What is Beta-Alanine?

Have you ever drank your pre workout and minutes later you start to feel tingly sensations? The reason for that sensation is caused by an ingredient found in most pre workouts called Beta Alanine. So what is Beta alanine? Beta alanine Is a non-essential amino acid that helps delay muscle fatigue.

How does it work?

When Beta Alanine is mixed with another specific amino acid called L-histidine, it causes a reaction that helps with the synthesis of muscle carnosine concentration. This reaction causes counteracting development of lactic acids and thus causing delays on the onset of muscle fatigue and loss of power.  The body does produce beta alanine and histidine naturally but the amount of beta alanine produced is much lower as compared to histidine. Thus, an increase in concentration of beta alanine causes an increase in production of carnosine.

Why does it cause tingles?

The tingling sensations is called paresthesia. It is an effect from consuming beta alanine but do not worry as there are no harmful effects associated with paresthesia. To avoid the tingling sensation, you can take multiple doses throughout the day or use sustain-release versions of beta alanine.

So don’t be afraid to up that dosage of Beta alanine. Research have shown that increasing beta alanine intake to about 6.4 grams a day can enhance muscle  performance.