Generality
Carnosine is a dipeptide formed by the union of two amino acids, called, respectively, histidine and-alanine; for this reason it is also known as Β-alanin-L-histidine.
For this reason, it is possible to find Carnosine in nature in foods such as beef (150-450 mg per ha) and chicken (50-200 mg per ha), while it is practically absent in the plant kingdom.
However, the vegetarian diet is still very rich in antioxidants, therefore, considering also the presence in our organism of an enzyme capable of synthesizing it, any lack of food should not worry vegan people that much.
Carnosine has been particularly successful in recent years due to its antioxidant and buffering activity, valuable in some areas such as antiaging medicine and sports dietetics.
Indications
Why is Carnosine used? What is it for?
Antioxidant, buffer and antigent activity are classically attributed to Carnosine.
For these reasons, Carnosine based supplements are classically used:
- As antiaging remedies;
- As neuroprotective agents;
- As antioxidants;
- As anti-inflammatory agents;
- As muscle buffer systems during moderate to high intensity performance.
By virtue of these activities, Carnosine is successfully used in the prevention of oxidative states such as cataracts, in antiaging medicine and in sports.
Carnosine - Chemical Structure
In recent work, Carnosine would also prove to be a useful molecule from the immunomodulatory activity.
Property and Effectiveness
What benefit has Carnosine shown during the studies?
The important body of literature related to the clinical efficacy of Carnosine, has allowed over time to adequately characterize the biological properties of this molecule.
anti-duplication and anti-aging activity
Carnosine helps prevent glycosylation, a process in which there is a non-enzymatic reaction of the sugars with the amino acids that make up the proteins.
AGEs (advanced glycosylation products) are the end result of this process. Their accumulation decreases renal and nerve function, also increasing the risk of mortality from cardiovascular diseases and tumors.
According to some theories, AGEs are the basis of the natural aging process.
The formation of AGEs is facilitated by high blood sugar levels and these products are the main culprits of diabetes-associated diseases.
In 1999, Australian researchers confirmed Carnosine's ability to increase the longevity of human fibroblasts in vitro. Carnosine managed to increase the maximum number of cell divisions from 50 to more than 60. This parameter is one of the pillars of Haflick's aging theory, which during his studies showed that the number of fibroblast replications belonging to various animal species it was proportional to the maximum length of life of the animal itself.
Although its real properties are not yet clear, Carnosine has all the prerequisites for becoming the anti-aging supplement of the future.
Carnosine and antioxidant activity
During the studies, Carnosine proved to be an excellent antioxidant.
In addition to the direct scavanger activity against oxygen and nitrogen free radicals, Carnosine would be effective in protecting cellular structures from the formation of non-functional adducts.
This mechanism would be the basis of the neuroprotective action, and more generally cytoprotective, of Carnosine.
Recent studies, conducted in vitro, would have also demonstrated the usefulness of Carnosine in reducing the levels of oxidation of LDL, thus carrying out an important preventive action against atherosclerotic damage.
Part of the success of Carnosine in sports, it would also be attributed to its antioxidant property, which is valuable in protecting muscle fibers from damage caused by reactive oxygen species.
Carnosine and buffer activity
During moderate intensity exercise there is a muscular accumulation of lactic acid and hydrogen ions, with a sharp drop in the cytosolic pH.
The fall in muscle pH would seem to be associated with a progressive decline in contractile capacity, with the inevitable reduction in performance.
Carnosine would perform an impressive buffering activity, thus preserving maintenance towards more neutral values of cellular pH, and indirectly contributing to improving performance.
Doses and method of use
How to use Carnosine?
The doses of Carnosine most used in studies are generally between 100 and 500 mg daily.
However, there are works in which Carnosine has been taken even at dosages higher than one gram, without however any particularly significant advantages.
In sports, Carnosine activity could be supported by the simultaneous intake of other antioxidants, especially if taken in the immediate pre-workout phases.
Side effects
The use of Carnosine is generally safe and well tolerated.
However, no side effects derived from prolonged administration of Carnosine are known.
Contraindications
When should Carnosine not be used?
The use of Carnosine is contraindicated in case of known hypersensitivity to the active ingredient and in the course of clinically relevant hepatic and renal diseases.
Pharmacological Interactions
Which drugs or foods can modify the effect of Carnosine?
Not known drug interactions are currently known.
Precautions for use
What do you need to know before taking Carnosine?
Given the lack of studies able to characterize the safety of Carnosine for pregnant and nursing mothers, it is advisable to avoid its use during pregnancy and the subsequent period of breastfeeding.
The use of Carnosine, in the presence of overt pathological conditions, should be supervised by the doctor.
