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The Powers of the Essential Amino Acid Histidine

Human growth and development is a complex process of interactions between body cells, tissues, hormones, enzymes and building-block compounds. While several compounds needed for the milestones are naturally-occurring, other essential amino acids are not produced by the body and must be supplemented through food sources. Among the body’s most essential amino acids which is responsible for the building up of various somatic cells is the compound Histidine. Histidine was believed in the past to be an important only among infants and young children whose bones and muscles are still on the process of development. Recent scientific findings reveal, however, that the compound is also necessary among…

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 Histidine: Requirements, Functions, Benefits, and Best Food Sources

Interestingly, histidine was once considered to be a ‘semi-essential amino acid.’ It is not uncommon to still see this outdated definition. Fortunately, providing we consume sufficient protein, we don’t need to overthink whether or not we are consuming enough. However, the research does show that histidine supplementation could potentially have benefits in certain circumstances.

Articles of Interest

Benefits and Adverse Effects of Histidine Supplementation

Histidine is a nutritionally essential amino acid with many recognized benefits to human health, while circulating concentrations of histidine decline in pathologic conditions [e.g., chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD)].

Histidine in Health and Disease: Metabolism, Physiological Importance, and Use as a Supplement

L-histidine (HIS) is an essential amino acid with unique roles in proton buffering, metal ion chelation, scavenging of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, erythropoiesis, and the histaminergic system.

Histidine Metabolism and Function

Histidine is a dietary essential amino acid because it cannot be synthesized in humans. The WHO/FAO requirement for adults for histidine is 10 mg · kg body weight-1 · d-1. Histidine is required for synthesis of proteins. It plays particularly important roles in the active site of enzymes, such as serine proteases (e.g., trypsin) where it is a member of the catalytic triad. Excess histidine may be converted to trans-urocanate by histidine ammonia lyase (histidase) in liver and skin.

Histidine: A Systematic Review on Metabolism and Physiological Effects in Human and Different Animal Species

In humans, dietary histidine may be associated with factors that improve metabolic syndrome and has an effect on ion absorption.

Histidine: Definition, Structure, Benefits and Uses

Histidine is an essential amino acid that plays a vital role in various biological functions, particularly in protein biosynthesis. As one of the 20 standard amino acids, histidine's importance spans several industries, from biotechnology to pharmaceuticals, making it a crucial component in various metabolic and synthetic pathways. In addition to natural histidine, non-natural histidine derivatives are synthesized and modified to cater to a wide array of industrial applications. These derivatives, which are designed to meet specific requirements in industries such as pharmaceuticals and material sciences, offer enhanced functionalities that exceed those of natural histidine.

Histidine: Essential Amino Acid with Important Properties

In short, histidine is a one of the 22 proteinogenic amino acids that make up our genetic code and which are used for the protein synthesis. Moreover, it is also one of the 9 essential amino acids that we have to obtain from the diet in order to prevent the protein breakdown and malnourishment. In nature, we can find the histidine levorotatory enantiomer, in other words, L-histidine. It is an amino acid that is present in many foods, both from animals and vegetables. Therefore, a deficiency is a strange condition that is usually related to genetic alterations or severe malnourishment.

Histidine: The Amino Acid for Allergies

Although health practitioners use histidine less frequently than other amino acids, your body uses it to make histamine, which reduces your sensitivity to allergens. (Your body, however, can’t make all the histamine you need.) This amino acid can also enhance the uptake of some minerals like zinc and inhibit the absorption of copper.

L-Histidine HCL: Protein’s Essential Backbone for Growth

The foundational macronutrient for all processes of growth and development in the human body is protein. There are over 23 enzymes necessary for protein build up and among which is the often compromised compound known as L-Histidine. Several food sources are shown to be rich in L-Histidine but due to the molecular structure of the compound which is susceptible of breakdown in the stomach during chemical digestion, scientists have included a hydrochloric element in L-Histidine’s structure to foster absorption and increase bioavailability. The resultant compound which is now known as L-Histidine HCL is mostly included in the formulation of health supplements sold in the market for all age groups.

Resources

Hyper Physics

Histidine is an amino acid and belongs to the class which has acid or base R-groups. Initially thought essential only for infants, it has now been shown in longer-term studies to be essential for adults also.

StatPearls

Histidine is a nutritionally essential amino acid precursor for several hormones (eg, thyrotropin-releasing hormone) and critical metabolites affecting renal function, neurotransmission, gastric secretion, and the immune system. Histidine's unique acid/base properties make it a versatile catalytic residue in many enzymes and for those proteins and enzymes that coordinate metal ions.