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.<\/p>\n
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<\/a> (fatty acid oxidation<\/i>) and producing acetylcholine<\/a> [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Your muscles and heart tissue stock different forms of carnitine as energy reserves [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Meat and other animal foods contain L-carnitine, but your liver and kidneys can also produce it from two amino acids: lysine<\/a> and methionine<\/a>. An enzyme called carnitine acetyltransferase (CRAT)<\/i> then turns L-carnitine into acetyl-L-carnitine and vice versa [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n 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 [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n 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<\/b> [R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>]:<\/p>\n Do athletes and bodybuilders need more carnitine? Not quite. However, they might benefit from supplementation because higher levels of l-carnitine in the blood and muscles increase blood flow and oxygen supply, enhancing muscle recovery after exercise [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Most people use acetyl-L-carnitine to enhance their cognition and rev up energy levels. Clinical research confirms the benefits of acetyl-l-carnitine for the brain, especially in older people. We\u2019ll cover the main ALCAR benefits below [R<\/a>].<\/p>\nFoods<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n
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