Acetyl L-carnitine, also known as Alcar, is a well-studied nutrient. It’s synthesized to provide a more bioavailable form of L-Carnitine, which is a lysine amino acid derivative. L-carnitine is a naturally occurring compound in the body: in the liver and kidneys, and then transported to other tissues such as the brain and heart. As L-carnitine, acetyl-L-carnitine is used as an antioxidant and promotes the production of glutathione and free radical scavenging in cells.
What are the benefits of acetyl L-carnitine?
Because L-carnitine is involved in cell metabolism, acetyl-L-carnitine helps increase energy production in the mitochondria, the "powerhouse" of all cells, and thus can generally increase physical and mental energy. As a dietary supplement, acetyl-L-carnitine is often used to improve memory and has been studied as possible support for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. As for the other benefits of acetyl-L-carnitine, this can help alleviate the symptoms of depression and may be useful in the treatment of Parkinson's disease, stroke, and Peyronie's disease. In addition, daily supplementation of acetyl-L-carnitine can have a protective effect on the central nervous system and heart. There is also evidence that acetyl-L-carnitine can improve visual memory and attention in people with Down's syndrome; Clinical data indicate that they may also slow down age-related mental retardation, which is not related to Alzheimer's disease.
What are the symptoms of acetyl-L-carnitine deficiency?
Healthy people usually synthesize enough L-carnitine to avoid deficiency.
How much of acetyl-L-carnitine does an adult need?
Dr. Weil recommends 500 to 1500mg per day.
How much does a child need?
Children should not take acetyl-L-carnitine.
How to get enough acetyl-L-carnitine from food?
The main source of the acetyl-L-carnitine diet is red meat, especially mutton.
Is there any risk associated with too much acetyl-L-carnitine?
Side effects include: mild gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps and headache; agitation or anxiety; increased frequency of attacks in people with seizure disorders. People with Alzheimer's disease may have psychiatric disorders such as depression and confusion, but there is no certainty as to whether these effects are due to acetyl-L-carnitine or the disease itself. Some data indicate that acetyl-L-carnitine can interfere with thyroid metabolism.
Are there any other special considerations?
To compensate for any effects in the digestive system, it is advisable to take acetyl-L-carnitine with food.
If you have a reflux disease of the oesophagus, consult your physician before taking acetyl-L-carnitine.
Pregnant women and lactating women are not advised to consume acetyl-L-carnitine.
