Food as Medicine

Arden Andersen, Ph.D., D.O., MSPH

Family and Occupational Medicine Physician, McDonough Medical Center, Gladstone, MO

?-alanine is a non-proteogenic amino acid that combines with histidine to form the dipeptide molecule carnosine. ?-alanine is the rate-limiting precursor of carnosine formation, and supplementation with ?-alanine increases muscle carnosine. Carnosine is found in high concentrations in both meat and fish. Carnosine is a H+ buffer that has an important role in muscle function and may impact ischemic events. In addition, carnosine has been suggested to have various other roles in the body, including acting as an antioxidant, antiglycating agent, and ion-chelator, which may have significant effects on aging and other health benefits. ?-alanine supplementation has been shown to improve mood and reduce anxiety in both human and animal studies. This presentation will provide an overview of the health benefits known, and potential other benefits associated with elevations in both muscle and brain tissue carnosine levels.