An Amino Acid that fights age related damage. Protects and extends the functional life of the bodies key building blocks - cells, proteins, DNA, Lipids and is an agent of Longevity. It is safe and naturally present in the body and food and has demonstrated prolongation of lifespan. Functions as an anti-oxidant, helps to prevent cancer and may facilitate the regression of some types of cancer. Stimulates the immune system, prevents cataracts. Rejuvenates collective tissue cells. Carnosine stands out as the most promising multimodel life extension discovery of recent years. It extends lifespan at the level of the cell and the organism. Fundamental to any life extension program. Helps prevent Neurological degeneration and cellular senescence (cell aging)
Description
Carnosine is a type of endogenous Dipeptide composed of one molecule each of Histidine and Alanine.
Health Benefits of Carnosine
Aging Process
Carnosine may retard some aspects of the Aging Process (specifically it may maintain the defence mechanisms of Fibroblasts, may inhibit Cross-Linking and may improve the efficiency of the synthesis of endogenous Proteins). The body’s levels of Carnosine decline by up to 63% in tandem with the progression of the Aging Process. Carnosine may possess Life Extension properties (in mice it has extended life span by an average of 20%):
* Carnosine may rejuvenate Cells that have reached their Hayflick Limit (causing the senescent phenotype of old Cells that have reached their Hayflick Limit to revert to their juvenile phenotype state). This is one of the mechanisms for the possible Life Extension properties of Carnosine.
Cardiovascular System
Carnosine may help to prevent (chemical-induced) Hemolytic Anemia (by stabilizing the Cell Membranes of Red Blood Cells). Carnosine may help to prevent abnormal Blood Clotting (by reducing platelet aggregation). Carnosine may lower Blood Pressure in Hypertension patients.
Carnosine (if consumed prior to the occurrence of a Stroke) may help to prolong survival in persons who experience an ischemic Stroke (due to its ability to protect the Brain against the toxic effects of Ischemia).
Cells
Carnosine functions as an Antioxidant in Cell Membranes and prevents lipid peroxidation within Cell Membranes. Carnosine may protect Chromosomes from the toxic effects of exposure to excessive Oxygen. Carnosine may help to protect Proteasomes from age-related damage and enhances their ability to undertake Proteolysis. Carnosine may rejuvenate Senescent Cells that have reached their Hayflick Limit (causing the senescent phenotype of Senescent Cells that have reached their Hayflick Limit to revert to their juvenile phenotype state). Digestive System
Carnosine may help to prevent Gastric Ulcers and may accelerate the healing of Gastric Ulcers.
Eyes/Vision
Carnosine (eye drops containing the N-Acetyl-Carnosine (NC) form) applied topically) may improve vision in many types of Eyesight Ailments:
* Carnosine concentrates in the Lens of the Eyes where it may help to prevent Cataracts (via its Antioxidant properties). * N-Acetyl-Carnosine (eyedrops applied topically) may significantly improve the condition of (and may reverse) existing Cataracts. * N-Acetyl-Carnosine (applied topically to the Eyes as a constituent of eye drops) may be useful for the treatment of Glaucoma.
N-Acetyl-Carnosine (eye drops applied topically) may totally eliminate Eye Fatigue. N-Acetyl-Carnosine (eye drops applied topically) may improve Sight (eyesight). Immune System
Carnosine may help to prevent Cancer and may facilitate the regression of some types of Cancer (it inhibits the process of glycolysis in Cancer cells Cancer cells are highly dependent upon glycolysis to meet their requirement for the energy that helps them to grow and replicate):
* Carnosine (especially when used concurrently with Vitamin E) may help to prevent Breast Cancer.
Carnosine may stimulate the Immune System:
Carnosine may activate B-Lymphocytes. Carnosine may increase the production of Interleukin 1 by Neutrophils and enhances the function of Neutrophils. Carnosine may activate T-Lymphocytes. Carnosine may reduce Inflammation. Metabolism
Carnosine may prevent the Cross-Linking of endogenous Proteins and blocks the production of Advanced Glycosylation End-Products (AGEs) and Carbonylated Proteins that are formed as a result of Cross-Linking:
Carnosine may interact with and may deactivate various Aldehydes and Ketones that initiate the process of Cross-Linking and which initiate the formation of Advanced Glycosylation End-Products (AGEs). Carnosine may reverse pre-existing Cross-Linking. It binds to already formed Advanced Glycosylation End-Products (AGEs) and may then deactivate them. Carnosine may enhance the ability of Macrophages to recognize and eliminate Advanced Glycosylation End-Products (AGEs).
Carnosine may protect the Brain against the toxic effects of Ischemia. Carnosine may enhance the performance of people who undertake Isotonic Exercise (i.e. weight lifting).
Carnosine may help to protect the Liver from the effects of various Toxins (including Carbon Tetrachloride).
Musculoskeletal System
Carnosine may help to rejuvenate Connective Tissue Cells. Carnosine may help to prevent age-related Muscular Atrophy (Sarcopenia). (Duchenne) Muscular Dystrophy patients often have low levels of Carnosine (indicating that supplemental Carnosine may be useful for the treatment of this form of Muscular Dystrophy).
Carnosine Concentrates in Skeletal Muscle.
Nervous System
Carnosine may help to prevent Alzheimer’s Disease (by inhibiting the damage caused by Amyloid-Beta Protein):
* Carnosine may block the formation of Amyloid-Beta Protein, may inactivate Amyloid-Beta Protein and may prevent the Cell damage caused by Amyloid-Beta Protein. Carnosine may also inhibit the Cross-Linking of Amyloid-Beta Protein that leads to the formation of the senile plaques in the Brains of Alzheimer’s Disease patients.
Carnosine may improve behavior and language ability in children with Autism. Carnosine concentrates in the Brain (where it may help to counteract excitotoxicity and the toxic effects of Copper and Zinc in the Brain). It may also help to protect the Brain against the toxic effects of Ischemia.
Skin
Carnosine may maintain the defence mechanisms of Fibroblasts and may inhibit oxidative damage to Fibroblasts. Carnosine is speculated to be useful for the treatment of Scleroderma (due to its anti-Cross-Linking properties). Carnosine may accelerate the healing of Wounds:
* Carnosine may accelerate the healing of Burns. Carnosine may improve the healing of the Wounds that occur as a result of Surgery.
Carnosine (consumed orally or applied topically) may help to prevent and reverse Wrinkles (by preventing and reversing the Cross-Linking of the Skin that leads to Wrinkles). Carnosine may Enhance the Function of these Substances
Immune System Chemicals
Carnosine may increase the production of Interleukin 1 by Neutrophils.
Vitamins
Carnosine may inhibit the degradation of Vitamin E (due to the Antioxidant properties of Carnosine). Carnosine may Inhibit these Toxic Substances
Aldehydes
Carnosine may block the toxic effects of Aldehydes: Carnosine may block the toxic effects of Malondialdehyde.
Environmental Toxins
Carnosine may help to protect the Liver from the toxic effects of Carbon Tetrachloride.
Minerals
Carnosine may counteract the ability of excessive Copper to damage the Brain. Carnosine may counteract the ability of excessive Zinc to damage the Brain.
Proteins
Carnosine may block and inactivate Amyloid-Beta Protein and may prevent the Cell damage caused by Amyloid -Beta Protein. Carnosine may also inhibit the Cross-Linking of Amyloid-Beta Protein that leads to the formation of the senile plaques in the Brains of Alzheimer’s Disease patients. These Substances may Interfere with Carnosine
Peptides
Carnosinase interferes with Carnosine (by hydrolyzing it). This increases the dosage of supplemental Carnosine that must be ingested before this enzyme is “exhausted”. It has been suggested that supplementing with other Dipeptides acted upon by Carnosinase may be a means of reducing the effective dosage of supplemental Carnosine (by diverting Carnosinase into hydrolyzing its other substrates).
These Ailments may Interfere with Carnosine
Nervous System
Excessive Stress may cause the depletion of Carnosine.
Forms of Carnosine
L-Carnosine is the form of Carnosine used in oral products. N-Acetyl-Carnosine (NC) is the form of Carnosine used in topical Carnosine eye drops. It is claimed that this form of Carnosine is not subject to degradation by the Carnosinase enzyme. It appears to “work” as a slow-release form of Carnosine. Unlike L-Carnosine, N-Acetyl-Carnosine is claimed to be lipid-soluble. Bioavailability
Carnosine is well-absorbed when consumed orally (70% or more of orally-consumed Carnosine is absorbed).
Dosage Recommendations
The standard therapeutic dosage of supplemental Carnosine is 50 1,500 mg per day. One school of thought claims that doses of supplemental Carnosine lower than 1,000 mg per day may be useless as the Carnosinase enzyme unavoidably acts on (destroys) a large amount of Carnosine. Another school of thought dispels the “Carnosinase theory” and claims that doses of as low as 50 mg per day exert therapeutic effects.
