Studies show that beta alanine increases the pH value in muscle cells through the increased synthesis of carnosine. So the acidification is delayed and ATP can be formed. The burning or muscle fatigue sets in much later with beta alanine, which allows you to achieve maximum muscular performance and exceed your previous limits.
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Carnosine is thought to influence performance in various ways, but the most studied function, and the focus of this article, is its role as an intercellular buffer. Carnosine helps stabilize pH levels in the muscle by absorbing hydrogen ions (H+) that are released at a higher rate during exercise.
Our bodies are constantly working to keep our pH levels in balance by using various buffer systems. Buffers are primarily responsible for absorbing H+ to create the optimal pH balance we need to function effectively.
As mentioned above, our muscles function best within a certain pH range. If the pH value falls below this level, muscle strength also decreases. By maintaining an optimal pH value, we can tense our muscles powerfully for longer.
There are a handful of buffer systems in our bodies. Some stabilize the pH in extracellular fluid outside the cells, while others work in the intracellular fluid inside the cells, some even do both.
In this article, we will focus on training performance and, as mentioned above, H+ is primarily released during training by lactic acid and during the breakdown of ATP.