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Alzheimer's Supplements
Acetyl-L-carnitine
Ginkgo
Huperzine A
Phosphatidylserine
Vinpocetine
Carnosine
Citrulline
Choline or Phosphatidylcholine
DHEA
Lemon Balm
N-Acetylcysteine (NAC)
Sage

Carnosine (L-carnosine)

Proposed Uses: Anti-aging nutrient; Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Conditions; Autism; Cataracts

L-carnosine, not to be confused with L-carnitine, is manufactured in the human body, made by combining the amino acids alanine and histidine. The highest levels of carnosine are found in the brain and nervous system, the lens of the eye, and skeletal muscle tissue.

There is no daily requirement of this substance because the body manufactures carnosine from common dietary proteins.

Among advocates of carnosine, there is a controversy regarding whether the proper dose is 50–150 mg per day or nearer to 1,000 mg daily. However, until carnosine has actually been shown to have any medical benefits, this argument cannot be settled.

Carnosine is widely marketed as an anti-aging nutrient. However, while there are a large number of studies that hint carnosine might help slow various aspects of aging, the quality of these studies is as yet far too low to provide any reliable evidence for benefit.

There is some actual evidence that carnosine may be helpful for children with autistic spectrum disorders. 31 children with autism were given either carnosine (400 mg twice daily) or placebo for a period of 8 weeks. The results showed that children given carnosine showed significant improvements compared to those given placebo.

Carnosine has antioxidant properties, meaning that it neutralizes dangerous, naturally occurring substances called free radicals.

Free radicals are thought to play a role in many illnesses, and on this basis many antioxidant substances have been studied for potential health-promoting properties. The best evaluated are beta-carotene, vitamin E, and vitamin C. However, despite massive amounts of research, these supplements have yet to live up to their apparent promise. Some websites claim that carnosine acts as an antioxidant in a unique way, fighting the “second wave” effects that follow attacks by free radicals. However, there is no meaningful evidence to support this theory or the hypothesis that such an effect, if it truly exists, would provide any health benefits.

Other weak evidence hints that oral carnosine might be helpful for cataracts, wound healing, Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, diseases of the digestive tract, and various forms of heart disease.

Safety Issues
The use of carnosine has not been associated with any significant side effects. However, the body deploys a range of enzymes, called carnosinases, to break down carnosine. There may be a reason for the presence of these enzymes, and overcoming them by providing large amounts of supplemental carnosine could conceivably cause harm in some as-yet unrecognized way.

Feature Article

The Fountain of Youth?

What if I told you that it may be possible for you to live to age 100 or even longer, in better health than you are in right now? And, if you are already experiencing the ill effects of aging, what if I told you that it may be possible for you to look and feel 20 years younger and stay that way beyond the age of 100.

Aside from the fact that you'd probably call me crazy, I have to tell you that we have never been as close as we are today to actually being able to extend human life!

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