L-Carnosine Benefits for Health, Diabetes, Cancer & More

L-carnosine benefits for health include combatting the effects of aging and promoting exercise performance. L-carnosine is also used for and treating certain complications associated with diabetes, kidney dysfunction and eye disorders.

Carnosine is a small dipeptide created by the joining of L-histidine and beta alanine; both of which are nonessential amino acids. It is found in the muscles, brain, heart, kidneys, liver and various other organs and tissues throughout the body.

Research shows that sprinters tend to have higher levels of carnosine in their muscles compared to marathon runners and sedentary individuals. Sprinters also tend to have increased endurance on anaerobic speed tests.

For this reason, many athletes take supplements to increase their carnosine levels to boost stamina and prevent muscle fatigue during intense workouts. Additional health benefits from carnosine are attributed to its anti-oxidant properties and its ability to suppress the formation of advanced glycosylation end products (AGE) and cross-linking.

Carnosine

Bodybuilding Supplement

Endurance

Body- building

Anti- Aging

How It Works:

• Supports athletic peformance & muscle vitality
• Anti-oxidant with anti-glycation effects
• May boost immune system & anti-inflammatory

Dosage:

500 mg per day

Safety:

Generally Well Tolerated

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L-Carnosine Health Benefits

L-Carnosine plays a number of important roles in the body, acting as an acid buffer in muscle cells. When we exercise at a high rate of intensity (such as in High Intensity Interval Training), there is an increase in hydrogen ion concentration in muscle tissue.

Anaerobic metabolism results in the production of lactic acid in the muscles. This changes the pH balance of muscle cells and leads to the burning sensation that athletes feel when working out.

L-Carnosine has been found to buffer against this effect, thereby promoting improved muscle endurance. This one of the reasons why L-carnosine is widely used among athletes, bodybuilders, runners, cyclists and more.

While endogenous carnosine does provide this benefit, there is inconclusive evidence to demonstrate that supplementing with L-carnosine capsules or powder can improve exercise performance. Instead, many supplement with Beta-alanine, which is a precursor to carnosine, to improve stamina and overcome muscle fatigue.

L-carnosine is also being researched for its effects on type 2 diabetes mellitus, heart disease, autism, obesity, chronic inflammation and more. Large-scale human trials are required to determine the full therapeutic potentials of this natural, non-toxic substance.

L-Carnosine in Foods

L-carnosine levels tend to be deficient in vegetarians and other groups who do not eat large amounts of meat in their diet. For these individuals, supplementation may be beneficial, though research remains inconclusive.

The main dietary sources of carnosine are meats, especially red meats. However, serum carnosine gained from the diet is quickly degraded by the actions of carnosinase, an dipeptidase enzyme.

Carnosinase hydrolizes carnosine, as well as other peptides which contain L-histidine. Routine use of a L-carnosine supplement may overwhelm the effects of carnosinase and help to maintain higher serum carnosine levels.

As stated previously, another option is to supplement with beta-alanine in capsule or powder form. Beta-alanine has been shown to increase muscle carnosine levels to a greater degree than if you were to supplement orally with L-Carnosine products.

L-Carnosine Benefits for Diabetes

L-carnosine benefits for diabetes include combating the effects of elevated blood glucose levels, especially over time. Animal research shows that carnosine administration increases the number of pancreatic cells which secrete insulin.

Carnosine also stabilizes erythrocyte (red blood cell) membranes, helping to protect them against the long-term damage caused by advanced glycation end products (AGE) in diabetes.

L-carnosine benefits also include acting on different intracellular targets to suppress glycation reactions which cause diabetic dysfunction. In multiple trials, carnosine administration reduced blood glucose levels in diabetic animal subjects.

It may help to manage the long-term symptoms of type 2 diabetes mellitus in humans by increasing sensitivity to insulin and modulating serum glucose levels. Research has not validated this use.

L-Carnosine Benefits for Autism

L-carnosine benefits for the brain are not yet well understood. However, it is known that carnosinase is synthesized inside the brain. It is then released systemically.

Deficiencies of serum carnosinase have been associated with certain neurologic deficits. Patients with MS (multiple sclerosis) and certain neurological conditions demonstrate low serum carnosine concentrations.

L-carnosine benefits for autism and other neurological conditions are being explored clinically. Researchers believe that L-carnosine benefits include protecting neuronal cells from damages incurred from oxidative stress and/or ischemic trauma.

L-carnosine may also help to strengthen resistance to functional exhaustion, and impede the accumulation of some senility markers.

Preliminary research suggests that 800 mg daily doses over 8 weeks may help to reduce some symptoms of autism spectrum disorder.

In one study using this dosage levels, hyperactivity resulted in some subjects. This side effect was alleviated by reducing the daily amount administered.

L-Carnosine Benefits for Cardiovascular Health

L-carnosine benefits for heart health include decreasing oxidant stress, improving lipid profiles, promoting vasodilation, scavenging radical agents and inhibiting certain activities in the sympathetic nervous system.

Oxidative stress is strongly associated with shortening lifespans, particularly in terms of increasing risks for developing arterial plaque, atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease and stroke.

L-carnosine provides strong antioxidant effects. It scavenges ROS (reactive oxygen species), RNS (reactive nitrogen species), free radicals like superoxide and other radical agents which cause accumulations of AGEs.

L-carnosine benefits also include protecting DNA from damage. It binds to aged, glycated proteins and helps to remove them from the body.

Carnosine also inhibits certain actions of the sympathetic nervous system which act to modulate transient hypertension (high blood pressure). In this way, it may diminish blood pressure spikes associated with obesity.

L-Carnosine Benefits in Muscles

Research has shown that increasing intramuscular carnosine levels via oral administration of beta alanine causes certain improvements to physical performance capacities.

In multiple studies involving elderly patients, collegiate football players, runners, sprinters, bodybuilders and others, beta alanine and muscle L-carnosine benefits include:

• Increasing muscular endurance, especially in the 1-4 minute range;
• Increasing performance on certain strength tests;
• Reducing muscular fatigue;
• Increasing lean mass;
• Increasing VO2max;

While considerable research has been completed addressing the effects of beta alanine on intramuscular carnosine concentrations, little research has been completed on L-carnosine as a dietary supplement itself.

Research continues to explore the physical performance-enhancing benefits of L-carnosine.

L-Carnosine Benefits for Cancer

Increasing research centers on using L-carnosine for cancer. Researchers are attempting to understand the ways in which carnosine’s anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and other properties may provide novel approaches for cancer prevention and/or treatment.

In cultured human cells, L-carnosine has blocked DNA damage which can transform normal, healthy cells into cancerous cells.

L-carnosine inhibits the secretion of certain inflammatory cytokines in the intestines. This is helpful at reducing risks for colorectal cancers. L-carnosine seems to disrupt the energy cycles of cancer cells and discourage new metastasis.

L-Carnosine Antiaging Benefits

The multiple therapeutic potentials of L-carnosine administration are believed to slow down the effects of aging. By helping to maintain cell, tissue and organ integrity, L-carnosine is touted by some as a way to elongate lifespan and improve quality of life.

It is important to note that while isolated studies have shown some anti-aging mechanisms, there is no research showing that L-carnosine alone can increase lifespan in humans. These research studies are by their very nature difficult to run and require significant resources, which is why few studies have addressed this question directly.

L-Carnosine Benefits Dosage Recommendations

An average red meat-based meal provides about 250 mg of L-carnosine. This amount has been shown to be rapidly diminished in serum samples via the actions of carnosinase.

L-carnosine supplements are popularly sold in 500 mg capsules. Always follow dosing recommendations from the manufacturer of the supplement products you select.

L-carnosine supplementation is not associated with any serious or lasting side effects. Caution is advised if using carnosine with medications or herbal supplements with hypoglycemic potentials. Discuss the safety and benefits of taking L-carnosine with a doctor who knows about your health history and medications.

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