Beta-alanine may play an important role as a buffer in skeletal muscle because it forms part of the carnosine molecule that is used as a skeletal muscle buffer. Supplementing with beta-alanine, a non-essential amino acid, may improve exercise performance through increasing carnosine levels in muscle. Studies suggest that supplementation with beta-alanine may improve performance during high intensity exercise such as resistance training. In single bouts of exercise lasting more than 60 seconds beta-alanine supplements may also show benefits. Beta-alanine supplements can delay the onset of muscle fatigue because the carnosine molecule in muscle can buffer the accumulation of hydrogen ions that lead to muscle fatigue. However, the cost of beta-alanine compared to bicarbonate would lead to questions about the value of the supplement. Bicarbonate performs the same role and is much cheaper. Therefore beta-alanine may be a useful supplement for resistance training, but other cheaper alternatives may exist.
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