Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 1

L-carnosine, a naturally occurring dipeptide composed of beta-alanine and histidine, has been investigated as a potential supplement to support children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The interest in l-carnosine stems from its antioxidant, neuroprotective, and anti-glycation properties, which are hypothesized to benefit neurological function. A small number of clinical studies have explored its utility for ASD. The most often-cited trial is a double-blind, placebo-controlled study published in 2002 (Chez et al., 2002), which reported significant improvement in language, socialization, and behavior in children with autism after eight weeks of supplementation with 800 mg of L-carnosine daily. However, this study has notable limitations, including a small sample size and lack of replication in larger, well-controlled trials. Subsequent research has produced inconsistent results, and systematic reviews have concluded that the current evidence is insufficient to recommend l-carnosine supplementation as a treatment for autism. Major autism organizations and clinical guidelines do not endorse its use due to the lack of robust, high-quality evidence. While the scientific rationale for testing l-carnosine in ASD exists, and it is sometimes used off-label, the level of scientific support remains low. Further large-scale, rigorous studies would be needed to justify its routine use for this condition.

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