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Histidine - Benefits, Deficiency Symptoms And Food Sources

What is Histidine ?

Histidine is an essential amino acid that is significant in the growth and repair of tissues. Histamine, an important immune system chemical, is derived from histidine. Histamine aids in sexual arousal. Because the availability of histidine influences histamine production, taking supplemental histidine-together with vitamins B3 (niacin) and B6 (pyridoxine), which are required for the transformation from histidine to histamine may help improve sexual functioning and pleasure.

Uses and Benefits of Histidine

Histidine is important for the maintenance of the myelin sheaths, which protect nerve cells, and is needed for the production of both red and white blood cells. Histidine also protects the body from radiation damage, helps lower blood pressure, aids in removing heavy metals from the system, and may help in the prevention of AIDS. Because histamine also stimulates the secretion of gastric juices, histidine may be helpful for people with indigestion resulting from a lack of stomach acid.

Deficiency Symptoms of Histidine

None known, but it is reported that histidine can cause pain in the bony joints.

Histidine levels that are too high may lead to stress and even psychological disorders such as anxiety and schizophrenia; people with schizophrenia have been found to have high levels of histidine in their bodies. Inadequate levels of histidine may contribute to rheumatoid arthritis and may be associated with nerve deafness. Methionine has the ability to lower histidine levels.

Recommended Dosage of Histidine

Therapeutic doses of histidine range between 0.5 and 20 grams per day. Supplementation of adults with histidine up to 30 grams per day for short periods of time were found to result in no ill effects

Rich Food Sources of Histidine

Natural sources of histidine include rice, green vegetables, milk, bananas, wheat, and rye.

Caution

High levels of histidine may lead to stress and mental disorders such as anxiety and people with schizophrenia have been found to have high levels of histidine. Persons with manic (bipolar) depression should not take supplemental histidine unless a deficiency has been identified