Contents
Histidine is an amino acid that is part of proteins and obtained from them as a result of hydrolysis. The highest concentration (almost 8,5 percent of the total) is found in hemoglobin. It was first isolated from proteins in 1896.
What is histidine
When we eat meat, we consume protein and the amino acids that make up proteins. Histidine is involved in the formation of proteins and affects a number of metabolic reactions in the body.
All amino acids are building blocks for proteins. After protein digestion, a person receives individual amino acids. Some of them are replaceable (the body is able to produce them) and irreplaceable (can be obtained only through food). Histidine in this regard is a unique substance – an amino acid that is interchangeable and irreplaceable at the same time. Or, as it is customary to call it, semi-replaceable.
Infants feel the greatest need for this amino acid, since they need histidine as a growth factor. Babies get it through breast milk or from baby food. Also, the compound is indispensable for adolescents or adults after serious illnesses. An unbalanced diet and frequent stress lead to an amino acid deficiency, which can manifest as slow or complete cessation of growth in children and rheumatoid arthritis in adults.
Histidine functions
One of the most striking characteristics of histidine is the ability to transform into other substances, such as histamine. It also participates in a number of metabolic reactions, is part of hemoglobin, therefore it contributes to the supply of oxygen to organs and tissues. In addition, it helps to remove heavy metals from the body, restore tissues and strengthen the immune system.
Other functions of histidine:
- regulation of blood acidity;
- accelerating wound healing;
- coordinating growth mechanisms;
- natural recovery of the body.
Without histidine, all processes associated with growth will stop, and the regeneration of damaged tissues will become impossible. Also, the consequence of the lack of histidine in the body is inflammation of the skin and mucous membranes of the body, and recovery after surgery will be delayed for a longer time. In addition, histidine has a therapeutic effect in inflammation, which means it is an effective medicine for arthritis.
In addition to the already mentioned beneficial properties, this amino acid has another equally significant ability – it helps to form the myelin sheaths of nerve cells (their damage causes Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases, as well as other degenerative diseases). Also, this semi-essential amino acid is involved in the synthesis of red and white blood cells (erythrocytes and leukocytes), and is involved in protection from radiation.
Histidine in medicine
Although the preventive and therapeutic potential of histidine is not yet fully understood, a number of studies have already proven the effectiveness of the amino acid. In particular, it is known to help lower blood pressure. Relaxing blood vessels, prevents hypertension, atherosclerosis, heart attack and other cardiac diseases. It has already been proven that daily intake of the substance reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease by almost 61 percent.
Another area of histidine use is nephrology. Amino acid has a positive effect on the condition of persons with chronic renal failure (especially in old age).
In addition, this compound has shown to be effective in the treatment of hepatitis, stomach ulcers, arthritis, and AIDS.
Daily allowance
Therapeutic doses of histidine range from 0,5 to 20 g per day.
But even the use of 30 g of amino acid per day does not cause side effects. So, in any case, the researchers convince. But they immediately clarify: provided that the drug does not last long. But still, the most adequate is called a dosage of 1-8 g per day. More precisely, the individual minimum need for an amino acid can be anticipated by the formula: 10-12 mg of a substance per 1 kg of weight. Histidine supplements are best taken on an empty stomach. So its action is more effective.
Combination with other substances
Recent studies have shown that the combination of histidine and zinc is an effective remedy for colds. In addition, zinc promotes easier absorption of the amino acid. An experiment involving 40 people showed that a “cocktail” of zinc and histidine minimizes the duration of illnesses caused by viruses or bacteria. A cold against the background of an amino acid lasts an average of 3-4 days less.
Reception Features
Histidine in the form of supplements is useful for people with arthritis, anemia, or after surgery.
People with bipolar disorders, allergies, asthma and various inflammations should avoid this drug. Also with caution to supplements containing the amino acid, it is necessary to treat women during pregnancy and lactation, as well as people with a deficiency of folic acid.
Chronic diseases, injuries and stresses increase the need for histidine. In this case, to meet the needs of the body exclusively through products is quite difficult. But problems are solved with the help of bioactive additives. Digestive disorders and low acidity are also the cause of more intensive intake of the substance.
A disorder in the metabolism of histidine is called histidinemia, a rare genetic disorder. These patients lack an enzyme that breaks down the amino acid. As a result, the level of the amino acid in the urine and blood rises sharply.
Danger of scarcity
Studies show that people with rheumatoid arthritis usually have low levels of histidine. Amino acid deficiency in infants often causes eczema. In addition, insufficient intake of the substance leads to cataracts, and also provokes diseases of the stomach and duodenum. Histidine is known to affect the immune system, which is why amino acid deficiency leads to frequent inflammatory diseases. Insufficient intake of the substance has an extremely negative effect on the health of children and adolescents during intensive growth and formation of the body.
Also, an amino acid deficiency can manifest itself as developmental delays, reduced libido, hearing loss and fibromyalgia.
Is excess hazardous?
There is no information on the possible toxicity of histidine. But still, the consumption of amino acids in high doses can cause allergic or asthmatic reactions, provoke a deficiency of copper and zinc, and, on the contrary, increase the concentration of cholesterol in the blood. In men, excess histidine causes premature ejaculation.
Histidine in food
To meet the daily need for amino acids will help properly selected products. For example, only 100 g of beans provides more than 1-gram portion of histidine (1097 mg), the same amount of chicken fillet will enrich the body with additional 791 mg of substance, and a similar portion of beef will give approximately 680 mg of histidine. As for fish products, approximately 550 mg of amino acid is contained in an 100-gram slice of salmon. And among plant foods, wheat germ is the most nutritious. In 100 g product – within 640 mg of amino acid.
However, it is important to note that the above figures are approximate, since the saturation of food with useful substances depends on many factors. And importantly, the storage conditions of the product. When it comes to histidine, to preserve its maximum amount in peas, walnuts or corn, products must be kept in hermetic conditions, away from direct sunlight and oxygen. Otherwise, histidine is rapidly destroyed.
To maintain the balance of amino acids in an adult body, the amount of a substance that is synthesized in the liver from other amino acids is usually enough. But for children in a period of intensive growth and for some other groups of people, it is important to replenish supplies from properly selected food.
Protein products include most of the amino acids needed by a person. Animal products contain so-called complete proteins, therefore they are more valuable in terms of supplying useful substances.
Plant foods contain only a few of the essential compounds. Although it is not difficult to replenish histidine reserves, especially since the body is able to produce it, there are still cases of deficiency of the substance. To avoid a decrease in concentration will help the use of products from different groups.
High concentration of histidine is in meat, fish, dairy products, some cereals (rice, rye, wheat). Other sources of amino acids: seafood, beans, eggs, buckwheat, cauliflower, potatoes, mushrooms, bananas, citrus fruits, melons.
You can provide the daily rate of amino acids from dishes prepared from beef, pork, lamb and poultry, various types of hard cheese, soy products, as well as fish (tuna, salmon, trout, mackerel, halibut, sea bass). From seeds and nuts, it is important to consume almonds, sesame seeds, peanuts, sunflower seeds, pistachios. And from dairy products – natural yoghurts, milk and sour cream. In the cereal category, a lot of histidine is found in wild rice, millet and buckwheat.
Histidine is an essential amino acid for maintaining and maintaining health. It is essential for tissue growth and repair, production of blood cells and the neurotransmitter histamine. This substance is able to protect tissues from damage by radiation or heavy metals. Therefore, it is important to monitor your diet in order to provide the body with a sufficient amount of amino acids. Foods rich in substance are necessary for children and adolescents, as well as for persons after injuries or operations.