Carnosine is a dipeptide (i.e., a pair of amino acids) that is found in large amounts in nerve and muscle cells. It has several
properties that have endeared it to anti-aging enthusiasts:
It is a free radical quencher that protects all tissues and their DNA from oxidative damage.
It protects nerve cells from damage by zinc, copper, and amphetamines.
It appears to rejuvenate decrepit cells.
It rejuvenates connective tissue, improves wound healing.
It counteracts age-related vision problems.
It protects the brain against damage by protein cross-linking, glycation, excitotoxicity, and oxidation.
It inhibits the plaques that are associated with Alzheimer’s.
It enables the heart to contract more efficiently
It protects DNA from oxidative damage
It inhibits skin collagen cross-linking, improving elasticity and reducing wrinkles.
It inhibits free radical damage to blood proteins.
It reduces the brain damage from strokes.
It increases the average life span of animals.
Other benefits that have been reported for carnosine supplementation include:
reducing autism symptoms
improving strength in high-intensity exercise
lowering blood pressure
improving immune function
anti-cancer effects
reducing incidence of peptic ulcers
converting body fat into energy
ameliorating congestive heart failure.
The suggested dose is one 500 mg capsule, 2 or 3 times per day.
Read Carnosine Monograph
Carnosine consists of the amino acids beta-alanine and L-histidine chemically bound to each other. Nerve and muscle cells
contain high levels of carnosine.
Carnosine
is thought to be an antioxidant that quenches several of the most
destructive free radicals. This alone would qualify it as an inhibitor
of aging and the age-related ailments. Carnosine also regulates zinc
and copper concentrations in nerve cells, helping to prevent
overstimulation by these neuroactive minerals.
These antioxidative and regulatory properties may explain some of the benefits typically claimed for carnosine as a supplement.
For example, it is said that carnosine:
when used in eye drops, delays vision senescence, including that caused by cataracts
protects the brain against protein cross-linking, glycation, excitotoxicity and oxidation
inhibits plaque formation in the brain’s microvasculature, thus reducing risk of senility or Alzheimer’s disease
protects nerves from damage by methamphetamine
enables the heart to contract more efficiently
protects DNA from oxidative damage
inhibits skin collagen cross-linking, improving elasticity and reducing wrinkles
inhibits free radical damage to blood proteins;
reduces the damage normally cause by ischemic stroke
increases the average life span of animals
What we know about carnosine’s biological role makes the above claims plausible, even where scientific evaluation is lacking.
Other claimed benefits from carnosine supplementation would require different explanations. These include:
reduces autism symptoms (confirmed in a recent clinical trial)
improves strength in high-intensity exercise (suggested by a recent clinical trial)
lowers blood pressure
improves immune function
has anti-cancer effects
reduces incidence of peptic ulcers
converts body fat into energy
ameliorates congestive heart failure
The suggested dose is one 500 mg capsule, 2 or 3 times per day. Small doses (such as 50 mg) are probably useless.
