Beta-Alanine

== **β-Alanine** (or **//beta//-alanine**) is a naturally occurring beta amino acid, which is an amino acid in which the amino group is at the β-position from the carboxylate group (i.e., two atoms away, see Figure 1). The IUPAC name for β-alanine would be **3-aminopropanoic acid**. Unlike its normal counterpart, α-alanine, β-alanine has no stereocenter. == == β-Alanine is not used in the biosynthesis of any major proteins or enzymes. It is formed in vivo by the degradation of dihydrouracil and carnosine. It is a component of the naturally occurring peptides carnosine and anserine and also of pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), which itself is a component of coenzyme A. Under normal conditions, β-alanine is metabolized into acetic acid. == == β-Alanine is the rate-limiting precursor of carnosine, which is to say carnosine levels are limited by the amount of available β-alanine. Supplementation with β-alanine has been shown to increase the concentration of carnosine in muscles, decrease fatigue in athletes and increase total muscular work done. ==


 * β-Alanine, provided in solution or as powder in gelatine capsules, however, causes paraesthesia when ingested in amounts above 10 mg per kg body weight (bwt). This is variable between individuals. Symptoms may be experienced by some individuals as mild even at 10 mg per kg bwt, in a majority as significant at 20 mg per kg bwt, and severe at 40 mg per kg bwt. However, an equivalent amount (equimolar) to 40 mg per kg bwt, ingested in the form of histidine containing dipeptides in chicken broth extract, did not cause paraesthesia. **

Bronopol is supplied as crystals or crystalline powder, which may vary from white to pale yellow in colour depending on the grade of material being offered. The yellow colouration is due to chelation of iron during the manufacturing process. It is probable that the paraesthesia, a form of neuropathic pain, results from high peak blood-plasma concentrations of β-alanine, since greater quantities, ingested in the form of the β-alanine/histidine (or methylhistidine)-containing dipeptides (i.e., carnosine and anserine) in meat, do not cause the same symptoms. In this case the β-alanine absorption profile is flattened but sustained for a longer period of time, whereas the β-alanine samples in the studies were administered as gelatine capsules containing powder. This resulted in the rapid rise of plasma concentrations, peaking within 30 to 45 minutes, and being eliminated after 90 to 120 minutes. The paraesthesia caused is no indication of efficacy, since the published studies undertaken so far have utilised doses of 400 mg or 800 mg at a time to avoid the paraesthesia. Furthermore, excretion of β-alanine in urine accounted for 0.60%(+/-0.09), 1.50%(+/-0.40), or 3.64%(+/-0.47) of the administered doses of 10, 20, or 40 mg per kg body weight, indicating greater losses occurring with increasing dosage.

Beta-Alanine is a common ingredient in most pre-workout drinks. Beta-Alanine is the substance that gives the user a tingling/prickly feeling in some areas of the body when it is used for weight-lifting.

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 * Benefits of Beta-Alanine as supported by scientific studies:**
 * Increase Muscular Strength & Power Output.
 * Increases Muscle Mass
 * Increase Anaerobic Endurance
 * Increases Aerobic Endurance
 * Delay Muscular Fatigue- Train Harder & Longer

1. Weight lifters & Bodybuilders 2. High Intensity Cross Trained Athletes, Military Personal 3. MMA Fighters and sport specific training that require both strength and endurance. 4. Runners, Cyclists, soccer players, hockey players 5. Active individuals who have reached a training plateau and are looking for something to take them to the next level. 6. Men and women
 * Who can benefit from beta-alanine?**