What Is In Your Pre-Workout Supplement That Makes Your Skin Tingle?

By Mark Robinson


Ever felt like scratching at your face or arms after drinking a pre-workout supplement? This sensation is known as "Parasthesia". While Parestheisa is quite harmless to us, the effects can be a tad uncomfortable. When we take a regular amount of pre-workout powder, the feeling is usually quite mild and hardly noticeable. But other times, at a higher dose - the feeling can be quite overwhelming. Some people seem to be quite happy with the prickly feeling it gives, while others can't stand it.

What is in your pre-workout that does this? And why?

Beta Alanine (Carnosyn)

Beta-Alanine is a non-essential amino acid naturally found in our bodies. In our muscles, it binds with histidine to form muscle carnosine (Hence the brand name Carnosyn). Muscle carnosine is the main buffering agent that works in our muscles to fight off, or neutralize the ions(hydronium) that lead to muscle fatigue and failure. By upping the amount of carnosine in our muscles, we can benefit from an increase in endurance at high level performance, and accelerated recovery. The tingling sensation comes from the nerves beneath our skin being activated at a higher rate, due to the beta alanine attaching itself to them.

Niacin (Vit. B3)

All the components of the B-Vitamin family mainly work to process the food we eat. Their primary function is tied to the production of energy within us. The itchy feeling referred to in regards to Niacin is called a "flush". This sensation comes up due to the niacin widening some of our smaller blood vessels, also known as capillaries, close to the surface of our skin.

Do I Have To Feel This Itchy?

Some people can't stand this itchy feeling and give up entirely. It can be hard to avoid it however because a large majority contain the two culprit ingredients. The best way to start using one of these supplements, is with great care. Start off small, even a half dose, and see how it makes you feel. If you begin to feel more comfortable with it, then you can increase the dose.




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