Evidence supporting the use of: Carnosine
For the body system: Eyes

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Table of Contents

Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Carnosine is a naturally occurring dipeptide composed of beta-alanine and histidine, and is present in high concentrations in muscle and nervous tissues, including the eye. Its use in supporting eye health, particularly in relation to cataracts and age-related changes, has some scientific backing, though the evidence is limited and not definitive. Several studies, mostly from Russia and Eastern Europe, have investigated the use of topical carnosine (notably as N-acetylcarnosine eye drops) for cataract treatment. These studies suggest that carnosine may act as an antioxidant, potentially inhibiting or reversing lens opacity by preventing the cross-linking of lens proteins, a process implicated in cataract formation. However, many of these studies are small, lack rigorous controls, or have methodological limitations. Reviews and meta-analyses indicate that while there is some promise, high-quality, large-scale clinical trials are lacking. Regulatory agencies such as the FDA have not approved carnosine for eye conditions, and Western medical consensus is cautious due to insufficient robust evidence. In summary, carnosine’s purported benefits for eye health are supported by preliminary clinical research and plausible mechanisms, but the overall strength of evidence is weak to moderate, justifying a low-to-moderate evidence rating.

More about Carnosine
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Other body systems supported by Carnosine

Brain
Eyes
Heart
Muscles
Skin

Products containing Carnosine

We currently have no products on Vitabase that contain this ingredient.