Amino Acid: Acetyl-L-Carnitine, ALC, Acetylcarnitine, (ALCAR)

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Amino Acid: Acetyl-L-Carnitine, ALC, Acetylcarnitine, (ALCAR)

 

Acetyl-l-carnitine is a molecule that occurs naturally in the brain,

liver, and kidney. Natural levels of Acetyl-l-carnitine diminish as

we age. Acetyl-l-carnitine is related to the amino acid L-Carnitine,

which is a carrier of fatty acids across mitochondrial membranes,

where energy is produced within each cell. Acetyl-L-Carnitine has

become one of the premiere " anti-aging " compounds under scientific

investigation, especially in relation to brain and nervous system

deterioration. Acetyl-L-Carnitine helps to enhance cognition. Acetyl-

L-Carnitine is involved in the metabolism of food into energy.

 

Mild mental impairment in the elderly showed a significant

improvement of several performances during and after Acetyl-l-

carnitine treatments. [53,56]. Reports indicate that Acetyl-l-

carnitine may be effective in the treatment of dementia. It improves

both spatial and temporal memory, and reduce the amount of oxidative

damage to RNA in the brain's hippocampus, an area important in

memory. [54,55,56]

 

Treated Down syndrome patients showed statistically significant

improvements of visual memory and attention both in absolute terms

and in comparison with the other groups. [57].

 

Most human studies examining Acetyl-L-Carnitine have utilized doses

from 500 to 2500 mg daily in divided doses. Younger, healthy adults

would probably want to take 500-1000 mg daily. While no serious side

effects have been noted in animal or human studies, Acetyl-Carnitine

may cause symptoms of over stimulation or headache in some sensitive

individuals. However, these symptoms are not common and are usually

caused by beginning with a high dose.

 

INTERACTIONS: Severe peripheral neuropathy (painful sensations due to

nerve damage in the hands and feet) often develops in people taking:

 

• Didanosine and drugs in its class. People with peripheral

neuropathy who were taking Didanosine were found to be deficient in

acetyl-L-carnitine.

 

• Some researchers have suggested that supplementing acetyl-L-

carnitine may assist in managing this condition.

 

 

 

Andrew Pacholyk, MS, L.Ac

http://www.peacefulmind.com/anti-aging.htm

Therapies for healing

mind, body, spirit

 

 

References

 

53. Passeri, M., et al. Acetyl-L-carnitine in the treatment of mildly

demented elderly patients. International Journal of Clinical

Pharmacology Research. 10(1-2):75-79, 1990.

 

54. Pettegrew, J. W., et al. Clinical and neurochemical effects of

acetyl-L-carnitine in Alzheimer's disease. Neurobiol Aging. 16:1-4,

1995.

 

55. Rai, G., et al. Double-blind, placebo controlled study of acetyl-

L-carnitine in patients with Alzheimer's dementia. Current Medical

Research and Opinion. 11(10):638-647, 1989.

 

56. Sano, M., et al. Double-blind parallel design pilot study of

acetyl levocarnitine in patients with Alzheimer's disease. Arch

Neurol. 49:1137-1141, 1992.

 

57. De Falco, F. A., et al. Effect of the chronic treatment with L-

acetylcarnitine in Down's syndrome. Clin Ther. 144:123-127, 1994.