Effect Of Β-alanine Supplementation Research Articles

The Effect of β-Alanine Supplementation on Performance, Cognitive Function and Resiliency in Soldiers

β-alanine is a nonessential amino acid that combines with the amino acid histidine to form the intracellular dipeptide carnosine, an important intracellular buffer. Evidence has been well established on the ability of β-alanine supplementation to enhance anaerobic skeletal muscle performance. As a result, β-alanine has become one of the more popular supplements used by competitive athletes. These same benefits have also been reported in soldiers. Evidence accumulated over the last few years has suggested that β-alanine can result in carnosine elevations in the brain, which appears to have broadened the potential effects that β-alanine supplementation may have on soldier performance and health. Evidence suggests that β-alanine supplementation can increase resilience to post-traumatic stress disorder, mild traumatic brain injury and heat stress. The evidence regarding cognitive function is inconclusive but may be more of a function of the stressor that is applied during the assessment period. The potential benefits of β-alanine supplementation on soldier resiliency are interesting but require additional research using a human model. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the physiological role of β-alanine and why this nutrient may enhance soldier performance.

The effect of β-alanine supplementation on high intensity cycling capacity in normoxia and hypoxia

ABSTRACT The availability of dietary beta-alanine (BA) is the limiting factor in carnosine synthesis within human muscle due to its low intramuscular concentration and substrate affinity. Carnosine can accept hydrogen ions (H+), making it an important intramuscular buffer against exercise-induced acidosis. Metabolite accumulation rate increases when exercising in hypoxic conditions, thus an increased carnosine concentration could attenuate H+ build-up when exercising in hypoxic conditions. This study examined the effects of BA supplementation on high intensity cycling capacity in normoxia and hypoxia. In a double-blind design, nineteen males were matched into a BA group (n = 10; 6.4 g·d−1) or a placebo group (PLA; n = 9) and supplemented for 28 days, carrying out two pre- and two post-supplementation cycling capacity trials at 110% of powermax, one in normoxia and one in hypoxia (15.5% O2). Hypoxia led to a 9.1% reduction in exercise capacity, but BA supplementation had no significant effect on exercise capacity in normoxia or hypoxia (P > 0.05). Blood lactate accumulation showed a significant trial x time interaction post-supplementation (P = 0.016), although this was not significantly different between groups. BA supplementation did not increase high intensity cycling capacity in normoxia, nor did it improve cycling capacity in hypoxia even though exercise capacity was reduced under hypoxic conditions.

Effect of β-Alanine Supplementation on Repeated Sprint Ability and Responses of Blood Lactate and Bicarbonate in Male Soccer Players

Effect of β-Alanine Supplementation on Repeated Sprint Ability and Responses of Blood Lactate and Bicarbonate in Male Soccer Players

The Effect of β-Alanine Supplementation on the Heat Shock Protein, Inflammatory and Neurotrophin Response in Animals Exposed to an Acute Heat Stress

Abstract Objectives The effect of 30-days of β-alanine (BA) supplementation on heat shock protein 70 (HSP70), inflammatory and neurotrophin responses in the hippocampus and hypothalamus of rats exposed to an acute heat stress was investigated. Methods Animals were randomized to either a control (CTL) group or BA supplementation (100mg·kg−1) group. All animal were fed a normal diet and only differed regarding supplementation. Following supplementation animals were either exposed to the heat stress (120 min at 40–41°C) or were unexposed. Following the acute heat stress, or at the end of the supplementation period, animals were harvested and their brains removed. Immunohistochemical technique was used to detect expression of HSP70, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2) and neuropeptide Y (NPY) in the hippocampus subregions and paraventricular nuclear (PVN) region of the hypothalamus. Results Three animals in CTL and one in BA did not survive the heat stress. Significant attenuation (P's < 0.005) in BDNF expression was noted in animals exposed to the heat stress compared to unexposed in all subregions (CA1, CA3 and DG) of the hippocampus and PVN. A significant elevation in BDNF expression in the CA3 subregion of rats fed BA and exposed to the heat stress was observed compared to exposed CTL animals. Significant elevations in COX2 was also noted in the CA1 and CA3 subregions in exposed compared to unexposed animals. COX2 expression was significantly greater (P ≤ 0.0065) in CTL compared with BA during heat exposure in the CA1 subregion of the hippocampus. Animals supplemented with BA also realized significantly higher HSP70 expression (P = 0.02) in the CA3 subregion of the hippocampus compared to CTL. Significant differences (P’s < 0.05) in NPY expression in all subregions of the hippocampus and PVN were noted between exposed and unexposed animals. However, NPY expression was significantly higher (P ≤ 0.03) for BA compared to CTL in exposed animals in the PVN. Conclusions Results suggested that BA supplementation appeared to increase resiliency to an acute heat stress and reduced the inflammatory response, while increasing HSP70 and neurotrophins expression. Funding Sources Natural Alternatives International Inc., Carlsbad, CA, USA.

Effect of β-alanine supplementation during high-intensity interval training on repeated sprint ability performance and neuromuscular fatigue.

The study investigated the influence of β-alanine supplementation during a high-intensity interval training (HIIT) program on repeated sprint ability (RSA) performance. This study was randomized, double-blinded, and placebo controlled. Eighteen men performed an incremental running test until exhaustion (TINC) at baseline and followed by 4-wk HIIT (10 × 1-min runs 90% maximal TINC velocity [1-min recovery]). Then, participants were randomized into two groups and performed a 6-wk HIIT associated with supplementation of 6.4 g/day of β-alanine (Gβ) or dextrose (placebo group; GP). Pre- and post-6-wk HIIT + supplementation, participants performed the following tests: 1) TINC; 2) supramaximal running test; and 3) 2 × 6 × 35-m sprints (RSA). Before and immediately after RSA, neuromuscular function was assessed by vertical jumps, maximal isometric voluntary contractions of knee extension, and neuromuscular electrical stimulations. Muscle biopsies were performed to determine muscle carnosine content, muscle buffering capacity in vitro (βmin vitro), and content of phosphofructokinase (PFK), monocarboxylate transporter 4 (MCT4), and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α). Both groups showed a significant time effect for maximal oxygen uptake (Gβ: 6.2 ± 3.6% and GP: 6.5 ± 4.2%; P > 0.01); only Gβ showed a time effect for total (-3.0 ± 2.0%; P = 0.001) and best (-3.3 ± 3.0%; P = 0.03) RSA times. A group-by-time interaction was shown after HIIT + Supplementation for muscle carnosine (Gβ: 34.4 ± 2.3 mmol·kg-1·dm-1 and GP: 20.7 ± 3.0 mmol·kg-1·dm-1; P = 0.003) and neuromuscular voluntary activation after RSA (Gβ: 87.2 ± 3.3% and GP: 78.9 ± 12.4%; P = 0.02). No time effect or group-by-time interaction was shown for supramaximal running test performance, βm, and content of PFK, MCT4, and HIF-1α. In summary, β-alanine supplementation during HIIT increased muscle carnosine and attenuated neuromuscular fatigue, which may contribute to an enhancement of RSA performance.NEW & NOTEWORTHY β-Alanine supplementation during a high-intensity interval training program increased repeated sprint performance. The improvement of muscle carnosine content induced by β-alanine supplementation may have contributed to an attenuation of central fatigue during repeated sprint. Overall, β-alanine supplementation may be a useful dietary intervention to prevent fatigue.

Effect of β-alanine supplementation on carnosine and histidine content in the hippocampus of 14-month-old rats.

Carnosine and histidine content in the hippocampus of 14-month-old male rats was examined following 30 days of β-alanine supplementation. All animals were provided identical diets; however, 100 mg of β-alanine was mixed with glucomannan (80:20 blend) in the water of β-alanine supplemented animals. Hippocampal carnosine content was significantly greater (p = 0.005) for β-alanine compared with control, while no differences (p = 0.438) were noted in histidine content between groups. Results provide initial evidence that β-alanine supplementation increases carnosine content in the hippocampus of middle-aged rats, without compromising histidine content. β-Alanine supplementation increases hippocampal carnosine content without compromising histidine content in middle-aged rats.

Effect of β-alanine supplementation on 20 km cycling time trial performance

The effects of β-alanine supplementation on high-intensity cycling performance and capacity have been evaluated, although the effects on longer duration cycling performance are unclear. Nineteen UK category 1 male cyclists completed four 20 km cycling time trials, two before and two after supplementation with either 6.4 g•d-1 β-alanine (n = 10; BA) or a matched placebo (n = 9; P). Performance time for the 20 km time trial and 1 km split times were recorded. There was no significant effect of β-alanine supplementation on 20 km time trial performance (BA-pre 1943 ± 129 s; BA-post 1950 ± 147 s; P-pre 1989 ± 106 s; P-post 1986 ± 115 s) or on the performance of each 1 km split. The effect of β-alanine on 20 km time trial performance was deemed unclear as determined by magnitude based inferences. Supplementation with 6.4 g•d-1 of β-alanine for 4 weeks did not affect 20 km cycling time trial performance in well trained male cyclists.

The Effect of β-Alanine Supplementation on Power Performance During Repeated Sprint Activity

The dipeptide carnosine has been shown to contribute to the buffer capacity of hydrogen ions (H) during intense exercise. Increasing skeletal muscle carnosine levels through beta-alanine (BA) supplementation has been shown to maintain acid-base balance, delay fatigue, and improve exercise performance. We designed this study to examine the effect of 5 weeks of BA supplementation on repeat high-intensity sprint performance. Nineteen, physically active, college men were divided into 2 groups (control [C], n = 10 or BA, n = 9). We performed double-blind placebo-controlled study where subjects ingested 4 g per day during the first week and 6 g per day over the next 4 weeks of a placebo (rice flour) or a BA supplement. Subjects completed 2 sets of 5 5-second sprints with 45-second recovery separated by 2 minutes of active recovery. All tests were conducted on a non-motorized treadmill against a resistance of 15% of the participant's body weight. We recorded horizontal power (HP) of the running sprint. Post-exercise capillary blood samples were analyzed for lactate to determine the metabolic demands. There were no significant between-group differences (p > 0.05) in HPpeak or HPmean for the repeat sprint protocol. No significant between-group differences were found for performance decrement (% fatigue) for HPpeak or HPmean. In addition, no significant interactions were observed. Post-exercise blood lactate values were similar pre and post supplementation in both groups. The results of this study clearly indicate that 5 weeks of BA supplementation provides no benefit for repeat sprint performance.

Effect of β-Alanine Supplementation on the Acute Hormonal Response to Resistance Exercise

PURPOSE: The effect of 30 days of β-alanine supplementation (4.8 g per day) on training volume and on the acute endocrine response to resistance exercise was examined in eight experienced resistance-trained men. METHODS: A double-blind, randomized cross-over study design was used where subjects resistance-trained and supplemented over 4-week periods consuming either β-alanine (BA) or a placebo (PL). Subjects performed an acute resistance exercise protocol consisting of 6 sets of 12 repetitions of the squat exercise at 70% of onerepetition maximum (1-RM) with 1.5 minutes of rest between sets before and after each supplemental period. Blood draws occurred at baseline (BL), immediate (IP), 15-minutes (15P) and 30-minutes post (30P) exercise for growth hormone, testosterone and cortisol concentrations. RESULTS: A 22% pre-to-post difference in total number of repetitions performed was seen between BA and PL conditions, and Δ mean power was greater in BA (98.4 ± 43.8 w) vs. PL (7.2 ± 29.6 w). Growth hormone concentrations were elevated from BL at IP and 15P for both groups, while cortisol concentrations were greater than BL at all time points for both BA and PL. No group differences were noted. No significant changes from BL were seen in the testosterone response to the exercise protocol in either group. CONCLUSIONS: Results indicate that four weeks of β-alanine supplementation can significantly improve the quality of a resistance training session in experienced resistance-trained athletes. However, these performance improvements did not affect the acute endocrine response to the exercise stimulus.