Carnosine may protect the lungs from scarring

Pulmonary fibrosis is a dangerous even fatal condition characterized by a build up of scar tissue in the lungs; this makes it difficult to breath and function. The condition puts pressure on the heart to supply more oxygen, eventually enlarging the heart, leading to heart failure. Patients are treated with drugs and oxygen. Their treatment is often dangerous and must be managed by a lung specialist known as a pulmonologist.

Many drugs can cause pulmonary fibrosis, so can a number of autoimmune diseases (and also their treatment), exposure to dusts from coal, asbestos, even bird feeders can also cause the condition. Pneumonia and other lung conditions also can cause it.

In this study a drug (the antibiotic bleomycin), was introduced into the lungs of mice which lead to scarring. A group of the mice were supplemented daily with L-Carnosine. A week later the mice were checked. The mice receiving L-Carnosine (by mouth just like we would take it) had a reduced loss of body weight (a common symptom of severe disease), a lower mortality rate, less swelling of the lungs due to a build up of fluids in them (pulmonary edema), less lung inflammation, less lung injury and importantly, less fibrosis. The study is published in the January 12, 2007 issue of the American Journal of Physiology.

A Zinc-Carnosine supplement protects the intestines from an ulcer causing NSAID drug

The lining of the intestines is a barrier that normally allows the absorption of properly, meaning completely digested nutrients from foods; fats, proteins, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and carbohydrates. If the lining is irritated or damaged it can allow partially digested food substances to enter into the blood stream The immune system does not recognize these undigested particles and attacks them; with the next exposure to the foods you can develop a full blown food allergy; alternative and integrative health practitioners refer to this condition as leaky bowel syndrome

NSAIDs are drugs such as ibuprofen or naproxen; they are commonly used to treat arthritis. However, these drugs typically cause intestinal irritation and ulcers.

In this study patients were given the NSAID drug indomethacin at a dosage of 50mg 3 times a day for 5 days; this lead to a threefold increase in intestinal permeability (increased leakage of the intestinal wall) indicating intestinal irritation or damage. If the subjects were given a Zinc-Carnosine combination in addition to the indomethacin, there was no increase in intestinal permeability and the ability to heal the gut was improved. The study appears in the February 2007 issue of the journal Gut.