There are several theories put forth for the skin tingle (termed paraesthesia in medical circles). One theory states that the tingling is caused by Beta-Alanine binding to nerve receptors, exciting the nerves and causing them to fire off at random. Many of these nerves are situated just below the skin’s surface, resulting in a prickling/pins-and-needles sensation at certain skin locations. Another theory holds that beta-Alanine is a nitric oxide potentiator. No, beta-Alanine does not generate nitric oxide – it potentiates (magnifies) nitric oxide function, making its effects stronger and longer lasting. So, when you consume beta-Alanine, wherever your body is making nitric oxide at that point in time, the beta-Alanine will magnify the nitric oxide effect and you will feel extra blood flowing through the capillaries close to your skin surface (it is because of the beneficial nitric oxide magnifying effect of beta-Alanine that we suggest consuming beta-Alanine immediately prior to working out in the form of our Protein Slam).
Whatever the actual cause, don’t panic when you feel the skin tingle from beta-Alanine. You are not having an allergic reaction. In fact, it can be said that if you don’t feel at least a slight skin tingle after consuming beta-Alanine, that you didn’t get a sufficient dose. The intensity of the skin tingling varies, depending on dose and individual sensitivity. The skin tingling usually lasts for 30 minutes to one hour, perhaps longer in more sensitive people. Caffeine can magnify the skin tingling effects. Unlike Niacin and nicotinic acid, beta-Alanine will not cause your skin to turn red. You may have read about a beta-Alanine “flush” but it doesn’t happen in actual fact. This is just another gym legend started by people who insist that the skin tingling must be accompanied by a red skin flush. Rest assured, beta-Alanine will not make you look like a lobster. After a few weeks of daily consumption of beta-Alanine, you will become more accustomed to the skin tingling sensation and won’t be bothered by it as much. In spite of the skin tingling, beta-Alanine is certainly a supplement ingredient worth taking daily if you want to increase muscular endurance and delay muscle fatigue.
