Acetyl L Carnitine alpha
lipoic acid - What is the health benefit of these supplements, separately and
together?
Benefit of acetyl l carnitine alpha lipoic
acid and a discussion of side effects
Acetyl L Carnitine is a stabilized form of the amino acid metabolite L Carnitine and is utilized in the same manner in the body. Acetyl L Carnitine plays an important role in protecting and supporting brain functions. Many people find a dosage of 250 mg or 300 mg to work well, others prefer a 500 mg dose. A combination of hoodia, ginger, green tea extract, spirulina, acetyl-l-carnitine, choline, and several other herbs and nutrients, as found in Diet Rx, a very effective herbal product for weight loss.
Acetyl L Carnitine 300 mg

Acetyl l Carnitine Supplement
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For more information, see Acetyl l carnitine by medical doctor Ray Sahelian, M.D.
Benefit of Acetyl l carnitine
The mind boosting effect of acetyl l carnitine is often noticed within a
few hours, or even within an hour. Most people report feeling mentally sharper,
having more focus and being more alert. Some find a mild mood enhancement.
Acetyl l carnitine may be used as an overall mind booster. The typical dosage is 250 mg
once a day or a few times a week.
Acetyl l carnitine alpha lipoic
acid combination
Acetyl l carnitine and alpha lipoic acid are two nutrients that you may find
together in supplement form. There are various products that have a combination
of acetyl l carnitine alpha lipoic acid, and these include Juvenon and NSI.
There is no human research that says taking the high dosages of acetyl l
carnitine 500 mg alpha lipoic acid 200 mg provides health benefits or increases
life span. In our opinion, these dosages are too high and may actually be
counterproductive. Perhaps a dosage of 100 mg of acetyl-l-carnitine and 20 mg of
alpha lipoic acid may be more appropriate and safer for long term use.
Effect of combined treatment with alpha-Lipoic acid and
acetyl-L-carnitine on vascular function and blood pressure in patients with
coronary artery disease. McMackin CJ, Widlansky ME, Hamburg NM, Huang AL,
Weller S, Holbrook M, Gokce N, Hagen TM, Keaney JF Jr, Vita JA. Evans Department
of Medicine and Whitaker Cardovascular Institute, Boston University School of
Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
Mitochondria produce reactive oxygen species that may contribute to vascular
dysfunction. alpha-Lipoic acid and acetyl-L-carnitine reduce oxidative stress
and improve mitochondrial function. In a double-blind crossover study, the
authors examined the effects of combined alpha-lipoic acid/acetyl-L-carnitine
treatment and placebo (8 weeks per treatment) on vasodilator function and blood
pressure in 36 subjects with coronary artery disease. Active treatment increased
brachial artery diameter by 2%, consistent with reduced arterial tone. Active
treatment tended to decrease systolic blood pressure for the whole group and had
a significant effect in the subgroup with blood pressure above the median and in
the subgroup with the metabolic syndrome.
Comments: It will take may more studies to determine the ideal
acetyl-l-carnitine and alpha lipoic acid dosage combination.
Acetyl-l carnitine alpha lipoic
acid combination
Acetyl l carnitine and alpha lipoic acid are two nutrients that you may find
together in supplement form. There are various products that have a combination
of acetyl l carnitine alpha lipoic acid, and these include Juvenon and NSI.
There is no human research that says taking the high dosages of acetyl l
carnitine 500 mg alpha lipoic acid 200 mg provides health benefits or increases
life span. In our opinion, these dosages are too high and may actually be
counterproductive.
Juvenon has acetyl-l carnitine 500 mg alpha lipoic acid 200 mg per capsule along
with calcium and biotin.
NSI has acetyl-l carnitine 500 mg and alpha lipoic acid 300 mg per capsule.
Juvenon is a patented cellular health supplement.
Source Naturals has acetyl-l carnitine 500 mg and alpha lipoic acid 150 mg per
capsule
Arthritis Support has acetyl-l carnitine 500 mg and alpha lipoic acid 150 mg per
capsule
Doctor's Trust has acetyl-l carnitine 500 mg and alpha lipoic acid 200 mg per
capsule
Diabetes and diabetics
Effect of oral acetyl L-carnitine arginate on resting and postprandial blood
biomarkers in pre-diabetics.
Nutr Metab (Lond). 2009 Jun 2; Bloomer RJ, Fisher-Wellman KH, Tucker PS.
Cardiorespiratory / Metabolic Laboratory, The University of Memphis, Memphis,
Tennessee 38152, USA.
Resting and postprandial oxidative stress is elevated in those with metabolic
disorders such as diabetes. Antioxidant supplementation may attenuate the rise
in oxidative stress following feeding. Therefore we sought to determine the
effects of acetyl L-carnitine arginate (ALCA) on resting and postprandial
biomarkers of glucose and lipid metabolism, as well as oxidative stress.
Twenty-nine pre-diabetic men and women were randomly assigned to either 3
g.day-1 of ALCA or placebo in a double-blind design, to consume for eight
weeks. Fasting blood samples were taken from subjects both pre and post
intervention. After each fasting sample was obtained, subjects consumed a high
fat, high carbohydrate meal and additional blood samples were taken at 1, 2, 4,
and 6 hours post meal. Samples were analyzed for a variety of metabolic
variables (e.g., glucose, HbA1c, lipid panel, C-reactive protein,
nitrate/nitrite, and several markers of oxidative stress). ALCA, but not
placebo, resulted in an increase in nitrate/nitrite from pre to post
intervention, with post intervention values greater compared to placebo. No
other changes of statistical significance were noted, although ALCA resulted in
slight improvements in glucose, HbA1c, and HOMA-IR. Supplementation with
acetyl L-carnitine arginate
results in an increase in resting nitrate/nitrite in pre-diabetics, without any
statistically significant change in other metabolic or oxidative stress
variables measured at rest or post meal.
Acetyl-l Carnitine not helpful in
Down's syndrome
The effect of acetyl-L-carnitine administration on persons with Down syndrome.
Res Dev Disabil. 2006 Nov-Dec;27(6):599-604. Pueschel SM. Child Development
Center, Department of Pediatrics, Rhode Island Hospital, Brown University School
of Medicine, Providence, RI, USA.
Since previous investigations reported improvements in cognition of patients
with dementia after acetyl-L-carnitine therapy and since there is an increased
risk for persons with Down syndrome to develop Alzheimer disease, this study was
designed to investigate the effect of acetyl-L-carnitine administration on
neurological, intellectual, and social functions in adults with Down syndrome.
In this double-blind study we enrolled 40 individuals with Down syndrome and
administered acetyl-L-carnitine to the study group during a six months period.
Specified examinations and psychological tests were given to persons in both the
study and control groups at the start of the investigation and at 3, 6, and 9
months. A detailed analysis of the data revealed that acetyl-L-carnitine
administration did not enhance central nervous system functions and that it did
not benefit persons with Down syndrome.
Acetyl-l-carnitine
rsupplement eview
Vitamine-like substances L-carnitine and acetyl-L-carnitine: from
biochemical studies to medicine
Ukr Biokhim Zh. 2005 Jul-Aug;77(4):30-50. Kopelevich VM.
Recently reported data clarify our understanding of the molecular aspects of
carnitine in medicine. Carnitine is a compound necessary for the transport
of acyl-CoA across the inner mitochondrial membrane for their
beta-oxidation. Only L-isomer of carnitine is biologically active. The
D-isomer may actually compete with L-carnitine for absorption and transport,
increasing the risk of carnitine deficiency. By interaction with CoA,
carnitine is involved in the intermediary metabolism by modulating free CoA
pools in the cell. Detoxification properties and anabolic, antiapoptotic and
neuroprotective roles of carnitine is presented. Carnitine deficiency occurs
as a primary genetic defect of carnitine transport and secondary to a
variety of genetic and acquired disorders. The pathophysiological states
associated with carnitine deficiency have been summarized. L-Carnitine is
effective for the treatment of primary and secondary carnitine deficiencies.
Acetyl-L-carnitine improves cognition in the brain, significantly reversed
age-associated decline in mitochondrial membrane potential and improved
ambulatory activity. The therapeutic effects of carnitine and acetyl-l-carnitine
are discussed.
Acetyl l carnitine and
HIV
Long-term effect of acetyl L carnitine for
antiretroviral toxic neuropathy.
HIV Clin Trials. 2005 Nov-Dec;6(6):344-50. Royal
Free Centre for HIV Medicine, Royal Free Hospital, London, United Kingdom.
Nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) used for the
treatment of HIV can a cause distal symmetrical peripheral polyneuropathy by
disruption of mitochondrial metabolism. Treatment with acetyl L carnitine (ALCAR)
has shown short-term symptomatic and histological improvement. Long-term
effects have not been investigated. To assess the subjective and
objective degree of antiretroviral toxic neuropathy (ATN) during treatment
with ALCAR. A cohort of 21 patients with ATN who commenced treatment with
ALCAR between March 1999 and October 2001 was reviewed after a mean of 4.3
years using standardized questionnaires and neurological examination.
Of the 21 patients, 2 had died and 3 were lost to follow-up. 16
patients were assessed. 10 were still on potentially neurotoxic drugs. 13
were still taking ALCAR. 9 were pain free. The most common symptom was
numbness, followed by paraesthesia and
burning. There was mildly reduced sensation in the toes of 8
patients. 13 patients reported that ALCAR had improved their symptoms very
much or moderately, 2 reported no change, and 1 reported a moderate
worsening. Acetyl L carnitine
led to long-term symptomatic improvement in
most patients without the need to discontinue neurotoxic drugs. Although in
this study there was no control group, this agent appears to be an effective
pathogenesis-based treatment for ATN.
Acetyl-L carnitine
benefit for sexual health
Carnitine versus
androgen administration in the treatment of sexual dysfunction, depressed
mood, and fatigue associated with male aging.
Cavallini G, Caracciolo S, Vitali G et al. Urology. 2004;63:641-6.
To compare testosterone undecanoate versus
propionyl-l-carnitine plus acetyl-l-carnitine and placebo in the treatment
of male aging symptoms. A total of 120 patients were randomized into three
groups. The mean patient age was 66 years (range 60 to 74). Group 1 was
given testosterone undecanoate 160 mg/day, the second group was given
propionyl-l-carnitine 2 g/day plus acetyl-l-carnitine 2 g/day. The third
group was given a placebo (starch). Drugs and placebo were given for 6
months. The assessed variables were total prostate-specific antigen,
prostate volume, peak systolic velocity, end-diastolic velocity, resistive
index of cavernosal penile arteries, nocturnal penile tumescence, total and
free testosterone, prolactin, luteinizing hormone, International Index of
Erectile Function score, Depression Melancholia Scale score, fatigue scale
score, and incidence of side effects. The assessment was performed at
intervals before, during, and after therapy. Testosterone and acetyl-lcarnitine
significantly improved the peak systolic velocity, end-diastolic velocity,
resistive index, nocturnal penile tumescence, International Index of
Erectile Function score, Depression Melancholia Scale score, and fatigue
scale score. Carnitine-proved significantly more active than testosterone in
improving nocturnal penile tumescence and International Index of Erectile
Function score. Testosterone significantly increased the prostate volume and
free and total testosterone levels and significantly lowered serum
luteinizing hormone; carnitines did not. No drug significantly modified
prostate-specific antigen or prolactin. Carnitines and testosterone proved
effective for as long as they were administered, with suspension provoking a
reversal to baseline values. Only the group 1 prostate volume proved
significantly greater than baseline 6 months after testosterone suspension.
Placebo administration proved ineffective. Negligible side effects emerged.
Testosterone and, especially, carnitines proved to be active
drugs for the therapy of symptoms associated with male aging.
Acetyl l Carnitine supplement questions
Q. What is
acetyl l carnitine arginate?
A. We are not familiar with
acetyl l carnitine arginate.
Q. Is headache a l acetyl l carnitine side effect?
A. In a few people, headache may be a cause of a high dose of
l acetyl l carnitine side effect.
Acetyl l carnitine alpha lipoic
acid questions
Q. I took a combination of acetyl l carnitine 500 mg alpha lipoic acid 200 mg in
a pill form called Juvenon and felt wired all day with insomnia. I'm feeling
tired and have lack of sleep. Is Juvenon supposed to make me healthier?
A. High doses of many supplements can make one unhealthy rather
than improve health.
Q. I am interested in good night RX and Mind Power RX.
Both acetyl-l-carnitine and lipoic acid, in a high dose, can cause sleep
problems even if they are used in the morning. So, dosages should stay low
enough to not interfere with sleep. I noticed that the Mind-Power RX has
acetyl-l-carnitine in it. Is it a low enough dose not to affect sleep for
someone who may have sleep problems.
A. It usually takes more thank 300 mg of acetyl-l-carnitine to lead
to insomnia, so the amount in Mind Power Rx is very small.
Q. Is there a difference between the acetyl-l-carnitine
used in Physcian Formulas and acetyl-l-carnitine hydrochloride?
A. No practical difference. Acetyl-l-carnitine may sometimes by
part of another molcule such as hydrochloride, but practically there is no
difference.
Q. Please advise what are the symptoms of overstimulation
in regards to Alpha lipoic acid and acetyl-l-carnitine.
A. It could be restlessness, rapid heart beat, nausea, anxiety,
insomnia.
Q. Does acetyl-l carnitine help with erectile function? Are
there other herbs that can help improve sex?
A. Acetyl-l carnitine may help some, but
there are several herbs you can review at this
impotence page.
Q. I would like to take acetyl l-carnitine. I'm
hypothyroid and take 75 mcgs of levothroid. Since I read that carnitine might
affect the thyroid, will it still affect it if I'm on thyroid medication? I
usually take levothroid at bedtime.
A. We have not seen studies regarding the use of acetyl-l carnitine
with thyroid hormone. It may be a good idea to at first open the acetyl-l-carnitine
capsule and use only a quarter or a third.
Q. I was reading about acety l carnitine and alpha
lipoic acid on your site. Someone close to me was advised to take those
supplements and I was concerned. This person also takes Serzone and some gout
meds. If carnitine can cause mood enhancement -- shouldn't one be careful
combining w/an SSRI. I know you can't advise--though are there general studies
debating this. Any info I find--I'd like my friend to read--and be educated when
speaking to physician.
A. We are not aware of any human research with the combination of
acetyl-l carnitine, alpha lipoic acid, and Serzone. How a person who is taking
an antidepressant responds to the additions if supplements has much to do with
the dosage of the drug, the dosage of the supplements, and a host of other
factors such as age, diet, activity level, other prescription medicines or over
the counter pills, sleep patterns, etc. In general, low dosages are much less
likely to cause negative interactions than higher dosages.
Q. I have experimented and gotten lots of negative results. Carnitine and acetyl l carnitine looked wonderful; however they couldn’t keep me awake. Many other things I have tried. Then I tried Tongkat Ali. It worked, but it had some wrinkles that took me awhile to learn about. I could not use it regularly. When I took 80 mg of LJ100 100:1 concentrate it worked at first, but not 100%. But it worked well enough that I could self control it. The down side became apparent in the form of frequent night time urinations followed by difficulty getting back to sleep. However if I only took it for meetings I was successful. Meetings have always been problematic for me, but if I take 80 mg the day before and 160 mg the morning before I get the benefit without the downside. Thus I can use it in this fashion once or twice a week. As for the celebrated benefits of Tongkat, I have noticed no such thing. That is probably because the other stuff I am taking provides the celebrated benefits. Recently I read about acetyl l carnitine and Peyronie’s disease. That gave me an idea of what to do about esophageal narrowing and other inflammatory problems. After much study I have come up with what I hope is a winning combination of medicinals and strategy without the purple pill. Will fill you in later.
Q. Acetylcarnitine: only for a month and at 1 to 2gm per day has improved my coordination, balance and reaction time that years of martial arts training hasn't been able to provide. I have also found that the coordination has remained improved even after being off of it for a couple months.
Q. Based on statements I have read in other articles,
it seems the power behind acetyl-L-carnitine essentially comes down to these
three properties: it shuttles fatty acids to the mitochondria for energy
production; it readily enters the brain, where it helps form a brain chemical
acetylcholine; it helps regenerate neurons damaged by free radicals. Would you
agree with this assessment?
A. Yes, these are at least three main functions that acetyl l-carnitine
is known for, perhaps it acts as a neurotransmitter itself and most likely has
several additional functions in the brain and body.
Q. What property of acetyl-L-carnitine would you attribute to possibly helping
Alzheimer's patients and why/how?
A. Acetyl l-carnitine acts as an antioxidant, stimulates
neurotransmitter formation, helps with alertness and improved concentration.
Q. What is the difference between
Acetyl-L-Carnitine and L-Carnitine Fumarate and is it safe to take both?
A. Acetyl l-carnitine is the acetyl form of carnitine and it has a
more direct and faster effect on mental function than carnitine. There are many
forms of carnitine, carnitine fumarate being one of them. Little human research
is available regarding which forms of carnitine are most useful, therefore, at
this time, the best option is to try the different forms of l carnitine in
different dosages to see which one works best for your needs.
I am 35 years old and severely disabled from lumbar nerve
root irritation. Recently I came across research from Italy where significant
success was achieved in reducing peripheral nerve inflammation utilizing acetyl
L-carnitine supplements. I'd like to order this supplement. What do you think is
the maximum safe daily dose and for how long do you think I can safely take this
supplement (I am otherwise quite healthy).
It is impossible for us to know in any one individual what the
proper acetyl l-carnitine dosage would be and how long it can be taken safely. A
good dose to begin with is 300 mg a day for a couple of weeks and then basing
further changes in dosage on the initial response.
I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder when I was 21
(I'm now 32). I am on a lot of medications to control my symptoms. I've also
been taking ALC 500mg every morning and I find that it makes my extra pyramidal
side effects worse. It's to a point to where I can barely talk now. I was taking
the TwinLab version of ALC. I read on your web site to take 100-400mg of ALC
each morning. But now I'm really scared to take ALC or any supplements at all.
My question is should I just lower the dose of ALC or stop taking it altogether?
This is a decision you have to make, but, as a rule it
a medication or supplement is making a person feel worse, one has to re-evaluate
its use. It is difficult to predict the interaction of supplements with
medications.
When I first heard about ALC product it was mentioned
with another product that would help it move through the brain wrapping, or
something like that. When I ordered the ALC from you a while back I did not
order the other product, so now I cannot remember its name. The article was in a
Woman's World magazine. Do you know what that product is, and does your research
show how much of an effect it has on ACL transmission to the brain?
We have not seen any studies that indicate that ALC needs to
be taken with another supplement to cross the brain brain barrier or be more
effective.
Could you please advise if its
safe to take nutrient below I am taking 2 at the same time on an empty stomach?
I have tried taking 2 at the same time on an empty stomach and after 1 hour feel
more alert and less clouded. I am suffering with low iron and find this
combination of nutrients below helps fights the fatigue. I would like to
continue taking 2 daily at the same time, as long as its safe? I am not taking
any other nutrients or herbs at this time, except liqiud iron and iron
supplements in the morning on an empty stomach. Product Supplement
ACETYL-L-CARNITINE 500mg (1000mg)
ALPHA LIPOIC ACID 200mg (400mg)
COENZYME Q10 20mg (40mg)
BIOPERINE 5mg (10mg)
We are not in a position to suggest whether any particular
treatment or vitamin regimen a person is on is safe or not safe. We can just
give general guidelines that say it is best to use lower dosages of supplements
when taken for prolonged periods and to take occasional breaks.
Acetyl l carnitine can be shipped to Canada from the USA.