Urinary Beta‐Alanine Excretion is a Marker of Abnormal as well as Normal Gut Fermentation

Normal gut fermentation is the process whereby non‐starch‐soluble polysaccharides are metabolized in the large bowel to provide nutrients. It is well represented in the literature. Abnormal fermentation however can also be present. A test for this demonstrates the production of trace amounts of ethanol, measurable in blood. Beta‐alanine production, measured by urinary excretion, is associated with normal fermentation, but this study demonstrates that beta‐alanine production may be a consequence of abnormal fermentation as well as normal. We consider that it may be an independent marker of the disease. process.