Where it comes from: Beta alanine is a naturally occurring non-essential amino acid that is converted to other chemicals that can then affect muscles. “It’s needed for the production of carnosine,” explains Roberta Anding RD, American Dietetic Association spokesperson and sports dietitian for the Houston Texans. “Carnosine is needed by muscle cells to act as a buffer to control intracellular Ph.” Too much acid accumulation by muscles is thought to contribute to fatigue.
Beta-alanine is a modified version of the amino acid alanine.
Beta-alanine has been shown to enhance muscular endurance. Many people report being able to perform one or two additional reps in the gym when training in sets of 8–15 repetitions. Beta-alanine supplementation can also improve moderate- to high-intensity cardiovascular exercise performance, like rowing or sprinting.
When beta-alanine is ingested, it turns into the molecule carnosine, which acts as an acid buffer in the body. Carnosine is stored in cells and released in response to drops in pH. Increased stores of carnosine can protect against diet-induced drops in pH (which might occur from ketone production in ketosis, for example), as well as offer protection from exercise-induced lactic acid production.
Large doses of beta-alanine may cause a tingling feeling called paresthesia. It is a harmless side effect.
Beta-alanine is used for improving athletic performance and exercise capacity, building lean muscle mass, and improving physical functioning in the elderly.
How does it work?
Beta-alanine is an amino acid. In the body it is converted to other chemicals that can affect muscle.