Carnosine and Beta-Alanine Supplementation in Human Medicine: Narrative Review and Critical Assessment.

2023-04-05
Nutrients 15(7)
- Ondrej Cesak
- Jitka Vostalova
- Ales Vidlar
- Petra Bastlova
- Vladimir Student

PubMed: 37049610
DOI: 10.3390/nu15071770

Study Design

Type: Review
Methods: We queried PubMed, Web of Science, the National Library of Medicine and the Cochrane Library, employing a search strategy using database-specific keywords.

Rigorous Journal

The dipeptide carnosine is a physiologically important molecule in the human body, commonly found in skeletal muscle and brain tissue. Beta-alanine is a limiting precursor of carnosine and is among the most used sports supplements for improving athletic performance. However, carnosine, its metabolite N-acetylcarnosine, and the synthetic derivative zinc-L-carnosine have recently been gaining popularity as supplements in human medicine. These molecules have a wide range of effects-principally with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiglycation, anticarbonylation, calcium-regulatory, immunomodulatory and chelating properties. This review discusses results from recent studies focusing on the impact of this supplementation in several areas of human medicine. We queried PubMed, Web of Science, the National Library of Medicine and the Cochrane Library, employing a search strategy using database-specific keywords. Evidence showed that the supplementation had a beneficial impact in the prevention of sarcopenia, the preservation of cognitive abilities and the improvement of neurodegenerative disorders. Furthermore, the improvement of diabetes mellitus parameters and symptoms of oral mucositis was seen, as well as the regression of esophagitis and taste disorders after chemotherapy, the protection of the gastrointestinal mucosa and the support of Helicobacter pylori eradication treatment. However, in the areas of senile cataracts, cardiovascular disease, schizophrenia and autistic disorders, the results are inconclusive.

Research Insights

Beta-Alanine→Improved Autistic Disorder
However, in the areas of senile cataracts, cardiovascular disease, schizophrenia and autistic disorders, the results are inconclusive.
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Beta-Alanine→Improved Glycemic Control
the improvement of diabetes mellitus parameters and symptoms of oral mucositis was seen, as well as the regression of esophagitis and taste disorders after chemotherapy, the protection of the gastrointestinal mucosa and the support of Helicobacter pylori eradication treatment.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Beta-Alanine→Improved H Pylori Eradication Rates
the improvement of diabetes mellitus parameters and symptoms of oral mucositis was seen, as well as the regression of esophagitis and taste disorders after chemotherapy, the protection of the gastrointestinal mucosa and the support of Helicobacter pylori eradication treatment.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Beta-Alanine→Improved Neurodegenerative Disorder
Evidence showed that the supplementation had a beneficial impact in the prevention of sarcopenia, the preservation of cognitive abilities and the improvement of neurodegenerative disorders.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Beta-Alanine→Improved Schizophrenia
However, in the areas of senile cataracts, cardiovascular disease, schizophrenia and autistic disorders, the results are inconclusive.
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Beta-Alanine→Improved Taste Function
the improvement of diabetes mellitus parameters and symptoms of oral mucositis was seen, as well as the regression of esophagitis and taste disorders after chemotherapy, the protection of the gastrointestinal mucosa and the support of Helicobacter pylori eradication treatment.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Beta-Alanine→Preserved Cognitive Abilities
Evidence showed that the supplementation had a beneficial impact in the prevention of sarcopenia, the preservation of cognitive abilities and the improvement of neurodegenerative disorders.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Beta-Alanine→Prevented Sarcopenia
Evidence showed that the supplementation had a beneficial impact in the prevention of sarcopenia, the preservation of cognitive abilities and the improvement of neurodegenerative disorders.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Beta-Alanine→Protected Gastrointestinal Mucosa
the improvement of diabetes mellitus parameters and symptoms of oral mucositis was seen, as well as the regression of esophagitis and taste disorders after chemotherapy, the protection of the gastrointestinal mucosa and the support of Helicobacter pylori eradication treatment.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Beta-Alanine→Reduced Cardiovascular Disease
However, in the areas of senile cataracts, cardiovascular disease, schizophrenia and autistic disorders, the results are inconclusive.
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Beta-Alanine→Reduced Cataract
However, in the areas of senile cataracts, cardiovascular disease, schizophrenia and autistic disorders, the results are inconclusive.
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Beta-Alanine→Reduced Oral Mucositis Symptoms
the improvement of diabetes mellitus parameters and symptoms of oral mucositis was seen, as well as the regression of esophagitis and taste disorders after chemotherapy, the protection of the gastrointestinal mucosa and the support of Helicobacter pylori eradication treatment.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Beta-Alanine→Regressed Esophagitis
the improvement of diabetes mellitus parameters and symptoms of oral mucositis was seen, as well as the regression of esophagitis and taste disorders after chemotherapy, the protection of the gastrointestinal mucosa and the support of Helicobacter pylori eradication treatment.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Carnosine→Improved Autistic Disorder
However, in the areas of senile cataracts, cardiovascular disease, schizophrenia and autistic disorders, the results are inconclusive.
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Carnosine→Improved Glycemic Control
the improvement of diabetes mellitus parameters and symptoms of oral mucositis was seen, as well as the regression of esophagitis and taste disorders after chemotherapy, the protection of the gastrointestinal mucosa and the support of Helicobacter pylori eradication treatment.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Carnosine→Improved H Pylori Eradication Rates
the improvement of diabetes mellitus parameters and symptoms of oral mucositis was seen, as well as the regression of esophagitis and taste disorders after chemotherapy, the protection of the gastrointestinal mucosa and the support of Helicobacter pylori eradication treatment.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Carnosine→Improved Neurodegenerative Disorder
Evidence showed that the supplementation had a beneficial impact in the prevention of sarcopenia, the preservation of cognitive abilities and the improvement of neurodegenerative disorders.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Carnosine→Improved Schizophrenia
However, in the areas of senile cataracts, cardiovascular disease, schizophrenia and autistic disorders, the results are inconclusive.
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Carnosine→Improved Taste Function
the improvement of diabetes mellitus parameters and symptoms of oral mucositis was seen, as well as the regression of esophagitis and taste disorders after chemotherapy, the protection of the gastrointestinal mucosa and the support of Helicobacter pylori eradication treatment.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Carnosine→Preserved Cognitive Abilities
Evidence showed that the supplementation had a beneficial impact in the prevention of sarcopenia, the preservation of cognitive abilities and the improvement of neurodegenerative disorders.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Carnosine→Prevented Sarcopenia
Evidence showed that the supplementation had a beneficial impact in the prevention of sarcopenia, the preservation of cognitive abilities and the improvement of neurodegenerative disorders.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Carnosine→Protected Gastrointestinal Mucosa
the improvement of diabetes mellitus parameters and symptoms of oral mucositis was seen, as well as the regression of esophagitis and taste disorders after chemotherapy, the protection of the gastrointestinal mucosa and the support of Helicobacter pylori eradication treatment.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Carnosine→Reduced Cardiovascular Disease
However, in the areas of senile cataracts, cardiovascular disease, schizophrenia and autistic disorders, the results are inconclusive.
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Carnosine→Reduced Cataract
However, in the areas of senile cataracts, cardiovascular disease, schizophrenia and autistic disorders, the results are inconclusive.
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Carnosine→Reduced Oral Mucositis Symptoms
the improvement of diabetes mellitus parameters and symptoms of oral mucositis was seen, as well as the regression of esophagitis and taste disorders after chemotherapy, the protection of the gastrointestinal mucosa and the support of Helicobacter pylori eradication treatment.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Carnosine→Regressed Esophagitis
the improvement of diabetes mellitus parameters and symptoms of oral mucositis was seen, as well as the regression of esophagitis and taste disorders after chemotherapy, the protection of the gastrointestinal mucosa and the support of Helicobacter pylori eradication treatment.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small