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Carnosine is a small peptide that contains two amino acids, beta-
alanine and histidine. It is found in relatively high concentrations
in several body tissues - most notably in skeletal muscle, heart
muscle, and brain.
Carnosine nutrient supplements have been
very popular among body-builders and athletes mainly for improving
on muscular fatigue. Based on hundreds of studies, carnosine in now
being considered one of the most important supplements for longevity
based on its properties. The exact biological role of carnosine is
not completely understood, but studies have indicate that it
possesses strong and specific antioxidant properties, protects
against radiation damage, improves heart function, and promotes the
recovery from injuries. Additional, suggested benefits of carnosine
include it role as a neurotransmitter (chemical messenger in the
nervous system), modulator of enzyme activities, and chelator of
heavy metals (i.e., a substance that binds heavy metals, possibly
reducing their toxicity to the body).
Although carnosine's
benefits have not been thoroughly researched, based on preliminary
studies, it has also been shown that carnosine may also be useful
to:
- boost immunity and reduce inflammation
- produce anticancer effects on the body
- promote wound healing, protect against radiation damage and
reverse post-radiation syndrome. Laboratory animals treated with
carnosine were found to have faster and better wound healing rates
compared to controls. This has potential applications to treating
burns, wounds following surgery, or during nutritional preparation
for surgery.
- protect against the formation of gastric ulcers, and help heal
existing ulcers
- assist in helping to eradicate Helicobacter pylori, an
organism that has been linked to peptic ulcer and stomach cancer.
- reduce or prevent cell damage caused by beta amyloid, the
substance found in the brain of Alzheimer's disease patients
- protect against cataract formation
- reduce the effects of glucose damage and protein oxidation
- inhibit (or reverse) glycosylation and therefore slow the
damaging - and pro-aging - effects of carbohydrate consumption
- increase muscle strength and endurance
- improve overall appearance
Dosage
Dietary sources of
carnosine incude meat, poultry and fish, but with the decrease in
meat consumption, many people are getting less and less carnosine in
their diet. But even if you do eat meat, as we naturally age,
carnosine levels are reduced. This reduction in muscle carnosine
concentration may be one of the causes of the decline in muscle
mass, strength and function in the elderly.
For eradication
of H. pylori, the amount of the zinc carnosine complex used in
research studies was 150 mg twice daily. Due to the lack of human
clinical trials, recommended levels for other applications are not
known at this time.
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