretic	DAO inhibitor	[Jarisch 2004]
Orciprenaline			DAO inhibitor	[Sattler 1985]
Pancuronium		Muscle relaxant	DAO inhibitor	[Sattler 1985, Maintz et al. 2006, Fritzsche 2009]
Pentamidine		Antibiotic	DAO inhibitor	[Sattler 1985, Maintz et al. 2006]
Pirenzepine			DAO inhibitor	[Sattler 1985]
Prilocaine		Local anaesthetic	DAO inhibitor	[Maintz et al. 2006, Nesterenko 2010]
Promethazine	Atosil, Closin, Proneurin, Prothazin	Sedative, antihistamine, antipsychotic	DAO inhibitor	[Irion 2009]
Propafenone	Rytmonorm	Antiarrhythmic	DAO inhibitor	[Jarisch 2004, Maintz et al. 2006]
Propanidide		Anaesthetic	DAO inhibitor	[Nesterenko 2010]
Quinidine		Cardiac	DAO inhibitor	[Fritzsche 2009]
Tetroxoprim			DAO inhibitor	[Sattler 1985]
Verapamil	Flamon, Isoptin, Tarka	Coronaryvasodilatant, antihypertensive, antiarrhythmic, calcium antagonist	DAO inhibitor	[Jarisch 2004, Maintz et al. 2006]
D-Cycloserine	Seromycin	Antibiotic	DAO inhibitor (Vitamin B6-Antagonist)	[Sattler 1985, Steneberg 2007]
Isoniazide	Rimifon, Rifater	Tuberculostatic	DAO inhibitor (Vitamin B6-Antagonist)	[Jarisch 2004, Maintz et al. 2006]
Chloroquine	Chlorochin, Nivaquine, Resochin	Antimalarials, antirheumatic	DAO inhibitor, HNMT-Blocker	[Sattler 1985, Jarisch 2004, Donatelli et al. 1994, Maintz et al. 2006]

Bottom Line

The list are items that you should NOT take because they reduce DAO and can result in fatal histamine reactions if you already have histamine issues. Decision to stop any should be done in consultation with your medical professional.

“No good deed goes unpunished” – as a result of my last post on Sumac, I was asked about another atypical herb. It is a herb that has been used in cooking for a long time: Ajwain, ajowan caraway, bishop’s weed, carom, Ptychotis Oil, Ethiopian Cumin,Omam etc.

I was actually an active user of it some 20 years ago for it’s anticoagulation effects.

Trachyspermum ammi commonly known as ‘Ajwain’ is distributed throughout India and is mostly cultivated in Gujarat and Rajasthan. The fruit possesses stimulant, antispasmodic and carminative properties and is used traditionally as an important remedial agent for flatulence, atonic dyspepsia, diarrhea, abdominal tumors, abdominal pains, piles, and bronchial problems, lack of appetite, galactogogue, asthma and amenorrhoea. Medicinally, has been proven to possess various pharmacological activities like antifungal, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antinociceptive, cytotoxic, hypolipidemic, antihypertensive, antispasmodic, broncho-dilating actions, antilithiasis, diuretic, abortifacient, antitussive, nematicidal, anthelmintic and antifilarial. Further, studies reveal the presence of various phytochemical constituents mainly carbohydrates, glycosides, saponins, phenolic compounds, volatile oil (thymol, γ-terpinene, para-cymene, and α- and β-pinene), protein, fat, fiber and mineral matter containing calcium, phosphorous, iron and nicotinic acid. These studies reveal that T. ammi is a source of medicinally active compounds and have various pharmacological effects; hence, it is encouraging to find its new therapeutic uses.

Trachyspermum ammi [2012] – Full text with links to studies

• ” The present study indicated that both Crude Powder and extracts of T. ammi had the dose-dependent antihelmintic effects. Due to the development of drug resistance against synthetic anti-helminthics (parasitic worms)” [2020]
• Trachyspermum ammi (L.) Sprague, superb essential oil and its major components on peptic ulcers: in vivo combined in silico studies[2019]
• Antibacterial activity of traditional spices against lower respiratory tract pathogens: combinatorial effects of Trachyspermum ammi essential oil with conventional antibiotics. [2018]
• Evaluation of antimicrobial efficacy of Trachyspermum ammi (Ajwain) oil and chlorhexidine against oral bacteria: An in vitro study.
• Polysaccharides from Dolichos biflorus Linn and Trachyspermum ammi Linn seeds: isolation, characterization and remarkable antimicrobial activity. [2017]
• Trachyspermum ammi Seeds Supplementation Helps Reverse Scopolamine, Alprazolam and Electroshock Induced Amnesia. [2017]
• Evaluation of antiviral activity of essential oil of Trachyspermum Ammi against Japanese encephalitis virus. [2015]
• Antifungal effect of Trachyspermum ammi against susceptible and fluconazole-resistant strains of Candida albicans.[2015]
• Blood pressure lowering action of active principle from Trachyspermum ammi (L.) sprague. [1995]
• Extract of a spice–omum (Trachyspermum ammi)-shows antiaggregatory effects and alters arachidonic acid metabolism in human platelets. [1998]

The major component of this seed is thymol which impacts hundreds of different bacteria. It has a higher concentration than thyme.

Today I added another tests to the list on this page. This is the 2nd one from this lab.

Dealing with non 16s tests means that a totally different lab process is used with ranges being different. Ranges for most labs is done by taking a sample of people close to the labs and then computing average and standard deviations. This works fine if you are a match for the people in the sample (DNA, diet, etc.) If you are Hindu vegetarian working in pork-country of Germany — your numbers may be very different. The reality is that their values are the only thing we can work from.

The lab may show values like this, with the ranges covering 65-95% of the population according to statistics. The numbers from our 16s samples do not agree. Instead of 5% being outside of the normal range, we could have 80% outside.

Each lab will have different normal ranges. The solution that I used to allow people to use the suggestion engine is pretty simple.

• Red below – pick two down arrows
• Yellow below – pick one down arrows
• Green — no errors
• Yellow above – pick one up arrows
• Red above – pick two up arrows

Can you use Jason Harwelak reference ranges? In general, likely. The values are below, so just copy your numbers across. I used the results from the above A6 test below. Notice that there can be major disagreement between the two on what the desired range is!!!

Taxonomy	Rank	Low	High	Your Value	Status
Bacteroidetes A6: 27 – 36	class	0	35	39.7	Not Ideal
Akkermansia A6: 0.01-1.5	genus	1	3	5.2	Not Ideal
Bacteroides A6: 12-15	genus	0	20	13.2	Not Ideal
Bifidobacterium A6: 0.6 – 4.5	genus	2.5	5	0.12	Not Ideal
Blautia	genus	5	10	MISSING
Desulfovibrio A6: 0 – 0.1	genus	0	0.25	0.026	Ideal
Eubacterium A6: 0.3 – 2.3	genus	0	15	0.342	Ideal
Lactobacillus A6: 0.01 -0.05	genus	0.01	1	0.012	Ideal
Methanobrevibacter A6: 0 – 0.03	genus	0.0001	0.02	0	Ideal
Roseburia A6: 0.5 – 2.4	genus	5	10	0.145	Not Ideal
Ruminococcus A6; 4.9 – 8.1	genus	0	15	3.9	Ideal
Proteobacteria A6: 2-5	phylum	0	4	9.5	Not Ideal
Bilophila wadsworthia A6: 0 – 1.89	species	0	0.25	0.450	Not Ideal
Escherichia coli	species	0	0.01	MISSING
Faecalibacterium prausnitzii A6: 1.9 – 5.0	species	10	15	2.986	Not Ideal

Remember, on the data entry — you can pick if you want to deem a value to be normal or abnormal. No one has the perfect answer (unfortunately).

Bottom Line

Try to isolate definite issues.

• If the lab says “normal” skip that bacteria
• If it says outside of range a little, you may wish to skip it.
• If it says outside a lot,
  • Check Jason’s ranges
  • Click on the bacteria link and see if your values are:
    • In the top 5-10% of values
    • In the bottom 5% for bacteria that 99% of people have

Then click Analysis and see what suggestions comes up. If the lab has suggestions, compare them. If both agree — those are your first choices. If one is quiet and the other recommends, those are your second choices.

If the suggestions disagree — discuss with your medical professional before doing.

A reader ask me about this and a quick browse found that it definitely warrants a post because it is off the usual beaten path for both conventional and alternative medicine. It’s a herb that you may wish to season your meals with. It has a nice profile.

” Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and anti-apoptotic activities of Sumac(RC) are especially due to its phenolic compounds. In this study, the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and anti-apoptotic activities of RC were demonstrated in a rat NEC model. RC can suggest as a new treatment option for preventing intestinal injury. ” [2019]

” Gallic acid was determined as the primary phenolic acid in the extracts of R. coriaria, followed by cyanidin, peonidin, pelargonidin, petunidin, delphinidin glucosides and coumarates. R. coriaria also contains some organic acids including malic acid, citric acid, tartaric acid and fumaric acid ” [2019]

The ethanol extract of the fruit of the genetically related Rhus coriaria L., known as sumac, afforded protocatechuic acid, isoquercitrin, and myricetin-3-O-α-L-rhamnoside from the fruits for the first time, in addition to the previously reported phenol acids and flavonoids, gallic acid, methyl gallate, kaempferol, and quercetin. [2011]

• In vitro evidences of the traditional use of Rhus coriaria L. fruits against skin inflammatory conditions.[2019]
• Reduction of expression of IL-18, IL-1β genes in the articular joint by sumac fruit extract (Rhus coriaria L.). ]2019]
• Neuroprotective and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Rhus coriaria Extract in a Mouse Model of Ischemic Optic Neuropathy. [2018] ” The results of this study provide strong scientific evidence for the neuroprotective activity “
• Efficacy of Rhus coriaria (sumac) juice in reducing muscle pain during aerobic exercise. [2016]
• Lipid-lowering effect of Rhus coriaria L. (sumac) fruit extract in hypercholesterolemic rats. [2011]
• New antifungal xanthones from the seeds of Rhus coriaria L. [2011]
• Anti-ischemic activity and endothelium-dependent vasorelaxant effect of hydrolysable tannins from the leaves of Rhus coriaria (Sumac) in isolated rabbit heart and thoracic aorta. [2009]
• DNA-protective effects of sumach (Rhus coriaria L.), a common spice: results of human and animal studies. [2009]

Reported in Studies to reduce the following

Actinomyces viscosus
Bacillus cereus
Bacillus megaterium
Bacillus subtilis
Bacillus thuringiensis
Citrobacter freundii
Enterococcus faecalis
Escherichia coli
Hafnia alvei
Lactobacillus rhamnosus
Proteus vulgaris
Staphylococcus aureus
Streptococcus mutans
Streptococcus salivarius
Streptococcus sanguinis
Streptococcus sobrinus