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l-carnosine

2006-11-22T10:39:33+01:00

Carnosine as a Potential Anti-senescence Drug - S Gallant

Many diverse properties of the dipeptide carnosine, which are more completely described elsewhere in this volume, stimulated the idea that carnosine may have some useful therapeutic value, particularly with regard to old age. We were greatly inspired by the pioneering work of McFarland and Holliday [1], where it was shown and later confirmed [2] that the endogenous dipeptide carnosine (b-alanyl-L-histidine) was able not only to rejuvenate human cells in cultures, but also influence the formation of long-lived clones "affecting earlier events during serial subculture". The work of Kantha et al. who had also shown an anti-senescence effect of carnosine in vitro [3] encouraged us to test it on small mammals in order to obtain some in vivo data. The Senescence Accelerated Mice line (hereafter SAM) was chosen for our initial experiments because of the short lifespan of the animals and the already large amount of literature that exists about this line [4]. In SAM animals, an over-production of free radicals occurring in their tissues may cause the accelerated senescence [5-8]. The full details of our experiments are described elsewhere [9, 10]. These experiments revealed that carnosine at a daily dose of 100 mg/kg of body weight was able to extend the mean lifespan of the mice by 20% but had no effect on the maximum lifespan.

The polypotent effects of carnosine which are described throughout this journal and the wider literature make it an ideal candidate as a so-called "geroprotector " - an agent which may delay or prevent some conditions intrinsic with old age.

EXPERIMENTAL METHODS

The animals of SAMR1 (resistant) and SAMP1 (prone) strains were kept under standard conditions on a balanced diet. Aging features were found to accumulate at the age of 10 months for the SAMP1 strain in comparison with SAMR1 animals of the same age. This was particularly reflected in the external appearance of SAMP1 and in their behavioral reactions [9]. The maximum lifespan of SAMP1 is 15 months and for SAMR1 it is 24 months. At the age of 2 months, mice of SAMP1 strain of both sexes were randomly divided into three groups of 80 animals each. One experimental group received carnosine in their drinking water in an amount corresponding to 100 mg/kg of body weight per day. Another experimental group received the mixture of b-alanine and L-histidine (the compounds were mixed in molar proportion as they are in carnosine). In order to determine behavior and exterior characteristics of the animals, the Grading Score System (GSS) [4] was used.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Aging and dependent pathologies are supposed to be connected with increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) [11, 12]. Consequently, the use of ROS scavengers should have been logical for treatment. Indeed, many synthetic ROS scavengers like N-tertbutyl- a-phenylnitrone [13] and the lazaroids [14, 15] are under clinical evaluation as stroke therapies. However, many have significant side effects and as such, severe clinical limitations. Generally, synthetic ROS scavengers have sufficient ability to protect the brain but are generally accompanied by unacceptable side effects or other limitations arising from their xenobiotic nature. For this reason a search had been going on for some time to find a natural brain protector that may be used not only in an emergency situation, but also on a prophylactic basis. Carnosine could be one of these natural brain protectors [16, 17]. Our experiments with SAMP1 may also support this possibility. If SAMP1 animals were maintained on a carnosinecontaining diet, their maximum lifespan hardly increased, while the mean lifespan was 20% longer, accompanied by an increased number of animals living to old ages (figure). Additionally, the exterior of the SAMP1 animals treated with carnosine was much more satisfactory. According to the GSS parameters, these animals may be said to have become more resistant to aging (table). With regard to certain parameters there were no differences found between SAMP1 treated and non-treated with carnosine. However, some others, such as periophtalmic lesions (p =0.001), glossiness of the skin (p = 0.001), physiological reactivity (p = 0.001), skin ulcers (p = 0.001) and spinal lordokyphosis (p = 0.02), showed a strong protective effect of carnosine against aging. The body weight of the animals was controlled, so we cannot say dietary restriction played a role in the carnosine effect. Some biochemical characteristics of SAMP1 animals were also affected under carnosine treatment, which was shown in our previously published experiments[10]. The brain membranes of animals treated with carnosine were characterized by a lower malonic dialdehyde (MDA) level, both initial (decreased by 35%) and that produced at 90 min of lipid peroxidation induced by ferric ions and ascorbic acid (by 30%) [10]. Comparison of brain mitochondrial monoamine oxidase B (MAO howed a 44% decrease in its activity for carnosine treated mice, which may indicate the creation of conditions where fewer toxic compounds would beproduced in brain tissue [18].

However, these facts may not be the entire explanation of the effect of carnosine as other ROS scavengers have failed to rejuvenate human fibroblasts [1]. Some experiments carried out in different laboratories demonstrate that one of carnosine's targets can be DNA molecules. Ikeda and co-authors showed that carnosine caused expression of vimentin protein in rat 3Y1 fibroblasts, resulting in extending cell viability (vimentin "is thought to play a fundamental role in maintaining cell structure and integrity") [19]. In the experiments of Gille et al., carnosine significantly reduced the frequency of aberrant cells and number of chromosomal aberrations in Chinese hamster cell cultures exposed to hyperoxia [20]. In our experiments glutamate receptors of Nmethyl- D-aspartate (NMDA) type were characterized by higher level of ligand binding in brain of mice treated with carnosine (this fact corresponds to positive changes in the behavior of this group of animals) (table) [10]. These facts suggest that carnosine?s effect can be also aimed at DNA, influencing the expression of certain genes.

Moreover, A. Hipkiss describes in this volume how carnosine, being a potent antiglycating agent, may suppress the deleterious effects of protein carbonyls by reacting with them to form adducts, which may either prevent their interaction with scavenging AGE (Advanced Glycated End Products) "receptors" (RAGES), or alter the cellular response by modulating signal transduction and subsequent generation of ROS.

It is known that carnosine is metabolized into b-alanine and L-histidine and as they are both biologically active molecules, they could have played some role in the anti-senescence effect of carnosine in SAM. However, according to data obtained in our experiments we observed no effect of these compounds on the mean lifespan when animals were treated with the mixture of b-alanine and L-histidine, taken in the same molar proportion as they are in carnosine (figure). This treatment also had no influence on the exterior of the animals, unlike the effect carnosine produced. Analysis of these data shows that carnosine acts as a true antioxidant protector rather than as an anabolic drug; the weight of the animals treated with carnosine was not significantly different from that of the control animals (table).

Anyway, the question "How could such a small molecule have such profound effects?" remains unanswered, though we hope through increased global scientific collaboration that we shall have the answers sooner rather than later.

The authors are particularly grateful to Professor A. Boldyrev who has supervised this entire anti-senescence project and devoted much time and energy to it. We are also grateful to all the staff of Moscow State University and the Institute of Neurology (Russian Academy Medical Sciences, Moscow) who worked on this project. Steven Gallant wishes to personally thank Paul Michaels for his help and encouragement at the beginning of the project. We are further grateful to all those who took part in this project but are too numerous to name.

The study was supported by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (grant No. 00-04- 48767).

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L-Carnosine – Your greatest aid in fighting the Ageing Process

2006-10-26T17:27:52+02:00

BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE BODY REPAIR SHOP LTD

UK National Television & UK National Press feature our anti-ageing carnosine eye drops for cataracts

“Ten ways to live a longer life” article by a UK leading tabloid – Feature, carnosine
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Carnosine is a naturally occurring compound in the human body. It exerts a wide range of positive and protective benefits to all body structures, especially in the nervous system, eyes, muscles, heart, brain and skin.

As carnosine levels decline with age, the body’s ability to repair itself and offset the rate of ageing is diminished. This results in the accumulation of damaged proteins which interfere with healthy function and further increase the rate of destructive ageing as a 50-fold increase in free-radical formation ensues – That is why we see aged people suddenly accelerate in appearance, mental functionality and mobility.

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Introduction - 100 years in research

Carnosine rejuvenates tired & wrinkled skin

Carnosine the Anti-Ageing miracle

Carnosine for longevity

10 Ways to live longer a longer life

Carnosine – An End to Hangovers?

Carnosine for every participant in sports

Cardiovascular diseases

Diabetes and its complications

Erectile dysfunctions

Carnosine as neuro-protectant

Alzheimer’s disease and mild cognitive impairment

Parkinson’s disease

Epilepsy and schizophrenia

Autistic Spectrum Disorders

Summary

Can you afford not to take carnosine?

Empty Bottle Money back Guarantee

Supplemental super antioxidants, especially carnosine, not only protect against undesirable changes of the ageing process, but it actually helps to reverse damage that has already taken place by rejuvenating old cells and helping them to function in a more youthful manner for a longer period of time.

The broad spectrum of positive affects that carnosine has across the entire body should inspire everyone to supplement with carnosine and is the reason why today’s leading anti-ageing nutritionists, are declaring carnosine our greatest discovery to date and that in time, we will all take carnosine to a greater extent than we do vitamin c today!
When you fully understand what carnosine does – when you understand it’s potential in preventing and even reversing all of the signs of ageing, throughout the body, from wrinkled skin to cataracts to Alzheimer's disease, then you will understand the role it plays in extending life itself. You’re then left with the conclusion that you couldn’t afford not to supplement with carnosine.

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An Introduction to carnosine - 100 years in research
L-carnosine (beta-alanyly-L-histidine) was discovered way back in the early 1900’s. The focus of research has spanned the disciplines of human physiology, biochemistry and neurochemistry, with no side effects.
Studies have shown that Carnosine is a major tool in the fight against ageing and degenerative disease. It is found in all cells, but especially in the muscles, heart, eyes, major organs and brain cells. Carnosine levels in the body decline with age. Muscle levels decrease 63% from age 10 to age 70, which may account for the reduction in muscle mass and function seen in ageing humans. Carnosine acts not only as an antioxidant in muscle, but also as a pH buffer. In this way it keeps on protecting muscle cell membranes from oxidation under the acidic conditions of muscular exertion. Carnosine enables the heart muscle to contract more efficiently through enhancement of calcium response in heart cells. Muscle levels of carnosine correlate with the maximum life span of animal species.
Carnosine rejuvenates the skin - A solution based on real science and not on cosmetic promises

The skin provides an excellent example to explain the anti-aging effects of carnosine. As skin ages, the inner skin undergoes serious loss of structural integrity. Fibroblasts that build connective tissue lose half their work force.

Collagen fibres become damaged and the structural integrity of the skin undergoes widespread destruction. The body cannot repair the damage as fast as it is occurring. Frequently, these damaged proteins are "glued together" by sugar, causing excessive stiffness and inflexibility of formerly flexible structures. Progression of this process is apparent in wrinkles, dryness, inconsistent skin texture and colouring, poor wound healing, and sagging skin.

Below are three photographs of human cells grown in culture.

Young Cells (a) Senescent (old) Cells (b) Old Cells supplemented with L-Carnosine (c)
Cultures of senescent cells cannot be mistaken for younger cells, which are uniform in appearance and line up in parallel arrays. By contrast, senescent cells exhibit a grainy appearance and take on odd shapes and sizes. They lose the ability to organise themselves in a regular pattern. These striking changes are called the senescent phenotype. A dipeptide (chemical union of two amino acids) called L-Carnosine has been shown to rejuvenate cells displaying the senescent phenotype, quickly restoring the juvenile phenotype (McFarland GA et al., 1999; McFarland GA et al., 1994).
Carnosine directly prevents and may even reverse all of these issues. Even better, the benefits of carnosine are not limited to the skin. The same types of age-associated protein changes that are visible on skin are also occurring in every body organ – the brain, eyes, heart, muscles, and all body tissue – we just don’t see them. Carnosine exerts its anti-aging effects everywhere in the body.

Carnosine the Anti-Ageing miracle
Our bodies are comprised of cells that replace themselves by dividing. There is a genetic limit as to how many times our cells will continue to replicate themselves via healthy division processes. Once enough cells reach their genetic reproductive limit, the organism (our body) is no longer able to sustain life functions and succumbs to disease or death. In clinical trials Carnosine has shown to extend the period of time that cells will continue to divide in a youthful manner.

Carnosine for longevity
Carnosine extends organism life span
A study tested the effect of carnosine on life span and indicators of aging in senescence-accelerated mice. Carnosine extended the life span of the treated mice by 20% on average, compared to the mice not fed carnosine. The mice given carnosine were about twice as likely to reach the "ripe old age" of 12 months as untreated mice.
Carnosine did not alter the 15 month maximum life span of the senescence-accelerated mouse strain, but it did significantly raise the number of mice surviving to old age. Carnosine distinctly improved the appearance of the aged mice, whose coat fullness and colour remained much closer to that of young animals. Significantly more carnosine-treated mice had glossy coats (44% vs. 5%), while fewer had skin ulcers (14% vs. 36%).
The researchers also measured biochemical indicators associated with brain aging. Carnosine treated mice had significantly lower levels of toxic MDA (malondialdehyde) in their brain cell membranes. MAO-B (monoamine oxidase activity was 44% lower in the carnosine-treated mice, indicating maintenance of youthful dopamine metabolism. Aging humans produce too much MAO-B, and this is thought to contribute to certain types of brain cell damage. Glutamate binding to its cellular receptors nearly doubled in the carnosine treated group, which may explain the more normal behavioural reactivity of the carnosine-fed mice.
This longevity study showed that carnosine significantly improved most measures of appearance, physiological health, behaviour, and brain biochemistry, as well as extending life span. The researchers concluded that "carnosine-treated animals can be characterized as more resistant to the development of features of aging."

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10 Ways to live longer a longer life -

A leading UK Tabloid wrote a feature on “Ten ways to live a longer life”. Of the many anti-ageing compounds to choose from, they recommended only one - l-carnosine.

For the full feature

UK National Television & UK National Press feature Carnosine eye drops for cataracts
Preserving Your Eyesight
Young eyes contain high concentrations of natural antioxidants that protect against cataract, macular degeneration and other ocular disorders. In the aged eye, synthesis of the antioxidant glutathione is reduced, resulting in excessive free radical damage.
Antioxidant supplements have been shown to help protect against senile eye disorders. Unfortunately, ageing diminishes circulation to the eye, thereby reducing the efficacy of orally ingested supplements.

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BBC "GOOD FOOD" Magazine
- Carnosine could be especially useful for vegetarians
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Carnosine – A possible End to Hangovers?

Carnosine, hailed as the most powerful Super Anti-Oxidant currently known, is a remarkable natural supplement that can dramatically reduce the effects of alcohol on the body the next morning and for years to come. We believe that once you understand or experience the amazing protection of carnosine, you won’t ever go drinking without it! Just 2 grams dissolved in water, taken an hour before alcohol consumption, effectively protects the liver, kidneys and brain against oxidative stress damage from alcohol.

Alcohol, once drunk is rapidly absorbed from the gut. Most of it is then oxidised, mainly in the liver. The enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase converts the alcohol into the very undesirable acetaldehyde. This acetaldehyde causes the unpleasant effects of drinking that we are all so familiar with. In response to the stress the acetaldehyde causes, your body mobilises its defences and your natural reserves of L-Carnosine are very soon exhausted. With your natural defences gone, a 'hang' the morning after is inevitable. By taking extra L-Carnosine an hour before and whilst drinking for long durations of consumption, you ensure that your natural reserves will not be exhausted - with the happy result of - NO MORE 'HANG' THE MORNING AFTER. In the presence of extra L-Carnosine the acetaldehyde will not bother you and your body will oxidise it to acetate and then safely metabolise that to carbon dioxide and water.

WARNING: Carnosine does not negate the intoxicating effects of drinking alcohol. You will still gain exactly the same effect; it just protects your body against the usual damage caused. Alcohol should always be consumed in moderation and we encourage everyone to practice responsible drinking. Furthermore, we do not encourage people to drink alcohol - we merely encourage those who do choose to drink, to protect their bodies from damage before doing so. You should not use this product to increase the amount or frequency of your alcohol consumption.
We guarantee that once you understand or experience the amazing protection of carnosine, you won’t ever go drinking without it! Carnosine is backed with an empty bottle FULL MONEY BACK GUARANTEE!

Carnosine for every sports participant
Carnosine levels in the body decline with age. Muscle levels decrease 63% from age 10 to age 70, which may account for the reduction in muscle mass and function seen in aging humans. Carnosine acts not only as an antioxidant in muscle, but also as a pH buffer. In this way it keeps on protecting muscle cell membranes from oxidation under the acidic conditions of muscular exertion.
Carnosine enables the heart muscle to contract more efficiently through enhancement of calcium response in heart cells. Muscle levels of carnosine correlate with the maximum life span of animal species.

Cardiovascular diseases

The healthy heart muscle (myocardium) contains naturally some carnosine, but carnosine supplementation increases significantly (up to 30 %) the strength and endyrance of the heart muscle. Contractile failure of myocardial cells is a common cause of mortality in ischemic heart disease. According to a recent pharmacological study, carnosine improves myocardial contractility during hypoxia as well as verapamil, a calcium channel blocker frequently prescribed for the treatment of heart disease (Bharadwaj et al. 2002) and therefore carnosine opens completely new horizons in treatment of myocardial insufficiency (Gamez Navarro 2000, Zaloga et al 1997, Zaloga and Siddiqui 2004)).

Fig. 7. The contractility of the left ventricle of an isolated rat heart and the pulse wave increase significantly with carnosine. (a) initial status, (b) 5 nM carnosine, (c) 10 nM carnosine (Robets ja Zaloga 2000).
Carnosine exerts a number of beneficial effects in the heart and blood vessels, such as:
increases the force of heart muscle contractions
lowers elevated blood pressure
protects against oxygen deficiency (hypoxia or ischaemia) in coronary heart disease
prevents oxidation of LDL cholesterol and thereby arterisclerosis.
Carnosine may be used widely for treating the heart's reduced pumping efficiency, the hallmark of heart failure. Moreover, carnosine fights leptin, the obesity hormone. This hormone is elevated many times over in the blood of obese and overweight individuals and it raises blood pressure.
Stroke
Russian scientists set out to determine the effect of carnosine upon rats programmed to develop strokes. The first experiment focused upon carnosine as a revitalizer in hypoxic animals, i.e., those exposed to low oxygen levels. When oxygen-deprived animals were revitalized with normal levels of oxygen, the carnosine treated rats were able to stand after 4.3 minutes, as compared to 6.3 minutes in the untreated group.

Carnosine prevents accumulation of lactose as a result of experimental hypoxia in the rat brain. Hypoxia was induced by ligating four brain arteries. 1= rats on carnosine, 2= controls. The columns indicate the concentrations of lactate before closure of the arteries (a) and thereafter (b) 35-45 minutes, (c) 90-100 min and (d) 150-170 minutes (Stvolinsky and Dobrota 2000).
In the second study, a stroke was simulated in the animals by arterial occlusion. The scientists found that carnosine acts as a neuroprotector in the ischaemic (lack of oxygenated blood) brain. Rats treated with carnosine displayed more normal electrocardiograms, less lactate accumulation (a common measure of injury severity), and better cerebral blood flow.
In summary, carnosine seem to be a superb dietary supplement for prevention and treatment of all kind of cardiovascular events.

Diabetes and its complications

A diabetic person excretes in the urine a lot of sugar and other substances, proteins (amino acids such as arginine, carnosine and taurine) and magnesium. As diabetes enhances glycation and the patient is deficient in carnosine, the arteries tend to harden. It is why the incidence of arteriosclerosis, myocardial infarctions and stroke is three-fold amongst diabetics.
Carnosine is known to be a substance that, via the H3-receptors in the autonomous nerveous system, controls the levels of blood sugar. Animal tests suggest that pregnant rats low in carnosine have an increased risk of getting diabetic offspring’s. This is explained by the fact that carnosine improves the fetal glucose tolerance. So, carnosine may be a beneficial supplement for all diabetic mothers-to-be, as it may lower their children’s risk of diabetes.
Carnosine is recommended for all diabetics as it lowers the risk of the complications, i.e., heart events, stroke, peripheral artery hardening, kidney and eye problems

Erectile dysfunctions

Production of nitric oxide (NO) in the penis is a prerequisite for starting and maintaining erection. Carnosine is the natural substrate for NO. In other words our body makes NO out of carnosine (Alaghband-Zadeh ym 2001). Therefore, supplementation with carnosine automatically improves potency.

Carnosine as neuro-protectant
Evolution has arranged so that young and healthy brain to contain considerable amounts of carnosine which protects these most precious cells against damage and degeneration. The protective mechanisms are the antioxidant function, prevention of glycation and carbonisation, as explained above. In addition, carnosine protects proteasomes which have a central role in the disposal of carbonylated proteins. Carnosine simply stops proteins deforming and could pave the way for the prevention and slowing down Alzheimer’s disease and perhaps other types of dementia and mild cognitive impairment.
In chronic brain disorders, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, epilepsy, depression and schizophrenia, oxidation stress prevails and, in addition, all the other hazardous interrelated reactions occur at a high rate. The glycation denaturised proteins and phospholipids, and produced AGE´s which in turn add fuel to the oxidation of the lipids in the cell membranes. Oxidative stress increases the activity of an enzyme called phospholipase A2 (PLA2), which in turn break down fatty acids of the cell membranes. All these reactions interfere with the neurotransmitters.
Carnosine antagonizes oxidative stress (Boldyrev et al, 1999) as well as all the following harmful reactions. Carnosine also works as a neurotransmitter, an anticonvulsant and a chelator (Chez et al. 2002). It is therefore a versatile neuroprotectant against all neurological and psychiatric syndromes and disorders.

Alzheimer’s disease and mild cognitive impairment
Alzheimer's disease is a degenerative disorder of the brain which causes progressive decline in memory and general cognitive abilities. Slowly and inexorably, the disease attacks nerve cells in all parts of the cortex of the brain, as well as some surrounding structures, thereby impairing a person's abilities to govern emotions, recognize errors and patterns, coordinate movement, and remember. At the last, an afflicted person loses all memory and mental functioning. There is no recovery and most of the drugs used are ineffective.
Apart from the progressive destruction of nerve cells, a wide range of abnormalities can be seen in the brains of patients who have died from Alzheimer's, including extra cellular deposits of amyloid protein and microscopic tangles of fibrils inside nerve cells. In experiments, treatment with carnosine was found to reduce or completely prevent cell damage caused by beta amyloid, the substance found in the brain of Alzheimer's disease patients. Beta amyloid can interact with certain RAGE receptors causing damage to the nerves and arteries of the brain. Carnosine blocks and inactivates beta amyloid, so it protects neural tissues against dementia.
Moreover, carnosine protects the brain cells by fighting the highly toxic alpha, beta-unsaturated aldehyde acrolein which is formed during the peroxidation of polyunsaturated lipids, raising the possibility that it functions as a 'toxicological second messenger' during oxidative cell injury (Burcham et al. 2000).
Recent research also confirms that the toxic unsaturated aldehyde crotonaldehyde (CA) contributes to carbolylation resulting in protein damage during lipid peroxidation (Fontaine et al 2002). As carnosine combats all aldehyde’s, it offers another explanation for its benefits in prevention of Alzheimer’s disease and other conditions with oxidative stress.
Metal chelation by carnosine may prevent and slow down Alzheimer’s.
Some laboratory studies have reported excessive amounts of metal ions such as zinc, copper in Alzheimer’s brain. Such ions may possibly change the chemical architecture of normal beta amyloid, making it more harmful. A mildly acidic environment appears to be important in the process that binds these metals to beta amyloid. Experts observe that such conditions (acidic environment and higher levels of zinc and copper) commonly occur as part of the inflammatory response to local injury. Carnosine has the unique ability to chelate copper, zinc and other metals, and to remove them from the body, as explained above in the section Metal Chelation. This may be an important function of carnosine in preventing and slowing down Alzheimer’s and other degenerative brain disorders.
MEDLINE data base includes several documents on the relationship between carnosine and Alzheimer’s. If you want to read them, search for "carnosine; Alzheimer", and click "go".

Parkinson’s disease
The ultimate causes, on the atomic level, are toxic free radicals and their toxic metabolites, which damage certain cells in the brain. H2O2 and TPA (tetracanoylphorbolacetate) are such radicals, and they are able to kill brain cells prematurely. Carnosine has been shown to prevent these radicals and it is thus protecting the brain cells (Kang et al. 2002 b).
Lewy particles in the brain of Parkinson patients accumulate a substance called alpha-Synuclein, which accelerates the disease. This substance is produced due to oxidative stress. Carnosine is able to combat both oxidative stress and accumulation of alpha-Synuclein (Kim et al. 2002).
Carnosine is already recommended by some researchers for (Nguimfack Mbodie 2002).
MEDLINE data base includes documents on the relationship between carnosine and Parkinson’s. If you want to read them, search for "carnosine; Parkinson", and click "go".
Epilepsy and schizophrenia
These chronic diseases belong to those conditions where oxidative stress and carbonylation damage the brain cells. Carnosine effectively fights these reactions, and is therefore apt as a dietary supplement for these patients (Petroff et al. 2000; 2001, Nguimfack Mbodie 2002). Carnosine is an anti conculsant( Chez. et al. 2002).
MEDLINE data base includes documents on the relationship between carnosine and epilepsy. If you want to read them, search for "carnosine; epilepsy", and click "go".
Stroke
Laboratory animal experiments suggest that supplementation with carnosine protects the brain cells against ischaemia (lack of oxygen) which occurs during and after stoke. In one study, experimental ischemic injury resulted in 67% mortality of the rats. In the group of animals pre-treated with carnosine the mortality was only 30% (Stvolinsky et al. 2000). In a similar British study, the mortality after ischemic attack decreased from 55% to 17% (Gallant et al. 2000). An increasing number of researchers advocate carnosine as a beneficial supplement for secondary prevention of stroke (Suslina et al. 2000, Stvolinsky and Dobrota 2000, Khaspekov et al. 2002, Tabakman et al. 2002).
Autistic Spectrum Disorders
There has been a major breakthrough by a Chicago neurologist, Dr Micheal Chez, in the treatment of autistic Spectrum Disorders (autism and Asperser’s syndrome). Since 2001 he has treated almost 1,000 autistic children with carnosine, and, according to Dr Chez, 80 to 90 per cent improve considerably within eight weeks. Carnosine acts in the frontal part of the brain where it combines with transmitters deep in the brain, says Dr Chez.
Parents with autistic children are saying that supplementation with carnosine helped their kids. Rose Stodola a mother of autistic child said in an TV interview, “Almost immediately within the first week I noticed a change.” “The gym teacher came up to me and said my gosh, he's like a different child,” added Maureen Sieger. Four-year-old Nicholas Stodola would not talk to anybody. But then he took carnosine and there was a noticeable change.
Dr. Charles Chez found that kind of change was typical for 80 percent of these and other autistic children. Some jumped eight months in their reading scores and their behaviour also changed. “Response time, and eye contact and social awareness improved, play skills improved as a general rule”, the children’s neurologist says.
What's really exciting is that carnosine works by stabilizing and protecting brain cells and helping patients like Nicholas. And this may be just the beginning. Carnosine may help patients with Alzheimer's, an illness similar to autism and it has already helped some Alzheimer patients. Carnosine's also helped some other children. Dr. Chez says, “We've had parents report improved reading skills with dyslexic tendencies...just improved test scores with kids who've had borderline attention disorder.” Soon other parents may have the same reaction Nicholas' have. “Carnosine and Dr. Chez have given us our son back,” says Mrs. Stodola. Some non-autistic adults claim carnosine makes them more alert and improves their memory.
Dr Chez´team has conducted a scientific double-blind study on 31 autistic children. The daily dose of pure L-carnosine was 400 mg and no adverse side-effects have been observed. The report has been accepted for publication in the Journal of Child Neurology.

Summary
Studies on the Rejuvenating Effects of L-Carnosine have shown:

Anti-Carbonylation: Carbonylation is a pathological step in the age-related degradation of the body’s proteins and Carnosine is the most effective anti-carbonylation agent yet discovered.

Antioxidant: Carnosine effectively quenches the most destructive of free radicals, the hydroxyl radical, as well as super oxide, singlet oxygen, and the peroxyl radical.

Cell Rejuvenation: Carnosine has the remarkable ability to actually rejuvenate cells approaching senescence (the end of the life cycle of dividing cells), restoring normal appearance and extending their cellular lifespan.

Wound Healing: Carnosine has the amazing ability to rejuvenate connective tissue cells and thus to expedite wound healing.

Brain Protection: Carnosine protects the microvas culature of the brain from plaque formation that may lead to senility and Alzheimer’s disease.

Improved Calcium Response: Carnosine enables the heart muscle to contract more efficiently through enhancement of calcium response in heart myocytes.

Cellular DNA Protection: Carnosine protects cellular DNA from oxidative damage that accumulates with age.

How much for How much?

The key here is that that different people need different amounts. For example:
• Healthy individuals 35 and under require 500-1000 mg a day
• Those approaching 40 and beyond require 1000mg a day.
• If you eat a mostly vegetarian diet, you may need more.
• If you’re diabetic, or just have trouble with blood sugar, you may need as much as 1,500 mg a day.
Most people will gain best results from 1000 mg a day.
If you’re starting to show signs of ageing or glycation, i.e. wrinkled skin, eye disorders such as cataracts then should consider dosage of at least 1,15 mg a day – maybe even as high as 1,500 mg a day.
Safety
In studies, carnosine has been proven safe in amounts as high as 70, 80, or even 100 grams a day, although a small number of people have noticed some minor muscle twitching at doses as small as 1,000 mg. The bottom line is use what you need, and you won’t have any problems – only benefits.
For best results: the recommended daily intake of Ethos Endymion is 1 gram per day. We suggest taking ½g in the mornings and ½g in the evenings, preferably at least 30 minutes before meals. Alternatively, 1 gram can be added to a bottle of mineral water and sipped regularly throughout the day

Ethos Endymion is the purest form of L-Carnosine available anywhere. It is made up of a combination of the two amino acids Beta-Alanine and L-Histidine and is known scientifically as N-beta-alanyl-histidine. When taken as a natural health supplement.
Can you afford not to take carnosine?
Who could possibly afford a 50-fold increase in free-radical formation?

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