Carnosine information - Zinc carnosine study review
Is carnosine helpful in autism. Does it have side effects?

Carnosine is a small molecule composed of the amino acids histidine and alanine. Carnosine is found in relatively high concentrations in several body tissues—most notably in skeletal muscle, heart muscle, nerve tissue and brain. The exact biological role of carnosine is not well understood, but many studies indicate that carnosine has antioxidant potential. Carnosine may also act as a neurotransmitter (chemical messenger in the nervous system). For more carnosine information by Ray Sahelian, M.D.
     Carnosine has been called a longevity nutrient since laboratory studies on tissues indicate that it can delay senescence and provoke cellular rejuvenation in cultured human fibroblasts. However, until human studies are done, we will not know if chronic carnosine supplementation wil lead to lifespan enhancement.

L Carnosine, Club Natural
L-Carnosine is a dipeptide composed of the covalently bonded amino acids alanine and histidine and is found in the brain, heart, skin, muscles, kidneys and stomach. L-Carnosine is naturally produced in the body by the enzyme carnosine synthetase.

L-Carnosine supports healthy aging and cellular rejuvenation by its effects on two mechanisms: Glycosylation and Free Radical Damage. Glycosylation is the oxidation of proteins by glucose resulting in cross-linking of proteins and which is implicated in loss of cell function, genome integrity and accelerated aging. L Carnosine also protects the aging process of the brain by retarding lipid peroxidation and stabilizing cell membranes.

Carnosine research Shows:
Carnosine may be helpful in children with autism. The dose would be much less than in adults.
Topical N-Acetyl-carnosine eyedrops shows potential for the treatment and prevention of cataracts.

L-Carnosine, Jarrow Formulas, 500 mg
L-Carnosine is a dipeptide composed of the covalently bonded amino acids alanine and histidine and is found in the brain, heart, skin, muscles, kidneys and stomach. L-Carnosine is naturally produced in the body by the enzyme carnosine synthetase. L-Carnosine supports healthy aging and cellular rejuvenation by its effects on two mechanisms: Glycosylation and Free Radical Damage. Glycosylation is the oxidation of proteins by glucose resulting in cross-linking of proteins and which is implicated in loss of cell function, genome integrity and accelerated aging.
L-Carnosine also protects the aging process of the brain by retarding lipid peroxidation and stabilizing cell membranes.

Zinc carnosine and GI system
Zinc carnosine is an artificially produced carnosine derivative that is linked to zinc in a one-to-one ratio. Dr. R. J. Playford of Queen Mary's School of Medicine & Dentistry in London conducted a series of studies to determine whether zinc carnosine supplement would help protect against the gut-eroding effects of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) indomethacin. In petri dishes, the researchers found that zinc carnosine induced cells to travel to a simulated wound area and also triggered increased cell proliferation, suggesting that it would improve wound healing. In rat studies, the supplement protected against damage to the stomach lining and small intestine caused by indomethacin. The researchers also tested the zinc carnosine supplement in 10 healthy men and women who took either zinc carnosine or placebo while taking indomethacin. While the NSAID tripled gut permeability in those on placebo, indomethacin had no effect on gut permeability in participants on zinc carnosine. As many as 70 percent of NSAID users may have damage to their gut lining due to blood and protein loss. While protein pump inhibitor drugs can help protect the stomach, they don't prevent injury to the small intestine, and while drugs called prostaglandin analogs may protect the small intestine, these drugs produce side effects like diarrhea. Gut, February 2007.

Carnosine Research study
Carnosine Helpful in Autism
From the day she was born, Betty seemed different from other infants. At an age when most infants enjoy interacting with people and exploring their environment, Betty sat motionless in her crib and didn't respond to rattles or other toys. It wasn’t too long before Betty was diagnosed with autism. Unfortunately, modern medicine has little to offer as a cure for this condition. But supplements may be helpful. Researchers at the Autism and Epilepsy Specialty Services in Lake Bluff, Illinois, investigated 31 children with autism in an 8-week, double-blinded study to determine if carnosine would result in changes. Carnosine is a natural substance composed of 2 amino acids. It is found in relatively high concentrations in several body tissues, muscles, and nerve tissue, including the brain. The exact role of carnosine is not well understood, but studies indicate that this nutrient has antioxidant potential and may also act as a neurotransmitter (chemical messenger in the nervous system). The children received 800 mg of carnosine a day and were compared with a group of children on placebo. After 8 weeks, children given carnosine showed statistically significant improvements on several tests including an improvement in vocabulary and recognizing a picture.
     Commnets: Carnosine, also known as L-carnosine, is sold in health food stores most commonly in capsules of 500 mg. It would be worthwhile to try 100 to 200 mg of this nutrient before breakfast and lunch for a few weeks under a pediatrician’s supervision.

Use of carnosine as a natural anti-senescence drug for human beings.
Wang AM, Ma C, Xie ZH, Shen F.Biochemistry (Mosc) 2000 Jul;65(7):869-71. Department of Biochemistry, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150086, PR China.

Carnosine supplement questions
Q. Have you heard of a product called Bright Eyes with carnosine made in the UK. Bright Eyes claims to desolve cataracts in a few months. 
   A. To the best of our knowledge, any product that is an eye drop cannot be considered a dietary supplement according to the FDA and would not be allowed for sale without a prescription or FDA approval. if any company would just put out eye drops without strict control, one can imagine eye infections and other problems if the production is not sterile.

Q. I have read carnosine has no reported side effects how ever I did find an article (to bad I cant find now) where the author stated that high doses of carnosine during long period of time might lead to a serious condition where the body cant produce sufficient amounts of an enzyme that normally brakes done carnosine leading to overload witch according the author would have serious effects.
   A. As long as the carnosine dose is taken every other day and a week off each month, it should not have any long term side effects. Human trials with carnosine for many months or years are not available to tell us if the author you mention above is correct regarding carnosine use prevents the activity of an enzyme.

Q. I read that a doctor recommends a child to take a lower dose of carnosine for ADHD than adults, that it should be between 100 to 200mg before breakfast and at lunch time. But, how do i do that? I pour a little powder from the capsule in his drink in the morning and then another little in the afternoon for lunch or how can i split that 500mg capsule into those doses? i have no idea how to give him the carnosine dose for a child.
   A. Dosages of carnosine for ADHD are just rough estimates, there is no way to tell what dosage or what supplement a child will respond to, if any. One option is to start with a fifth or so of a 500 mg capsule in the morning and on subsequent days the dosage can be increased or decreased depending on response and your doctor's advice. There is no agreed upon treatment for ADHD with supplements, it is a matter of trial and error. The capsule of the carnosine can be opened by pulling on each side.

Q. I was wondering if you could comment on this study: N-Acetylcarnosine, a natural histidine-containing dipeptide, as a potent ophthalmic drug in treatment of human cataracts. Innovative Vision Products, Inc., County of New Castle, DE 19810, USA.
   A study was designed to document and quantify the changes in lens clarity over 6 and 24 months in 2 groups of 49 volunteers enrolled at the time of diagnosis of senile cataracts of minimal to advanced opacification. The patients received N-acetylcarnosine, 1% sol, placebo composition topically (two drops, twice daily) to the conjunctival sac, or were untreated. Patients were evaluated upon entry, at 2-month and 6-month intervals for best corrected visual acuity, by ophthalmoscopy and the original techniques of glare test, stereocinematographic slit-image and retro-illumination photography with subsequent scanning of the lens. Compared with the baseline examination, over 6 months 41% of the eyes treated with N-acetylcarnosine presented a significant improvement of the gross transmissivity degree of lenses computed from the images, 90% of the eyes showed a gradual improvement. Topographic studies demonstrated less density and corresponding areas of opacification in posterior subcapsular and cortical morphological regions of the lens. The total study period over 24 months revealed that the beneficial effect of N-acetylcarnosine is sustainable. The N-acetylated form of natural dipeptide L-carnosine appears to be suitable and physiologically acceptable for nonsurgical treatment for senile cataracts.
   A. It appears to be a good study regarding the use of a carnosine derivative. Hopefully this type of n acetyl carnosine eyedrop will become available soon.

Q. We have been obtaining Joint Power Rx and Lyprinol from Physician Formulas for some time now and through web searches I have found that Carnosine taken together with the eye drops N-acetylcarnosine may be a good treatment for cataracts. Is there any reason you do not mention this type of carnosine eye drop? Given that Dr. Marios Kyriazis says there is no apparent benefit in taking more than 100 to 200 mg of carnosine per day, has any thought been given to making Carnosine capsules in a lower dosage than 500mg, even though one could open them and taken a lesser amount?
   A. We are still trying to determine the legality of carnosine eye drops and to see whether these are called dietary supplements or drugs, our legal staff is looking at it. As to carnosine dosage, there is a wide range of dosages that work for people, and people have the option to take a portion of a capsule. and some buyers want large amounts in a capsule, it is difficult to please everyone.

Q. Before I consider trying carnosine, I have a question. Is there any reason to believe that carnosine, when taken internally, actually increases the amount of carnosine in the body (eg-the muscles) ? My understanding is that carnosine is a di-peptide made up of two amino acids, histidine and alanine, and when taken internally, it's broken down into those amino acids, which can be reassembled to form carnosine in the body. But will this result in more carnosine actually being produced than if the body just relied on the amounts of histidine and alanine normally found in the blood?
   A. We have not seen any detailed analysis of this in the human body after carnosine ingestion, but it does appear that carnosine can be absorbed intact. For instance, another amino acid combination creatine, is absorbed and goes to muscle tissue to help muscles grow.

Q. I read about the benefits of n-acetyl-l carnosine that has been put into eye drops, Ortho Eyes. I was just wondering if you have any articles on Ortho Eyes.
   A. Sorry we have not studied acetyl carnosine Ortho Eyes eye drops treatment in any detail to have a reliable opinion.

Q. My son has autism and I want to know if carnosine comes in liquid so i can buy it for my autistic son.
   A. Carnosine does come in a liquid form and if you google carnosine liquid you will find sites that sell this supplement.

Q. I am looking for carnosine at 100 mg or 200 mg. Do you supply different strengths of carnosine?
   A. We only carry carnosine 500 mg but it is easy to open a capsule by pulling on each side, pouring our a portion in a glass of water or juice, and closing the capsule to use the rest another day.

Q. Today I ordered 2 Bottles of L-Carnosine supplement. Someone that I know has been totally - he says healed of a disabilatating illness that had attacked his nervous system - and made his nervous system overactive - as he put it - .. / so much that he was home bound - unable to speak on the phone - watch TV -must have been the sound that he couldn't handle - he began going to a lady masseuse - who he says is a "healer" - (me am careful about that sort of label) - but she suggested this L-Carnosine supplement - and suggested that he take carnosine 500 mg - 3 times a day - / I researched L-Carnosine and found your articles on what is suggested dosage of half a capsule  a few times a week.
   A. It is often a good idea to start a new supplement in low dosages in order to avoid carnosine side effects on high dosages.

Q. I have been taking a carnosine supplement for a few weeks and want to try an herbal product for libido improvement such as tongkat ali. I can't find any mention anywhere if they can be taken together.
   A. Tongkat ali is quite potent and it is best to take it by itself.

I am taking 100 mg of carnosine, but recently found a product called 'Peak', developed by Dr. Eliezer Rapaport, for the muscles. I can't find any information to connect with Dr. Rapaport. I wonder if you can tell me if there would be any conflict in taking both. I found 'Peak' sold by Swanson Vitamins and and interview of him by Dr. Passwater.
    A search online reveals Peak to contain yohimbe, tribulus, and several other potent herbs. It is best to learn how each supplement works by itself for a few days before combining them. It is not possible to predict a reaction in any one individual since different people have different responses.