Histidine
OTHER NAME(S): (2S)-2-Amino-3-(1H-Imidazol-5-yl) Propanoic Acid, (S)-4-(2-Amino-2-Carboxyethyl) Imidazole, L-Histidine, L-Histidine AKG, L-Histidine-Alpha Ketoglutaric Acid, L-Histidine HCl, Levo-Histidine, (S)-Alpha-Amino-1H-imidazole-4-Propanoic Acid, Histidine, Histadine, Histidina
Overview
Histidine is an essential amino acid. It is not made by the body, but is consumed in foods. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein.
Histidine is involved in many different metabolic processes in the body.
People use histidine for diarrhea due to cholera infection, eczema, kidney failure, metabolic syndrome, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Uses
Possibly Effective for
- An infection of the intestines that causes diarrhea (cholera). Drinking a solution containing histidine seems to reduce diarrhea in people with cholera who are also receiving antibiotics.
There is interest in using histidine for a number of other purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.
Side Effects
When taken by mouth: Histidine is commonly consumed as part of the diet. Histidine supplements are possibly safe when used short-term. Doses of up to 4 grams daily have been used safely for up to 12 weeks. It seems to be well-tolerated.
Precautions
When taken by mouth: Histidine is commonly consumed as part of the diet. Histidine supplements are possibly safe when used short-term. Doses of up to 4 grams daily have been used safely for up to 12 weeks. It seems to be well-tolerated.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Histidine is commonly consumed as part of the diet. There isn't enough reliable information to know if histidine is safe to use in larger amounts as medicine when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and stick to food amounts.
Folic acid deficiency: People with folic acid deficiency should avoid histidine. It can cause an unwanted chemical called formiminoglutamic acid (FIGLU) to build up in the body.
Interactions
We currently have no information for Histidine overview.
Dosing
Histidine is a natural part of the diet. L-histidine supplements have most often been used by adults in doses of 4 grams by mouth daily. Speak with a healthcare provider to find out what dose might be best for a specific condition.
References
- 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.
- 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.
- Blumenkrantz MJ, Shapiro DJ, Swendseid ME, Kopple JD. Histidine supplementation for treatment of anaemia of uraemia. Br Med J 1975;2:530-3.
- 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.
- Bigwood EJ, ed. Protein and amino acid functions. Oxford, NY: Pergamon Press, 1972.
- Sacher RA, McPherson RA, eds. Widdmann's Clinical Interpretation of Laboratory Tests. 10th ed., Philadelphia, PA: FA Davis Company, 1991.
- Feng RN, Niu YC, Sun XW, et al. Histidine supplementation improves insulin resistance through suppressed inflammation in obese women with the metabolic syndrome: a randomised controlled trial. Diabetologia 2013;56(5):985-94.
- Rabbani GH, Sack DA, Ahmed S, et al. Antidiarrheal effects of L-histidine-supplemented rice-based oral rehydration solution in the treatment of male adults with severe cholera in Bangladesh: a double-blind, randomized trial. J Infect Dis 2005;191(9):1507-14.
- Gheller ME, Vermeylen F, Handzlik MK, et al. Tolerance to graded dosages of histidine supplementation in healthy human adults. Am J Clin Nutr 2020;112(5):1358-1367.
- Tan SP, Brown SB, Griffiths CE, Weller RB, Gibbs NK. Feeding filaggrin: effects of L-histidine supplementation in atopic dermatitis. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol 2017;10:403-411.
- Gibbs NK. l-Histidine Supplementation in Adults and Young Children with Atopic Dermatitis (Eczema). J Nutr 2020;150(Suppl 1):2576S-2579S.