Acetyl l Carnitine alpha lipoic acid by Ray Sahelian, MD, n acetyl l carnitine benefit

Why buy all the individual herbs and nutrients separately -- at great expense -- when you can buy this excellent combination? The herbs in Mind Power Rx include: Ashwagandha, Bacopa, Ginkgo biloba, Fo-Ti, Ginseng, Mucuna pruriens, and Reishi. The nutrients and vitamins in Mind Power Rx include Acetyl l carnitine, Carnitine, Carnosine, Choline, DMAE, Inositol, Methylcobalamin, Pantothenic acid, Trimethylglycine, Tyrosine, and Vinpocetine. .

Acetyl l carnitine Short term effects
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. Side effects of overstimulation may occur at dosages greater than 500 mg.

Acetyl l Carnitine Supplement facts
acetyl l carnitine - 300 mg

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Testimonial received by email
Hi- I wanted to extend my thanks for your supplements! I am a 51-year -old physician assistant who works in a busy family practice. I recently tried your alpha-lipoic acid and acetyl-l carnitine supplements. I felt better the FIRST day, so my husband tried them and he did too! I must admit that this changes my perspective on nutraceuticals- from here on out, I will not hesitate to recommend that my patients visit your site!
Those who take carnitine pills notice an increase in physical energy levels, but not as much mental energy. acetyl l carnitine has a significantly more immediate and noticeable mental effect than carnitine.

Acetyl l carnitine Research shows:
In aging rats, chronic administration of acetyl l carnitine increases cholinergic synaptic transmission and consequently enhances learning capacity. The memory of aging rats is rejuvenated by giving them a combination of acetylc-l-arnitine and lipoic acid.

Potential Acetyl l carnitine Benefits of according to published studies:
acetyl l carnitine may improve mental fatigue in those who suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome
Patients with multiple sclerosis are helped by acetyl l carnitine, which reduces their fatigue.
acetyl l carnitine is a promising treatment for those with diabetic neuropathy
May reduce alcohol-induced cellular damage to organs.
May be helpful in geriatric patients with mild depression.
acetyl l carnitine improves the function of mitochondria, the organelles within cells that are involved in energy production.
Is more effective than tamoxifen in the therapy of acute and early chronic Peyronie's disease.
May help individuals with degenerative cerebellar ataxia.
acetyl l carnitine is suitable for clinical use in the prevention of neuronal death after peripheral nerve trauma.
May be helpful in those with Alzheimer's disease. acetyl l carnitine protects against amyloid-beta neurotoxicity.

Acetyl-l-carnitine and propionyl-carnitine in chronic fatigue syndrome
Exploratory open label, randomized study of acetyl- and propionyl-carnitine in chronic fatigue syndrome.
Psychosom Med. 2004 Mar-Apr;66(2):276-82.
We compared the effects of acetyl-carnitine, propionyl-carnitine and both compounds on the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). In an open, randomized fashion we compared 2 g/d acetyl-L-carnitine, 2 g/d propionyl-L-carnitine, and its combination in 3 groups of 30 CFS patients during 24 weeks. Effects were rated by clinical global impression of change. Secondary endpoints were the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory, McGill Pain Questionnaire, and the Stroop attention concentration test. Scores were assessed 8 weeks before treatment; at randomization; after 8, 16, and 24 weeks of treatment; and 2 weeks later. Clinical global impression of change after treatment showed considerable improvement in 59% of the patients in the acetyl-carnitine group and 63% in the propionyl-carnitine group, but less in the acetyl-carnitine plus propionyl-carnitine group (37%). Acetyl-carnitine significantly improved mental fatigue (p =.015) and propionylcarnitine improved general fatigue (p =.004). Attention concentration improved in all groups, whereas pain complaints did not decrease in any group. Two weeks after treatment, worsening of fatigue was experienced by 52%, 50%, and 37% in the acetyl-carnitine, propionyl-carnitine, and combined group, respectively. In the acetyl-carnitine group, but not in the other groups, the changes in plasma carnitine levels correlated with clinical improvement. Acetyl-carnitine and propionyl-carnitine showed beneficial effect on fatigue and attention concentration. Less improvement was found by the combined treatment. Acetyl-carnitine had main effect on mental fatigue and propionyl--carnitine on general fatigue.

Acetyl l carnitine for fibromyalgia
Double-blind, multicenter trial comparing acetyl l-carnitine with placebo in the treatment of fibromyalgia patients.
Clin Exp Rheumatol. 2007 Mar-April. Rheumatology Unit, University of Verona, Italy.
In this multicenter randomized clinical trial we evaluated the efficacy of acetyl L carnitine in patients with overt fibromyalgia. One hundred and two patients meeting the American College of Rheumatology criteria for FMS were randomized into the study. The treatment consisted of 2 capsules/day of 500 mg acetyl L carnitine or placebo plus one intramuscular injection of either 500 mg acetyl L carnitine or placebo for 2 weeks. During the following 8 weeks the patients took 3 capsules daily containing either 500 mg acetyl L carnitine or placebo. The "total myalgic score" and the number of positive tender points declined significantly and equally in both groups until the 6th week of treatment. At the 10th week both parameters remained unchanged in the placebo group but they continued to improve in the acetyl L carnitine group with a statistically significant between-group difference. A statistically significant between-group difference was observed for depression and musculoskeletal pain. Treatment was well-tolerated. These results indicate that acetyl L carnitine may be of benefit in patients with fibromyalgia, providing improvement in pain as well as the general and mental health of these patients.

Acetyl l carnitine and priopinyl l carnitine benefit for sexual health
Carnitine versus androgen administration in the treatment of sexual dysfunction, depressed mood, and fatigue associated with male aging.
Urology. 2004 Apr;63(4):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 older 120 patients were randomized into three groups. 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 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. Testosterone and 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. Acetyl-carnitine and priopionyl-lcarnitine 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 side effects
Side effects of acetyl-l-carnitine include restlessness, nausea and overstimulation. These acetyl-l-carnitine side effects usually occur at dosages above 500 mg. Insomnia is an acetyl-l carnitine side effect if the dosage is above 1500 mg.

Acetyl- Carnitine questions
Q. The "in-house" doctor over at vitacost.com recommends 1000 to 2000mg of acetyl-L carnitine a day. Dr. Sahelian, who by the way I consider the most credible and honest on the web, says much less. I have been taking 1000mg a day because my father has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, and I am concerned about my genetic risks. But my sleep seems to be much shallower since I upped my dosage. Could the acetyl-L carnitine 1000mg be a possible cause of my less-deep sleep patterns? Also, is the doc over at vitacost ( his name is Allen Josephs ) being irresponsible in recommending such a high daily dose? Thank You for the best site on the web!
A. We prefer not to comment on information being provided by other websites except in defense if they criticize us. Our goal is to provide honest and up to date information on natural supplements, and let the reader decide the best option for them. We have found that high doses of acetyl-l-carnitine to interfere with sleep which is not a good thing if one wants to be healthier.

Q. I read somewhere possibly about the original experiments carried out by Bruce Ames that it is best to combine the acetyl-l-carnitine with alpha lipoic acid because of the possibily of 'oxidative stress' or some such phrase if the acetyl-l-carnitine was just used on its own. Is this true ie better to take the combination
A. There are no human studies that point out whether it is better to combine acetyl-l-carnitine and alpha lipoic acid, and if so, what the ideal dose would be. Many people are taking too high doses of these supplements. There are countless herbs and nutrients that act as antioxidants, and science does not have the answer yet on which to take and in what dosages and in what combinations.

Q. Should acetyl l-carnitine be taken in conjunction with slpha lipoic acid since the latter helps transports the former into the mitochondria ? If so, to my knowledge, since one is water soluble and the other fat soluble should they be taken seperately. Also, should acety l-carnitine be taken on an empty stomach while alpha lipoic acid with food to prevent stomach upset?
A. Acetyl-l-Carnitine 300 mg is a potent mind booster and antioxidant. Most people find one capsule is the right dose while some people may find the occasional use of 2 capsules helpful. Acetylcarnitine increases alertness and focus. It would be best not to take a capsule with other brain boosting supplements due to possible overstimulation. One option is to alternate the use of acetylcarnitine one day with Mind Power Rx the next day, or alternate with other brain supplements such as DMAE, choline, ginkgo, etc. Doses above 500 mg may, in some people, lead to overstimulation, insomnia, and nausea. For long term use one capsule 3 times a week with a week off each month is a good option. Acetylcarnitne can be taken with small doses of other supplements such as vitamins E and C, and it can be used together with fish oils. Many products on the market have acetylcarnitine together with alpha lipoic acid and are promoted for antiaging purposes. Be careful using high amounts of these combinations since they can keep you awake at night, and shallow sleep is certainly not helpful for longevity purposes. I would not recommend taking more than 10 to 30 mg of R lipoic acid or 20 to 60 mg of regular alpha lipoic acid when combined with 300 mg of acetylcarnitine. There is no human evidence that the combination of these two nutrients is better than either alone. Even if the combination is preferable, we have no idea of the ideal dosage, and it could be vastly different between different people. Both acetyl-l-carnitine and alpha lipoic acid can be taken with food to reduce nausea, but if one wishes to feel the mental stimulating effects more clearly, they can be taken on an empty stomach.

Q. I have recently been reading the studies concerning acetyl-l-carnitine with both human and rat subjects and nerve trauma with a great deal of interest. Seven years ago I had major surgery on my right lung where several intracostal nerves were severed. I have been living with severe burning pain since then. I have been lucky enough to have switched from a neurologist who only wanted to treat my symptoms with drugs back to my primary physician who is much more understanding about nutritional supplements in healing. I am intending to begin therapeutic dosage and was wondering how long it takes before a reduction in pain is perceived. My doctor and I think the nerves are
finally regenerating, but I am still in a great deal of pain and would like to actually help it heal instead of just taking pain meds. I was very interested in the reports that acetyl-l-carnitine helped a great deal with pain in addition to healing. None of the studies noted how long acetyl-l-carnitine took, though. Would you have any information on that?
A. Too little research is available with acetyl-l-carnitine and nerve health or pain reduction. As with many supplements, each person would need to try for themselves to see if any benefits occur. Plus, each person and each condition is different, hence it is difficult to make even any kind of generalization.

Q. For about 6 years, I have been taking 500 mg of acetyl L carnitine mostly every day with my other multivitamin, calcium, omega fatty acids (wild salmon oil), COQ10, etc. I am 54, healthy, not overweight, with no known health problems and I exercise regularly. In my mid teens and until age 23, I took dilantin for seizures. I have not taken dilantin now for 30 years and have had no seizures in 30 years. At the time my family doctor prescribed dilantin, he told my parents and me that he expected me to grow out of this problem by the time I was in my 20s. And as I say, I have not had a seizure in 30 years, nor have I had to take any prescription medicine in 30 years. I have just been reading today that a possible side effect of taking acetyl L Carnitine could be seizures. I was surprised, misthinking in my research that only Carnitine might cause such (which I do not take). (I honestly do not expect my family doctor to know the wonderful value of acetyl L carnitine - even though she is a good physician. Many doctors still do not have a strong belief in some of the good vitamin supplements other than a multivitamin and calcium. Do you have any comment on this?
A. We searched the medical literature and found this study on rodents. We have not seen any reports in the medical literature regarding seizures being triggered by acetyl-l-carnitine, but this does not mean it has not occurred.

Transient seizure activity induced by acetylcarnitine.
Neuropharmacology. 1984 May.
Intracerebral injection of L-acetyl-l-carnitine in rats induced interictal and ictal epileptic phenomena with immediate onset, lasting up to 4 hours. Pretreatment with systemic atropine prevents all epileptiform phenomena. Local injection of muscimol and THIP abolish ictal events, but not single spikes. L-carnitine induced only ictal discharges with a latency of 40-90 min. Acetyl-l-carnitine epileptogenic properties are probably related to muscarinic agonism. The transition from interictal to ictal events may involve failure of GABAergic mechanisms.

Q. I would like more information about the sources of the ingredients. I understand that some things are made in a lab. I prefer �natural� ingredients when available, but must avoid porcine and shell fish sources. At the moment I am especially interested in this information for L-Carnitine and Acetyl-L-Carnitine.Hi,
A. Acetyl l carnitine and carnitine are synthetically made in a lab. For some nutrients there is not enough in natural sources to be able to extract in sufficient quantities.