An amino acid BCAAs are used as a source of energy for muscle cells During prolonged exercise, BCAAs are released from skeletal muscles and their carbon backbones are used as fuel, while their nitrogen portion is used to form another amino acid, Alanine Alanine is then converted to Glucose by the liver This form of energy production is called the Alanine-Glucose cycle, and it plays a major role in maintaining the body's blood sugar balance
(Ala or A) Click the name to see a model of the side chain group for this amino acid
Either of two organic compounds. Alpha-alanine is one of the nonessential amino acids, found in most proteins and particularly abundant in fibroin, the protein in silk. It is used in research and as a dietary supplement. Beta-alanine is a naturally occurring amino acid not found in proteins. It is an important constituent of the vitamin pantothenic acid and is used in its synthesis, as well as in biochemical research, electroplating, and organic synthesis