Carnitine or Carnosine? What's the Difference?

Paula Gallagher on
Man shrugging his shoulders - carnitine or carnosine?

Recently, a question came through an Ask The Expert query, inquiring about the differences between carnosine and carnitine. It's not the first time someone has asked, and with good reason. Although their names sound similar, the one you choose will be based on your specific health goals.

Both carnosine and carnitine are referred to as amino acids because their chemical structure is similar to amino acids, and they are made of other amino acids. However, by scientific standards, they are not pure aminos. Carnitine is produced in the body from lysine and methionine, but for this to happen, you have to have enough B1 (thiamine) and B6 (pyridoxine) present. Carnosine is made from the amino acids alanine and histidine. The best dietary sources for carnitine and carnosine are meat, dairy, poultry and fish.

Carnitine is very popular in sports nutrition, but its benefits are far more reaching. It is often recommended as a weight loss supplement because it aids the transportation of fatty acids into the mitochondria of the cell, helping the body to more efficiently break down fats into energy. The other unique benefit to carnitine is that on its way out of the cell it helps remove toxins. The most significant percentage of carnitine is found in skeletal muscle, so it is often used to help remove the lactic acid produced during exercise. The brain and the heart also contain a large amount of carnitine, since they also require a large amount of energy for proper function and both require toxins to be removed from the cells.

The people most at risk for carnitine deficiency are those on a low-protein diet, as well as vegans and vegetarians. Also, during the aging process, the carnitine in your cells begins to decline, causing damage to the cells, resulting in age-related illnesses and decline.

There are two forms of carnitine:

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L-Carnitine 500 Mg - My Village Green
PATHWAY L-Carnitine 500 Mg
$27.74 $36.99
$27.74 $36.99
Supports Cellular EnergyThis important amino acid supports cardiovascular health (helps to prevent fatty build-up in blood vessels, the liver, and muscles), healthy cholesterol levels, weight management, and muscle strength. L-Carnitine may also have antioxidant properties.Suggested Use: 1 capsule 1-3 times daily
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Acetyl-l-Carnitine 500 mg 60's
PURE ENCAPSULATIONS Acetyl-l-Carnitine 500 mg 60's
$75.99
$75.99 $75.99
Supports memory and attention Made with hypoallergenic, vegan ingredients Acetyl-l-Carnitine is a building block for proteins that helps the body produce energy, as well as stabilize cell membranes to support memory, emotional health and cognitive function. Acetyl-l-carnitine is the acetylated form of l-carnitine, and the two compounds share similar energy and metabolism promoting properties. Found naturally in the body, acetyl-l-carnitine supports the availability of acetyl-CoA, an important energy generating metabolite. In addition, it supports healthy mitochondrial function and cell membrane stability. A multicenter trial of 481 volunteers indicated memory, behavioral and emotional support with acetyl-l-carnitine supplementation. In an evaluation of 28 elderly individuals using acetyl-l-carnitine or placebo, the supplemented group experienced enhanced emotional well-being.
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L-Carnosine 200 mg - Hypoallergenic - My Village Green
KIRKMAN L-Carnosine 200 mg - Hypoallergenic
$46.00
$46.00 $46.00
Protects the body from free radicals. Hypoallergenic. Gluten and casein free. Capsules are plant based. Ultra Tested. L-Carnosine (carnosine) is important for many normal body functions including the proper function of the brain, muscles, heart, liver and kidneys. Carnosine can be found primarily in meat (“carn”, the root word, means flesh). This nutrient is composed of two amino acids (dipeptide) - ß-alanine and L-histidine. It is highly concentrated in the brain. Aging causes carnosine to decline in the body but supplementation can restore adequate levels. Carnosine has become a popular anti-aging nutrient and reported to support the brain against neurodegeneration. Carnosine has a variety of antioxidant activity qualities and seems to interfere with certain chemicals that are culprits in oxidative stress as we age. This nutrient is also reported to help in the regulation of the electrical charges in excitable tissue. Studies have also shown that L-Carnosine is important to cellular health and neutralizes the formation of lactic acid during intense exercising. Kirkman’s L-Carnosine is made from L-Carnosine of exceptional quality and purity. Zinc may be taken with L-Carnosine for additional nutritional support.

Carnosine is also located in the muscle, brain and heart, and some of its benefits cross over. But as a stand-alone supplement, carnosine may help  prevent and reverse some of the complications of diabetes such as nerve damage, eye disorders (cataracts) and kidney problems. Carnosine has excellent antioxidant properties and helps reduce the damage from free radicals, out-of-control lipids and sugars. For this reason, it is often recommended as part of a supplement regime for controlling metabolic syndrome.

Carnosine studies show it has benefits for reducing the toxic effects of the "beta-amyloid" protein, which is the abnormal protein that builds up in the brains of people with Alzheimer's disease.

Supplementation of both carnitine and carnosine together appears to have a beneficial effect on neurodegenerative diseases. Carnitine and carnosine may also help slow the progression of age-related memory loss and Alzheimer’s disease by enhancing memory-related proteins. They also have a role in diabetic neuropathies, a side effect of diabetes that damages the brain. All of these actions protect our brain and keep it healthy as we age. They also provide cardiovascular benefits, but in different ways. Carnosine reduces the risk of atherosclerosis and lowers cholesterol, while carnitine relieves symptoms of angina and peripheral vascular disease.

Before you taking any of these supplements, always check with your healthcare provider, particularly if you are taking medications for brain-related disorders or heart and cholesterol medications, or have other concerns with medications and interactions.

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