SR CarnoSyn Beta Alanine Supplement Review, Benefits & Side Effects

CarnoSyn is a proprietary beta alanine supplement manufactured by Natural Alternatives International (NAI). It is formulated for increased bioavailability to increase levels of the dipeptide carnosine in muscle tissues.

According to the manufacturers of CarnoSyn, this supplement has been shown to result “in greater physical working capacity, enhanced endurance and delayed fatigue.”

The active ingredient in CarnoSyn is Beta alanine (BA), an amino acid which is mainly used inside the body to manufacture carnosine. Elevating intramuscular carnosine levels is associated with enhanced proton buffering.

This subsequently leads to decreased muscle fatigue, and improvements in certain other markers of physical performance. Beta alanine supplementation is popular amongst athletes including bodybuilders, cyclists, runners, sprinters, rowers and HIIT (high intensity interval training) enthusiasts.

In addition to the standard form of CarnoSyn, there is also a Sustained Release version that gets absorbed by the body at a slower rate. This product reduces one of the adverse effects of taking beta-alanine, which is a tingling sensation in the extremities.

CarnoSyn can be found as the active ingredient in a number of different bodybuilding and energy supplements. It can also be purchased in a single-ingredient formulation from Amazon and other health product retailers online.

Beta Alanine

Bodybuilding Supplement

Body- building

Pre- Workout

Stamina

How It Works:

• Supports muscle growth & workout performance
• Improves athletic stamina & power output
• Increases muscle carnosine levels

Dosage:

Between 2 - 6 grams per day

Safety:

Rated Possibly Safe

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Effects of CarnoSyn

CarnoSyn beta alanine has also been shown effective for helping elderly persons to function better physically. By decreasing time to muscular fatigue and exhaustion, BA may help to reduce falls and otherwise add to the quality of life.

Routine supplementation may help to prolong the ability to live independently in elderly individuals.

According to its manufacturer (Natural Alternatives International (NAI), CarnoSyn beta alanine is clinically proven to:

• Elevate muscle carnosine levels over prolonged time periods;
• Increase the buffering capacities of muscles;
• Facilitate recovery from workouts;
• Decrease muscular acidosis;
• Increase muscular strength;
• Delay muscular fatigue;
• Increase endurance;

NAI also produces a Sustained Release (SR) CarnoSyn supplement that provides a higher dosage with a lower risk of side effects. This formulation can also extend the period of increased carnosine synthesis in the body, reducing in greater muscle retention of this compound.

CarnoSyn Beta Alanine for Athletes

Research on CarnoSyn beta alanine shows that it can increase muscle carnosine concentrations rapidly and significantly. In one 10-week study, intramuscular carnosine levels increased by more than 80% with daily usage.

In a 4-week study, CarnoSyn beta alanine apparently caused a 16.9% increase in work capacity in male subjects. Female subjects experienced a 12% increase in the same metric. In an 8-week study, trained endurance cyclists experienced an 11.4% increase in peak power output.

In a 7-week study, highly trained professional rowers improved rowing times. In 2000-meter rows, times were decreased on average by 4.3 seconds. In a 6-week trial, HIIT participants significantly delayed fatigue thresholds.

CarnoSyn Beta Alanine for the Elderly

A 2012 study investigated the effects of CarnoSyn beta alanine administration on muscle carnosine content and physical performance capacities. All eighteen subjects were between 60 and 80 years of age. All subjects were healthy and randomly assigned into either a treatment or placebo group.

12 subjects received two 800 mg CarnoSyn beta alanine sustained-released tablets twice daily for 12 weeks. That is a total of 3.2 grams daily. The remaining 6 subjects received a placebo agent instead.

Baseline and 12-week assessments were made concerning the following:

• Anaerobic exercise capacities;
• Muscle carnosine content;
• Physical activity levels;
• Food intake levels;
• Muscle function;
• Quality of life;

The group receiving CarnoSyn beta alanine showed an 85.4% increase in intramuscular carnosine relative to the placebo group (+7.2%).

Constant-load submaximal time-to-exhaustion test scores significantly improved in treatment group members (+36,5%), but not in the placebo group (+8.6%).

Time-to-exhaustion measurements in incremental tests also improved strongly in the treatment group (12.2%) compared to the placebo group (+0.1%).

Results from this study showed that CarnoSyn beta alanine increases muscle carnosine concentrations in elderly individuals. These increases are associated with enhanced physical performance capacities.

Using CarnoSyn Supplements

CarnoSyn beta alanine supplements are available in powders, capsules, tablets, lozenges, liquids and other forms. Powder forms are most demanded and are odorless, free-flowing and slightly hygroscopic (absorbs moisture).

The taste of CarnoSyn is neutral and said to blend well in various liquids. It is stable in powder form in temperatures up to 210 degrees Celsius. CarnoSyn has a 2-year shelf life when stored in original containers.

CarnoSyn supplements are typically used in a daily dosage of 3.2 – 6.4 grams. This dosage may be split into 1 – 4 doses per day with a maximum of 1.6 grams per dose to prevent side effects.

The supplement should be taken for a “Loading Period” of at least four weeks to notice significant increases in muscle carnosine levels.

CarnoSyn Beta Alanine Side Effects

Multiple studies show the general safety and tolerability of CarnoSyn brand beta alanine. There are no major side effects associated with its routine usage.

Temporary paresthesia (skin tingling) is experienced in some users. This effect goes away naturally within an hour or so. The temporary type of paresthesia caused by beta alanine is harmless. Reduce the dosage or use the SR CarnoSyn supplement to avoid this adverse reaction.

Minor possibilities also exist for irritation to the digestive tract, respiratory tract, skin and/or eyes. These effects are very uncommon.

CarnoSyn beta alanine is rated as possibly safe for appropriate oral usage in the short term. Young adults have used CarnoSyn without side effects for 10 consecutive weeks at daily doses up to 6.4 grams. In adults 55 years of age and older, CarnoSyn has been used safely in 2.4-gram daily doses for 3 months.

To ensure optimal effect of CarnoSyn beta alanine, it is best to engage a loading phase of supplementation. NAI recommends loading with 3.2 grams daily for a period of at least 4 weeks.

NAI recommends dividing daily dosages into 1.6-gram doses to be taken several times daily. This helps to avoid paresthesia symptoms and optimize BA availability. Notably, research shows that some users of CarnoSyn enjoy the paresthesia as it makes them feel that the substance is working actively inside their bodies.

There is not enough information about CarnoSyn beta alanine effects on lactation and pregnancy to establish its safety. Usage is not recommended without medical advice and monitoring in pregnant or nursing women.

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