Acetyl L-Carnitine

Acetyl L-Carnitine is an acetylated form of L-Carnitine that has been claimed to be superior to normal L-Carnitine in terms of bioavailability. Acetyl-l-carnitine is a molecule that occurs naturally in the brain, liver, and kidney. Natural levels of Acetyl-l-carnitine diminish as we age.

 

What it is

Acetyl-l-Carnitine is a “free form” amino acid the body uses to turn fat intoenergy. It is not normally considered an essential nutrient because thebody can manufacture all it needs. However, supplemental carnitine mayimprove the ability of certain tissues to produce energy. This effecthas led to the use of carnitine in various muscle diseases as well asheart conditions.

 

What it does

Acetyl L-Carnitine increases the use of fat as an energy source,thus preventing fatty buildup in the heart, liver, and skeletalmuscles. It strengthens the heart muscle, by improving oxygenutilization; lowers blood pressure; useful in treating Chronic FatigueSyndrome. L-Carnitine reduces health risks posed by poor fat metabolismassociated with diabetes.

It lessens the risk of heart disease, bylowering blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels; helps ease the painof intermittent claudication, a condition in which a blocked artery inthe thigh decreases the supply of blood and oxygen to leg muscles. Ithas been used in treating Alzheimer's disease and age-related memoryloss. L-Carnitine builds muscle tissue and increases stamina; aids inweight loss; increases sperm count and motility. Acetyl-L-Carnitine has been shown in clinical studies to benefitcognitive ability, memory and mood.

 

Major benefits

  • Cognition enhancement
  • Involved in the metabolism of food into energy
  • Mild mental impairment in the elderly showed a significant improvement of several performances during and after Acetyl L-Carnitine treatment
  • Reports indicate that Acetyl L-Carnitine may be effective in the treatment of dementia
  • Can significantly reduce severity of depressive symptoms in the elderly
  • Can significantly improve items measuring quality of life
  • Increases sperm mobility in men

 

Food sources

The principal food dietary sources of carnitine are meat and dairyproducts, but to obtain therapeutic dosages supplementationt is necessary.

 

Dosage

Typical dosages for the diseases and conditions described range from 200 or 250mg to 1000mg 2-3 times daily.