title: Effects of beta-alanine on muscle carnosine and exercise performance: a review of the current literature.
abstract: Muscle carnosine has been reported to serve as a physiological buffer, possess antioxidant properties, influence enzyme regulation, and affect sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium regulation. Beta-alanine (β-ALA) is a non-essential amino acid. β-ALA supplementation (e.g., 2-6 grams/day) has been shown to increase carnosine concentrations in skeletal muscle by 20-80%. Several studies have reported that β-ALA supplementation can increase high-intensity intermittent exercise performance and/or training adaptations. Although the specific mechanism remains to be determined, the ergogenicity of β-ALA has been most commonly attributed to an increased muscle buffering capacity. More recently, researchers have investigated the effects of co-ingesting β-ALA with creatine monohydrate to determine whether there may be synergistic and/or additive benefits. This paper overviews the theoretical rationale and potential ergogenic value of β-ALA supplementation with or without creatine as well as provides future research recommendations.
authors.affiliation: Exercise and Sport Nutrition Laboratory, Department of Health and Kinesiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77845, USA. jculbertson@hlkn.tamu.edu
authors.forename: Julie Y
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Culbertson
authors.forename: Richard B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Kreider
authors.forename: Mike
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Greenwood
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cooke
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D002336:Carnosine / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D003401:Creatine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D055815:Young Adult; D015091:beta-Alanine / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D015091:beta-Alanine; D002336:Carnosine; D003401:Creatine