3-Methylhistidine is an amino acid which is excreted in human urine.
The measurement of 3-methylhistidine provides an index of the rate of muscle protein breakdown. 3-Methylhistidine is a biomarker for meat consumption, especially chicken. It is also a biomarker for the consumption of soy products.
This methylated form of histidine comes from muscle tissue, both dietary and endogenous, where it is part of the muscle proteins actin and myosin. A moderate level of urine 3-methylhistidine is normal.
3-Methylhistidine is a biomarker for meat consumption, especially chicken. It is also a biomarker for the consumption of soy products.
Elevated levels suggest either an inordinately high intake of dietary actin/myosin or accelerated catabolism of muscle tissue. 3-Methylhistidine excretion is increased after strenuous physical exercise and also occurs in muscle wasting conditions - dystrophies, lack of exercise, extended bed rest, terminal stages of severe illness. Convulsions and seizures also feature increased urinary 3-methylhistidine. There is some correlation between elevated 3-methylhistidine and increased need for vitamin B12, folic acid, methionine and perhaps histidine if it is marginal or low.
If these deficiencies show up elsewhere on this test, then even though protein is burning at a rate, the Krebs cycle is operating at a lower rate than normal. This is consistent with fatigue and low body temperature.
If Histidine is also high:
May indicate excessive protein intake. Muscle protein breakdown is indicated.
If Beta-Alanine is also high:
Possible cause for food sensitivity reactions when combined with low taurine and high Beta-Alanine due to impaired renal tubular resorption.
$79 per year
$6.60 per month billed annually
Use promocode
$79 per year
$250 single payment
$45 per month
Save time on interpreting lab results with the largest database of biomarkers online. In-depth research on any test at your fingertips, all stored and tracked in one place.
Learn MoreAt HealthMatters, we're committed to maintaining the security and confidentiality of your personal information. We've put industry-leading security standards in place to help protect against the loss, misuse, or alteration of the information under our control. We use procedural, physical, and electronic security methods designed to prevent unauthorized people from getting access to this information. Our internal code of conduct adds additional privacy protection. All data is backed up multiple times a day and encrypted using SSL certificates. See our Privacy Policy for more details.
1-Methylhistidine (Plasma), 3-Methylhistidine (Plasma), Alanine (Plasma), Alpha-Amino-n-butyric acid (Plasma), Alpha-Aminoadipic Acid (Plasma), Alpha-ANB/Leucine, Anserine (Plasma), Arginine (Plasma), Asparagine (Plasma), Aspartic Acid (Plasma), Beta-Alanine, Beta-Aminoisobutyric Acid (Plasma), Carnosine (Plasma), Citrulline, Cystathionine (Plasma), Cystine, Ethanolamine (Plasma), g-Aminobutyric Acid (Plasma), Glutamic Acid (Plasma), Glutamic Acid/Glutamine, Glutamine (Plasma), Glycine (Plasma), Histidine (Plasma), Homocysteine (Genova), Homocystine (Genova), Hydroxylysine (Genova), Hydroxyproline (Genova), Hydroxyproline/Proline (Genova), Isoleucine (Plasma), Leucine (Plasma), Lysine (Plasma), Methionine (Plasma), Ornithine (Genova), Phenylalanine (Plasma), Phenylalanine/Tyrosine (Genova), Phosphoethanolamine (Plasma), Phosphoserine (Plasma), Proline (Plasma), Sarcosine (Plasma), Serine (Plasma), Taurine (Plasma), Threonine (Plasma), Tryptophan (Plasma), Tryptophan/LNAA (Genova), Tyrosine (Plasma), Valine (Plasma)