| Carnosine | |||||
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Carnosine is a small molecule that is made up of the essential amino acids histidine and beta-alanine. Carnosine is one of the non-essential amino acids.
Carnosine is found in high amounts in several body tissues — skeletal muscles, heart muscle, nerve tissue and in the brain.
- Carnosine is known as the "anti-ageing", antioxidant dipeptide
- Carnosine, together with zinc (as zinc-carnosine) has been shown in studies to help heal stomach ulcers
- Carnosine is found mostly in meats and beans
- Carnosine has potent antioxidant properties
- Carnosine is found in healthy muscles, hearth, brain, liver, kidneys and other tissues
- Carnosine is an aldehyde scavenger
Carnosine is often termed a neuropeptide due to its protective properties on the brain.
Carnosine acts together with the other main antioxidants - vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin C, zinc and selenium. It spares their consumption in the tissues, so enhances their longevity in the body.
Last reviewed: 14 January 2007 || Last updated: 21 August 2007
Related Articles
references
- Osiecki, Henry, The Nutrient Bible 2002, BioConcepts Publishing
- Osiecki, Henry. The Physician's Handbook of Clinical Nutrition. 6th edition, 2001, BioConcepts Publishing
- Rolfes SR, Pinna K, Whitney E. Understanding Normal and Clinical Nutrition. 7th Edition, 2005. Brooks Cole Publishing
To learn more, go to the the following web sites:
NOTE: Mega doses of any type of vitamin, mineral, amino acid or herbal supplement cannot cure illnesses and in fact can be very dangerous and produce toxic side effects and interfere with medicine you are taking. Always ensure you consult your doctor before taking any type of complementary supplements.
Disclaimer: This guide is not intended to be used for diagnostic or prescriptive purposes. For any treatment or diagnosis of illness, please see your doctor.
