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β-alanine supplementation in adults with overweight and obesity: a randomized controlled feasibility trial.

  • 2025-01-12
  • Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.) 33(2)
    • Joseph J Matthews
    • Jade V Creighton
    • James Donaldson
    • Paul A Swinton
    • Ioannis Kyrou
    • Srikanth Bellary
    • Iskandar Idris
    • Lívia Santos
    • Mark D Turner
    • Craig L Doig
    • Kirsty J Elliott-Sale
    • Craig Sale

Study Design

Type
Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
Sample size
n = 27
Population
27 adults (44% female; mean [SD], age: 58 [10] years, BMI: 31.1 [2.9] kg/m2, hemoglobin A1c: 39.8 [4.3] mmol/mol) with overweight and obesity
Methods
received β-alanine (4.8 g/day) or a matched placebo for 3 months
Blinding
Double-blind
Duration
3 months
Funding
Unclear

Objective

Overweight and obesity are characterized by excess adiposity and systemic, chronic, low-grade inflammation, which is associated with several metabolic disorders. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and tolerability of β-alanine supplementation and to explore the effects on cardiometabolic health and cardiovascular, hepatic, and renal function in adults with overweight and obesity.

Methods

A total of 27 adults (44% female; mean [SD], age: 58 [10] years, BMI: 31.1 [2.9] kg/m2, hemoglobin A1c: 39.8 [4.3] mmol/mol) received β-alanine (4.8 g/day) or a matched placebo for 3 months. Feasibility and tolerability outcomes included adherence, side effects, recruitment, attrition, and blinding, and exploratory outcomes included biochemical markers, blood pressures, and transthoracic echocardiography parameters. Data were analyzed using a Bayesian approach presented with 95% credible intervals (CrI).

Results

β-alanine was well tolerated and adhered to (adherence: placebo, 0.91 [95% CrI: 0.84-0.95]; β-alanine, 0.92 [95% CrI: 0.85-0.95]), and side effects remained at or below baseline throughout. The probability that β-alanine supplementation affected cardiometabolic, cardiovascular, or clinical biochemical outcomes was low.

Conclusions

Sustained-release β-alanine supplementation is well tolerated and adhered to in adults with overweight and obesity. Future research should consider more advanced metabolic conditions, which may benefit from longer duration supplementation.

Research Insights

  • Beta-Alanine→Improved Cardiac Function

    the probability that β-alanine supplementation affected cardiometabolic, cardiovascular, or clinical biochemical outcomes was low

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    4.8 g/day
  • Beta-Alanine→Improved Cardiometabolic Health

    the probability that β-alanine supplementation affected cardiometabolic, cardiovascular, or clinical biochemical outcomes was low

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    4.8 g/day
  • Beta-Alanine→Improved Hepatic Function

    the probability that β-alanine supplementation affected cardiometabolic, cardiovascular, or clinical biochemical outcomes was low

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    4.8 g/day
  • Beta-Alanine→Improved Renal Function

    the probability that β-alanine supplementation affected cardiometabolic, cardiovascular, or clinical biochemical outcomes was low

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    4.8 g/day

Adverse Events Reported

  • Beta-Alanine→Overall tolerability

    β-alanine was well tolerated and adhered to (adherence: placebo, 0.91 [95% CrI: 0.84-0.95]; β-alanine, 0.92 [95% CrI: 0.85-0.95]), and side effects remained at or below baseline throughout.

    Finding
    Reported
  • Beta-Alanine→side effects

    side effects remained at or below baseline throughout.

    Finding
    Reported
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