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Sold as a supplement, not an FDA-approved drug. This page is educational information only, not medical advice.
IndexedBuilt automatically from public databases on 2026-09-30. Not yet hand-reviewed by PLOBT.How this works →

L-Carnosine

Supplement

Endogenous dipeptide supplement

Also known as: carnosine, beta-alanyl-L-histidine, Carnosine, beta-Alanyl-L-histidine, Ignotine, Karnozin, Karnozzn, L-Histidine, beta-alanyl-, Nalpha-(beta-alanyl)-L-histidine

Evidence score
61/ 100
Moderate evidence

A real evidence base, with gaps

  • Regulatory standing. Sold as a supplement, not an approved drug
  • Limited human data. Some human data exists, not conclusive
  • Registered human trials. 53 registered studies on ClinicalTrials.gov, most advanced Phase 4
  • 1 cited source. Includes primary / regulatory sources

Computed with the same four public criteria as every profile. The human-evidence grade on an indexed profile is set automatically and may change when it is hand-reviewed. It is not a safety score, not a purity rating, and not medical advice, and not a claim that this compound treats, cures, or prevents any condition.

What it is

L-Carnosine is a small dipeptide made of beta-alanine and histidine that occurs naturally in muscle and brain tissue. It is sold as a dietary supplement and is thought to act as a pH buffer in muscle, an antioxidant, a metal chelator, and an inhibitor of glycation reactions.

What the evidence shows

Automatic summaryLimited human data

There are about 53 registered human trials and a substantial published literature, but results for outcomes such as metabolic health, cognition, and exercise performance are mixed and mostly come from small or short studies. It is not FDA-approved for any indication, and no clinical benefit is firmly established.

Key facts

Molecular formula
C9H14N4O3
Molecular weight
226.23 g/mol

Registered human trials

Live from ClinicalTrials.gov, refreshed daily.

53registered studies
Phase 4most advanced phase
36completed (sample)
1recruiting (sample)

Effect of β-alanine Supplementation on Muscle Carnosine

CompletedNCT00813553

Efficacy of Zinc L-carnosine in Maintaining Remission of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

Phase 4UnknownNCT03467438

Research on Prevention, Intervention and Mechanisms of Obesity and Its Comorbidities

UnknownNCT05211817

Study of Gulf War Illness (GWI) by Comparing GWI and Healthy Veterans

CompletedNCT00810225

Published literature

Live from Europe PMC. This is how much has been published, not how much is proven in humans.

596papers referencing L-Carnosine

The absorption of orally supplied beta-alanine and its effect on muscle carnosine synthesis in human vastus lateralis.

Amino Acids2006

Role of pH gradient and membrane potential in dipeptide transport in intestinal and renal brush-border membrane vesicles from the rabbit. Studies with L-carnosine and glycyl-L-proline.

J Biol Chem1983

Non-enzymatic glycosylation of the dipeptide L-carnosine, a potential anti-protein-cross-linking agent.

FEBS Lett1995

L-carnosine (beta-alanyl-L-histidine) and carcinine (beta-alanylhistamine) act as natural antioxidants with hydroxyl-radical-scavenging and lipid-peroxidase activities.

Biochem J1994

Sources

Risks, side effects and study doses are only published on hand-reviewed profiles. Want this one reviewed, or spotted something wrong? Tell us.