9 Acetyl-L-Carnitine Benefits + Dosage & Side Effects

Acetyl-L-carnitine may lift your mood, sharpen your mind, and offset brain aging. It works by improving energy use in the body and boosting acetylcholine. However, most of its benefits lack stronger clinical evidence. Read on to find out if acetyl-L-carnitine is for you and how to use it for optimal results. Acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC or ALCAR) is an amino acid that fuels energy production in your cells and supports nerve function. It supplies the acetyl group for burning fats in your mitochondria ( fatty acid oxidation ) and producing acetylcholine [ 1 , 2 ]. Your muscles and heart tissue stock different forms of carnitine as energy reserves [ 3 ]. Meat and other animal foods contain L-carnitine, but your liver and kidneys can also produce it from two amino acids: lysine and methionine . An enzyme called carnitine acetyltransferase (CRAT) then turns L-carnitine into acetyl-L-carnitine and vice versa [ 4 ]. Vegetarians consume less carnitine from the foods they eat, however, they maintain normal carnitine levels in the blood. How? The theory is that vegetarians are able to adapt to diets low in carnitine and absorb it more efficiently [ 3 ]. Proponents: Combats depression Helps with Alzheimer’s disease May reverse brain and nerve damage Improves fertility and sexual function Reduces fatigue May cause stomach upset May raise the risk of heart disease May suppress thyroid hormones Under normal conditions, your body will produce sufficient amounts of carnitine and acetyl-L-carnitine. However, the following may impair the process and raise your risk of carnitine deficiency [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 3 ]: Genetic disorders Old age Kidney and liver disorders Antibiotics and drugs for seizures Diabetes and obesity Long-term fasting or calorie restriction Premature birth Do athletes and bodybuilders need more carnitine? Not quite. However, they might benefit […]

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