Beta alanine supplementation increases muscle carnosine better than taking carnosine itself. Muscle carnosine is an intramuscular acidity buffer and antioxidant. Beta alanine increases stamina and endurance by buffering metabolic acid and waste as it is made. This means less muscle pain and greater muscle performance.
During high intensity exercise, there is a greater reliance on ATP production from glycolysis and phosphagen systems resulting in an accumulation H+, which leads to exercise-induced metabolic acidosis. This acidity has been implicated as the cause of muscular fatigue and decreased muscle contractile function. By buffering exercise-induced acidity, muscle carnosine enhances performance. Especially in events with prolonged bouts of high intensity exercise.
In a recent study, twenty-five active males were supplemented with 6.4 grams per day of beta alanine or a placebo for a 24 week period. Every 4 week participants provided a muscle biopsy and performed a high-intensity cycling capacity test. The study found that twenty-four weeks of beta alanine supplementation increased muscle carnosine content and improved high-intensity cycling capacity. The study also found that beta alanine plays an important role in muscle carnosine accumulation and production.
In April 2017, a huge ‘meta-analysis’ study (a study were they combined all studies on beta alanine) was published in the British Journal or Sports Medicine and guess what it showed? Beta alanine really works to boost exercise performance whether it be in the gym or an aerobic sport. The results of the meta-analysis showed a significant positive overall effect of β-alanine supplementation on exercise, supporting the efficacy of increased muscle carnosine to improve exercise. Exercise duration was the greatest influencing factor regarding the efficacy of β-alanine supplementation meaning the more work you put in, the better returns you got. The study went on to state that “exercise capacity and performance were both improved by supplementation, although effect sizes suggested β-alanine to be almost twice as effective at improving exercise capacity.” The key point of the study was:
β-alanine, induces itch and tingling after consumption which is harmless. It has been found in humans that the primary sensory neurons responsive to β-alanine are likely part of a histamine-independent itch neural circuit and a target for treating clinical itch that is unrelieved by anti-histamines.
Benefits of ATP Science Beta Alanine are:
