NUTRAscriptives® Acetyl-L-Carnitine is produced by a superior American extractor. Related to the essential amino acid L-Carnitine, Acetyl-L-Carnitine is a mitochondrial metabolite that helps fatty acids move into the mitochondria to be used for energy.

Research

Anti-Aging

Normal mitochondria function is important for different body systems to perform optimally. When mitochondria function decreases, the body is more susceptible to degenerative ailments. In addition, oxidative stress accelerates the aging process. ALC can maintain mitochondria function and protect cells in the body from the effects of oxidative stress.[1],[2]

Brain/Neurological Function

As people grow older, blood circulation lessens in the brain leading to age-related ailments, such as memory impairment, lethargic thinking, or lack of focus. ALC can increase the availability of oxygen to the brain, which improves blood flow and decreases oxidative stress.

By increasing blood circulation and reducing oxidative stress, memory function, alertness, and attention span can improve.[3] In combination with Alpha Lipoic Acid, ALC has been shown to protect the brain from oxidative stress in patients with neurological ailments.[4] One study found ALC significantly enhanced the learning capacity of aged rats given new maze tasks, in comparison to the control group.[5]

A meta-analysis of ALC clinical trials found a significant difference in cognitive improvement between patients treated with ALC and placebo groups. Trials conducted over 3, 6, or 12 months were reviewed finding ALC was well-tolerated by patients and cognitive improvements began at 3 months increasing overtime.[6]

Mood Enhancer

During a double-blind, twelve-week study, 500 mg of ALC was compared to 50 mg of amisulpride (drug used to stablize mood) finding both treatments balanced mood among 204 patients. There was no significant difference between the two treatments, suggesting ALC is a safe-alternative to mood stabilizers.[7]

Mood can decrease among ill patients, especially when going through medical treatments. A study published in 2004 found ALC improved mood, sleep disruption, and fatigue after one week of supplementation.[8]

Cardiovascular Health

A decrease in cellular energy and respiration can lead to heart ailments. ALC can restore metabolic function in the heart by restoring cardiolipin, a key component for active heart cells to stabilize cellular energy and respiration.[9] As cholesterol levels change with age, ALC can stabilize normal lipid metabolism. One study indicated high cholesterol levels in aged rats decreased with ALC supplementation.[10]

ALC decreases injuries associated with age-related heart ailments. Specifically, researchers found ALC decreased tissue injury during ischemia (reduced blood flow and oxygen in the arteries) and reperfusion (unblocking arteries to restore circulation).[11]

Restore Energy

Physical and mental fatigue are common complaints among the elderly. Ninety-six elderly subjects took ALC or a placebo to observe any improvements on fatigue. Researchers discovered ALC significantly decreased fatigue among the treatment group, in comparison to the placebo group. The most significant differences appeared in prolonged fatigue after exercise (51% decrease) and reduction in muscle pain (23% decrease).[12]

Reduce Pain

Supplementing 500 mg/day of ALC may relieve widespread muscle pain and stiffness, along with associated fatigue and disturbed mood in patients.[13] In addition, ALC offers relief to patients receiving treatment drugs that cause peripheral neuropathy (tingling, numbness, pain, muscle weakness, etc.).[14],[15]

Additional Information: Dosage & Interactions

Suggested Use

As a dietary supplement, take one capsule daily, or as directed by a physician.

Dosage

500 to 2000 mg per day in divided doses

Precautions

The maximum safe dosage of this supplement has not been determined for children, pregnant or nursing women, or those with severe liver or kidney disease. As with all supplement regimens, please consult your physician prior to use.

Occasionally, mild abdominal discomfort, restlessness, vertigo, and headache have been reported in individuals taking ALC.

Drug Interactions

Consult your physician before supplementing with Acetyl-L-Carnitine if you are taking the following medications.

Nucleoside analogues didanosine (ddI), Zalcitabine (ddC), Stavudine (d4T) can decrease ALC levels.

*Statements made herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

References

[1] Di Donato, S, Frerman, FE, Rimoldi, M, Rinaldo, P, Taroni, F, Wiesmann, UN. Systemic carnitine deficiency due to lack of electron transfer flavoprotein: ubiquinone oxidoreductase. Neurology. 1986 Jul; 36(7):957-963.

[2] Schonheit, K, Gille, L, Nohl, H. Effect of alpha-lipoic acid and dihydrolipoic acid on ischemia/reperfusion injury of the heart and heart mitochondria. Biochim Biophys Acta 1995 Jun 9; 1271(2-3):335-342.

[3] Barhwal, K, Singh, SB, Hota, SK, Jayalakshmi, K, Ilavazhagan, G. Acetyl-L-carnitine ameliorates hypobaric hypoxic impairment and spatial memory deficits in rats. Eur J Pharmacol. 2007 Sep 10; 570(1-3):97-107.

[4] Abdul, HM, Butterfield. Involvement of PI3K/PKG/ERK1/2 signaling pathways in cortical neurons to trigger protection by cotreatment of acetyl-L-carnitine and alpha-lipoic acid against HNE-mediated oxidative stress and neurotoxicity: implications for Alzheimer's disease. Free Radic Biol Med. 2007 Feb 1; 42(3):371-384.

[5] Ando, S, Tadenuma, T, Tanaka, Y, et al. Enhancement of learning capacity and cholinergic synaptic function by carnitine in aging rats. J Neurosci Res. 2001 Oct 15; 66(2):266-271.

[6] Montgomery, SA, Thal, LJ, Amrein, R. Meta-analysis of double blind randomized controlled clinical trials of acetyl-L-carnitine versus placebo in the treatment of mild cognitive impairment and mild Alzheimer's disease. Int Clin Physcopharmacol. 2003 Mar; 18(2):61-71.

[7] Zanardi, R, Smeraldi, E. A double-blind, randomised, controlled clinical trial of acetyl-L-carnitine vs. amisulpride in the treatment of dysthymia. Eur Nerophyschopharmacol. 2006 May; 16(4):281-287.

[8] Cruciani, RA, Dvorkin, E, Homel, P, et al. L-carnitine supplementation for the treatment of fatigue and depressed mood in cancer patients with carnitine deficiency: a preliminary analysis. Ann NY Acad Sci. 2004 Nov; 1033:168-176.

[9] Paradies, G, Petrosillo, G, Gadaleta, MN, Ruggiero, FM. The effect of aging and acetyl-L-carnitine on the pyruvate transport and oxidation in rat heart mitochondria. FEBS Lett. 1999; 454(3):207-209.

[10] Tanaka, Y, Sasaki, R, Fukui, F, et al. Acetyl-L-Carnitine supplementation restores decreased tissue carnitine levels and impaired lipid metabolism in aged rats. Journal of Lipid Research. 2004; 45:729-735.

[11] Lesnefsky, EJ, He, D, et al. Reversal of mitochondrial defects before ischemia protects the aged heart. FASEB. 2006 Jul; 20(9):1543-1545.

[12] Malaguarnera, M, Gargante, MP, Cristaldi, E, et al. Acetyl L-Carnitine (ALC) treatment in elderly patients with fatigue. Arch Gerontol Geriatr. 2008; 46(2):181-190.

[13] Rossini, M, Di Munno, O, Valentini, G, et al. Double-blind, multicenter trial comparing acetyl l-carnitine with placebo in the treatment of fibromyalgia patients. Clin Exp Rheumatol. 2007; 25(2):182-188.

[14] Moyle, GJ, Sadler, M. Peripheral neuropathy with nucleoside antiretrovirals: Risk factors, incidence and management. Drug Safety. 1998; 19(6):481-494.