What Is a Carnosine Injection?

A carnosine injection delivers a dose of amino acids, which are produced naturally in the human body and found in the heart, brain, and tissue. Amino acids are considered protein building blocks and promote a strong immune system. Some people use a carnosine injection as an antioxidant to reduce cell damage from oxidative stress. It might repair cell damage and act as an anti-cancer agent.

Studies on the benefits of a carnosine injection show it might prevent and heal peptic ulcers caused by H. pylori bacteria. In some patients, these ulcers become cancer. Animal researchers used carnosine along with zinc salts to evaluate the effectiveness of these amino acids on ulcers. They concluded carnosine might be effective in curing ulcers, but remained uncertain if the zinc played a significant role in the results.

Carnosine contains two non-essential amino acids: alanine and histidine. Alanine breaks down carbohydrates and regulates blood sugar, especially when levels fall too low. It stimulates the liver to produce glucose. This amino acid might be used to treat men with enlarged prostate glands.

Histidine works with alanine for proper sexual functioning. They aid sleep and digestion, and help the liver store glucose. Histidine also helps the body produce red blood cells.

Both of these amino acids are found in the brain, skeletal muscles, and heart. They come from consuming meat, fish, eggs, dairy products, and poultry. People who eat these foods infrequently, along with vegetarians, might become deficient in these substances, which work together to repair old or damaged cells. Histidine levels might also decline with age.

One study looked at carnosine injections when combined with strong antibiotic drugs used to treat serious bacterial infection. Some antibiotics medications might increase risks of kidney damage. The research showed carnosine injections before doses of these antibiotic drugs protected the kidneys and might repair previous damage by activating the body’s immune system.

These supplements are sold over the Internet, but should be used under the supervision of a doctor after a complete physical examination. No known side effects exist, but few studies have been conducted on humans. Marketed as an adenosine sodium chloride solution, this form of supplement might also improve heart function, promote healing of wounds, protect against cancer, and prevent cataracts.

In one clinical trial, carnosine injections were administered to children with autism who also suffered from seizures. The shots worked as an anticonvulsant agent by significantly reducing the number of seizures for some patients. Adverse reactions occurred in two of the children studied who became more hyperactive or aggressive, and some study participants withdrew and became uncommunicative.

A carnosine injection might work by regulating enzymes that bind to harmful metals in the body. It might also reduce damage from toxic substances in the air, water, and food that cause oxidative stress on cells through free radicals, a known cause of cancer and other diseases. One study revealed carnosine healed gingivitis that developed in patients treated with chemotherapy.