What is l-carnosine good for?
Role in brain inflammation
Specifically, one review noted that L-carnosine was able to protect the brain from inflammation, which is why it appears in Alzheimer's research.Role in blood sugar research
Aside from the neuroprotection work, one study reported that L-carnosine supplementation affects blood sugar and insulin levels in overweight people.Role in cancer research
Other studies have looked at L-carnosine and cancer, so far in the lab rather than in people. In one laboratory study, carnosine inhibited the growth of cancer cells in various tissues, including tissues of the breast, ovaries, and colon.Further research into L-carnosine
Ongoing research into L-carnosine includes its role within the immune system, and the atherosclerosis file, where the narrowing of the arteries due to plaque buildup is the subject.When should I take l-carnosine?
Given that L-carnosine can have a stimulating effect, it is recommended to avoid having it in the evening in order to prevent any sleep disruption. Also, L-carnosine is water-soluble, meaning you don't need to take it with food, and it will be optimally absorbed on an empty stomach.
Taking both of these factors into account, taking L-carnosine on an empty stomach earlier in the day, before breakfast or at midday, is the sensible slot.
That said, although it is perfectly safe to take a full dose of L-carnosine at once, some people recommend splitting it into two separate doses, taken at different times of day, due to the fact that L-carnosine has a rather short half-life, and does not remain in the body for very long. In this case, you can take your second dose at some point in the afternoon between meals.
What does l-carnosine combine well with?
L-carnosine with zinc, taken together, for stomach health
Research has looked at a combination of L-carnosine and zinc for the gastric lining and for other aspects of gastrointestinal repair.What else pairs well with l-carnosine?
Also taken with beta-alanine, for cognitive health and blood sugar levels
Other studies have looked at a combination of beta-alanine and L-carnosine, which is studied for cognitive preservation and for markers of blood sugar.Also taken with chromium and cinnamon, for blood sugar levels
Another study combined L-carnosine with the interesting choice of chromium and cinnamon, with the intention of testing the effects on obese or overweight people with observed pre-diabetic markers.After four months of this combination, several key markers improved, which is why L-carnosine keeps appearing in blood sugar research.
What are natural sources of l-carnosine?
If you are interested in obtaining your daily l-carnosine through your diet, you can often find it in:
Possible side effects of l-carnosine
Possible side effects from taking l-carnosine supplements may include (but are not limited to) the following:
- Gastrointestinal upset (rare)
If you are experiencing negative side effects from taking l-carnosine supplements, stop taking them immediately and reach out to your trusted healthcare professional.
Can I take l-carnosine while pregnant or breastfeeding?
Pregnancy doesn't create a known carnosine shortfall, and there are no human pregnancy trials of the supplement, so the capsule adds an unmeasured variable rather than a nutrient your baby needs.
Remember to always discuss any vitamins or supplements with your trusted healthcare professional while pregnant or breastfeeding, or while attempting to conceive.
Where should I store l-carnosine?
For optimal shelf life, it is recommended to keep l-carnosine supplements stored in the cupboard. Always make sure the bottle or container is tightly closed, and kept away from sources of light, heat and humidity.
One more thing regarding l-carnosine
N-acetylcarnosine is not the same as l-carnosine
Oral l-carnosine is what this page is about. N-acetylcarnosine (or "acetyl-l-carnosine") shows up mainly in eye-drop formulas and should not be read as a cupboard twin of the oral dipeptide.Also not to be confused with L-carnitine.
L-carnosine data sources & further reading
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