Histidine

Other Name(s):

Alpha-amino-4-imidazole propanoic acid, Histidina, L-2-Amino-3-(1H-imidazol-4-yl) propionic acid, L-Histidine, L-Histidine AKG, L-Histidine-Alpha Ketoglutaric Acid, L-Histidine HCl, Levo-Histidine.

Overview

Histidine is an amino acid. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein in our bodies. People use histidine as medicine.

Histidine is used for rheumatoid arthritis, allergic diseases, ulcers, and anemia caused by kidney failure or kidney dialysis.

How does work?

Histidine is involved in a wide range of metabolic processes in the body.

Uses

Possibly Ineffective for...

  • Rheumatoid arthritis.
  • Anemia associated with kidney failure or kidney dialysis.

Insufficient Evidence to Rate Effectiveness for...

  • Allergic diseases.
  • Ulcers.
  • Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of histidine for these uses.

Side Effects

Histidine might be safe for most people. Doses of up to 4 grams per day have been used in research without causing noticeable side effects.

QUESTION

Next to red peppers, you can get the most vitamin C from ________________. See Answer

Precautions

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Not enough is known about the use of histidine during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Folic acid deficiency: If you have this condition, don't use histidine. It can cause an unwanted chemical called formiminoglutamic acid (FIGLU) to build up in the body.

Dosing

The appropriate dose of histidine depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for histidine. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.

Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate (detailed description of each of the ratings).

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References

Bigwood EJ, ed. Protein and amino acid functions. Oxford, NY: Pergamon Press, 1972.

Blumenkrantz MJ, Shapiro DJ, Swendseid ME, Kopple JD. Histidine supplementation for treatment of anaemia of uraemia. Br Med J 1975;2:530-3. View abstract.

Gerber DA, Tanenbaum L, Ahrens M. Free serum histidine levels in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and control subjects following an oral load of free L-histidine. Metabolism 1976;25:655-7. View abstract.

Gerber DA, Tanenbaum L, Ahrens M. Free serum histidine levels in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and control subjects following an oral load of free L-histidine. Metabolism 1976;25:655-7. View abstract.

Pinals RS, Harris ED, Burnett JB, Gerber DA. Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis with L-histidine: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial. J Rheumatol 1977;4:414-9. View abstract.

Reeves RD, Barbour GL, Robertson CS, Crumb CK. Failure of histidine supplementation to improve anemia in chronic dialysis patients. Am J Clin Nutr 1977;30:579-81. View abstract.

Sacher RA, McPherson RA, eds. Widdmann's Clinical Interpretation of Laboratory Tests. 10th ed., Philadelphia, PA: FA Davis Company, 1991.