9 replies to this topic

[ta5]

A common high dose of carnosine is 1000mg or 1500mg. I found a few mentions of 3 gram doses.

What are the risks or side effects of taking more than that? Or, is it just that no one knows because higher doses haven't been studied? Is it fear of Carnosinemia? How much would it take to cause Carnosinemia? I've read plenty of speculation.

Thanks.

[ta5]

LEF's review of carnosine says:

Dietary Sources: The average daily intake of carnosine from foods is probably in the range of 50-250mg (based on a diet containing at least one serving, 3-4 ounces, of beef, pork or chicken).

Dosage: Oral doses of 1-3 grams per day have been used with success in managing immune system function in cancer patients.

Side Effects: Rodent experiments have suggested that carnosine is extremely safe – no adverse toxic effects are noted even at doses up to 500mg/kg body weight (about 35 grams for an average-sized man).

[balance]

I used to tolerate high doses just fine, having taking 6grams on an empty stomach often. In recent years I've never taken more than 1-1.5 grams. A few months ago I took 3grams again and had a terrible headache. Other than that, no side effects. I usually stick with 1500mg on the empty stomach.

[Darryl]

There are 30 cases in the literature of individuals with the rare genetic disorder carnosinemia (homozygous for defective carnosinase). Otherwise the main adverse effect of high carnosine doses would appear to be expensive pee.

[niner]

Yeah, what Darryl said. If carnosine weren't so expensive, I might take it, but given the cost, I'd like to see more evidence of effectiveness in humans. I worry that the vast majority of it is lost to serum carnosinases.

[hamishm00]

I found that excessive Beta alanine or carnosine levels increases histamine activity. Anyone else find this?

[balance]

I found that excessive Beta alanine or carnosine levels increases histamine activity. Anyone else find this?

Yes I did notice more allergies, sneezing, redness and scratching when taking beta alanine and sometimes more sneezing when taking carnosine.

[sthira]

I found that excessive Beta alanine or carnosine levels increases histamine activity. Anyone else find this?

Interesting. I've never had allergies but I started taking 500 mg to a gram a day of carnosine for about a month to address (possible) deficiencies in my vegan diet. I noticed my nose has started dripping randomly, and I thought it was strange. Maybe seasons changing or I'm infected by a little bug? I hadn't connected the recent carnosine self-experiment to my runny nose. I'll lower the dose and see if that will decrease the runny nose effects.

[cuprous]

I usually stick with 1500mg on the empty stomach.

I really wish there was a definitive answer for whether to take amino acids on an empty stomach or with food. The argument for empty is that the amino acids don't compete for uptake, the argument for food is that the digestive system is not activated by a small pill. Maybe there's a middle ground that works best like a small meal or carb-rich foods.

Specific to carnosine the evidence seems somewhat supportive all though there are contradictory studies as to AGE inhibition. I'd love to see us self-fund a small study.

[hamishm00]

I usually stick with 1500mg on the empty stomach.

I really wish there was a definitive answer for whether to take amino acids on an empty stomach or with food. The argument for empty is that the amino acids don't compete for uptake, the argument for food is that the digestive system is not activated by a small pill. Maybe there's a middle ground that works best like a small meal or carb-rich foods.

Specific to carnosine the evidence seems somewhat supportive all though there are contradictory studies as to AGE inhibition. I'd love to see us self-fund a small study.

This may partly answer your question in relation to carnosine if you are taking beta-alanine (i.e. studies show that you should take it with meals):

www.ergo-log.com/beta-alanine-works-better-if-you-take-it-with-meals.html

I found that excessive Beta alanine or carnosine levels increases histamine activity. Anyone else find this?

Interesting. I've never had allergies but I started taking 500 mg to a gram a day of carnosine for about a month to address (possible) deficiencies in my vegan diet. I noticed my nose has started dripping randomly, and I thought it was strange. Maybe seasons changing or I'm infected by a little bug? I hadn't connected the recent carnosine self-experiment to my runny nose. I'll lower the dose and see if that will decrease the runny nose effects.

The link between Beta Alanine, Histidine and Canosine is fairly clear. There seems to be a link to Histamine. I don't think this is well understood. Would love to hear if anyone has any ideas on this.