Beta-alanine is non essential amino acid that is believed to be obtained through ingesting the beta-alanine containing dipeptides: carnosine, anserine and balenine. It is formed by the degradation of dihydrouracil and carnosine. Beta-alanine is a component of carnosine, anserine, and pantothenic acid (vitamin B5); naturally occurring peptides in the body. Beta-alanine is also precuror to carnosine, allowing beta-alanine to raise carnosine levels by an average of 80%, thus keeping the bodies beta-alanine levels in check.
Common sources of these substances are chicken, beef, pork, and fish.
Because beta-alanine is a precursor and builder of the L-carnosine molecule, you must understand the function of L-carnosine. Beta-alanine's ability to boost the body's synthesis of carnosine makes beta-alanine a must-have in any muscle supplement.