Amino Acid - L-Histidine

Does the name (Histidine) sound vaguely familiar? The reason, L-Histidine's syntheses into the neurotransmitter Histamine. Histamine is released to fight against allergic reactions and causes our well known allergy symptoms - contraction of smooth muscle (the muscles surrounding the airways constrict causing shortness of breath or worse) and contributing to inflammation (increased blood flow transporting leukocytes - the immune systems mobile defense). Those of you (not me) who may suffer badly with allergic responses will commonly use an antihistamine (inhibiting the actions or release of Histamine) such as Benadryl or Claritin.

Interestingly, amongst its many functions, L-Histidine is required in the manufacture of red and white blood cells.

As mentioned on the Amino Acids page, L-Histidine is regarded as "semi-essential". The reason, L-Histidine can be made by the adult body, but babies and young children may not be able to manufacture enough for their needs.

Food Sources: Meat, Fish, Dairy, Rice, Rye and Wheat.

For more information on the following subjects, visit the Gym Professor website:
Amino Acids
Dietary Protein
Nitrogen Balance
Protein Requirements
Protein Source Comparisons
Protein Efficiency Ratio (PER)
Biological Value (BV)
Net Protein Utilisation (NPU)
Protein Fractions
Protein Supplementation