Carnosine as a Cause of Lipofuscin Formation?

Dear Dr. Dean:I ordered the 2001 Monaco anti-aging series and want to take carnosine.I am concerned about the possibility of this product causing lipofuscin as mentioned on the Internet. The internet says to take Acetyl N-carnitine (too expensive) or DMAE.VRPs DMAE has riboflavin in it which is in my multivitamin at high enough amounts so I could try your powder form.My further concerns are that DMAE has a lot of possible side-effects so I would like to take the smallest functional dose. Also DMAE promotesthe formation of acetylcholine which Dr. M. Rossellini says is one of the immuno-stimulants which would not be good for my osteoporosis.I woke up one morning in Hawaii 15 years ago with my arms covered in big brown blotches so I dont want any more. Ive ordered and received the carnosine from VRP and am just waiting for answers to my concerns before I start this program. Thank you for any help. I enjoy the VRP newsletter. Loretta

Dear Loretta First I do not know of any indication that carnosine can cause lipofuscin formation. Although it may have been on the internet Id like to see the source of that claim. I dont believe it.Other approaches to eliminating lipofuscin include DMAE as you noted and aceyl-L-carnitine (and also I believe L-carnitine).I do not think doses of DMAE of 500 mg or so will cause excessive acetylcholine formation. In fact raising levels of acetylcholine is one of the main reasons to take DMAE. Alzheimers disease and aging itself are associated with decreases in acetylcholine. If excessive DMAE is formed it may cause headache jawor neck stiffness due to excessive stimulation. This is easily solved by reducing the dose.I do not remember Dr. Rosselinis comments about acetylcholine and osteoporosis. If he did in fact say this Ill ask him about it. I dont know of any association between acetylcholine and osteoporosis.In the meantime I believe you can safely (and beneficially) take L-carnosine and DMAE (in doses of 250-500 mg).Hope this answers your question. Ward Dean M.D.