beta-alanine

Action and Spectrum

Actions and spectrum: 

• Carnosine Synthesis: Beta-alanine is a precursor to carnosine. Carnosine is found in skeletal muscle tissue and has various physiological roles, including acting as a buffer to help regulate the pH within muscle cells during intense physical activity. 
• Buffering Acidic pH: During high-intensity exercise, such as weightlifting or high-intensity interval training, muscles generate lactic acid and hydrogen ions, contributing to an acidic environment. Carnosine, synthesized from beta-alanine, helps buffer these acidic ions, potentially delaying the onset of muscle fatigue. 
• Enhancing Exercise Performance: Supplementation with beta-alanine has been studied for its potential to enhance the exercise performance, particularly during activities involving short bursts of intense effort. The buffering effect on muscle pH is thought to contribute to improved endurance and reduced muscle fatigue. 
• Muscle Endurance: Beta-alanine supplementation is often associated with improvements in muscle endurance, allowing individuals to perform more repetitions or sustain higher-intensity efforts during resistance training or other anaerobic activities. 
• Non-Competitive Inhibition of Glycation: Some research suggests that carnosine, formed from beta-alanine, may have anti-glycation properties, potentially playing a role in reducing the formation of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) that can be associated with aging and certain chronic conditions. 

Drug Interaction

Adverse Reaction

Frequency not defined 

flushing  

tingling 

Black Box Warning

Black Box Warning: 

There is no black box warning associated with beta-alanine. 

Contraindication / Caution

Contraindication/Caution: 

Contraindication: 

• Allergic Reactions: Individuals with allergic or hypersensitivity to beta-alanine or related compounds should avoid beta-alanine supplementation. 
• Paresthesia Sensitivity: Some individuals may experience a harmless side effect known as paresthesia, characterized by a tingling, or flushing sensation on the skin, especially in the face and hands. If individuals are sensitive to or bothered by paresthesia, they may choose to avoid beta-alanine. 
• Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: There is no sufficient information available on the safety of beta-alanine supplementation during pregnancy and breastfeeding. While beta-alanine is a naturally occurring amino acid, pregnant and breastfeeding individuals should consult with healthcare professionals before using beta-alanine supplements. 
• Kidney Disorders: Individuals with pre-existing kidney disorders or impaired kidney function should exercise caution with beta-alanine supplementation, as the breakdown of beta-alanine can involve the kidneys. Consultation with healthcare professionals is advisable. 

Caution: 

• Paresthesia: Paresthesia, characterized by a tingling or flushing sensation on the skin, especially in the face and hands, can occur with beta-alanine supplementation. While it is harmless, individuals who are sensitive to or bothered by paresthesia may want to consider this potential side effect. 
• Individual Tolerance: Beta-alanine supplementation may affect individuals differently. Some people may be more sensitive to side effects, while others may not experience any noticeable effects. It is advisable with lower doses and monitor individual tolerance. 
• Dosing Schedule: Beta-alanine is often divided into multiple doses throughout the day to minimize the intensity of paresthesia. This dosing strategy, known as “split dosing,” involves taking smaller doses at regular intervals. 
• Taurine Levels: Beta-alanine competes with taurine for absorption, and excessive beta-alanine intake may lead to a decrease in taurine levels. Taurine is another amino acid with important physiological functions. Individuals with concerns about taurine levels should consult healthcare professionals.

Comorbidities: 

• Histidine Decarboxylase Deficiency: Beta-alanine is converted to carnosine in the body, and this process involves histidine. Individuals with a deficiency in histidine decarboxylase, the enzyme that converts histidine to histamine, may need to be cautious with beta-alanine supplementation. 
• Taurine Deficiency: Beta-alanine competes with taurine for absorption, and excessive beta-alanine intake may lead to a decrease in taurine levels. Individuals with known taurine deficiencies should consult healthcare professionals. 

Pregnancy / Lactation

Pregnancy consideration:   

Pregnancy category: N/A   

Lactation: excreted into human milk is unknown    

Pregnancy categories: 

• Category A: well-controlled and Satisfactory studies show no risk to the fetus in the first or later trimester. 
• Category B: there was no evidence of risk to the fetus in animal studies, and there were not enough studies on pregnant women. 
• Category C: there was evidence of risk of adverse effects in animal reproduction studies, and no adequate evidence in human studies must take care of potential risks in pregnant women.   
• Category D: adequate data with sufficient evidence of human fetal risk from various platforms, but despite the potential risk, and used only in emergency cases for potential benefits. 
• Category X: Drugs listed in this category outweigh the risks over benefits. Hence these categories of drugs need to be avoided by pregnant women. 
• Category N: There is no data available for the drug under this category. 

Pharmacology

Pharmacology: 

The pharmacology of beta-alanine is primarily linked to its role in the synthesis of carnosine, a dipeptide found in in skeletal muscle tissue. It is a non-essential amino acid, which means it can be synthesized in the body, but its availability is often a rate-limiting factor in carnosine production.

Carnosine functions as an intracellular buffer, helping to regulate pH within muscle cells during periods of high-intensity exercise. The buffering action of carnosine is attributed to its ability to neutralize acidic ions, such as hydrogen ions and lactic acid, which accumulate during anaerobic metabolism.

Beta-alanine supplementation aims to increase muscle carnosine levels, potentially delaying the onset of muscle fatigue during short bursts of intense physical activity. While beta-alanine itself does not exhibit direct pharmacological effects like traditional drugs, its impact on carnosine levels influences physiological processes related to muscle performance and fatigue.  

Pharmacodynamics: 

• Carnosine Synthesis: Beta-alanine is a rate-limiting factor in the synthesis of carnosine. When supplemented, beta-alanine combines with endogenous histidine to form carnosine. Increased carnosine levels contribute to the buffering capacity of muscle tissue. 
• Intracellular pH Regulation: Carnosine functions as a buffer by neutralizing acidic ions, such as hydrogen ions and lactic acid, which accumulate during high-intensity, anaerobic exercise. This pH-regulating property helps delay the onset of muscle fatigue. 
• Improved Exercise Performance: The buffering capacity provided by increased carnosine levels is thought to contribute to improved exercise performance, particularly in activities involving short bursts of intense effort, such as weightlifting or sprinting. 
• Delaying Muscle Fatigue: By helping to maintain optimal pH levels within muscle cells, beta-alanine supplementation may delay the acidosis associated with muscle fatigue, allowing individuals to sustain higher-intensity efforts for longer durations.

Pharmacokinetics: 

• Absorption: Beta-alanine is obtained through the diet, primarily from protein-containing foods. It is absorbed through the small intestine, along with other amino acids, after the digestion of dietary proteins. Beta-alanine can also be synthesized endogenously within the body. 
• Distribution: Once absorbed, beta-alanine is transported via the bloodstream to various tissues, including skeletal muscle, where it plays a role in synthesis of carnosine. 
• Metabolism: Beta-alanine is a precursor to carnosine. In the synthesis of carnosine, beta-alanine combines with histidine, another amino acid, in a reaction catalyzed by the enzyme carnosine synthase. Carnosine, formed from beta-alanine and histidine, is then stored in skeletal muscles. 
• Excretion: Beta-alanine itself is not excreted as a standalone compound. Instead, its fate is tied to the turnover of proteins within the body. Excess amino acids, including beta-alanine, may be catabolized, and the resulting by-products are eliminated through normal metabolic pathways. 

Adminstartion

Administration: 

• Dosage: The recommended dosage of beta-alanine can vary, and individual responses may differ. Common dosages often range from 2 to 5 grams per day. 
• Timing: Beta-alanine is often recommended to be taken multiple times throughout the day to minimize the intensity of a side effect known as paresthesia (tingling sensation). This dosing strategy, known as “split dosing,” involves dividing the total daily dose into smaller amounts taken at regular intervals. 
• With or Without Food: Beta-alanine supplements can be taken with or without food, as dietary fat or carbohydrate intake does not significantly impact its absorption. 
• Combination with Other Supplements: Beta-alanine is sometimes included in pre-workout supplements or combined with other amino acids. The combination of beta-alanine with creatine is also common. 

Patient Information Leaflet

Patient information leaflet 

Generic Name: beta-alanine 

Pronounced: (BAY-tuh-AL-uh-neen) 

Why do we use beta-alanine? 

Beta-alanine is a dietary supplement widely used in the fitness and athletic communities for its potential to enhance exercise performance. As a precursor to carnosine, beta-alanine is known for its buffering properties, helping to regulate pH within muscle cells during high-intensity, anaerobic activities. Increased carnosine levels are thought to delay the onset of muscle fatigue, allowing individuals to sustain higher-intensity efforts for longer durations.

Commonly used by athletes engaged in activities such as weightlifting, sprinting, and high-intensity interval training, beta-alanine supplementation may contribute to improved muscle endurance and overall exercise capacity. While it is not a direct energy source, beta-alanine’s impact on buffering acidic ions in muscle tissue has made a popular choice for those seeking to optimize performance during short bursts of intense physical effort.