Written by Katie Koschalk, a health and wellness writer, certified holistic nutritionist, and certified personal trainer based in California.

If you’ve been looking for ways to support exercise performance, metabolism, and weight management, you might have come across an amino acid called L-BAIBA. Naturally produced by the body during exercise, L-BAIBA is now gaining attention as a supplement that may help mimic some of the benefits of exercise—without logging extra hours at the gym.

So, what exactly is L-BAIBA, how does it work, and is it worth adding to your supplement stack? This guide breaks down the benefits and key considerations to help you decide.

What Is L-BAIBA?

L-BAIBA—short for L-beta-aminoisobutyric acid—is a signaling molecule your muscles release during exercise. It’s classified as a myokine, or “exercise factor,” meaning it enters the bloodstream when your muscles contract and helps relay messages to other parts of the body.

Higher levels of L-BAIBA are linked to several of the beneficial effects of physical activity, which we’ll explore below. 

Potential Benefits of L-BAIBA

While research on L-BAIBA is still in its early stages, especially in humans, early studies suggest this compound may offer a range of health and performance benefits. Here’s what scientists are currently exploring.  

1. May Offer Benefits of Exercise Without Exercising 

L-BAIBA is being explored as an “exercise mimetic”—a compound that can reproduce some of the benefits of exercise (such as fat burning and energy expenditure) without actually exercising. While it’s not a replacement for physical activity, it might offer supplemental support.

2. May Improve Body Composition 

L-BAIBA may help stimulate fat oxidation and convert white fat into metabolically active brown fat. Translation? It could enhance fat metabolism, potentially helping you burn more fat even when you're at rest.

3. May Increase Carb Tolerance and Insulin Sensitivity 

Early research suggests L-BAIBA may help your body respond better to insulin, allowing for improved blood sugar control and more efficient use of carbohydrates. 

4. May Support Exercise Effectiveness and Recovery

Because L-BAIBA is thought to help your body use carbs and fat more efficiently, it could support a steadier, more sustained energy supply during exercise. This may help you sustain activity longer without tiring as quickly and may support faster recovery by helping replenish your muscles’ energy stores.

5. May Increase Ketones 

Studies suggest that L-BAIBA may help boost ketone production, shifting the body’s metabolism toward greater fat burning. Higher ketone levels can support steady energy, enhance brain function, and help curb appetite, especially during fasting or low-carbohydrate diets.

6. May Support Mitochondrial Function and Healthy Aging

L-BAIBA may support the health of your mitochondria (the powerhouse of your cells) by protecting against oxidative stress and supporting more efficient energy production. In turn, healthier mitochondria could boost cellular resilience, promote healthy aging, and help protect against age-related decline.

7. May Reduce Inflammation 

Some research suggests that L-BAIBA may help support healthy inflammation levels, which is linked to a wide range of chronic health issues, from metabolic disorders to cardiovascular disease.

Can You Get L-BAIBA Through Food?

Trace amounts of L-BAIBA have been found naturally in certain foods, specifically garlic and cacao nibs. However, the levels are very low.

Eating a protein-rich diet, including foods like meat, dairy, legumes, and grains, can also support healthy valine levels—an amino acid involved in L-BAIBA production. Still, simply eating more protein or garlic won’t significantly boost your L-BAIBA levels on its own. 

How to Boost Your L-BAIBA Levels 

Until recently, the only way to significantly increase L-BAIBA levels was through consistent, high-intensity exercise—think running, cycling, or interval training. 

That’s still a great approach, but now there’s another option. Look for products containing MitoBurn®—the only standardized and research-backed version of L-BAIBA. It’s designed to make the benefits of this molecule more accessible.

As always, consult your healthcare provider before adding any new supplement to your routine, especially if you have underlying health conditions or take medications.

The Bottom Line on L-BAIBA 

L-BAIBA is an exciting compound with growing research behind it, showing potential benefits for fat metabolism, blood sugar regulation, exercise performance, and healthy aging. While your body naturally produces L-BAIBA during exercise, supplements like MitoBurn® offer a new way to tap into its advantages.