Effect of Carnosine or beta-Alanine Supplementation on Markers of Glycemic Control and Insulin Resistance in Humans and Animals: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Meta-analysisHumansWith beta-alanine (carnosine precursor) included alongside carnosine
This study tested carnosine together with beta-alanine (carnosine precursor) included alongside carnosine. Its results cannot be assigned to carnosine alone. More combination studies.
- Design
- Meta-analysis
- Subjects
- 20 studies (4 human, 16 rodent)
- Dose used in the study
- Varied across included studies
- Duration
- Varied across included studies
- What was measured
- Fasting glucose, HbA1c, 2-hour glucose, fasting insulin, HOMA-beta and HOMA-IR. Bayesian hierarchical models with 90% credible intervals. GRADE certainty.
What the authors reported
In human studies, supplementation reduced HbA1c (mean difference -0.91%, 90% CrI -1.46 to -0.39), HOMA-IR (SMD -0.41, 90% CrI -0.82 to -0.07) and fasting insulin (SMD -0.41, 90% CrI -0.77 to -0.07). The fasting glucose estimate in humans was -0.95 mmol/L with a credible interval that crossed zero (90% CrI -2.1 to 0.08). In rodents, fasting glucose fell by 2.26 mmol/L (90% CrI -4.03 to -0.44) and HbA1c by 1.05% (90% CrI -1.64 to -0.52); the HOMA-IR interval crossed zero. Certainty was rated moderate for human outcomes and very low for rodent outcomes.
Limits of this study
Only 4 human studies. Beta-alanine and carnosine pooled together. Credible intervals wide. Registered at PROSPERO CRD42020191588. Full text not read.
Source
PubMed 34333586 · doi:10.1093/advances/nmab087
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.