Acetyl-L-carnitine is similar in form to the amino acid L-carnitine and also has some similar functions

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What does it do?

Acetyl-L-carnitine is similar in form to the amino acid L-carnitine and also has
some similar functions, such as being involved in the metabolism of food into energy.
The acetyl group that is part of acetyl-L-carnitine contributes to the production of the
neurotransmitter acetylcholine which is required for mental function. Several double-blind clinical
trials suggest that acetyl-L-carnitine delays the progression of Alzheimer's disease and enhances
overall performance in some individuals with Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's research has been
done with the acetyl-L-carnitine form, rather than the L-carnitine form, of this nutrient.
Acetyl-L-carnitine is a molecule that occurs naturally in the brain, liver, and
kidney. It is also available as a dietary supplement.




Acetyl-L-carnitine levels may decrease with advancing age.
Most research involving acetyl-L-carnitine uses 500 mg three times per
day, though some research uses double this amount.




While the natural role for ALC in cellular metabolism has been well
established for decades, research in recent years has hoisted ALC from its
somewhat mundane role in energy production to nutritional cognitive
enhancer and neuroprotective agent extraordinaire. Indeed, taken in its
entirety, ALC has become one of the premiere "anti-aging" compounds
under scientific investigation, especially in relation to brain and nervous
system deterioration.




ALC is found in various concentrations in the brain, and its levels are
significantly reduced with aging. In numerous studies in animal models,
ALC administration has been shown to have the remarkable ability of
improving not only cognitive changes, but also morphological (structural)
and neurochemical changes. Initially, these effects were thought to stem
from ALC's ability to donate its acetyl group to help form acetylcholine,
or its ability to mimic acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter known to have an
important role in memory and related cognitive functions.




In fact, it is now known that ALC has varied effects on cholinergic
activity, including promoting the release and synthesis of
acetylcholine. Additionally, ALC promotes high affinity uptake of
choline, which declines significantly with age. While these cholinergic
effects were first described almost a quarter of a century ago, it now
appears that this is only the tip of the ALC iceberg, In recent years
research on the neurological and other effects of ALC has exploded,
primarily due to pharmaceutical interest in this fascinating compound.
This large volume of research has expanded ALC from acetylcholine
mimic to a safe and naturally occurring compound with varied effects on
numerous age-related degenerative changes in the brain.
   
 These statements have not been evaluated
by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA).


The products discussed are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent
any disease.