30 Seconds Summary
Research Spotlight: Acute anserine + carnosine supplementation enhances performance

  • Beta-alanine is commonly used in pre-workout supplements for chronic, not acute effects, enhancing muscle carnosine levels to boost performance and reduce fatigue.
  • Historically, direct carnosine supplementation has been avoided due to rapid breakdown by carnosinase into beta-alanine and histidine.
  • New research explores combining carnosine with anserine, a methylated derivative less affected by carnosinase, for better performance results without common side effects like headaches or tingling.
  • A study found that taking 20mg/kg of both anserine and carnosine 30 minutes before cycling significantly improved sprint and peak power, though the effects were small.
  • Future research may further explore this combination's benefits, potentially influencing pre-workout supplement formulations.
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