Many health-conscious individuals, including athletes, buy carnosine supplements in the USA, Canada, the UK, and Australia and in other countries.
Carnosine is an antioxidant amino acid that fights free radical damage, reduces signs of aging, and may also improve memory and mood and boost athletic endurance.
L-carnosine is an amino acid dipeptide and antioxidant which is formed by the covalent bonding of the amino acids L-histidine and L-alanine.
It is found in relatively high concentrations in several body tissues, including the skeletal muscle, skin, kidneys, stomach, heart muscle, nerve tissue, and brain tissues.
L-carnosine is taken as dietary supplements due to its ability to scavenge reactive oxygen species and supporting cellular structural components from oxidative stress.
It functions as a broad-spectrum antioxidant and supports the healthy functioning of enzyme systems in the body, and many scientists believe that carnosine plays a role in supporting longevity in some of our most vital organs.
L-carnosine supplements are available in pill capsule and bulk powder form that is sold as single-ingredient formulations or in complexes with complementary products.
Consumers can alternatively buy beta-alanine supplements to increase levels of this peptide.
The health benefits of carnosine are believed to stem primarily from combined antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
It also inhibits the formation of cross-linking and glycation end products, which are markers of aging.
Where to Buy L-Carnosine
L-carnosine is usually sold in 500 mg capsules, as a bulk powder or in the form of eye drops for vision health.
The bulk powder is the lowest priced option in terms of cost-effectiveness, though many prefer the convenience of using pills.
Popular brands of L-carnosine sold on Amazon and GNC include Now Foods, Source Naturals, Jarrow Formulas, Life Extension, BulkSupplements, etc…
The reason that bodybuilders, athletes, and other individuals buy carnosine products is to increase endogenous levels of the compound, to promote specific health benefits.
Sprinters have been found to have higher levels of carnosine in their muscles when compared with untrained individuals.
This supplement is believed to support athletic performance, serving as an acid buffer in the muscles.
Carnosine Eye Drops
L-carnosine is sometimes used in treatment for eye disorders and ocular health.
The L form of carnosine, L-carnosine is not suitable for use as an eye drop medicine since this type of use would release harmful histidine molecules which could cause serious, long-term injuries to the eyes.
N-acetyl carnosine is used instead. 1% N-acetyl carnosine has been used to treat cataracts.
Using two drops in each eye, twice daily for 2 years has been used with no adverse effects reported.
Carnosine for Autism
There is some research suggesting that carnosine supplements may have positive effects on patients with autism.
L-carnosine benefits for autism may include improving symptom severity, behavior, socialization, communication, vocabulary, as well as improving resistance to functional fatigue.
Carnosine may also function to protect individual neurons from ischemic trauma and oxidative stress.
Some research has used 800 mg daily doses of carnosine for autism, and some studies have found out that this supplement improved communication and overall behavior patterns.
Though, some subjects experienced temporary hyperactivity but reducing the daily amount administered remedied this L-carnosine side effect.
Carnosine for Diabetes
Diabetes is a term for a set of conditions marked by dysfunctions in energy metabolism.
These conditions are marked by chronically high blood glucose levels that can result from over-secretion of insulin through the pancreas, or from biologic insensitivity to insulin.
In animal research, L-carnosine administration was found to reduce blood glucose levels and increases the amount of insulin-secreting cells inside the pancreas.
It further stabilizes the structure of red blood cells (erythrocytes), protecting against accumulations of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) which causative agents of diabetic complications.
It is believed that L-carnosine may help to treat type 2 diabetes symptoms in humans.
Conclusions
Supplemental L-carnosine, it is believed to serve multiple integral roles in the body, although reliable human research is currently limited to its use.
It demonstrates antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects and also demonstrates anti-diabetic, anti-cancer, cardioprotective, anti-ischemic, and other vital roles or properties in clinical trials.
It is always best to discuss supplementation with a doctor first if you are considering buying carnosine supplements for any specific therapeutic purpose.
L-carnosine is very low in toxicity and well-tolerated in most users, however, be cautious when combining carnosine usage with other supplements that can cause blood sugar levels to drop.