Evidence supporting the use of: Alpha-Alanine
For the health condition: Endurance (lack of)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 4
Alpha-alanine is not a commonly referenced amino acid in exercise science; however, beta-alanine is well-established for its role in supporting endurance and exercise performance. Beta-alanine is a precursor to carnosine, a dipeptide that acts as a buffer for hydrogen ions in muscle tissue, helping to delay the onset of muscle fatigue during high-intensity exercise. Numerous clinical studies and meta-analyses have demonstrated that beta-alanine supplementation can increase muscle carnosine levels and enhance exercise capacity, particularly in tasks lasting 1-4 minutes. For example, a 2012 meta-analysis in Amino Acids (Hobson et al.) concluded that beta-alanine supplementation significantly improved exercise performance in a range of high-intensity activities. The evidence for endurance benefits over longer durations (endurance sports) is more mixed, but some studies suggest modest improvements. Importantly, alpha-alanine does not have the same physiological effects or scientific evidence supporting its use for endurance. If a supplement lists "alpha-alanine" for endurance, it is likely a mislabel or confusion with beta-alanine. Therefore, while there is robust scientific backing for beta-alanine's role in supporting endurance and reducing fatigue in specific circumstances, this does not extend to alpha-alanine.
Other ingredients used for Endurance (lack of)
acetyl l-carnitineashwagandha
beta-alanine
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
cordyceps
creatine monohydrate
eleuthero
ginseng
l-alanyl-l-glutamine
l-citrulline
l-glutamine
magnesium
milk
phenolic acids
rhodiola
sphaeranthus indicus
spirulina
vitamin B12
jiaogulan
siler root
electrolytes blend (proprietary)
3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-enoic acid
Alpha polylactate
Antler
Arginine malate
Alpha glyceryl
Bacteria
Elthyl-Alpha-Guanido-Methyl-Ethanoate
Ecdysterone
esters
Other health conditions supported by Alpha-Alanine
Athletic and Exercise AidsBody Building
Endurance (lack of)
Exercise