Beta alanine is a naturally high amino acid found in large doses in turkey and North Atlantic prawns. Supplementing with beta alanine has been shown to increase the intramuscular buffer carnosine (not to be confused with creatine or carnitine) thus increasing resistance to fatigue in anaerobic activities. Users of beta alanine report similar effects to creatine loading but without the weight gain often associated with creatine.

First used as a development project with GB short track speedskaters and cited as a major factor in the team's 'overperformance' relative to expectations. Thereafter SiS beta alanine was quickly taken up by British Cycling where it has become a regular valued supplement.