title: Use of β-alanine as an ergogenic aid.
abstract: Despite the large variety of so-called ergogenic supplements used by the sporting community, only few of them are effectively supported by scientific proof. One of the recent evidence-based supplements that entered the market is β-alanine. β-Alanine is the rate-limiting precursor for the synthesis of the dipeptide carnosine (β-alanyl-L-histidine) in human muscle. The chronic daily ingestion of β-alanine can markedly elevate muscle carnosine content, which results in improved exercise capacity, especially in sports that include high-intensity exercise episodes. The use of β-alanine is exponentially growing in recent years. This chapter aims to (1) discuss the scientific basis and physiological background of β-alanine and its synthesis product carnosine, and (2) translate these scientific findings to practical applications in sports.
authors.affiliation: Department of Movement and Sports Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Wim
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Derave
mesh_terms: D000138:Acidosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D001639:Bicarbonates / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002336:Carnosine / Q000378:metabolism; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D064133:Sports Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D015091:beta-Alanine / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D001639:Bicarbonates; D015091:beta-Alanine; D002336:Carnosine