Alpha-Alanine

Alpha-alanine is a non-essential amino acid. Non-essential amino acids can be made by the body, so they don’t have to be provided by food. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins.
You may see the terms “L-alpha-alanine” and “D-alpha-alanine.“ The “L” refers to the “left-handed” chemical form of the alpha-alanine molecule. The “D” refers to the “right-handed” chemical form of the molecule. The L and D forms are mirror-images of each other.

• Uses
• Benefits
• Cautions
• Other Names:
• References

Uses

• Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
• Diarrhea-related dehydration
• Liver disease
• Enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hypertrophy, BPH)
• Fatigue
• Stress
• Certain inherited disorders including glycogen storage disease and urea cycle disorders.

Benefits

• Alpha-alanine is an Amino acid which can raise blood sugar levels. Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) in people with type 1 diabetes. Some research shows that taking L-alpha-alanine by mouth can raise blood sugar levels after a “blood sugar low” due to taking too much insulin. L-alpha-alanine can also prevent blood sugar from dropping too low overnight.

Cautions

• Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Not enough is known about the use of alpha-alanine during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

• Diabetes: L-alpha-alanine can increase blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. This can be helpful if blood sugar levels are too low, but it can be harmful if blood sugar levels are normal or too high. Monitor your blood sugar carefully if you have diabetes and use alpha-alanine.

• Dosing: The following doses have been studied in scientific research BY MOUTH:
  • For treating low blood sugar in people with type 1 diabetes due to too much insulin: 20-40 grams of L-alpha-alanine.
  • For preventing low blood sugar at night in people with type 1 diabetes: 40 grams of L-alpha-alanine at bedtime along with 10 grams of glucose (sugar).

Other Names:

2-aminopropionic Acid, Acide Alpha-aminopropionique, Acide Aminé Alanine, Acide Aminé Non Essentiel, Ala, Alanine Amino Acid, Alfa-alanina, Alpha-aminopropionic Acid, D-alanine, D-alpha-alanine, DL-alanine, L-alanine, L-alpha-alanine, L-alpha-aminopropionic Acid, Non-essential Amino Acid.

References

Source: WEebMD, “Alpha-Alanine”, www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/