
Carnosine can help protect your body from a wide range of age-related illnesses. Carnosine, also known as L-carnitine, was discovered over 100 years ago by two Russian scientists, Gulevitch and Amiragdibi, as a naturally occurring protein which is present in your brain, muscles and other tissues in your body.
Yet it is only recently that the incredible anti-aging properties of this amino acid have come to light - helping to protect your body from a range of age-related illnesses, from arthritis and heart disease to diabetes and Alzheimer's. It has even been found to prevent wrinkles by rejuvenating connective skin tissues! However, because levels of carnosine in your body diminish with age, many scientists are now recognising the benefits of supplementing with this essential amino acid.
Carnosine helps disarm harmful free radicals
By-products of your metabolism called free radicals are responsible for destroying valuable proteins and DNA in your body over time. Your body has developed various strategies to reduce the impact of this damage, and carnosine plays an integral part in several of these processes.
For example, carnosine is able to neutralise a chemical called MDA (malondialdehyde, which is produced as a result of free radical damage. Left unchecked, MDA can be a contributory factor in age-related conditions such as arthritis, heart disease, and high blood pressure. Carnosine is able to easily bind to the MDA molecule and thereby inactivate it.
Carnosine is also what is known as a free radical scavenger - meaning that it is able to mop up any left-over free radicals and neutralise them before they can cause any further damage. It has also been found to work much more effectively in conjunction with vitamin E - another antioxidant which mops up free radicals.
The reason for this is that carnosine's antioxidant properties are able to reach the parts of your body (those that contain water) which vitamin E is unable to access. Vitamin E can only reach the fatty parts of your body. So, using the two together provides almost complete antioxidant protection.
Extra protection against diabetes, heart disease and osteoporosis
Free radicals are not the only culprits capable of wreaking havoc on your metabolism. Another process, called glycosylation, is also thought to be just as detrimental in causing age-related damage. During glycosylation, sugar molecules attach themselves to valuable proteins, causing them to bend, twist and irreversibly attach themselves to other proteins. This can cause serious conditions such as diabetes, osteoporosis, heart disease and loss of muscle.
Carnosine helps prevent this process in several ways.
Firstly, it is able to attach itself to protein molecules before they become damaged by glycosylation - providing protection by acting as a shield. Carnosine also fights certain chemicals which initiate the process of glycosylation, by binding to them and inactivating them.
Even when a protein has already been damaged by glycosylation, carnosine helps the cells quickly eliminate the damaged material by activating enzymes and other chemicals which digest the abnormal protein.
The effects of carnosine on glycosylation have been found to be particularly beneficial in reducing the risk of diabetic complications. This is because carnosine is effective in protecting the nerves, arteries and kidneys against sugar-related damage - and it is these three areas which are most commonly affected as a result of diabetes, causing circulation problems and kidney failure.
Carnosine is showing potential as a treatment for cataracts and stomach ulcers too
Carnosine is also proving to be beneficial in other areas also. Russian scientists have manufactured carnosine eye drops for the treatment of age-related cataracts. And in experiments,carnosine eye drops were found to cure cases of cataracts in up to an amazing 100 per cent of cases!
Chinese researchers also confirmed these results in separate trials, involving almost 100 patients in one study and 1,000 patients in another.
And, when combined with zinc, carnosine has been found to protect against stomach ulcers too. In Japan, carnosine and zinc are used as a treatment for indigestion, dyspepsia and stomach ulcers.
Dosage: Carnosine oral supplementation is a relatively "new" area. Normal anti-aging dosages are 100mg-200mg of L-carnosine per day, (maximum 300mg day) with occasional breaks. Such dosages have failed to produce any report of serious side effects or contraindications to date. (It is believed that n-acetylcarnosine is not suitable for oral use as it is not absorbed through the stomach, whereas L-carnosine is).
We don't recommend larger oral dosages than 300mg per day because it may be that some of the advantages of oral carnosine supplementation comes from its breakdown. Furthermore, we know of cases of disturbing muscle twitching with 1g plus dosages.
Safety: No side-effects have been reported in association with carnosine, and it can be taken long-term to offer continuous anti-ageing protection.
Persons taking prescription medication and pregnant or lactating women should consult a physician before using this product. Long-term use of this product should be supervised and monitored by a health care professional.
Disclaimer: This product and its statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to treat, cure or prevent any disease. The above information is provided under the supplying company's terms and conditions and should not replace the advice of your personal physician. CLICK HERE TO BUY |