What dietary advice should individuals prescribed with MAO inhibitors be given?

Individuals prescribed with MAO inhibitors should be advised to avoid tyramine-containing foods because these medications can significantly interact with tyramine, an amino acid that occurs naturally in many aged and fermented foods. When MAO inhibitors are taken, they inhibit the enzyme monoamine oxidase, which is responsible for breaking down tyramine in the body. If tyramine levels build up due to the inhibition of this enzyme, it can lead to dangerously high blood pressure, a reaction known as a hypertensive crisis.

Common examples of tyramine-rich foods include aged cheeses, cured meats, fermented products, soy products, and certain alcoholic beverages. Therefore, avoidance of these foods is crucial for individuals on MAO inhibitors to ensure safety and prevent adverse reactions.

While protein intake, carbohydrate or high-fiber foods may have their own dietary considerations, they do not pose the same immediate risk of life-threatening interaction that tyramine does when taken in conjunction with MAO inhibitors.