Carnosine and L-Carnosine

Carnosine is a small peptide that contains two amino acids, beta- alanine and histidine. It is found in relatively high concentrations in several body tissues, most notably in skeletal muscles, heart muscles, and the brain.

Carnosine nutrient supplements have been very popular among body-builders and athletes mainly for improving muscular fatigue. Based on hundreds of studies, carnosine in now being considered one of the most important supplements for longevity based on its properties. The exact biological role of carnosine is not completely understood, but studies indicate that it possesses strong and specific antioxidant properties, protects against radiation damage, improves heart function, and promotes the recovery from injuries. Additional, suggested benefits of carnosine include its role as a neurotransmitter (chemical messenger in the nervous system), modulator of enzyme activities, and chelator of heavy metals (i.e., a substance that binds heavy metals, possibly reducing their toxicity to the body).

Although carnosine's benefits have not been thoroughly researched, based on preliminary studies, it has also been shown that carnosine may also be useful to:

  • Boost immunity and reduce inflammation
  • Produce anticancer effects on the body
  • Promote wound healing, protect against radiation damage and reverse post-radiation syndrome. Laboratory animals treated with carnosine were found to have faster and better wound healing rates compared to controls. This has potential applications for treating burns, wounds following surgery, or during nutritional preparation for surgery.
  • Protect against the formation of gastric ulcers, and help heal existing ulcers
  • Assist in helping to eradicate Helicobacter pylori, an organism that has been linked to peptic ulcer and stomach cancer.
  • Reduce or prevent cell damage caused by beta amyloid, the substance found in the brain of Alzheimer's disease patients
  • Protect against cataract formation
  • Reduce the effects of glucose damage and protein oxidation
  • Inhibit (or reverse) glycosylation and therefore slow the damaging - and pro-aging - effects of carbohydrate consumption
  • Increase muscle strength and endurance
  • Improve overall appearance
Dosage

Dietary sources of carnosine include meat, poultry, and fish, but with the decrease in meat consumption, many people are getting less and less carnosine in their diet. Even if you do eat meat, as we naturally age, carnosine levels are reduced. This reduction in muscle carnosine concentration may be one of the causes of the decline in muscle mass, strength, and function in the elderly.

For eradication of H. pylori, the amount of the zinc carnosine complex used in research studies was 150 mg twice daily. Due to the lack of human clinical trials, recommended levels for other applications are not known at this time.