l-Carnosine

Antioxidant dipeptide for cell protection

l-Carnosine (beta-alanyl-L-histidine) occurs naturally in the body's muscle and nervous tissues and is formed by the amino acids alanine and histidine. Levels of this dipeptide can decline with age. It is a water-soluble antioxidant with free-radical scavenging activity and is believed to promote cell health and cell longevity. In vitro, l-carnosine maintains healthy advanced glycation end-product, or AGE, activity. These end-products are formed when aldehydes (such as aldose and ketose sugars) and lipid peroxidation by-products bind to proteins. l-Carnosine plays a role in maintaining DNA integrity. l-Carnosine may also support superoxide dismutase activity. In addition, l-carnosine may help to maintain healthy peptide metabolism in the brain and its membrane-stabilizing properties support healthy lactate dehydrogenase activity of cardiovascular cells. The concentration of l-carnosine in muscle may prove to be an important factor in high-intensity exercise performance based on a recent human study.

Serving Size: 1 capsule
Servings Per Container: 60

Amount per Serving:

• l-carnosine (beta-alanyl-L-histidine) 500 mg

Recommended Dosage:
Take 1-3 capsules per day, in divided doses, between meals.

Warning: Not to be taken by pregnant or lactating women.

Uses For l-Carnosine
Antioxidant Support: l-Carnosine is a water-soluble antioxidant with well-documented free-radical scavenging activity and is believed to promote cell health and cell longevity. In vitro experiments show carnosine to be a potent scavenger of peroxyl and hydroxyl radicals. Carnosine may also help to maintain superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. SOD is an important antioxidant enzyme.
Cellular Support: In vitro, it helps to protect proteins from the formation of advanced glycosylation end-products. These end-products are formed when aldehydes (such as aldose and ketose sugars) and lipid peroxidation by-products bind to vital proteins and compromise their function. l-Carnosine also plays a role in protecting DNA from the effects of acetaldehyde and formaldehyde.
Nervous System Support: l-Carnosine may help to maintain healthy peptide metabolism in the brain, supporting neuronal cell health.
Cardiovascular Support: Its membrane-stabilizing properties maintain healthy lactate dehydrogenase activity of cardiovascular cells, providing a protective effect.
Muscular Support: The concentration of l-carnosine in muscle may prove to be an important factor in high-intensity exercise performance based on a recent human study.
Liver Support: A preliminary animal study shows carnosine has the potential to support healthy liver function.

What Is The Source?
l-Carnosine is synthetically produced.

Are There Any Potential Side Effects Or Precautions?
Not to be taken by pregnant or lactating women. At this time, there are no known side effects or precautions.

Are There Any Potential Drug Interactions?
In animal studies, carnosine has been shown to inhibit intestinal uptake of several antibiotics. This has not been shown in humans, but it might be wise for those taking antibiotics to make sure they don't take carnosine at the same time.

References:

1. Kang JH, Kim KS, Choi SY, Kwon HY, Won MH, Kang TC. Carnosine and related dipeptides protect human ceruloplasmin against peroxyl radicalmediated modification. Mol Cells 2002 Jun 30;13(3):498-502.
2. Hipkiss AR, Preston JE, Himsworth DT, Worthington VC, Keown M, Michaelis J, Lawrence J, Mateen A, Allende L, Eagles PA, Abbott NJ. Pluripotent protective effects of carnosine, a naturally occurring dipeptide. Ann N Y Acad Sci 1998 Nov 20;854:37-53.
3. Prokop'eva VD, Laptev BI, Afanas'ev SA. The protective effect of carnosine in hypoxia and reoxygenation of the isolated rat heart. Biokhimiia 1992 Sep;57(9):1389-92.