The supplements market has experienced tremendous growth in recent years. New supplements come up each day, and I presume you have heard of beta-alanine. This is a supplement that has gained a lot of recognition recently. Besides, only a few foods are rich in this natural supplement, so most athletes use it for diet supplementation. What makes it unique? Beta-alanine combines with other amino acids to boost your energy and endurance during workouts. Is it your first time taking beta-alanine? Here’s a beginners guide to the magic supplement.
What is beta-allanine& How does it work?
Beta-alanine is a naturally occurring amino acid. It’s a hybrid between the major neurotransmitters in the body. These are L-glycerine and GABA, which explains why most users often experience a caffeine-like feeling after taking the supplement.
When you consume the supplement, it passes through your bloodstream to the skeletal muscles and binds with the amino acid L-histidine to form carnosine. Beta-alanine supplements raise your carnosine concentration which is responsible for significant energy and muscle increase.
Do I need beta-alanine?
Beta-alanine is an oral supplement commonly used by athletes. It’s famous for its numerous benefits and helps build lean muscle among young athletes. Also, it improves physical performance by decreasing muscle fatigue. Although you can get beta-alanine from meat, poultry and fish, these may not be enough to offer the desired benefits. It’s then advisable to incorporate beta-alanine supplements into your diet.
How will I benefit from beta-alanine as an endurance athlete?
If you’re an endurance athlete or bodybuilder, you may want to get larger and more muscular. Beta-alanine is one of the common amino acids that will help you achieve your goals. The supplement will improve your muscular strength and energy, and muscle mass.
Also, it’ll support cardiovascular energy and increase anaerobic operation. With the amplified stamina, you’ll exercise harder and for a longer duration. And this is because beta-alanine combines with creatine to boost your energy levels.
How long will I take to experience the results?
You won’t wait for long to get results. Once you begin supplementing your diet with beta-alanine, your energy levels will rise significantly. You’ll notice an increase in strength in about four weeks. Your fatigue resistance will also improve, and the carnosine levels rise. However, the immediate effects of the supplements like improved pump focus are short-lived. And this is why it’s crucial to take beta-alanine 30-45 minutes prior.
What side effects do I expect?
You may experience a burning or itching sensation on your scalp after consuming beta-alanine. Also, doses above 800 mg may cause paresthesia, and it’s advisable to limit your consumption and not go beyond 800-12000 mg for the first four weeks. This way, you’ll benefit from the supplement and minimize the likelihood of side effects.
Final thoughts
Beta-alanine benefits athletes in myriad ways. It’s a standard ingredient in most pre-workout supplements and can increase your energy, muscle mass and help fight fatigue. However, you will only reap all the benefits by acquiring quality products. Be sure to purchase from renowned brands and follow the dosage instructions.