Improve Yourself and Your Workout: Best Beta-Alanine Supplement

Let’s look at some frequently asked questions related to this product since we’ve established the best beta-alanine supplements and a few alternatives. Beta-alanine still needs human testing, and while there is evidence showing it’s completely safe to take, you might be hesitant about indulging in these supplements without knowing what they do exactly. 

If you had questions regarding beta-alanine while reading this article, then this section is for you. We’ll discuss what beta-alanine does to your body and what experts have to say about potential side effects. We’ll also discuss the differences between beta-alanine and creatine, and if BCAA is the same thing as this natural compound.

Read the following answers if you want more clarification before purchasing one of the previous products or still need convincing that beta-alanine is beneficial for your lifestyle.  

What does beta-alanine do for you?

Beta-alanine works well with short-duration exercise that lasts for several minutes. Athletes and fitness enthusiasts tend to choose this popular supplement to enhance their performance. In general, beta-alanine benefits your overall health. 

As established, beta-alanine is a non-essential amino acid. Your body doesn’t use this compound to synthesize protein. However, beta-alanine combines with histidine to produce carnosine. Carnosine is found in skeletal muscles and reduces lactic acid.

Normally, the histidine content is high, and the beta-alanine content is low in your muscles. Therefore, the production is limited, and you can’t elevate yourself to the peak performance level you need to make muscle gains. During high-intensity exercise, glucose decomposes since it’s the main source of fuel.

Then, your body produces lactate, forming acid that makes your muscles more acidic, meaning you’ll get tired faster. Hydrogen ions reduce the pH level, and you’ll feel fatigued. The glucose breakdown reduces muscle contraction, and carnosine eventually steps in, acting as a buffer to reduce acidity. 

In other words: beta-alanine improves your athletic performance alongside other health benefits that make a difference in the quality of your life.

Are beta-alanine supplements safe?

Evidence suggests beta-alanine is an effective supplement. Nonetheless, the International Society of Sports Nutrition states that bio-alanine needs more research. Appropriate levels are safe to help improve exercise performance. 

Beta-alanine has other benefits as well, apart from HIIT exercise improvements, reducing exhaustion, and increasing muscle mass and strength. Beta-alanine reduces stress, improves vascular function, and fights cancer cells. Furthermore, studies suggest that beta-alanine helps with neurological symptoms in people suffering from depression and Alzheimer’s disease. 

Beta-alanine also assists in cardiovascular health, aids in healthy aging, and improves immune responses. That said, you need to meet proper supplementation levels to reap the rewards of beta-alanine. Scientists need more studies to determine appropriate dosing. 1.2 grams daily seem to be effective for gaining muscle and obtaining more energy. 

Most users take 3-4 doses daily with main meals. But, start with a smaller amount to gauge your reactions and see if you get any potential side effects. In large doses, beta-alanine can cause skin rashes or a tingling sensation.  

You can safely combine beta-alanine with other supplements as long as the manufacturer approves stacking. Some formulas include multiple ingredients for additional improvements that benefit your overall health. In summary, beta-alanine is safe and effective without serious side effects. 

Which is better: creatine or beta-alanine?

Creatine and beta-alanine maximize your training performance. Both supplements increase strength and endurance and build more muscle mass. Creatine and beta-alanine help take your performance to the next level with scientific and research studies backing both supplements. 

The body naturally synthesizes creatine, and stores the majority in muscle tissue. It focuses on delivering more ATP or adenosine triphosphate directly into muscle tissue, providing fuel for your workouts and improving your athletic performance. You can see gains in strength, speed, muscle growth, and brain function enhancement. 

The main differences between creatine and beta-alanine are as follows. Creatine increases ATP that’s used as muscle fuel and energy. Therefore, you can get short bursts of power and strength. Beta-alanine works to increase carnosine content to prevent lactic acid build-up. You can get more power and speed and complete more reps. 

Creatine and beta-alanine have different molecular structures but are both non-essential amino acids. You can find creatine and beta-alanine in animal proteins, but the content isn’t enough to see significant muscle gains. 

Neither is better than the other. Stacking creatine and beta-alanine is safe, and several research studies show the benefits of taking them together. So if you want the best of both worlds, consider taking two supplements or a product that includes both.

Is beta-alanine and BCAA the same?

Beta-alanine and BCAA or branched-chain amino acids are common and recommended performance-based supplements. While both are amino acids, they serve different purposes to help you reach your health and fitness goals. 

BCAA consists of three essential amino acids that are the building blocks of protein. Your body can’t make these essential amino acids naturally. Therefore, you have to consume them through dietary sources or supplementation. BCAA increases the rate of protein synthesis and prevents muscle mass breakdown. You can use BCAA to fuel your workout at high intensity.

These amino acids improve muscle recovery and reduce muscle breakdown when you burn through your BCAA stores. You won’t feel as sore afterward, and your body can better rebuild lean mass. BCAA delays fatigue and increases energy levels. BCAA also improves your endurance and overall body composition.   

The main difference between beta-alanine and BCAA is the mechanism of how they work in your body and affect your performance. 

BCAA builds and repairs muscle mass, aiding the protein synthesis process. On the flip side, beta-alanine buffers lactic acid. This supplement delays fatigue and increases the time to exhaustion. Beta-alanine is also a non-essential amino acid.

Beta-alanine and BCAA improve muscular endurance and help you progress through your workouts. By pairing them together, you can see maximum improvements in your endurance, similar to creatine. You can fight muscle fatigue and perform optimally with beta-alanine and BCAA when you take them together in your routine. 

To summarize: you can safely stack beta-alanine and BCAA together if you want to see the best results in a shorter time.