Histidine could be a key ingredient in your IV therapy Toronto treatments – and when it’s combined with other amino acids for intravenous drips, it might contribute to optimal functioning.

Scientists have recognized the significance of this unique amino acid. According to the Journal of Nutrition, its “…. concentrations and supplementation are associated with several health benefits that include but are not limited to anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, glucoregulatory, body weight management, cognitive function, and dermatological.”

Histidine is an amino acid responsible for supporting muscle health, brain health, the body’s chemical reactions, and immune function. They’re protein building blocks that also construct enzymes. In particular, histidine is an essential amino acid that contributes to cell function; its supplementation is required though because the human body isn’t capable of making it.

So why should patients consider this for optimal health? At the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre, it’s offered as an IV nutrient therapy drip, and it’s mixed with various amino acids. Continue reading to uncover its benefits and how to get it as IV vitamin therapy from our clinic.

Important effects on the human body

When it’s blended with other IV amino acids, histidine could contribute to lessening oxidative stress and improving cellular functioning in the body. At our Yorkville, Toronto-based clinic, we offer an assortment of nutrient IV treatments and other therapy drips with mistletoe, high-dose vitamin C (ascorbic acid), nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD), glutamic acid, and other key vitamins.

Below, we’ve outlined some of the significant effects of supplementing with histidine:

1. Could help fight or prevent inflammation and chronic illness: Did you know that inflammation could be a root cause of chronic disease? Histidine is a natural antioxidant. When it’s mixed with alanine, carnosine is constructed, which is generally found in brain tissue and cardiac and skeletal muscles in ample concentrations. According to studies, carnosine has the ability to sift through reactive oxygen species (which are cells that can cause DNA damage) due to its antioxidant effects. Carnosine has shown to be advantageous towards combatting or managing metabolic, neurological, and cardiovascular disease.
2. Might encourage less fatigue and boost much-needed energy: In a 2015 study, participants with excessive fatigue ingested histidine for a few weeks. This resulted in less fatigue and “also increased the sensation of thinking clearly and feelings of attentiveness,” explains a Physiology and Behavior article.
3. May result in improved metabolism and aid obesity: During a study on middle-aged women with obesity and metabolic syndrome, “Insulin sensitivity improved significantly” after using histidine for 12 weeks, reported the Open Heart journal. Also, BMI, waist circumference and body fat all lowered in the patients who were using the amino acid.
4. Could contribute to improved brain function when combined with other amino acid building blocks: A study on individuals aged 55 and up determined that an oral therapy of “leucine, phenylalanine, and lysine supplemented with isoleucine, histidine, valine, and tryptophan” could recover cognition, concentration and psychosocial performance, reported Frontiers in Nutrition.

Should you consult a functional medicine practitioner first?

If you’re considering this amino acid for your wellness, please seek the help of a functional medicine provider beforehand (i.e., a naturopathic doctor, medical doctor, nurse practitioner who practices functional medicine wisdom). This is because this specific amino acid has a role in your allergic reaction pathways.

Histamine is a byproduct of histidine; prominent levels of it are in your tissues and blood when an allergic reaction occurs. Histamine is discharged by cells and triggers inflammation in the immune system. In turn, this could lead to symptoms such as itching, a runny nose/mucus excretion and vascular absorbency. Histamine is therefore triggered by allergic conditions, including asthma, and then treated with antihistamines.

However, when there’s a significant amount of histamine, anaphylaxis can occur. Taking supplemental histidine on its own for a long length of time could potentially boost your production of histamine, which might contribute to allergic reactions.

Another reason to see a functional medicine provider is if you suffer from dysphagia or malabsorption. An IV therapy drip with a medley of amino acids might be recommended, as it improves cellular function, automatically bypasses the digestive tract, and increases your absorption rate. IV therapy could prevent unwanted side effects that can result from ingesting oral supplements. Please contact us to learn how therapeutic doses of essential vitamins and amino acids can be considered for your health goals.

Suggested Reading: Why Chromium May Be Considered for IV Therapy in Toronto

About our integrative therapies and functional medicine programs

At the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre, our personalized service for patients focuses on integrative medicine. We inspire patients to gain control and knowledge of their health through a collaborative approach to treatment plans. Our functional medicine providers are currently meeting new patients – so let’s uncover new ways to boost your energy levels and wellbeing!

Our functional medicine programs may include IV nutrient therapy, acupuncture, allopathic medicine, and other modalities. Each and every patient is unique, which is why we consider your biology, lifestyle, environmental factors and genetics to address the cause of your health concern. Functional medicine treatments might help with managing immune function, chronic fatigue, autoimmune disease, physical performance (athletic recovery), thyroid conditions, adrenal fatigue, acute health issues (i.e. acute pain), infertility, lack of energy, and more.

Discover the restorative principles of functional medicine! Become a new patient at our clinic for IV therapy in Toronto, and uncover new methods to achieve optimal functioning. Click here to reach us for your initial consultation.

References:

Anna E Thalacker-Mercer, Mary E Gheller, Benefits and Adverse Effects of Histidine Supplementation, The Journal of Nutrition, Volume 150, Issue Supplement_1, October 2020, Pages 2588S–2592S, https://doi.org/10.1093/jn/nxaa229

DiNicolantonio JJ, McCarty MF, OKeefe JHRole of dietary histidine in the prevention of obesity and metabolic syndromeOpen Heart 2018;5:e000676. doi: 10.1136/openhrt-2017-000676

Kessler AT, Raja A. Biochemistry, Histidine. [Updated 2022 Jul 18]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538201/

Lim EWT, Leach ST, Lemberg DA, Day AS (2016) A Brief Overview of Nutrient Anti-Inflammatory Molecules and their In Vitro and In Vivo Activity. J Nutri Med Diet Care 2:018. doi.org/10.23937/2572-3278.1510018

Menon, Kirthi, Aya Mousa, and Barbora de Courten. “Effects of supplementation with carnosine and other histidine-containing dipeptides on chronic disease risk factors and outcomes: protocol for a systematic review of randomised controlled trials.” BMJ open 8.3 (2018): e020623.

Prasad, Ananda S., et al. “Duration of symptoms and plasma cytokine levels in patients with the common cold treated with zinc acetate: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.” Annals of internal medicine 133.4 (2000): 245-252.

Sasahara I, Fujimura N, Nozawa Y, Furuhata Y, Sato H. The effect of histidine on mental fatigue and cognitive performance in subjects with high fatigue and sleep disruption scores. Physiology & Behavior. 2015 Aug;147:238-244. DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2015.04.042. PMID: 25921948.

Yu   B , Li AH, Muzny D, et al.   Association of rare loss-of-function alleles in HAL, serum histidine: levels and incident coronary heart disease. Circ Cardiovasc Genet.2015;8(2):351-355.