L-carnosine is a dipeptide composed of the amino acids alanine and histidine. Amino acids and dipeptides are building blocks of proteins, which have numerous important functions that are essential to life. It also helps to build proteins that are responsible for the body’s appearance.
L-Carnosine Benefits
Changes in proteins over time are the reason for the difference in appearance between younger people and older ones. When protein begins to deteriorate, health and appearance decline as well, which is the basis for the idea that carnosine is a natural anti-aging substance.
Carnosine may help promote longevity by contributing to processes that prevent disease and damage to body tissues. In particular, carnosine may act as an antioxidant, helping to prevent or reduce oxidative damage caused by free radicals that are byproducts of many natural chemical reactions in the body.
Carnosine is found in muscle tissue and brain tissue as well as in other structures of the body. Abundant in youth, levels of carnosine fall with age. It is believed that carnosine can extend life by reducing the damage to proteins and DNA caused by sugars that undergo a process called glycosylation. When sugars and proteins are combined in abnormal ways, conditions like diabetes, heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease and skin damage may develop.
Carnosine can also bind to toxic metals that are byproducts of metabolism and eliminate them before they cause damage to tissues. carnosine can stabilize cells and strengthen the immune system as well. For these reasons, many health enthusiasts believe that supplements of l-carnosine can slow the aging process and extend the lifespan.
Supplements with Carnosine
Carnosine works in concert with many other substances and nutrients to promote optimal health. For this reason, formulas that list this important powerful anti-aging supplement among their ingredients may be highly beneficial.
One product that fits this description is Total Balance Formula. This special supplement contains a range of amino acids, including l-carnosine in addition to vitamins, mineral, herbs and other health-promoting substances. Total Balance is available in three versions: a unisex formula, a women’s formula and a men’s formula. All three versions of the product contain 100 mg of carnosine.