Carnosine: The amino acid that is an antioxidant that is purported to support cellular rejuvenation and healthy aging.

Bliss Returned

Carnosine is a non-essential amino acid and is a combination of two other amino acids – alanine and histidine. It is found naturally in tissues like the muscles and brain, but its concentration in the body lowers with advancing age. Carnosine is an antioxidant and protects the cells in the body from free radical damage.  Carnosine  was discovered by Russian chemist V.Gulevich  Researchers in Britain, South Korea, Russia and other countries have shown that carnosine has a number of antioxidant properties that may be beneficial.

Carnosine has been proven to scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS) as well as alpha-beta unsaturated aldehydes formed from peroxidation of cell membrane fatty acids during oxidative stress. Carnosine is a potent antioxidant which protects the body against free radical damage, by stopping the damaging effects of the free radicals before they can cause any ill health effects, such as heart disease and cancer.  Carnosine gives…

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Natural Anti-Biofilm Agents

The Science of Nutrition

(March, 2015)

Introduction

Biofilms are gelatinous masses of microorganisms capable of attaching to virtually any surface. According to the NIH, they factor into nearly 80% of all bacterial infections [Schachter, 2003] and are inherently resistant to antibiotics. Biofilms are what keep wounds from healing, and bladder infections recurring. They may also be why lyme disease lingers. Biofilms are at the heart (and lung) of bacterial pneumonia, and are the death of cystic fibrosis kids and burn patients. Biofilms cause tooth decay, gum disease, sinusitis, ear infections, and Legionnaires’ disease. Biofilms glom onto medical devices (e.g., heart valves, catheters, joint replacements) where they are deadly, or difficult to eradicate. Biofilms plague hospitals, and contribute greatly to our health care burden. [Hall-Stoodley et al., 2004]

Biofilms are also good for us. They line the digestive tract, especially the lower intestines, and the skin. Healthy biofilms contain many different species of bacteria working together to benefit humans. Many trillions of organisms protect us…

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