Anserine and carnosine supplementation in the elderly: Effects on cognitive functioning and physical capacity
Randomised controlled trialHumansWith anserine (2:1 anserine to carnosine, from chicken meat extract)
This study tested carnosine together with anserine (2:1 anserine to carnosine, from chicken meat extract). Its results cannot be assigned to carnosine alone. More combination studies.
- Design
- Randomised controlled trial
- Subjects
- 56 adults aged 65 and over randomised; 51 followed up
- Dose used in the study
- 2.5 g per day of chicken meat extract supplying 1 g of anserine plus carnosine
- Duration
- 13 weeks
- What was measured
- Cognitive function (Short Test of Mental Status), Senior Fitness Test, body measurements, blood pressure, heart rate, perceived exertion.
What the authors reported
After 13 weeks, body mass index fell in the supplement group compared with placebo (p < 0.05) and two of six Senior Fitness Test scores rose significantly versus placebo (p < 0.05). Perceived exertion differed significantly between baseline and follow-up in the supplement group (p < 0.05). Short Test of Mental Status scores rose significantly only in the supplement group (p < 0.04), in the construction/copying, abstraction and recall subscores. The authors describe the effects as promising and say further studies are needed.
Limits of this study
Small double-blind study; 5 of 56 participants lost to follow-up. Chicken extract containing mostly anserine. Multiple outcomes with modest significance levels; between-group tests not reported for every outcome in the abstract. Full text not read.
Source
PubMed 24880197 · doi:10.1016/j.archger.2014.04.008
Entry checked against PubMed abstract (E-utilities) on 2026-10-19. The dose shown is the dose the researchers used. It is not a recommendation. How to read this page.