8 replies to this topic

[nootropi]

I just got some of this new super antioxidant; and as usual I am sharing my exitement at being able to afford to buy a large supply for an affordable price (thanks smi2le)...

Carnosine is a multifunctional dipeptide made up of a chemical combination of the amino acids beta-alanine and L-histidine. It is found both in food and in the human body. Long-lived cells such as nerve cells (neurons) and muscle cells (myocytes) contain high levels of carnosine. Muscle levels of carnosine correlate with the maximum life spans of animals.

Carnosine levels decline with age. Muscle levels decline 63% from age 10 to age 70, which may account for the normal age-related decline in muscle mass and function. 1 Since carnosine acts as a pH buffer, it can keep on protecting muscle cell membranes from oxidation under the acidic conditions of muscular exertion. Carnosine enables the heart muscle to contract more efficiently through enhancement of calcium response in heart myocytes. 2 *

Aging causes irreversible damage to the body's proteins. The underlying mechanism behind this damage is glycation. A simple definition of glycation is the cross-linking of proteins and sugars to form non-functioning structures in the body. The process of glycation can be superficially seen as unsightly wrinkled skin. Glycation is also an underlying cause of age-related catastrophes including the neurologic, vascular, and eye disorders. Carnosine is a unique dipeptide that interferes with the glycation process. When compared to the anti-glycating drug aminoguanidine, carnosine has been shown to inhibit glycation earlier in the process and also provides additive health benefits.*

LEF (click here) is currently selling this for $50 and $66 for their illustrious "members" and "non members," respectively; for 50 grams. smi2le (click here) has it now in bulk for:


L-Carnosine 40 Grams---$18.99
L-Carnosine 120 Grams---$45.99


In other words, you can buy 120 grams of L-Carnosine from smi2le for LESS than 50 grams of L-Carnosine from LEF (and get this: I am talking about their so called "member discount" price). Certainly can't complain! I don't think L-Carnosine will promote dentrite outgrowth, but it sounds like an amazing antioxidant!

[fieyaa]

Do R-ALA and L-Carnosine work differently as anti-oxidents? I'm wondering because I'm not so sure if I care for the insulin sensitivity that R-ALA provides. Many bodybuilding boards are reevaluating the use of R-ALA in weight loss as R-ALA doesn't care what cells (muscle or fat) it shuttles too...

http://forum.avantla...=ST&f=1&t=11676

http://www.cuttinged...&threadid=11087

etc...

[nootropi]

Do R-ALA and L-Carnosine work differently as anti-oxidents? I'm wondering because I'm not so sure if I care for the insulin sensitivity that R-ALA provides. Many bodybuilding boards are reevaluating the use of R-ALA in weight loss as R-ALA doesn't care what cells (muscle or fat) it shuttles too...

I cannot give you a definative answer to your question. "Bodybuilding" is not my highest priority -- cognitive enhancement is -- therefore I am not going to investigate this issue too much.

How much does David Tolson charge to write articles? Does he have a fixed fee? Is he bound by a contract to only write for BN? I am thinking of having Mr. Tolson investigate a couple of issues that I am interested in myself. I would analyse and interpret objective data; however, I really do not have the time to do this effectively. I am taking two advanced quantitative quarter courses this summer; the pace of these courses is twice the pace of the regular quarter; therefore I am expected to learn at a faster rate what is already advanced material for the regular quarter; thus my "free time" is scarce.

[glasses]

[zencatholic]

This could be an interesting thread topic. Personally, my order of priorities are:

1. Life extension
2. Cognitive enhancement
3. Physical fitness/"bodybuilding"

I think they are all important, and I believe that the old adage "healthy body, healthy mind" has merit.

Once I am comfortable with my knowledge of nootropics, I might begin to explore the bodybuilding boards on avant and 1fast400 a little more. The thought of taking a bunch of hormone precursors and psuedo-steroidal compounds scares me, and seems intuitively contrary to life extension. Nevertheless, until I research and learn about the various compounds myself, I can't really pass judgment. Physical fitness is important to me and I try to lift weights or do yoga or some exercise every day. I'm a firm believer that physical fitness in and of itself does enhance cognition.

When I retire in my 100's, maybe I'll pick up tai chi again and have more time for yoga.

Just my usual stream-of-consciousness rambling thoughts....

Peace be with you all,
AMDG

Zen Catholic

[zencatholic]

cosmos-

Agreed! By"retiring" I mean working less, like half days or something. Besides, I can't afford to retire. I'll need to live to 120 to pay off my school loans, my wife's school loans, and my kids' tuition at various schools.

Peace be with you,
AMDG

Zen Catholic

[zencatholic]

Back on topic (somewhat).

Carnosine, in my opinion, is probably the #1 anti-aging supplement at present which is available to the masses. It is an absolute must for any serious life extensionist because of the anti-glycation effects. Until BAC and now smi2le came along, it wasn't very affordable.

LEF insists on taking 1000mg per day, but I am more convinced by the articles on the IAS website that around 300mg per day is the optimal dose.

I'm sure we haven't heard the last on this subject.

Peace be with you all,
AMDG

Zen Catholic

[nootropi]

Back on topic (somewhat).

Carnosine, in my opinion, is probably the #1 anti-aging supplement at present which is available to the masses.  It is an absolute must for any serious life extensionist because of the anti-glycation effects.  Until BAC and now smi2le came along, it wasn't very affordable.

Odd; I just placed an order for:

ELEUTHEROCOCCUS
SHILAJIT
PYRIDOXAMINE-2HCl
BENFOTIAMINE
GOTU KOLA
GINKGO POWDER

From BAC--odd, I didn't even know they sold LCarnosine. BAC has a lot of good stuff for pretty cheap! Stuff I can't find anywhere else for decent prices. Thanks for the hook up, zen catholic!

[ryan1113]

LEF insists on taking 1000mg per day, but I am more convinced by the articles on the IAS website that around 300mg per day is the optimal dose.

Zen Catholic

I'm not convined of that at all. And their results showed that about 500mg in a single dose was optimum for reducing levels of oxidative stress. And I might note that the real optimimum dose may be different for people who take all manner of other antioxidants, as certain other antioxidants have the ability to recycle oxidized carnosine. Few people understand this. Antioxidants work together to lower oxidative stress and help to recycle each other. It's a cooperative thing. And I might add that the dosage would be every 12 hours for this compound, giving you 1000mg daily. They were simply unable to provide this at affordable prices and that's the real reason why.

And aside from decreasing oxidation, this says nothing about its antiglycative effects. The current evidence suggests that both carnosine and its breakdown products inhibit glycation, and so far only carnosine has been shown to actually unfold protein which has already been glycated. The enzyme carnosinase must be saturated in order to raise plasma levels of carnosine. The ideal dosage for reducing glycation may actually be higher than 1000mg. But more 'in vivo' testing needs to be done. I currently take 600mg every twelve hours.