Carnosine Boosts Antioxidant Reserves to Battle Stress, Improve Cognitive Function

Carnosine is a naturally occurring antioxidant and metal-chelating nutrient that is shown to minimize the damaging effects of stress on cellular function. Research presented in the PLoS One journal explains that carnosine can help to drastically reduce the formation of amyloid beta protein associated with the brain tangles seen with Alzheimer’s disease.

Our antioxidant defense system is in a continual state of flux, being tested by external pathogens, metabolic glycation and stress that can determine quality of health and risk for disease. Carnosine is shown to boost and recycle existing antioxidants throughout the body to provide a natural shield against chronic illness, and may specifically halt the progression of deadly diseases that lead to dementia and cognitive dysfunction.

Carnosine Supplementation Improves Cellular Energy Production to Prevent Dementia

Researchers understand that a crucial marker of Alzheimer’s dementia and cognitive decline is the formation of beta-amyloid protein clumps that inhibit the normal electrical and neurotransmitter activity required to function optimally and form new memories. Until recently scientists have not fully understood if the tangles were the cause or result of dementia. New evidence exists to support the theory that amyloid plaques form as a result of a declining ability to naturally clear the protein tangles. Neuroscientists believe that a failure in the energy producing mitochondria where glucose is converted to ATP is to blame.

The study included mice that have been genetically bred to develop a form of dementia that closely resembles Alzheimer`s disease in humans. Energy-producing mitochondria are susceptible to the ravages of free radicals and cellular imbalances in metals like copper, iron, and zinc that cause ultimate failure of the organelles leading to numerous chronic diseases. Supplementing the mice with carnosine was found to “promote a strong reduction in the hippocampal intraneuronal accumulation of amyloid-beta and completely rescue Alzheimer`s disease and aging-related mitochondrial dysfunctions.”

Carnosine Helps Prevent Glycation and May Provide a Treatment Option for Alzheimer’s Disease

Carnosine is a potent antioxidant shown to dramatically lower mitochondrial damage typically caused by stress and glycation (protein-sugar bonds) leading to cellular dysfunction and disease. The study authors went so far as to conclude “Our data indicate that carnosine can be part of a combined therapeutic approach for the treatment of AD.” This is a powerful conclusion considering that Big Pharma has no approved cure or effective treatment for this insidious form of dementia.

Carnosine coupled with other natural nutrients known to be neuroprotective (grape seed extract, resveratrol, curcumin, DHA) can lower the stress placed on critical brain structures and provide an effective shield against development and progression of disease. Carnosine is found most commonly in beef, pork, poultry and dairy products. Many health-minded individuals avoid a diet centered around animal-derived foods and supplementation (1,000 mg per day) has been found to be an effective and bioavailable alternative.