L-Carnitine
Acetyl-L-Carnitine Acetyl-L-carnitine is an amino acid (a building block for proteins) that is naturally produced in the body. It helps the body produce energy. Recently, acetyl-L-carnitine has been the subject of numerous scientific studies showing this remarkable compound may be key in maintaining normal brain and nerve function during aging. Acetyl-L-carnitine is a naturally occurring metabolite of L-carnitine, and both are present in the diet, particularly in foods of animal origin. Traditionally, their main claim to fame lies in their role in fatty acid oxidation. L-carnitine and acetyl-L-carnitine are part of the so-called carnitine shuttle. L-carnitine shuttles fatty acids into the cell's mitochondria for oxidation and energy production. The main end products of fatty acid oxidation are energy (in the form of NADH), and acetyl groups. Most of these acetyl groups are further oxidized in the mitochondria's Krebs cycle, but some are needed in the cytosol for producing other important metabolites. Acetyl-L-carnitine provides a way to carry these acetyl groups through the mitochondrial membranes back out into the cytosol (the cell fluid). In brain and other nerve tissues, this acetyl group export by acetyl-L-carnitine is important in maintaining normal levels of acetyl groups for the production of acetylcholine and other neurotransmitters that are so crucial for normal brain and nerve function. Acetyl-L-carnitine also helps maintain normal activity of choline acetyl transferase. This important enzyme has a tendency to decline with age, causing suboptimal acetylcholine levels which in turn are thought to contribute to the impairment of brain function that is associated with aging. Besides maintaining normal acetylcholine levels, several studies indicate other neuroprotective effects of acetyl-L-carnitine, which may be due to at least two modes of action. First, acetyl-L-carnitine has been shown to maintain cellular membrane stability, and to restore age-related membranal changes. Acetyl-L-carnitine can also act as an antioxidant, scavenging harmful superoxide anion radicals. Since superoxide anion can damage membrane lipids, this may explain acetyl-L-carnitine's membrane protective properties. Second, animal studies indicate that acetyl-L-carnitine preserves normal levels of nerve growth factor in brain tissue during aging. Moreover, human studies indicated that acetyl-L-carnitine increases cerebral blood flow. In summary, acetyl-L-carnitine is a naturally occurring compound that supports normal brain and nerve function during aging through various mechanisms. These include its actions on acetylcholine synthesis, membrane stability, nerve growth factor production, and cerebral blood flow. Acetyl-L-carnitine appears to be well absorbed and utilized by the body. Typically, daily amounts of 1,500 to 3,000 mg have been used for several months and were found to be adequate in human studies without adverse effects.
The body can convert Acetyl-L-carnitine to L-carnitine and vice versa
Acetyl-L-carnitine is used for a variety of mental disorders including Alzheimer’s disease, age-related memory loss, late-life depression, thinking problems related to alcoholism, and thinking problems related to Lyme disease. It is also used for Down syndrome, poor circulation in the brain, cataracts, nerve pain due to diabetes, nerve pain due to drugs used in the treatment of AIDS, and facial paralysis.
Some men use acetyl-L-carnitine for infertility, symptoms of “male menopause” (low testosterone levels due to aging), and a disease of the penis called Peyronie’s disease.
The body can convert L-carnitine to acetyl-L-carnitine and vice versa. But, no one knows whether the effects of acetyl-L-carnitine are from the chemical itself, from the L-carnitine it can make, or from some other chemical made along the way. For now, don’t substitute one form of carnitine for another.How does it work?
Acetyl-L-carnitine helps the body produce energy. It is important for heart and brain function, muscle movement, and many other body processes.
What is it and where does it come from?
Acetyl-L-carnitine is a dietary supplement, and the acetyl ester of L-carnitine, is used to support a healthy memory. It occurs naturally in animal products. Chemically, acetyl-L-carnitine is known as beta-acetoxy-gamma-N, N, N-trimethylaminobutyrate. Other names for acetyl-L-carnitine include: acetyl-levocarnitine, acetylcarnitine, l-acetylcarnitine, levacecarnine, and ST-200. Acetyl L-Carnitine is a modified amino acid that supports cellular energy production by assisting in the transport of fat into the mitochondria where it is oxidized and converted into ATP (chemical energy for the cell). Acetyl L-Carnitine is in a highly bioavailable form of L-Carnitine antioxidant effect, helps to maintain healthy cellular energy metabolism and supports brain function.
What does it do and what scientific studies give evidence to support this?
Acetyl-L-carnitine may support healthy cardiac function. It may have antioxidant and anti-apoptotic activity.
Who needs it and what are some symptoms of deficiency?
Acetyl-L-carnitine levels may decrease with advancing age. However, because it is not an essential nutrient, true deficiencies do not occur.
How much should be taken? Are there any side effects?
Most research involving acetyl-L-carnitine has used 500 mg three times per day, though some research has used double this amount. You should consult with your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse about how much acetyl-L-carnitine you should take. The dosage depends on the strength of the medicine and the reason you are taking acetyl-L-carnitine. If you are using acetyl-L-carnitine without first consulting your caregiver, follow the directions on the label. Do not take more acetyl-L-carnitine or take it more often than what is written on the directions.
Highlight of Acetyl-L-Carnitine:
Suggested Use: As a dietary supplement, take 1 capsule 1 to 4 times a day with juice or water, preferably between meals.
Supplement Facts
Serving Size 1 Capsule
Servings Per Container 180
Amount Per
Serving
% Daily
Value
Acetyl-L-Carnitine HCL
750 mg
N/A
Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Other Ingredients:
Silica, Magnesium Stearate, Gelatin, Cellulose
Contains no: sugar, salt, starch, yeast, wheat, gluten, corn, soy, milk, egg or preservatives
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Serving Size 1 Capsule
Servings Per Container 180
| Amount Per Serving |
% Daily Value |
|
|---|---|---|
| Acetyl-L-Carnitine HCL | 750 mg | N/A |
Silica, Magnesium Stearate, Gelatin, Cellulose
Contains no: sugar, salt, starch, yeast, wheat, gluten, corn, soy, milk, egg or preservatives
Details
Acetyl-L-Carnitine Acetyl-L-carnitine is an amino acid (a building block for proteins) that is naturally produced in the body. It helps the body produce energy. Recently, acetyl-L-carnitine has been the subject of numerous scientific studies showing this remarkable compound may be key in maintaining normal brain and nerve function during aging. Acetyl-L-carnitine is a naturally occurring metabolite of L-carnitine, and both are present in the diet, particularly in foods of animal origin. Traditionally, their main claim to fame lies in their role in fatty acid oxidation. L-carnitine and acetyl-L-carnitine are part of the so-called carnitine shuttle. L-carnitine shuttles fatty acids into the cell's mitochondria for oxidation and energy production. The main end products of fatty acid oxidation are energy (in the form of NADH), and acetyl groups. Most of these acetyl groups are further oxidized in the mitochondria's Krebs cycle, but some are needed in the cytosol for producing other important metabolites. Acetyl-L-carnitine provides a way to carry these acetyl groups through the mitochondrial membranes back out into the cytosol (the cell fluid). In brain and other nerve tissues, this acetyl group export by acetyl-L-carnitine is important in maintaining normal levels of acetyl groups for the production of acetylcholine and other neurotransmitters that are so crucial for normal brain and nerve function. Acetyl-L-carnitine also helps maintain normal activity of choline acetyl transferase. This important enzyme has a tendency to decline with age, causing suboptimal acetylcholine levels which in turn are thought to contribute to the impairment of brain function that is associated with aging. Besides maintaining normal acetylcholine levels, several studies indicate other neuroprotective effects of acetyl-L-carnitine, which may be due to at least two modes of action. First, acetyl-L-carnitine has been shown to maintain cellular membrane stability, and to restore age-related membranal changes. Acetyl-L-carnitine can also act as an antioxidant, scavenging harmful superoxide anion radicals. Since superoxide anion can damage membrane lipids, this may explain acetyl-L-carnitine's membrane protective properties. Second, animal studies indicate that acetyl-L-carnitine preserves normal levels of nerve growth factor in brain tissue during aging. Moreover, human studies indicated that acetyl-L-carnitine increases cerebral blood flow. In summary, acetyl-L-carnitine is a naturally occurring compound that supports normal brain and nerve function during aging through various mechanisms. These include its actions on acetylcholine synthesis, membrane stability, nerve growth factor production, and cerebral blood flow. Acetyl-L-carnitine appears to be well absorbed and utilized by the body. Typically, daily amounts of 1,500 to 3,000 mg have been used for several months and were found to be adequate in human studies without adverse effects.
The body can convert Acetyl-L-carnitine to L-carnitine and vice versa
Acetyl-L-carnitine is used for a variety of mental disorders including Alzheimer’s disease, age-related memory loss, late-life depression, thinking problems related to alcoholism, and thinking problems related to Lyme disease. It is also used for Down syndrome, poor circulation in the brain, cataracts, nerve pain due to diabetes, nerve pain due to drugs used in the treatment of AIDS, and facial paralysis.
Some men use acetyl-L-carnitine for infertility, symptoms of “male menopause” (low testosterone levels due to aging), and a disease of the penis called Peyronie’s disease.
The body can convert L-carnitine to acetyl-L-carnitine and vice versa. But, no one knows whether the effects of acetyl-L-carnitine are from the chemical itself, from the L-carnitine it can make, or from some other chemical made along the way. For now, don’t substitute one form of carnitine for another.How does it work?
Acetyl-L-carnitine helps the body produce energy. It is important for heart and brain function, muscle movement, and many other body processes.
What is it and where does it come from?
Acetyl-L-carnitine is a dietary supplement, and the acetyl ester of L-carnitine, is used to support a healthy memory. It occurs naturally in animal products. Chemically, acetyl-L-carnitine is known as beta-acetoxy-gamma-N, N, N-trimethylaminobutyrate. Other names for acetyl-L-carnitine include: acetyl-levocarnitine, acetylcarnitine, l-acetylcarnitine, levacecarnine, and ST-200. Acetyl L-Carnitine is a modified amino acid that supports cellular energy production by assisting in the transport of fat into the mitochondria where it is oxidized and converted into ATP (chemical energy for the cell). Acetyl L-Carnitine is in a highly bioavailable form of L-Carnitine antioxidant effect, helps to maintain healthy cellular energy metabolism and supports brain function.
What does it do and what scientific studies give evidence to support this?
Acetyl-L-carnitine may support healthy cardiac function. It may have antioxidant and anti-apoptotic activity.
Who needs it and what are some symptoms of deficiency?
Acetyl-L-carnitine levels may decrease with advancing age. However, because it is not an essential nutrient, true deficiencies do not occur.
How much should be taken? Are there any side effects?
Most research involving acetyl-L-carnitine has used 500 mg three times per day, though some research has used double this amount. You should consult with your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse about how much acetyl-L-carnitine you should take. The dosage depends on the strength of the medicine and the reason you are taking acetyl-L-carnitine. If you are using acetyl-L-carnitine without first consulting your caregiver, follow the directions on the label. Do not take more acetyl-L-carnitine or take it more often than what is written on the directions.
Highlight of Acetyl-L-Carnitine:
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