Carnosine: A Potent Antioxidant

Carnosine oral supplementation is relatively new, and there is no RDA for this substance. The normal dose for anti-aging benefits is 100 to 200 milligrams each day. Such dosages have failed to produce any report of serious side effects or contraindications to date. There have been some reports of disturbing muscle twitching with dosages of over 1 gram per day.

Russian researchers have developed carnosine eyedrops, which are used for age-related eye disorders. This form of carnosine is not for oral use as it is not absorbed through the stomach, but it has demonstrated some remarkable effects on patients with cataracts, a condition caused by the free-radical damage to the eye lens. In some cases, the cataracts went away completely, and these results were maintained with regular use of the drops.

Carnosine should not be confused with either carnitine or acetyl-l carnitine, which are also amino acids.