Botanical Name: Malpighia glabra L
Family Name: Malpighiaceae
Common Name: Carnosine
Carnosine is scientifically known as beta-alanyl-L-histidine and composed of one molecule each of amino acids histidine and beta-alanine and is known chemically as a dipeptide. The L form carnosine is active in human beings and carnosine is generally found in bodies of animals, more in the brains and muscles. L-Carnosine is found in animal protein, mainly in red meat. Since it is not present in plants vegetarians will not get L-carnosine from dietary sources. After eating red meat, the L-carnosine level drops to O within several hours. L-carnsine gets metabolized rapidly even though the digestion of protein is relatively slow. L- Carnosine has many antioxidant properties with a variety of health benefits. L- carnosine can scavenge many reactive chemicals like the alpha-beta unsaturated aldehydes which are formed by fatty acids in cell membranes during oxidative stress. I-carnosine actions include chelation of divalent metal ions and this help reduce damage to DNA molecules. It has the ability to help support the healthy functions of telomeres in chromosomes. It supports the body's ability to reduce the production of advanced glycation end products and it contributes to a variety of degenerative conditions. L-carnosine support many age related conditions. It is good for the support of skin, joints, digestive systems and memory. It is good to maintain the skin's elasticity and this reduces the wrinkles. It is good for memory support and good for the brain health. It improves absentmindedness and memory recall. Physically it helps the joints in human body. It is good for managing inflammation and helps to delay the joint problems which happen due to age. L-carnosine support digestive system manages Helicobacter pylori which is a kind of bacteria which causes peptic ulcer and gastric ulcer.
History of Carnosine:
Carnosine was discovered by the Russian chemist V. Gulevich who isolated carnosine and carnitine in the year 1900. Many research scholars in South Korea, Russia, Britain and other countries have found out that there are lots of antioxidant properties which are beneficial in Carnosine. Carnosine is a zwitterion which is a neutral molecule with a positive and negative end.
Commonly Known Benefits:
Vegetarians are most likely to have deficiency of L-carnosine because it is not available in vegetarian diet. L-carnosine deficiency is commonly seen in people who do not consume enough beef, fish and poultry. Since the level of carnosine reduces naturally with age it is ideal for the elderly people to take L-carnosine supplements. When you symptoms of wrinkle it is an indication that you may need L-carnosine. The deficiency of L-carnosine will affect the brain, head and immune system also. L-carnosine can be widely seen in the human body particularly in hair and innervated tissues, eye lens and skeleton muscles. L-carnosine has anti-glycation properties which are beneficial for modifications of LDL cholesterol molecules which contribute to early stages of arterial plaque formation. It protects the blood vessels from diabetic damage.