Beta-alanine is a nonproteinogenic amino acid (it is not incorporated into proteins during translation). It is synthesized in the liver and can be ingested in the diet through animal-based foods like beef and chicken. Once ingested, beta-alanine combines with histidine within skeletal muscle and other organs to form carnosine — the role of which is to maintain the acid-base balance in skeletal muscles, the brain, and the heart. Beta-alanine is the limiting factor in muscle carnosine synthesis.
What is beta-alanine?
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•Last Updated: May 16, 2025
Beta-alanine is a nonproteinogenic amino acid that is synthesized in the liver and found in animal-based foods. It combines with histidine to form carnosine, which helps maintain acid-base balance in the skeletal muscles, brain, and heart, and beta-alanine is the limiting factor in muscle carnosine synthesis.