fish sauce
Condiments & Sauces
Is fish sauce high in tyramine?
Is fish sauce high or low in tyramine? See its exact rating, how much counts as a portion, and its FODMAP, salicylate, oxalate and diet compatibility in one place.
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Sensitivity notes
Why tyramine food checker matters
Tyramine is an amino acid that forms when proteins break down. It's found in aged, fermented, or spoiled foods. For people taking MAO inhibitors or those with tyramine sensitivity, it can cause headaches, elevated blood pressure, and other reactions.
- Choose fresh over aged, fermented, or preserved foods
- Eat protein foods fresh and store properly
- Be especially careful if taking MAO inhibitor medications
- Common high-tyramine foods include aged cheese, cured meats, and soy sauce
- Ripeness affects tyramine - choose less ripe fruits
Sensitivities
What fish sauce contains
FODMAPs
Histamine & Amines
Plant compounds
Irritants
Additives
Allergens
Diet fit
Where fish sauce fits
Therapeutic diets
Lifestyle diets
Religious diets
What to know about fish sauce
Fish sauce is one of the highest-histamine ingredients in the kitchen. It is made by fermenting salted anchovies for months, and that slow breakdown of fish protein loads it with histamine and tyramine. On top of that it acts as a histamine liberator, nudging your body to release its own histamine, so even a splash in a stir-fry or dressing can trigger flushing, headache or a racing heart if you have histamine intolerance. It also carries moderate free glutamate, the umami compound behind its savory depth.
Watch for
- Very high in histamine because it is aged fermented anchovy, a classic trigger for flushing, hives, headache or a stuffy nose
- Doubles as a histamine liberator, so it can set off symptoms beyond its own histamine load
- High in tyramine, which matters if you are on an MAOI or get tyramine-linked migraines
- Moderate free glutamate gives the umami kick but can bother people sensitive to MSG-like additives
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Tyramine Guide
Everything you need to know about tyramine sensitivity and smart food choices.
Tyramine is an amino acid that forms when proteins break down. It's found in aged, fermented, or spoiled foods. For people taking MAO inhibitors or those with tyramine sensitivity, it can cause headaches, elevated blood pressure, and other reactions.
Sensitivity varies widely. What triggers one person may be fine for another. Track your reactions to find your personal threshold.
These foods are generally well-tolerated for Tyramine sensitivity:
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These foods are high in tyramine and may trigger symptoms:
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If you're sensitive to Tyramine, consider these strategies:
- 1Choose fresh over aged, fermented, or preserved foods
- 2Eat protein foods fresh and store properly
- 3Be especially careful if taking MAO inhibitor medications
- 4Common high-tyramine foods include aged cheese, cured meats, and soy sauce
- 5Ripeness affects tyramine - choose less ripe fruits
Pro tip: Keep a food diary to track your reactions. The Triggerbites app makes this easy with automatic pattern detection.
Want personalized tracking?
Download Triggerbites to log meals, track symptoms, and discover your unique triggers.
Get the AppFAQ
Is fish sauce high in Tyramine?
Tyramine: higher signal - consider smaller servings or swaps.
Can I still eat fish sauce if I'm sensitive to Tyramine?
Best to avoid or test carefully with a small amount.
What else should I check?
Check Histamine, Histamine Liberators, and Fish next for a fuller picture.