Beta-alanine (Carnosyn) supplementation in elderly subjects (60-80 years): effects on muscle carnosine content and physical capacity
Randomised controlled trialHumansWith beta-alanine (carnosine precursor)
This study tested carnosine together with beta-alanine (carnosine precursor). Its results cannot be assigned to carnosine alone. More combination studies.
- Design
- Randomised controlled trial
- Subjects
- 18 healthy adults aged 60 to 80 (12 beta-alanine, 6 placebo)
- Dose used in the study
- 3.2 g/day beta-alanine (sustained-release Carnosyn tablets, 800 mg twice, two times a day)
- Duration
- 12 weeks
- What was measured
- Gastrocnemius muscle carnosine by magnetic resonance spectroscopy; time to exhaustion in a constant-load submaximal test and an incremental test; also muscle function, quality of life, physical activity and food intake.
What the authors reported
Muscle carnosine rose by 85.4 percent with beta-alanine versus 7.2 percent with placebo (p = 0.004). Time to exhaustion in the constant-load test rose by 36.5 percent versus 8.6 percent (p = 0.05), and in the incremental test by 12.2 percent versus 0.1 percent (p = 0.04). Gains in muscle carnosine correlated with gains in time to exhaustion (r = 0.62 and 0.48). The authors concluded that beta-alanine raises muscle carnosine in healthy older adults, with improved exercise capacity.
Limits of this study
Small, unbalanced groups (12 vs 6). The abstract's sex breakdown (10 women, 4 men) does not match the stated total of 18. Full text not read.
Source
PubMed 22143432 · doi:10.1007/s00726-011-1190-x
Entry checked against PubMed abstract (E-utilities) on 2026-10-19. The dose shown is the dose the researchers used. It is not a recommendation. How to read this page.