Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to
L-carnosine and increase in muscle power (ID 1824), increase in endurance
capacity (ID 1824), “skin” (ID 1825) and maintenance of normal cardiac
function (ID 1826) pursuant to Article 13(1) of Regulation (EC)
No 1924/2006[sup]1[/sup]
EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA)2, 3
European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), Parma, Italy
Słowa kluczowe:
L-carnosine
cardiac function
endurance capacity
health claims
muscle power
skin
1. Charakterystyka żywności / składnika
The food constituent that is the subject of the health claims is L-carnosine.
L-carnosine (C9H14N4O3, molecular weight 226) is a colourless, crystalline dipeptide that is synthesised in the body from the amino acids beta-alanine and histidine. It is highly concentrated in muscle and brain tissues, and is found in the skeletal musculature of most vertebrates.
The Panel considers that the food constituent, L-carnosine, which is the subject of the health claims, is sufficiently characterised.
2. Znaczenie oświadczenia dla zdrowia człowieka
2.1. Zwiększenie siły mięśni (ID 1824)
The claimed effect is “physical performance and condition”. The Panel assumes that the target population is active individuals in the general population.
In the context of the proposed wording, the Panel assumes that the claimed effect refers to muscle power. Muscle power can be defined as the ability of the neuromuscular system to produce high forces at high velocity. Muscle power is an important component of physical performance and functional capacity, especially in exercises which require explosive strength such as the long jump and the high jump.
The Panel considers that an increase in muscle power is a beneficial physiological effect.
2.2. Wzrost wytrzymałości (ID 1824)
The claimed effect is “physical performance and condition”. The Panel assumes that the target population is individuals performing endurance exercise.
In the context of the proposed wording, the Panel assumes that the claimed effect refers to an enhanced endurance capacity. Endurance capacity refers to the time to self-assessed fatigue when exercising at a constant workload or speed.
The Panel considers that an increase in endurance capacity is a beneficial physiological effect.
2.3. Skóra (ID 1825)
The claimed effect is “skin”. The Panel assumes that the target population is the general population.
The claimed effect is not sufficiently defined and no further details were provided in the proposed wording. No clarifications were provided by Member States.
The Panel considers that the claimed effect is general and non-specific, and does not refer to any specific health claim as required by Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006.
2.4. Utrzymanie prawidłowego funkcjonowania serca (ID 1826)
The claimed effect is “cardiovascular system”. The Panel assumes that the target population is the general population.
In the context of the proposed wording, the Panel assumes that the claimed effect refers to the maintenance of normal cardiac function.
The Panel considers that maintenance of normal cardiac function is a beneficial physiological effect.
3. Naukowe uzasadnienia wpływu na zdrowie człowieka
3.1. Zwiększenie siły mięśni (ID 1824)
A total of three publications were provided in relation to this claim. These publications included two narrative reviews on the antioxidant properties of carnosine and one narrative review on the role of carnosine as a modulator of calcium-regulated proteins in cardiac muscle cells. The references provided did not address the effects of oral consumption of L-carnosine on increase in muscle power. The Panel considers that no conclusions can be drawn from these references for the scientific substantiation of the claimed effect.
The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has not been established between the consumption of L-carnosine and an increase in muscle power.
3.2. Wzrost wytrzymałości (ID 1824)
A total of three publications were provided in relation to this claim. These publications included two narrative reviews on the antioxidant properties of carnosine and one narrative review on the role of carnosine as a modulator of calcium-regulated proteins in cardiac muscle cells. The references provided did not address the effects of oral consumption of L-carnosine on increase in endurance capacity. The Panel considers that no conclusions can be drawn from these references for the scientific substantiation of the claimed effect.
The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has not been established between the consumption of L-carnosine and an increase in endurance capacity.
3.3. Utrzymanie prawidłowego funkcjonowania serca (ID 1826)
A total of three publications were provided in relation to this claim. These publications included two narrative reviews on the antioxidant properties of carnosine and one narrative review on in vivo and in vitro investigations on the role of carnosine as a modulator of calcium-regulated proteins in cardiac muscle cells, and consequently on the contractility of cardiac muscle. The references provided did not address the effects of oral consumption of L-carnosine on maintenance of normal cardiac function in humans. The Panel considers that no conclusions can be drawn from these references for the scientific substantiation of the claimed effect.
The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has not been established between the consumption of L-carnosine and maintenance of normal cardiac function.
Wnioski
On the basis of the data presented, the Panel concludes that:
The food constituent, L-carnosine, which is the subject of the health claims, is sufficiently characterised.
Increase in muscle power (ID 1824)
The claimed effect is “physical performance and condition”. The target population is assumed to be active individuals in the general population. In the context of the proposed wording, it is assumed that the claimed effect refers to muscle power. An increase in muscle power is a beneficial physiological effect.
A cause and effect relationship has not been established between the consumption of L-carnosine and an increase in muscle power.
Increase in endurance capacity (ID 1824)
The claimed effect is “physical performance and condition”. The target population is assumed to be individuals performing endurance exercise. In the context of the proposed wording, it is assumed that the claimed effect refers to an enhanced endurance capacity. An increase in endurance capacity is a beneficial physiological effect.
A cause and effect relationship has not been established between the consumption of L-carnosine and an increase in endurance capacity.
“Skin” (ID 1825)
The claimed effect is “skin”. The target population is assumed to be the general population. The claimed effect is not sufficiently defined and no further details were provided in the proposed wording. No clarifications were provided by Member States.
The claimed effect is general and non-specific, and does not refer to any specific health claim as required by Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006.
Maintenance of normal cardiac function (ID 1826)
The claimed effect is “cardiovascular system”. The target population is assumed to be the general population. In the context of the proposed wording, it is assumed that the claimed effect refers to the maintenance of normal cardiac function. Maintenance of normal cardiac function is a beneficial physiological effect.
A cause and effect relationship has not been established between the consumption of L-carnosine and maintenance of normal cardiac function.
