Overview

SCIENTIFIC SCORE
Possibly Effective
Based on 16 Researches
7.7
USERS' SCORE
Good
Based on 18 Reviews
8.2
Supplement Facts
Serving Size: 1 Veg Capsule
Amount Per Serving
%DV
L-Carnosine (B-alanyl-L-histidine)
500 mg
*

Top Medical Research Studies

8
Carnosine's potential against Alzheimer's
We discovered interesting insights into how l-carnosine, an endogenous metabolite, impacts Alzheimer's disease. By analyzing data from the Human Metabolome Database, we identified l-carnosine, alongside kynurenic acid, as substances that can inhibit the aggregation of amyloid beta peptide (Aβ), which is commonly associated with Alzheimer’s.

Our findings highlighted that l-carnosine works by triggering a cytosolic unfolded protein response. This involves a transcription factor called HSF-1 and different chaperones, specifically HSP40/J-proteins DNJ-12 and DNJ-19. This mechanism indicates that l-carnosine not only plays a role in reducing protein aggregation but may also suggest potential anti-aging benefits.

The link we established between metabolite homeostasis and protein homeostasis presents promising avenues for preventative measures against neurodegenerative disorders. It's exciting to think about how exploring the roles of metabolites like l-carnosine could offer new strategies in combating diseases that impact so many lives.
Read More
We investigated how l-carnosine can influence oxidative stress related to Alzheimer's disease (AD). Our focus was on how Aβ1-42 oligomers, which are linked to neurodegeneration in AD, affect primary mixed glial cultures made up of microglia and astrocytes.

During our research, we looked at markers of oxidative stress like reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO). We found that exposure to Aβ oligomers significantly increased both ROS and NO levels in the glial cells. However, when we pre-treated the cultures with l-carnosine, it completely blocked this rise, bringing ROS and NO levels back to those found in healthy control cells.

One interesting aspect of our findings was the cellular response to the Aβ oligomers. We observed two distinct groups of cells, with some reacting more strongly to the treatment. In the presence of l-carnosine, the response became uniform across the cells, mirroring the control group. While we didn't see distinct groupings in NO production, the effectiveness of l-carnosine in reducing ROS indicates its potential as a protective agent.

Overall, our study suggests that l-carnosine could play a vital role in counteracting oxidative stress in Alzheimer's, offering a hopeful avenue for future treatments aimed at improving brain health in the context of neurodegenerative diseases.
Read More
8
l-Carnosine shows promise for Alzheimer's
We focused on understanding the impact of l-carnosine (CAR) in an innovative zebrafish model that mimics Alzheimer’s disease (AD). This model replicates key characteristics of the disease, including cognitive decline and abnormal tau protein behavior. By observing the effect of CAR on these symptoms, we aimed to explore its potential as a therapeutic agent.

Our results highlighted that l-carnosine can significantly improve learning abilities and reduce anxiety-like behaviors in these zebrafish. Notably, we discovered that CAR helps protect against dopamine release impairments, which are often associated with AD. Furthermore, the treatment indicated varying outcomes based on the sex of the zebrafish, suggesting that responses to CAR might differ across genders.

In essence, our findings provide strong evidence for l-carnosine as a promising candidate for future research into preventive therapies for Alzheimer’s disease. We are excited about the potential implications for delaying or mitigating the onset of this challenging condition.
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Most Useful Reviews

9
Increased energy levels
169 people found this helpful
My get-up-and-go had gone, but it's back! I first heard of this on Dr Oz, prompting me to research it further. Many reputable sources noted its claims and results from studies. Although a bit pricey, I decided to try it. I genuinely feel more energised after taking it, 1000mg daily. I even mix it into a tall glass of water. I'm not a doctor, so always consult a professional before relying on online information. My energy and motivation have significantly improved, which has led to better food choices and reduced sugar cravings.
Read More
9
Neuroprotective effects
36 people found this helpful
This is a remarkable aid for brain dysfunction and optimising neurons. My nephew with autism has shown improvement alongside lipoic acid and DHA. My wife and I take it as well to help prevent Alzheimer's disease.
Read More
8.75
Behavioural improvement
L-Carnosine is available as a supplement, marketed as a treatment for various conditions, including Alzheimer's. It has shown to help children with autism in behaviour, speech, and nervous system functioning, leading to significant improvements during studies.
Read More

Medical Researches

SCIENTIFIC SCORE
Possibly Effective
Based on 16 Researches
7.7
  • All Researches
We investigated how l-carnosine can influence oxidative stress related to Alzheimer's disease (AD). Our focus was on how Aβ1-42 oligomers, which are linked to neurodegeneration in AD, affect primary mixed glial cultures made up of microglia and astrocytes.

During our research, we looked at markers of oxidative stress like reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO). We found that exposure to Aβ oligomers significantly increased both ROS and NO levels in the glial cells. However, when we pre-treated the cultures with l-carnosine, it completely blocked this rise, bringing ROS and NO levels back to those found in healthy control cells.

One interesting aspect of our findings was the cellular response to the Aβ oligomers. We observed two distinct groups of cells, with some reacting more strongly to the treatment. In the presence of l-carnosine, the response became uniform across the cells, mirroring the control group. While we didn't see distinct groupings in NO production, the effectiveness of l-carnosine in reducing ROS indicates its potential as a protective agent.

Overall, our study suggests that l-carnosine could play a vital role in counteracting oxidative stress in Alzheimer's, offering a hopeful avenue for future treatments aimed at improving brain health in the context of neurodegenerative diseases.
Read More
9
Carnosine counters cellular damage
We explored the role of carnosine in addressing the harmful effects of amyloid-beta (Aβ) oligomers, which are implicated in both Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD). Using a specific human retinal pigment epithelial cell line called ARPE-19, we treated these cells with Aβ oligomers to recreate conditions similar to early AMD pathology.

Our investigation revealed that exposure to Aβ significantly decreased cell viability while increasing inflammation markers and oxidative stress levels. We observed notable damage to the tight junction protein ZO-1, which is vital for cell integrity.

Crucially, when we introduced carnosine, it demonstrated a remarkable ability to counteract these detrimental changes in the ARPE-19 cells. This suggests that carnosine can not only protect against inflammation and oxidative stress but also maintain cellular health. Given carnosine's unique properties and its reduced levels in individuals suffering from AMD, our findings point towards its potential as a neuroprotective treatment in the context of AMD pathology, alongside its relevance to Alzheimer's research.
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9
We investigated how L-carnosine, a naturally occurring peptide, affects brain cells in the context of Alzheimer's disease, particularly focusing on oxidative stress and energy metabolism. In our research, we looked at human microglia—cells that play a key role in brain health—that were exposed to a combination of lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and ATP, known to induce inflammation and stress.

Our findings revealed that L-carnosine has the capacity to protect these microglia from cell death and oxidative damage caused by the LPS and ATP combination. Importantly, we observed that L-carnosine not only prevented harmful effects but also restored normal energy metabolism in these cells. This suggests that L-carnosine could play a therapeutic role in conditions characterized by inflammation and energy imbalances, like Alzheimer's and depression.

Overall, our study points to L-carnosine as a promising new avenue for treating neuroinflammatory issues tied to Alzheimer’s disease, although it's noteworthy that it was tested alongside other stressors, making it hard to pinpoint its sole influence. The results open up exciting possibilities for future treatments aimed at preserving brain health.
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9
L-carnosine shows promise for Alzheimer's
We set out to understand how L-carnosine affects Alzheimer's disease by comparing it with swimming exercise in a rat model. To do this, we administered an intracerebroventricular injection of streptozotocin (STZ), which is known to induce memory impairment similar to Alzheimer's. Our study involved groups of rats that were either given L-carnosine or allowed to swim regularly for five weeks. After this period, we conducted neurobehavioral tests before examining their serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for irisin levels, as well as their hippocampal tissues for several important proteins.

Our findings indicated that L-carnosine, like swimming, helped to normalize the levels of FNDC5/irisin in the hippocampus, which is crucial for brain health. Both treatments were linked to decreases in harmful proteins associated with Alzheimer's, such as β-amyloid and phosphorylated tau. Additionally, there were improvements in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and insulin signaling, both of which are important for cognitive function.

However, we observed that the levels of irisin in the hippocampus didn’t correlate with those found in the serum or CSF. This means that while L-carnosine seems to offer benefits similar to exercise in reversing cognitive decline and improving key biomarkers of Alzheimer's, the full scope of its effects may not be completely explained by circulating irisin levels. Collectively, these results highlight L-carnosine's potential as a valuable intervention for cognitive impairments in Alzheimer's disease research.
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We explored the potential of l-carnosine when paired with hyaluronic acid to counteract the harmful effects of Alzheimer's disease. By focusing on how these compounds could work together to tackle the formation of toxic amyloid-β aggregates, we aimed to uncover a promising pharmacological approach to this neurodegenerative disorder.

The study highlighted that derivatives of hyaluronic acid, when functionalized with carnosine, effectively inhibited the formation of amyloid-type aggregates more than their individual components. This action seemed to increase with the level of carnosine included in the formulation.

Additionally, we found that these hyaluronic acid-carnosine conjugates were capable of dissolving existing amyloid fibrils and reducing Aβ-induced toxicity in cell cultures. This suggests that not only do they prevent toxicity, but they also help to break down harmful aggregates already present.

Overall, our findings indicate that carnosine, especially when combined with hyaluronic acid, could be a valuable player in the quest to address Alzheimer's disease, although the specific isolated effects of carnosine alone remain unclear.
Read More

User Reviews

USERS' SCORE
Good
Based on 18 Reviews
8.2
  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
9
Increased energy levels
169 people found this helpful
My get-up-and-go had gone, but it's back! I first heard of this on Dr Oz, prompting me to research it further. Many reputable sources noted its claims and results from studies. Although a bit pricey, I decided to try it. I genuinely feel more energised after taking it, 1000mg daily. I even mix it into a tall glass of water. I'm not a doctor, so always consult a professional before relying on online information. My energy and motivation have significantly improved, which has led to better food choices and reduced sugar cravings.
Read More
9
Neuroprotective effects
36 people found this helpful
This is a remarkable aid for brain dysfunction and optimising neurons. My nephew with autism has shown improvement alongside lipoic acid and DHA. My wife and I take it as well to help prevent Alzheimer's disease.
Read More
8.75
Behavioural improvement
L-Carnosine is available as a supplement, marketed as a treatment for various conditions, including Alzheimer's. It has shown to help children with autism in behaviour, speech, and nervous system functioning, leading to significant improvements during studies.
Read More
7.5
Cognitive rejuvenation
120 people found this helpful
Carnosine is a unique dipeptide created from amino acids, stimulating our body for rejuvenation, especially in key organs. After 40, its production declines, leading to noticeable ageing and organ vulnerability. Hence, taking carnosine may repair and delay organ deterioration. It’s used in treating Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, and it also refreshes the skin.
Read More
7.5
Antioxidant properties
6 people found this helpful
L-carnosine is a natural dipeptide abundant in the brain and muscles, offering health benefits like anti-aging, brain support against oxidative stress, immune system enhancement, and eye health protection. It may also benefit skin health by promoting healing and counteracting aging effects.
Read More

Frequently Asked Questions

6
Alzheimer prevention
48 people found this helpful
Carnosine is produced in various organs, particularly the brain. It boosts endurance, immune activity, and heart function. Its neuroprotective effects lower the risks of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. Its benefits accumulate over time, so the initial effects may not be immediately noticeable.
7.5
Immune support
2 people found this helpful
Carnosine is produced in numerous body parts, particularly the brain, enhancing immune activity and heart function. Its neuroprotective properties may lower Alzheimer's and Parkinson's risks while boosting stress resistance, though effects take time to become noticeable.
8.75
Behavioural improvement
L-Carnosine is available as a supplement, marketed as a treatment for various conditions, including Alzheimer's. It has shown to help children with autism in behaviour, speech, and nervous system functioning, leading to significant improvements during studies.
7.5
Heart health improvement
L-carnosine is known to improve heart function and blood vessel health, and it may reduce the risk of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's by enhancing nerve impulse transmission.
7.5
Endurance enhancement
3 people found this helpful
Carnosine is unique; it acts as an antioxidant and geroprotector, slowing the aging process and increasing endurance for athletes. It also helps with Alzheimer’s disease progression. The effects develop gradually over weeks.
9
Neuroprotective effects
36 people found this helpful
This is a remarkable aid for brain dysfunction and optimising neurons. My nephew with autism has shown improvement alongside lipoic acid and DHA. My wife and I take it as well to help prevent Alzheimer's disease.
7.5
Positive cumulative effect
1 people found this helpful
Carnosine is present in almost all cells, particularly in the brain, muscles, and heart. As we age, our ability to produce it declines, contributing to ageing. Regular consumption of nutrient-rich foods or supplements may help maintain levels and thus prolong youth. Carnosine acts as a buffer and has antioxidant properties. It may slow telomere shortening and improve cell lifespan, showing promise in treating Alzheimer's and similar conditions. I've taken it daily without negative effects, and I hope to see positive results over time.
9
Preventive measure
4 people found this helpful
Given my family's history with Alzheimer’s, I take Carnosine and other supplements as a precautionary measure. It safeguards cell and tissue structures during aging through its antioxidant properties.
4
l-carnosine shows memory improvement
We aimed to understand how l-carnosine, a histidine-containing dipeptide, impacts cognitive performance, particularly in relation to Alzheimer's disease. In our analysis, we reviewed multiple randomized controlled trials that specifically focused on l-carnosine supplementation and its potential benefits for cognitive decline.

Our findings revealed that l-carnosine supplementation significantly improved performance on the Delayed Recall part of the Wechsler Memory Scale. This aspect is crucial because Delayed Recall is often affected early in Alzheimer's disease, suggesting that l-carnosine could serve as a supportive treatment to boost memory in individuals facing cognitive challenges.

However, we should also note that while l-carnosine showed promise in improving Delayed Recall, it did not significantly influence other cognitive assessments like the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale or the Mini-Mental State Examination. Our subgroup analysis indicated that the positive effects on Delayed Recall were consistent even in older adults and those without mild cognitive impairment.

Overall, while our study points to l-carnosine's potential benefits in supporting memory function in the context of Alzheimer's disease, further research is essential. Future studies should focus on individuals with early cognitive impairment, utilizing standardized doses and longer follow-up periods to clarify l-carnosine's true impact.
We investigated how l-carnosine can influence oxidative stress related to Alzheimer's disease (AD). Our focus was on how Aβ1-42 oligomers, which are linked to neurodegeneration in AD, affect primary mixed glial cultures made up of microglia and astrocytes.

During our research, we looked at markers of oxidative stress like reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO). We found that exposure to Aβ oligomers significantly increased both ROS and NO levels in the glial cells. However, when we pre-treated the cultures with l-carnosine, it completely blocked this rise, bringing ROS and NO levels back to those found in healthy control cells.

One interesting aspect of our findings was the cellular response to the Aβ oligomers. We observed two distinct groups of cells, with some reacting more strongly to the treatment. In the presence of l-carnosine, the response became uniform across the cells, mirroring the control group. While we didn't see distinct groupings in NO production, the effectiveness of l-carnosine in reducing ROS indicates its potential as a protective agent.

Overall, our study suggests that l-carnosine could play a vital role in counteracting oxidative stress in Alzheimer's, offering a hopeful avenue for future treatments aimed at improving brain health in the context of neurodegenerative diseases.
8
Carnosine mitigates Alzheimer's toxicity
We investigated how l-carnosine, a natural peptide, affects macrophages in the context of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Our focus was on understanding its potential to shield these immune cells from the harmful effects of amyloid beta (Aβ1-42) oligomers, which are known to contribute to the disease.

Through a series of meticulous experiments using various methods, we observed that pre-treating RAW 264.7 macrophages with l-carnosine significantly reduced cell death and signs of apoptosis caused by Aβ1-42 oligomers. This protective mechanism seems to be linked to l-carnosine's ability to lower oxidative stress, evident through decreased levels of nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species in the cells.

Notably, rather than acting through traditional inflammatory pathways, carnosine’s benefits appear to stem from its well-established antioxidant properties. Furthermore, we noticed enhancements in macrophage phagocytic activity and improvements in the fractalkine receptor, CX3CR1, which play critical roles in the clearance of toxic peptides from the brain.

These promising findings highlight l-carnosine's therapeutic potential in combating AD, not just by protecting macrophages but also by addressing the oxidative stress associated with the disease.
7
Carnosine shows promise for cognition
We investigated how carnosine, a naturally occurring dipeptide, can affect cognitive decline in individuals with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Our systematic review and meta-analysis adhered to established guidelines and focused on several clinical studies that explored carnosine supplementation.

In our analysis, we discovered that carnosine, when taken at a dose of 1 gram per day for 12 weeks, showed promise in enhancing global cognitive function in elderly participants. However, we noted that there were no significant improvements in depressive symptoms as a result of carnosine treatment.

While our findings suggest that carnosine may have potential therapeutic benefits against cognitive decline, particularly in elderly folks and those experiencing mild cognitive impairment, we emphasize that further large-scale and prolonged studies are needed to more clearly establish its efficacy.

References

  1. Chern H, Caruso G, Desaire H, Jarosova R. Carnosine Mitigates Cognitive Impairment and Dopamine Release in an Okadaic Acid-Induced Zebrafish Model with Alzheimer's Disease-like Symptoms. ACS Chem Neurosci. 2025. doi:10.1021/acschemneuro.4c00596
  2. Cardaci V, Di Pietro L, Zupan MC, Sibbitts J, Privitera A, et al. Characterizing oxidative stress induced by Aβ oligomers and the protective role of carnosine in primary mixed glia cultures. Free Radic Biol Med. 2025;229:213. doi:10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2025.01.030
  3. Bell SM, Hariharan R, Laud PJ, Majid A, de Courten B. Histidine-containing dipeptide supplementation improves delayed recall: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Nutr Rev. 2024;82:1372. doi:10.1093/nutrit/nuad135
  4. Caruso G, Fresta CG, Fidilio A, Lazzara F, Musso N, et al. Carnosine Counteracts the Molecular Alterations Aβ Oligomers-Induced in Human Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells. Molecules. 2023;28. doi:10.3390/molecules28083324
  5. Privitera A, Cardaci V, Weerasekara D, Saab MW, Diolosà L, et al. Microfluidic/HPLC combination to study carnosine protective activity on challenged human microglia: Focus on oxidative stress and energy metabolism. Front Pharmacol. 2023;14:1161794. doi:10.3389/fphar.2023.1161794
  6. Shen F, Regmi D, Islam M, Raja Somu D, Merk V, et al. Effects of zinc and carnosine on aggregation kinetics of Amyloid-β40 peptide. Biochem Biophys Rep. 2022;32:101333. doi:10.1016/j.bbrep.2022.101333
  7. Hegazy MA, Abdelmonsif DA, Zeitoun TM, El-Sayed NS, Samy DM. Swimming exercise versus L-carnosine supplementation for Alzheimer's dementia in rats: implication of circulating and hippocampal FNDC5/irisin. J Physiol Biochem. 2022;78:109. doi:10.1007/s13105-021-00845-6
  8. Grasso M, Caruso G, Godos J, Bonaccorso A, Carbone C, et al. Improving Cognition with Nutraceuticals Targeting TGF-β1 Signaling. Antioxidants (Basel). 2021;10. doi:10.3390/antiox10071075
  9. Joshi P, Perni M, Limbocker R, Mannini B, Casford S, et al. Two human metabolites rescue a C. elegans model of Alzheimer's disease via a cytosolic unfolded protein response. Commun Biol. 2021;4:843. doi:10.1038/s42003-021-02218-7
  10. Caruso G, Benatti C, Musso N, Fresta CG, Fidilio A, et al. Carnosine Protects Macrophages against the Toxicity of Aβ1-42 Oligomers by Decreasing Oxidative Stress. Biomedicines. 2021;9. doi:10.3390/biomedicines9050477
  11. Caruso G, Godos J, Castellano S, Micek A, Murabito P, et al. The Therapeutic Potential of Carnosine/Anserine Supplementation against Cognitive Decline: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis. Biomedicines. 2021;9. doi:10.3390/biomedicines9030253
  12. Masuoka N, Lei C, Li H, Hisatsune T. Influence of Imidazole-Dipeptides on Cognitive Status and Preservation in Elders: A Narrative Review. Nutrients. 2021;13. doi:10.3390/nu13020397
  13. Greco V, Naletova I, Ahmed IMM, Vaccaro S, Messina L, et al. Hyaluronan-carnosine conjugates inhibit Aβ aggregation and toxicity. Sci Rep. 2020;10:15998. doi:10.1038/s41598-020-72989-2
  14. Masuoka N, Yoshimine C, Hori M, Tanaka M, Asada T, et al. Effects of Anserine/Carnosine Supplementation on Mild Cognitive Impairment with APOE4. Nutrients. 2019;11. doi:10.3390/nu11071626
  15. Caruso G, Fresta CG, Musso N, Giambirtone M, Grasso M, et al. Carnosine Prevents Aβ-Induced Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Microglial Cells: A Key Role of TGF-β1. Cells. 2019;8. doi:10.3390/cells8010064
  16. Zhang H, Dong X, Sun Y. Carnosine-LVFFARK-NH Conjugate: A Moderate Chelator but Potent Inhibitor of Cu-Mediated Amyloid β-Protein Aggregation. ACS Chem Neurosci. 2018;9:2689. doi:10.1021/acschemneuro.8b00133
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