I just wanted to start up some discussion on beta-alanine supplementation in relation to lactic acid (and in turn the possible role of lactic acid in GH output and as a hypertrophic stimulus).
Ultimately I want to address this question: Do you think taking beta-alanine is a good idea when hypertrophy is your main goal? Could the buffering capability of carnosine in myocytes possibly hinder hypertrophy (by acting as a buffer)?
The chemistry makes sense. Beta-alanine is the rate-limiting precursor to carnosine. Carnosine is found in high levels in skeletal muscle. Carnosine, a dipeptide (beta-alanyl-L-his), contains an imidazole ring (pKa ~7) which leads to the potential of chemical buffering within skeletal muscle.
Now this isn't to say you can't build muscle while taking beta-alanine... in fact, the argument can be made that the fatigue blunting/delaying/buffering effects of beta-alanine supplementation may allow for increased training intensity/load that will in turn lead to gains that may have otherwise not been possible. Whether this negates my aforementioned concern, I do not know.
This leads me to think that maybe beta-alanine might be better suited for endurance athletes, or athletes in-season/maintenance where performance is paramount and hypertrophy is not a major concern.
Thoughts?
Ultimately I want to address this question: Do you think taking beta-alanine is a good idea when hypertrophy is your main goal? Could the buffering capability of carnosine in myocytes possibly hinder hypertrophy (by acting as a buffer)?
The chemistry makes sense. Beta-alanine is the rate-limiting precursor to carnosine. Carnosine is found in high levels in skeletal muscle. Carnosine, a dipeptide (beta-alanyl-L-his), contains an imidazole ring (pKa ~7) which leads to the potential of chemical buffering within skeletal muscle.
Now this isn't to say you can't build muscle while taking beta-alanine... in fact, the argument can be made that the fatigue blunting/delaying/buffering effects of beta-alanine supplementation may allow for increased training intensity/load that will in turn lead to gains that may have otherwise not been possible. Whether this negates my aforementioned concern, I do not know.
This leads me to think that maybe beta-alanine might be better suited for endurance athletes, or athletes in-season/maintenance where performance is paramount and hypertrophy is not a major concern.
Thoughts?
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