β-amino acid (amino on β-carbon rather than α-carbon — not used in ribosomal protein synthesis). Rate-limiting substrate for carnosine synthase in skeletal muscle (condensed with L-histidine → carnosine). Sustained supplementation raises muscle carnosine ~40–80%, increasing intramuscular pH buffering and modestly improving high-intensity exercise output in the 60 s–4 min domain. Mechanism of paresthesia side-effect: activation of MrgprD / TRPA1 sensory-neuron receptors — transient, dose-related, harmless, minimised by divided dosing or sustained-release formulation.
Half-Life (t½)
PO: 0.7h
Dosing Guidelines
PO: Typical 4.27 g (Range: 3.2–6.4 g)
Target Organ Systems
musculoskeletal
Interactions
Carnosine (synergistic): β-Alanine is the rate-limiting precursor; oral dosing raises muscle carnosine directly. Oral carnosine itself is hydrolysed by serum carnosinase.
Taurine (caution): β-Alanine and taurine share transporter (TauT); chronic high β-alanine may modestly reduce intramuscular taurine in preclinical studies (humans uncertain).