When it comes to human health, histidine is an essential amino acid that wears many hats. As a protein building block and a precursor for important biochemical products, it is involved in protecting the skin against UV radiation and reducing inflammation and oxidative stress. Read on to learn more about the importance of maintaining healthy levels.<\/p>\n
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Histidine (L-histidine) is one of the 20 amino acids that make up the proteins in our body<\/strong>. These building blocks are generally classified as either nonessential<\/strong> or essential<\/strong>. Nonessential amino acids are those that the body can produce by itself, while essential amino acids must be acquired through diet because the body cannot make its own supply [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Histidine is an essential amino acid<\/strong>. A long-term study demonstrated that adults who consume a diet deficient in histidine over long periods of time may experience negative health effects <\/strong>such as reduced hemoglobin (the protein that carries oxygen in red blood cells) levels [R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Histidine<\/strong> is produced by the liver in small quantities<\/strong>. Hence, it must be consumed in the diet to maintain necessary histidine levels in the body. Here, it is converted into a number of important substances <\/strong>such as histamine<\/a> and carnosine<\/a> [R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Histidine is required for the growth and repair of tissues<\/strong>, red blood cell production<\/strong>, and protecting tissues from damage from radiation and<\/strong> heavy metals<\/strong><\/a>. It is especially necessary for the formation of<\/strong> myelin<\/strong><\/a> sheaths<\/strong>, which are layers surrounding nerves that enables faster transmission of signals to the brain [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n In both human and animal studies, histidine functioned in maintaining normal levels of hemoglobin<\/a>, the protein responsible for delivering oxygen from the lungs to the tissues of the body [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Urocanic acid, produced through histidine, is a major absorber of ultraviolet (UV) radiation. This protects skin cells from damage [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Additionally, it is converted to histamine<\/strong>, a messenger molecule involved in immunity, digestion, and sexual function [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n It is also a major component <\/strong>(along with \u03b2-alanine<\/strong>) of carnosine<\/strong>, an important antioxidant that slows the progression of multiple degenerative diseases and reduces plaque buildup in the arteries. It may also help improve muscle performance for high-intensity exercise<\/a> [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n<\/a>Function<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/a>Snapshot<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/a>Proponents<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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<\/a>Skeptics<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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<\/a>Health Benefits<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/a>Effective for:<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n