L-Carnosine

L-Carnosine is a di-peptide that is naturally present in skeletal muscle, heart, brain and other innervated tissues. Di-peptide simply means it is the result of a combination of two amino acids -- in this case, Carnosine is produced from the chemical combining of beta-alanine and L-histidine.

The concentration of L-Carnosine in our muscles decreases with age.

It has, in recent years, become sought after as an "anti-aging nutrient." Substances referred to as AGEs, which are abnormal, crosslinked proteins that may play a role in aging may be diminished and/or offset by L-Carnosine.

In addition, cross linking of collagen in the skin that leads to wrinkles, lines, and breakdown of elasticity may possibly be diminished by Carnosine. Stated differently, Carosine may help slow down the aging of the skin.

Other Benefits and Functions of Carnosine

It may also chelate certain toxins from the body (chelate simply means to pull out). Carnosine does this by chemically binding to certain toxic metals to neutralize damage they may have otherwise caused.

Carnosine also helps regulate zinc and copper within the body.

Perhaps most excitingly, it may help protect against certain neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer's or strokes.

How does this protection occur?

Many neurological disorders are beleived to be caused by what is referred to as excitotoxicity.

Excitotoxicity is caused by sensitivity to glutamate, and may lead to brain cell damage. Glutamate is the primary excitatory neurotransmitter. Excitotoxicity, in short, can cause a sort of "chain reaction," if you will, that ends in cell death.

Some evidence seems to show that L-carnosine protects cells against excitotoxic death.

Featured Product

One company that produces a product with L-Carnosine is Xtend-Life from New Zealand, which has one of the strictest regulatory environments in the world for the manufacture of dietary supplements, far exceeding U.S. FDA standards.

Their flagship Formula, Total Balance contains L-Carnosine, in addition to a full spectrum of herbal extracts, minerals, vitamins, amino acids, enzymes and speciality nutrients.

In fact, it contains the majority of supplements we cover on this entire site!

We here at Nutritional-Supplement-Info have been taking Total Balance for almost 2 years with excellent results: we have noticed an increase in energy, mental clarity, and general feeling of well being.