FOODS HIGH IN TYRAMINE

When you are on MAOI (monoamine oxidase inhibitor), you need to restrict foods high in tyramine. Tyramine is an amino acid found in your body (and in certain foods) that helps regulate blood pressure. High levels of tyramine can cause a marked increase in blood pressure which may lead to stroke. You need to limit consumption of foods that contain a high level of tyramine: cheese, pickled foods, chocolates, certain meat (caviar, herring, liver, smoked sausages, luncheon meat), alcoholic beverages (sherry, vermouth, red wines), certain vegetables (fava beans, Italian green beans, snow peapods, sauerkraut), soups packaged with yeast products.