Carnosine
OTHER NAME(S): carnosine, L-carnosine
Overview
Carnosine is a chemical that is naturally found in your body. Your muscles use carnosine to help them function during intense workouts. Although people take carnosine for many different reasons, its benefits for any use are not well defined. There is also not enough research to know what common side effects it may cause. Before taking carnosine, make sure to tell your health care provider about any health conditions you have or medicines you are taking.
Uses
What is carnosine used for?
Carnosine is used for various reasons related to aging, including muscle function as well as memory and thinking skills. It is also sometimes used for diabetes. However, the benefits of carnosine for any use are not well defined.
Note: The FDA has not reviewed carnosine for safety and effectiveness. Learn more about dietary supplements here.
How does carnosine work (mechanism of action)?
Carnosine is a chemical that is naturally found in your body. It is made from an amino acid called beta-alanine. Both beta-alanine and carnosine are found in many foods, including fish and other animal proteins. Your muscles use carnosine as a buffer during heavy workouts, allowing them to function well for longer. Carnosine may also act as an antioxidant in your body, protecting your cells from certain types of damage.
Since carnosine may help protect your cells, there is interest in using carnosine supplements to reduce the effects of aging. Some people claim that carnosine supplements may help keep your brain and muscles healthy for longer. But there is not enough research to know whether carnosine is helpful for these uses or for any other age-related health problems.
Carnosine plays a small role in helping the body control its insulin and blood sugar levels. This has led to interest in taking carnosine supplements to help manage diabetes. But the benefits of carnosine in people with diabetes or prediabetes are not well defined. More research is needed to understand whether carnosine can help lower blood sugar levels.
Some people may be interested in taking carnosine to improve physical performance and build muscle. But carnosine supplements do not seem to increase the levels of carnosine in your muscles. Instead, beta-alanine supplements are usually used for this reason. See beta-alanine for more information.
How should I store carnosine?
You should store carnosine according to the product label. Most dietary supplements should be kept in a cool, dry location that is out of the reach of children and pets and not in direct sunlight.
Side Effects
What are the most common side effects of carnosine?
Carnosine seems to be well tolerated. But there is not enough research to know what the common side effects may be. Tell your health care provider if you have any side effects that bother you.
There may be side effects of carnosine that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a supplement. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.safetyreporting.hhs.gov or by calling 888-SAFEFOOD (888-723-3366). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.
What are the serious side effects of carnosine?
While less common, the most serious side effects of carnosine are described below, along with what to do if they happen.
Severe Allergic Reactions. Carnosine may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using carnosine and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.
- Breathing problems or wheezing
- Racing heart
- Fever or general ill feeling
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
- Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
- Itching or skin rash
- Bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
- Stomach cramps
- Joint pain
Precautions
Who should not use carnosine?
Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use carnosine.
- Carnosine
- L-carnosine
- Any of the ingredients in the specific product
Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific carnosine products they stock.
What should I know about carnosine before using it?
Carnosine is a dietary supplement. It cannot be marketed to treat or cure a disease.
Read and follow the directions on the specific product you are using, or use it as recommended by your health care provider.
Keep carnosine out of the reach of children.
Some dietary supplements may contain an ingredient called zinc-L-carnosine, also known as polaprezinc. It is a combination of carnosine and zinc and is usually used to help increase zinc levels. It does not seem to be very helpful for increasing carnosine levels. Read the product label carefully to understand which ingredients it contains.
The FDA has not tested carnosine products to confirm that they contain the ingredients stated on their labels. Some dietary supplements have been tested by third-party organizations to confirm that they contain the ingredients listed on their labels and do not contain any harmful chemicals. Learn more about how to choose a safe dietary supplement product here.
What should I tell my health care provider before using carnosine?
Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if carnosine is right for you.
In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.
Pregnancy. It is not known if or how carnosine could affect pregnancy or harm a fetus. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
Breastfeeding. It is not known if carnosine passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.
Interactions
Does carnosine interact with foods or drinks?
There are no known interactions between carnosine and foods or drinks.
It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect carnosine.
Does carnosine interact with medicines (drug interactions)?
Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.
The interactions between carnosine and medicines are not fully understood. As with most dietary supplements, the research on drug interactions with carnosine is incomplete. Always check with your health care provider before taking carnosine with any medicines.
Dosing
What should I do if I accidentally use too much carnosine?
If you or someone else has used too much carnosine, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.
Carnosine comes in a wide range of doses. Read the product label closely and speak with a health care provider about how to take carnosine safely. Do not take double or extra doses, even if you miss a dose.
References
- BMC Endocrine Disorders: “Effect of carnosine or beta-alanine supplementation therapy for prediabetes or type 2 diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.”
- Food Science & Nutrition: “The protective role of carnosine against type 2 diabetes-induced cognitive impairment.”
- Frontiers in Bioscience: “Effect of L-carnosine in patients with age-related diseases: A systematic review and meta-analysis.”
- Maturitas: “The impact of carnosine on biological ageing – a geroscience approach.”
- National Cancer Institute NCI Drug Dictionary: “Carnosine.”
- Neurotherapeutics: “Carnosine supplementation improves cognitive outcomes in younger participants of the NEAT trial.”
- Nutrients: “Carnosine and beta-alanine supplementation in human medicine: narrative review and critical assessment,” “Efficacy and safety of polaprezinc (zinc compound) on zinc deficiency: A systematic review and dose–response meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials using individual patient data.”
- Stroke: “Safety and efficacy evaluation of carnosine, an endogenous neuroprotective agent for ischemic stroke.”