Acetyl-L-carnitine

Acetyl-l-carnitine ALC helps drive fat metabolism and is also useful for brain and heart. The acetyl part of the molecule is used to make acetylcholine required for memory storage and retrieval.

It also has a protective role in brain enhancing Brain derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF) needed for brain/nerve tissus.

Alzheimer's & Dementia

Acetyl-L-carnitine improves memory & cognition in older people with age-related memory problems.

Some studies find evidence of modest benefit with acetyl-L-carnitine in Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia.

Acetyl-L-carnitine may be helpful for mild cases of Alzheimer's disease, but not more severe cases.

Diabetes

Acetyl-L-carnitine improves symptoms of diabetic neuropathy and neuropathy associated with antiretroviral drug therapy used by people with HIV infection.

L-Carnitine supplementation reduces oxidized LDL cholesterol in patients with diabetes.

carnitine improved lipid profiles and metabolism

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19056606L-Carnitine supplementation reduces oxidized LDL cholesterol in patients with diabetes. Our study indicates that oral administration of L-carnitine reduces oxidized LDL cholesterol levels in patients with type 2 diabetes.Role of acetyl-L-carnitine in the treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathy.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17696589http://care.diabetesjournals.org/cgi/content/full/28/1/89http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18940920 Data on treatment of DPN with ALC support its use. It should be recommended to patients early in the disease process to provide maximal benefit. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18296364exercise training and supplementation of carnitine and antioxidants improved lipid profiles and carnitine metabolism in humans, suggesting that carnitine and antioxidant supplementation may improve exercise performance.

FIBROMYALGIA

acetyl L-carnitine may be of benefit in patients with FMS, providing improvement in pain as well as the general and mental health of these patients.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17543140

Double-blind, multicenter trial comparing acetyl l-carnitine with placebo in the treatment of fibromyalgia patients.

FATIGUE

ALC may reduce both physical and mental fatigue in elderly and improves both the cognitive status and physical functions.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18940920Acetyl L-carnitine (ALC) treatment in elderly patients with fatigue.

Erectile dysfunction

carnitines 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. Carnitines proved significantly more active than testosterone in improving nocturnal penile tumescence and International Index of Erectile Function score.

Taking acetyl-L-carnitine helps androgen decline by improving sexual dysfunction, depression, and fatigue.

Carnitine versus androgen administration in the treatment of sexual dysfunction, depressed mood, and fatigue associated with male aging.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15072869

Alcoholics

There is evidence of the preventive and therapeutic effects of L-carnitine on the metabolic disorder and cardiac remodeling in alcoholic cardiomyopathy.

[L-carnitine and cardiac metabolism and remodeling indices in alcoholic cardiomyopathy.]http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?Db=pubmed&Cmd=ShowDetailView&TermToSearch=19080238

Male infertility

Combined L-carnitine and acetyl-L-carnitine statistically improved the sperm vitality, grade a + b sperm motility and the total sperm count per ejaculate , with a significant difference from pre-treatment

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18390180Clinical efficacy of combined L-carnitine and acetyl-L-carnitine on idiopathic asthenospermia

Peyronie's disease

Acetyl-L-carnitine useful for inflammatory condition of the penis called Peyronie's disease, reduces pain and slows progression of the disease

Acetyl-L-carnitine was significantly more effective than tamoxifen in reducing pain and in inhibiting disease progression. Acetyl-L-carnitine reduced penile curvature significantly, while tamoxifen did not; both drugs significantly reduced plaque size. Tamoxifen induced significantly more side-effects than acetyl-L-carnitine.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11446848Acetyl-L-carnitine was significantly more effective than tamoxifen in reducing pain and in inhibiting disease progression. Acetyl-L-carnitine reduced penile curvature significantly, while tamoxifen did not; both drugs significantly reduced plaque size. Tamoxifen induced significantly more side-effects than acetyl-L-carnitine.

Fragile X syndrome

acetyl-L-carnitine appears to produce a stronger reduction of hyperactivity and improvement in social behavior of boys with fragile X syndrome.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18286595?

we observed a stronger reduction of hyperactivity and improvement of social behavior in patients treated with LAC, compared with the placebo group, as determined by the Conners' Global Index Parents and the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale. Our results show that LAC (20-50 mg/kg/day) represents a safe alternative to the use of stimulant drugs for the treatment of ADHD in FXS children.

Dosages

Alzheimer's disease, memory impairment depression 1.5~ 4 grams daily divided three times daily In age-related ,

Diabetic neuropathy, 0.5~1g 3 times daily 3 higher dose improve vibratory sensations and reduce neuropathy-related pain.

Antiretroviral drug therapy induced neuropathy, 1g twice daily.

Fibromyalgia pain 1.5 grams each day.

Dosages

Infertile men, 3~ 4g daily improves sperm function, Consider mixed acetyl-L-carnitine and L-carnitine.

Peyronie's disease, 1g twice daily

age-related testosterone deficiency 2 g/d both acetyl-L-carnitine & propionyl-L-carnitine

Fragile X syndrome, for reducing hyperactivity 20 to 50 mg/kg.

Side effects

Acetyl-L-carnitine is quite safe, may cause gastrointestinal side-effects and agitation.

I've mentioned earlier about it's impact on nocturnal tumesence so only take later in the day if this effect is not desired or insomnia may result from being up all night.

If you feel nausea take the acetyl-l-carnitine with food or take a lesser dose.

IHERB PRICES
INTRODUCTORY DISCOUNT CODE WAB666

Country Life, Acetyl L-Carnitine Caps, 500 mg, 240 Veggie Caps $28.56 + $14.00 P&P to UK = 31.32 = 13p each

Now Foods, Acetyl-L Carnitine, 500 mg, 200 Caps = $37.78 + $8 = 33.70 = 17p each

Doctor's Best, Best Acetyl-L-Carnitine, 588 mg, 120 = $19.20 + $6.00= 18.54 = 15p each (but slightly stronger.