Nutraceuticals and nootropics for anti-aging

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:

• rejuvenates cells approaching senescence
• rejuvenates connective tissue cells, improving wound healing
• 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.

Carnosine — the great protector

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.

For more information on this supplement, click the “Description” tab above.

Pronunciation: carnosine 

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— RM

Last modified 2010.08.30

LifeLink’s Carnosine is a product of Jarrow.