Carnosine was discovered and its structure determined in the
very beginning of the 20th century by the Russian scientist W. S. Gulewich. It was
the first and the simplest example of biologically active peptides (actually a
dipeptide), opening the long list of widespread natural protein regulators of
metabolism. The first decades were dedicated to studies of structure, distribution,
and properties of the compound. The it was understood that carnosine has a direct
relation to the function of excitable tissues like muscles and the brain.
In
1953 another Russian scientist, S.E. Severin showed that carnosine effectively
buffered lactic acid, produced by working muscles, and that adding carnosine substantially
increased the contractility and endurance of the muscles. As the carnosine is
consumed, the muscles accumulate lactic acid, the pH decreases, and the muscles
get tired. When carnosine is added, the muscles recover almost immediately and
contract like they never had been exhausted. This is known as the "Severin
phenomenon".
Everybody who has some experience in sports, has experienced
how physical fatigue feels, and he or she will understand the immense importance
of supplementation with carnosine in sports event.
Widespread interest in
this natural nontoxic substance has only recently been increased, fueled by dramatic
Australian and British discoveries about its antiaging actions. Carnosine's antiageing
properties have only been extensively studied during the past few years even though
we've known about it for almost a century. However, the most striking research
came in 2002 from the USA where Dr Michael Chez´s team reported data on
the carnosine´s dramatic effects on autistic children (view
report).
At this writing, the MEDLINE
data base includes over 900 published studies on carnosine.
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