Carnosine
Also known as: L-Carnosine, beta-alanyl-L-histidine
Carnosine is a natural dipeptide (beta-alanyl-L-histidine) found in muscle and brain, sold as a dietary supplement. It is not an FDA-approved drug.
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Mechanism of Action
Carnosine is made in the body from beta-alanine and histidine and is concentrated in skeletal muscle and brain. Its imidazole ring buffers hydrogen ions in muscle, and in laboratory studies it chelates metal ions, scavenges reactive oxygen species and reactive aldehydes, and limits formation of advanced glycation end products. When taken by mouth, carnosine is largely broken down by the blood enzyme carnosinase (CN1), so how much intact carnosine reaches tissues varies between people. Raising muscle carnosine with beta-alanine is a separate intervention and its results do not transfer to oral carnosine.
- Half-life
- Minutes in plasma; rapidly degraded by serum carnosinase
- Administration Routes
- Oral
- Research Status
- Clinical
Reported Benefits
- Small pilot trials on glucose and insulin measures in overweight adults
- Small trial on cognition in Gulf War illness
- Large trial found little effect on physical performance
- Studied as an antioxidant and anti-glycation compound
Potential Side Effects
- Generally well tolerated in short trials
- Occasional mild stomach upset
- Long-term safety of high-dose use not well studied
Common Dosing
There is no approved dose. Clinical trials have used roughly 1.5 to 2 g per day by mouth for about 12 to 14 weeks. Supplement products vary in content and quality, so discuss use with a clinician, especially if you take glucose-lowering medication or have kidney disease.
The dosing information above is aggregated from research literature and anecdotal community reports for educational purposes only. It is not a recommendation, prescription, or medical advice. Peptides are sold as research chemicals only and are not intended for human use.
Contraindications
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: safety not established
- Known allergy to the supplement or its ingredients
- Use with glucose-lowering drugs or kidney disease: discuss with a clinician
No documented stacking partners for Carnosine yet.
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Physiology and pathophysiology of carnosine
2013
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Effects of carnosine supplementation on glucose metabolism: Pilot clinical trial
2016
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Low plasma carnosinase activity promotes carnosinemia after carnosine ingestion in humans
2012
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Effects of carnosine supplementation on physical endurance: a placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial
2026