Beta-alanine is a non-essential amino acid, synthesized in the liver, which can be provided through food (from animal sources: meat, fish or eggs for example) or through external intake, in particular food supplements. Beta-alanine is a precursor of carnosine, in the same way as histidine, that is to say a simple organic molecule, participating in the synthesis of carnosine, and guaranteeing cellular balance. Carnosine exerts ergogenic properties (i.e. improving muscular work and, therefore, sports performance) and plays an important role in the muscle acidity regulation system (via an intracellular buffering capacity of H+ hydrogen ions responsible for the acidification of the environments in which they are found). Carnosine is found primarily in skeletal muscle. Carnosine is found mainly in the brain, heart and muscles. Note that this carnosine level will decrease quite quickly from adolescence until having lost more than 50% of carnosine after the age of 60, explaining in particular the loss of muscle function. This means that for adult athletes, beta-alanine insufficiency can limit the amount of carnosine presented in the body, with a real impact on muscle growth and development.
Carnosine has many functions in our body:
- Antioxidant functionality, blocking lipid and protein peroxidation, including neutralization of free radicals and reduction of oxidative stress.
- Energy functionality thanks to an increase in the production of nitric oxide, resulting in a slowing down of the body's aging process and an improvement in heart health (for cardio, in a 30-day course Stimium GABA and or Stimium OMG may also be beneficial!
- Anti-inflammatory functionality, promoting insulin signaling in skeletal muscle. Here again, to combat muscle and joint pain, we can also recommend Stimium GABA powerful muscle relaxant as well as for joint, muscular or tendon stiffness, Stimium® Joint Flex .
- Anti-glycation functionality, i.e. a protective effect on muscle proteins
- Booster functionality on calcium during muscle contraction, to maintain strength and reduce the degree of fatigue.
The higher the concentration of beta-alanine, the higher the concentration of carnosine will also be.
Is β-alanine useful for training?
The body can hardly absorb carnosine directly from the bloodstream due mainly to the enzyme carnosinase, which explains why the production of carnosine in the muscle can only be done mainly via the consumption of ß-alanine.
Thanks to Beta-alanine supplementation over several weeks, there will be a reduction in muscle acidosis, delaying the onset of fatigue and reducing muscle pH during high-intensity training such as sports. such as cycling, trail running, triathlon, badminton, combat sports, Crossfit, Cardio or bodybuilding.
Who can consume Beta-alanine?
Everyone, because Beta Alanine has no side effects, is good for your health, by respecting the doses indicated on the products consumed. Moreover, this amino acid is still used in many medications in combination, or even alone, such as for example in the treatment of hot flashes during menopause.
Several studies have been carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of beta-alanine in the sports field among athletes. There are many scientifically proven benefits, such as an increase in maximum power in cycling (double-blind study, having demonstrated an increase in maximum power), an increase in performance during high-intensity intermittent exercise or even an improvement in physical capacity, anaerobic lactic capacity, especially during high-intensity intermittent exercise.
With a very low absorption of carnosine, we at Stimium could not offer carnosine alone. This is why we added 2.5 grams of Beta Alanine per dose to our PreWorkOut Max (we will also find creatine, L-Arginine, a vitamin complex, ketones, caffeine... ) for maximum effectiveness in improving physical performance, muscle work capacity and to reduce muscle fatigue.
For sportsmen, athletes or amateurs, looking for high-performance nutrition, in strength sports (bodybuilding, crossfit) or in endurance sports, beta alanine is a real plus, by respecting the right dose, for a general improvement in performance.
