Effect of beta-alanine supplementation on muscle carnosine concentrations and exercise performance
ReviewHumansWith beta-alanine (carnosine precursor)
This study tested carnosine together with beta-alanine (carnosine precursor). Its results cannot be assigned to carnosine alone. More combination studies.
- Design
- Review
- What was measured
- Narrative review of beta-alanine supplementation, muscle carnosine synthesis, buffering and exercise performance.
What the authors reported
The review states that carnosine's imidazole ring (pKa 6.83) lets it buffer intracellular pH over the physiological range. Muscle beta-alanine, not histidine, limits carnosine synthesis because of its low concentration and higher Km for carnosine synthase. Raising muscle carnosine through beta-alanine or dietary carnosine is proposed to increase buffering and high-intensity exercise capacity; the review also covers training effects on muscle carnosine.
Limits of this study
Review; no new data. Abstract read on publisher page; full text not read.
Source
PubMed 20091069 · doi:10.1007/s00726-009-0443-4
Entry checked against publisher page (abstract) on 2026-10-17. The dose shown is the dose the researchers used. It is not a recommendation. How to read this page.