Carnosine is a potent anti-oxidant that prevents cell damage and improves cell function
Carnosine is a natural amino-acid with a number of interesting actions. It is a potent anti-oxidant, it helps to chelate ionic metals (flush toxins from the body), it has immune boosting properties, it is known to reduce and prevent cell damage caused by beta amyloid (the substance found in the brain of Alzheimer disease patients) and recent evidence even suggests that Carnosine has a important role in the sense of smell.
Carnosine helps to prevent glycosylation – the cross linking of proteins and DNA molecules caused by sugar aldehydes reacting with the amino acids on the protein molecule and creating Advance Glycosylation End-products (AGE’s). Cross linking is the effect that occurs when you cut an apple in half and it gradually turns yellow. Such anti-glycosylation may be beneficial for diabetes, cataracts, neuropathy, kidney failure and skin conditions, as well as more general anti-aging properties, especially improving skin condition.
In 1999, Australian researchers confirmed that Carnosine increases the longevity of human fibroblast cells in the laboratory. Carnosine extended the Hayflick limit (the maximum number of times a cell can divide) from 50 to up to an additional 10 times. It has also been shown that animals with higher levels of Carnosine appear to live longer. Although research is still taking place in this area, Carnosine may become a common supplement for longevity.
The Russian’s use carnosine in an eye-drop form to help eradicate senile cataract problems with great success. This type of carnosine eye-drop may have very important anti-aging eye functions because it is breaking protein cross-links, not just inhibiting them. It is important to note however, that the Russians have been using a ‘special’ kind of carnosine known as N-alpha acetylcarnosine or NAC for this purpose. For further details see Can-C.
Another very interesting aspect to carnosine is its ability to help block the accumulation of lactic acid. Lactic acid is the substance that literally triggers the pain in muscles after periods of intensive exercise. Carnosine when taken before and after exercise can therefore reduce and often even eliminate this aching pain, ideal for the climb up to the 19th hole!
Usual anti-aging dosages are from 100mg to 300mg (maximum 600mg day) per day with occasional breaks. The synergetic and protective use of Centrophenoxine may be beneficial with long-term oral Carnosine use.
We do not recommend oral dosages larger than 600mg per day. We are aware of cases of muscle twitching with 1g plus dosages. (Note: We are aware that some companies are suggesting dosages of 1000mg per day. The potential reasons against these mega-dosages are discussed by Marios Kyriazis MD, Dr. Hipkiss and Ward Dean MD in the Product Questions and Answers section). You can also read the IAS interview with Dr. Kyriazis by clicking here.
I notice a general lift whenever I take carnosine supplements.
P.M., Thailand
I believe that the varied benefits of L-carnosine will make it as popular as vitamin E in a few years time.
Tom Johnson BSc, Monaco
