Ingredient Profile: L-Carnosine 

Written By Jerry Teixeira

There are so many nutritional and sports supplements on the market today that it’s difficult to decipher what they are, what’s in them, and what they’re supposed to do for our bodies.

In an effort to improve performance, endurance, and general nutrition, it’s possible to be overwhelmed by the sheer scope of supplements and all of the information out there to explain them. One of the lesser-understood supplements is L-carnosine, even though the research on it has been extensive.

L-Carnosine is a dipeptide or combination of two important amino acids, beta-alanine, and L-histidine. It is produced naturally in the human body (mainly in muscles and the brain) and can also be found in many of the proteins we eat, particularly animal protein. Carnosine is easily broken down into beta-alanine and L-histidine, but years of research conducted in Britain, Russia, and South Korea have shown that these two amino acids work much more efficiently together as L-carnosine than they do alone.

When we eat foods containing carnosine, the carnosine is first broken down into amino acids, and then taken to the muscle fibers, especially the Type II muscle fibers, where it is rebuilt or re-assembled into carnosine. The Type II muscle fibers are the fast-twitch muscles, which are the muscles that give us speed for short periods and bursts of strength for intense physical training, particularly high intensity or endurance heavy exercise.

Intense work in muscles produces a state or process called acidosis in the muscles. This is a result of the muscle tissue’s increased need for oxygen during intense work. Acidosis is what produces the “burn” that instructors are always telling us to “feel”.

L-Carnosine improves performance in high intensity or endurance heavy exercise.

L-carnosine can speed the recovery of muscles and increase the muscle fiber’s efficiency in oxygenating, which will increase performance during intense workouts, sports performance, and speed-focused sports such as sprinting cross-training, high-intensity interval training, and much more. Research into L-carnosine’s effects on athletic performance and strength training is ongoing, but the results thus far have been very exciting.

L-carnosine also has some very well-researched antioxidant benefits, which are beneficial for immune system health. L-carnosine supports healthy aging and cellular rejuvenation and reproduction by working on two of the body’s own mechanisms: Glycosylation and free radical damage. Glycosylation is the oxidation of proteins by glucose, which is largely blamed for the loss of cell function and accelerated aging.  It also protects the aging process of the brain by decreasing lipid deterioration and stabilizing cell membranes in the brain.

It has been suggested that L-carnosine may play a role in fighting catabolism during intense exercise. L-Carnosine’s application to muscle vitality and fighting catabolism during exercise has been useful for professional athletes, weekend warriors, and everyday fitness enthusiasts alike.

One side benefit to L-carnosine is that the increased cell reproduction and rejuvenation apply to all cells. Not only are muscle fibers and brain cells rebuilt and reproduced more efficiently, so are the cells in the skin, hair, and nail cells. In addition to improved muscle performance and recovery, athletes and others will notice improved skin elasticity and tone and stronger, shinier hair.

All of these benefits make L-carnosine a real powerhouse supplement, which is why it is one of the beneficial ingredients you’ll find in Cardio Surge Energy.