Carnosine: An Overlooked Antiageing Supplement

There are many theories of ageing, many or perhaps most of which have some truth. One of the most useful is the theory of glucose/sugar attaching to DNA and proteins, particularly the thin membrane separating the inside of small blood vessels from the outside, the basement membrane. The process by which sugars attach to these chemicals of the body is termed 'glycolysation'. Anyone with diabetes is familiar with it, because when their hemoglobin A1c is measured, it is basically a measure of glycolysation of hemoglobin and is dependent on the average level of glucose in the blood. As one reads further on the subject of carnosine and glycolyzation prevention, the biochemistry become difficult, so the bottom lines will be given instead of the processes. However, please remember, the processes are the reality.

Carnosine is a dipeptide, a combination of two amino acids and is freely available in a carnivorous diet. However, the unanswered question is, can the dietary normal intake help with the process of ageing - probably not in the normal carnivore ageing human, and certainly not in the vegetarian. Therefore, if the antiageing benefits are desired, supplementation is probably necessary. Carnosine has been shown to do at least four if not more metabolic (chemical) functions:
1.
It interferes with glycolysation of DNA (bad for the cell) and proteins, potentially bad for the cell, especially proteins with slow turnovers. The terminal end bad products are called AGEs, (Advanced Glycolysation End products). One of the basic pathologies of diabetes is a thickened basement membrane in small blood vessels, leading to many of the secondary effects of diabetes such as diabetic ulcers and eye disease. How carnosine acts on this pathology is an area of study.
2.
Carnosine is an antioxidant, and as the oxidation theory of ageing is a popular theory, it may help here.
3.
Carnosine may chelate, deplete, the body of toxic metals.
4.
It protects against another protein destroying process called carbonylation, where carbon and oxygen are attached to proteins.
5.
It has also been shown to protect from scarring in the diabetic kidney.
6.
Reference 5 has a list of other possible good effect.
Please remember the fountain of youth has not been found yet, but carnosine sounds as if it could be a good addition to an antiageing program.

Searching the net, no article on carnosine toxicity was found. However, that does not mean it does not exist. And although it sounds like a good addition to an anti-ageing armamentarium, do not adopt any supplement without consulting your health care professional.

1 http://diabetes.diabetesjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/54/8/2320
A study of how carnosine may protect against diabetic kidney disease in some patients. Patients with diabetic nephropathy may destroy carnosine more rapidly than those without it.
2 http://www.1stvitality.co.uk/az/carnosine/carnosine_an_introduction.htm
A fairly good review by a supplement firm
3 http://72.14.205.104/search?q=cache:qOC_dd6TFJkJ:www.bmj.sk/1999/10009-07.PDF+carnosine+diabetes&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=9
This scientific article is in Slovak; luckily, the abstract is in English. It points ou that in diabetics, although the blood level of carnosine may be normal, the intracellular levels may be low and concludes with recommending supplementation. A caveat: One positive medical article does not truth make.
4 http://www.lef.org/prod_hp/abstracts/php-ab_carnosine.htm
A summary of scientific articles from the Life Extension Foundation.
5 http://www.smart-publications.com/anti-aging/carnosine.php
A good review of other possible effects (positive) of carnosine from a supplement company. Good scientific documentation.
6http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=7664889&dopt=AbstractPlus
A medical study with good references on carnosine
7http://www.smart-drugs.net/ias-crosslinking.htm
A good review article on carnosine and other chemicals that have similar functions.