A recent review article published in Current Medicinal Chemistry explores the promising roles of β-alanine (BA) and L-carnosine (LC) in counteracting the effects of aging (Gasmi et al., 2024). Authored by a collaborative team of researchers from France, India, Ukraine, Italy, Luxembourg, and Norway, the article sheds light on the role of these compounds in maintaining muscle health, combating oxidative stress, and potentially mitigating age-related degenerative diseases.

β-Alanine, a non-proteinogenic amino acid, plays a pivotal role in synthesizing L-carnosine, essential for preserving muscle buffering capacity and preventing the loss of muscle mass associated with aging. As detailed in the review, BA is indispensable for normal human metabolism, as it contributes to the formation of pantothenate, a precursor to coenzyme A. Synthesized primarily in the liver, BA combines with histidine to form LC, which accumulates in muscles and brain tissues, exerting a vital physiological role as a buffer for muscle pH.

The review underscores LC’s multifaceted antioxidant mechanisms, including scavenging reactive oxygen species and chelating metal ions. It highlights the decline in muscle buffering capacity with age due to reduced LC concentration, contributing to sarcopenia, a condition characterized by muscle loss. Additionally, LC demonstrates anti-glycation properties, potentially hampering the development of degenerative diseases, and exhibits anti-inflammatory effects in autoimmune conditions like osteoarthritis.

When discussing the significance of dietary intake, the paper emphasizes the importance of acquiring BA from dietary sources to support LC synthesis, given the abundance of histidine in the human body. Beyond its role in muscle health, BA demonstrates various beneficial effects, including preventing skin aging, mitigating intestinal damage, enhancing muscle cell stress-fighting capabilities, and managing age-related cognitive decline.

Geir Bjørklund, MD, the study’s supervisor and founder and president of the Council for Nutritional and Environmental Medicine, expressed enthusiasm about the implications of their findings, stating, “Our review underscores the pivotal roles of β-alanine and L-carnosine in anti-aging, offering insights into potential interventions for age-related conditions.”

This review article is a valuable reference for researchers, healthcare professionals, and individuals interested in optimizing their health and longevity through a deeper understanding of the roles of β-alanine and L-carnosine in aging.

Vital Press

Reference

Gasmi A, Pavan Mujawdiya PK, Lysiuk R, Shanaida M, Peana M, Piscopo S, Beley N, Dzyha S, Smetanina K, Shanaida V, Résimont S, Bjørklund G. The possible roles of β-alanine and L-carnosine in anti-aging. Curr Med Chem 2024. doi: 10.2174/0109298673263561231117054447.