Acetyl L-Carnitine (Alcar)

Acetyl L-Carnitine (Alcar) is a naturally occurring amino acid that is important for many body processes1. The body can convert L-carnitine to acetyl-L-carnitine and vice versa. Acetyl-L-carnitine is sometimes used for Alzheimer’s disease, improving memory and thinking skills, treating symptoms of depression, and reducing nerve pain in people with diabetes. 

Here are some benefits of Acetyl L-Carnitine (Alcar):

• Improves mental health and cognition: Long-term treatment with acetyl-L-carnitine (1.5-3g daily for 3+ months) was safe and significantly improved the patients’ mental condition.
• Boosts acetylcholine: ALCAR boosts acetylcholine levels to support cognition and lower oxidative stress in the brain.
• Reduces tiredness: Taking acetyl-L-carnitine by mouth might improve mental and physical tiredness in older people. It also seems to reduce tiredness after exercise.
• Supports brain health: There is compelling evidence from preclinical studies that L-carnitine and ALCAR can improve energy status, decrease oxidative stress, and support brain health.

There are several case studies regarding the benefits of Acetyl L-Carnitine (Alcar). For example, a 2003 meta-analysis of 21 clinical trials found that clinical and psychometric assessment scores were better, and improvements determined by clinicians were greater in supplement users than in the placebo groups. However, a 2003 Cochrane review of 15 clinical trials had somewhat different findings. The clinical trials assessed the effectiveness of 1 to 3 g/day acetyl-L-carnitine supplementation or placebo over 12 to 52 weeks in participants. The review concluded that the use of acetyl-L-carnitine supplements to treat the signs and symptoms of dementia was not justified.

The recommended dosage for Acetyl L-Carnitine (Alcar) is most often 1.5-3 grams by mouth daily, for up to 33 months. However, it is important to speak with a healthcare provider to find out the appropriate dosage for individual needs.

There are some potential side effects of Acetyl L-Carnitine (Alcar). At doses of approximately 3,000 mg per day, carnitine supplements can cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, and a “fishy” body odor. The most common side effects include nausea, headache, and dizziness. It worsened anxiety in some people.

Sources:

• https://evidencelive.org/acetyl-l-carnitine-benefits/
• https://journeynutritionlabs.com/11-benefits-of-acetyl-l-carnitine-alcar/
• https://fullscript.com/blog/acetyl-l-carnitine
• https://www.medicinenet.com/what_is_acetyl-l-carnitine_good_for/article.htm
• https://supplements.selfdecode.com/blog/acetyl-l-carnitine/
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5621476/