Overview

Carnosine is a protein building block that is naturally produced in the body. It is found in muscles when they are working, and it is also found in the heart, brain, and many other parts of the body.

Carnosine is used by mouth to prevent signs of aging and for preventing or treating complications of diabetes such as nerve damage, eye disorders (cataracts), and kidney problems. It is also used to improve muscle strength and exercise performance along with many other uses. But there is limited scientific research to support these uses.

Classification

Is a Form of:

Protein Building Block

Primary Functions:

Prevent aging and complications of diabetes

Also Known As:

Alanyl-L-Histidine, B-Alanyl-L-Histidine, B-Alanyl Histidine, Beta-alanyl-L-histidine

How Does It Work?

Carnosine is important for many normal body functions including the proper function and development of the muscles, heart, liver, kidneys, brain, and many other organs. There is some interest in using carnosine to prevent aging because it seems to interfere with certain chemicals that might play a role in the aging process.

Uses

• Autism. Taking L-carnosine by mouth for 8 weeks may improve symptoms in children with autistism.
• Heart failure. Taking carnosine by mouth for 6 months might help people with heart failure walk farther by helping the body take in more oxygen. This might also make people feel happier.
• A group of symptoms experienced by people fighting in the Gulf War (Gulf War illness). Taking carnosine along with other medicine by mouth does not improve most symptoms of this disease, like tiredness and pain. However, it might improve symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, such as diarrhea. Also, it might help memory by a small amount.
• A condition of uncontrollable thoughts or behaviors (obsessive-compulsive disorder or OCD). Early research shows that taking carnosine twice daily by mouth for 10 weeks with the prescription drug fluvoxamine might reduce symptoms of repetition by a small amount in people with moderate to severe OCD.
• Pressure ulcers. Taking carnosine alone or with zinc by mouth might help to speed up the healing of pressure ulcers.
• Schizophrenia. Taking carnosine by mouth does not seem to make people with schizophrenia feel happier. However, it might help to improve memory.
• Aging.
• Complications of diabetes.
• Dry skin.
• Exercise performance.
• Glaucoma.
• Memory loss with aging.
• Obesity.
• Ulcerative colitis.

Recommended Dosing

The appropriate dose of carnosine depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for carnosine. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.

Carnosine Supplements Frequently Asked Questions

What is Carnosine used for?

Carnosine is used by mouth to prevent signs of aging and for preventing or treating complications of diabetes such as nerve damage, eye disorders (cataracts), and kidney problems. It is also used to improve muscle strength and exercise performance along with many other uses.

What foods are high in carnosine?

Food sources of beta-alanine and carnosine include:

• Poultry (especially white meat like that found in chicken breasts)

Do we need carnosine?

Carnosine is only found in animal-based foods. However, it's considered non-essential, as your body can form it from the amino acids histidine and beta-alanine. Subsequently, studies have shown that vegetarians have less carnosine in their muscles than meat eaters.

Is carnosine an amino acid?

Carnosine is a substance produced naturally by the body. Classified as a dipeptide, a compound made up of two linked amino acids (in this case alanine and histidine), carnosine is highly concentrated in muscle tissue and in the brain.

Can carnosine reverse wrinkles?

Research has found carnosine to be a potent inhibitor of glycation. In test tube studies, carnosine has been able to reverse aging damage to cells, resulting in more youthful and efficient function.

Does L carnosine raise blood pressure?

Carnosine might decrease blood pressure in some people. Taking carnosine along with medications used for lowering high blood pressure might cause your blood pressure to go too low. Do not take too much carnosine if you are taking medications for high blood pressure.

Does Carnosine really work?

Although it has long been known that carnosine helps reduce damaging protein glycation in the body, scientists have reported other potentially beneficial effects of carnosine as well. Moreover, this antioxidant effect occurs at concentrations of carnosine known to exist in the human body.

How can I increase my carnosine levels?

Chronic BA supplementation (4–10 weeks) has consistently been shown to elevate muscle carnosine concentrations with 40–80% (6–8), which can be beneficial for high-intensity (HI) exercise performance (9, 10). Carnosine, a dipeptide of l-histidine and BA, occurs in high concentrations in human skeletal muscles.

How is Carnosine synthesized in the body?

Carnosine is a dipeptide with a high concentration in mammalian skeletal muscle. It is synthesized by carnosine synthase from the amino acids L-histidine and beta-alanine, of which the latter is the rate-limiting precursor, and degraded by carnosinase.

Is carnosine an antioxidant?

4 CARNOSINE

Carnosine (beta-alanyl-L-histidine) is a dipeptide, a non-enzymatic free radical scavenger and a natural antioxidant [40]. It is widely distributed in tissues and exists at particularly high concentrations in muscle and brain [41].

Is L carnosine the same as zinc carnosine?

Zinc-carnosine is referred to in the literature under several names, including zinc-l-carnosine, Polaprezinc, Z-103, L-CAZ , and N(3 aminopropionyl)-L-histidine. Brand names vary, but the zinc-L-carnosine is the best-studied form of zinc-carnosine.

Is L carnosine the same as L carnitine?

Carnosine, like carnitine, comes primarily from meat. However, while their names are similar, their actions in the body are quite different. Carnosine is formed from the binding together of the amino acids alanine and histidine.

How much L carnosine should I take daily?

Whereas a 1000 mg of carnosine a day has been recommended as a supplement, there is about 1500 mg of carnosine in a pound of beef, and close to 2000 mg in similar amounts of pork or chicken²⁹. Most fish, such as salmon, are low in carnosine, but high in a substance called anserine.

Why is carnosine an anti aging dipeptide?

Carnosine (beta-alanyl-L-histidine) is a physiological dipeptide which can delay ageing and rejuvenate senescent cultured human fibroblasts. Previous studies showed that carnosine reacts with small carbonyl compounds (aldehydes and ketones) and protects macromolecules against their cross-linking actions.

Where is Carnosine found?

Carnosine is a dipeptide comprising beta-alanine and histidine. It is commonly found in proteins, and has been marketed as a meat-substitute extract since the 1800s. It is present in significant concentrations in muscle tissues in beef, turkey, pork, and in lower concentrations in chicken.

Is L carnosine safe to take?

While little is known about the safety of taking carnosine supplements, there's some concern that carnosine may disrupt your sleep. Since the health risks of carnosine supplements are unknown, it's important to seek medical advice before using carnosine.

Should l carnosine be taken on an empty stomach?

What Does L-Carnosine Do? Take 2 capsules per day with juice or water on an empty stomach or as directed by your qualified healthcare professional. Capsule consists of hydroxypropylmethylcellulose. No wheat, gluten, soybeans, dairy, egg, fish/shellfish, or peanuts/tree nuts.

Is L carnitine bad for your heart?

Scientists say they have found that fats and cholesterol are not the main reason why red meat increases susceptibility to heart disease. According to scientists, a substance in red meat called L-carnitine is linked to the risk of heart disease.

Is beta alanine the same as carnosine?

Carnosine is a histidine-containing dipeptide formed by beta-alanine (BA) and L-histidine that is abundant in human skeletal muscle. Beta-alanine is a non-proteogenic amino acid and the limiting factor for carnosine formation in the skeletal muscle.

Clinical Studies