Acetyl L Carnitine – Anti Aging for the Brain and Body
March 13, 2008 by GiGi · Leave a Comment
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This article is part of a series on anti aging supplements. Here is a listing of the articles to date:
Do You Need Anti Aging Supplements?
Before You Start An Anti Aging Program
A lot of research has been done in the last few years and sometimes we are faced with a dizzying array of information about vitamins and supplements. This introduction to Acetyl L Carnitine should clear up some of the confusion.
Acetyl L Carnitine is a supplement that has been around the bodybuilding field for a while, but is now getting a lot of press for it’s help in the anti aging field as well. It has been used for years in Europe.
Carnitine is an amino acid and has primarily been used for heart-related conditions. It’s function is to transport fatty acids for oxidation – energy production.
What are the benefits of Acetyl-L-Carnitine?
It improves fat metabolism
Enhances mental quickness
Slows the effect of aging
Decreases symptoms of depression
Supports bodily functions that require high energy
What Are The Natural Sources of Carnitine?
Red meat (particularly lamb) and dairy products are the primary sources of Carnitine. Carnitine can also be found in fish, poultry, tempeh (fermented soybeans), wheat, asparagus, avocados, and peanut butter. Cereals, fruits, and vegetables contain little or no carnitine. Usually vegetarians can produce enough carnitine to avoid a deficiency.
Recommended doses of Acetyl L Carnitine
This is where I ran into some pretty wide variances in my research.
The typical daily dosage for long term use is 100 to 400 mg once a day, preferably in the early part of the day. Side effects of over stimulation and nausea may occur at dosages greater than 500 mg. Even higher doses may cause insomnia. If you happen to feel nausea, next time just take the acetyl-l-carnitine with food or take a lesser dose
Another site recommends 2 grams!
A third resource states this recommended dosage:
Fat metabolism (conversion of fat to energy) and muscular performance: 1,000 to 2,000 mg usually divided into two doses
Heart disease: 600 to 1,200 mg three times daily, or 750 mg twice daily
Alcohol-related carnitine deficiency: 300 mg three times daily
Male infertility: 300 to 1,000 mg three times daily
Chronic fatigue syndrome: 500 to 1,000 mg three to four times per day
Overactive thyroid: 2,000 to 4,000 mg per day in two to four divided doses
Obviously, the best advise is to check with your physician. I’ve been taking 500 mg once per day in the morning before eating and have not had any side effects. Your reaction may be different. It is wise to “take a short break” from it occasionally (see below).
What about side effects?
Side effects are usually rare and include increased appetite, body odor, and rash. Higher doses may cause diarrhea, nausea and insomnia.
Individuals taking L-Carnitine as a sports supplement to improve fat metabolism and muscular performance should stop using it at least for one week each month.
Always check with a doctor first if you are taking any medications, as there are some drug interactions.
Exciting Anti Aging Discoveries
New research indicates that taking Acetyl L Carnitine and R Lipoic Acid together may be a great new anti-aging combination. The two nutrients were given to aging rats with great results.
“With the two supplements together, these old rats got up and did the Macarena,” said Ames, also a researcher at Children’s Hospital Oakland Research Institute (CHORI). “The brain looks better, they are full of energy—everything we looked at looks more like a young animal.” Not only did the older rats do better on memory tests, they had more pep, and the energy-producing organelles in their cells worked better.
I’ll probably be doing a separate post on this finding in the future.
You’d think there would be a good combination of the two products for sale – I haven’t found one because most products contain the Alpha form of lipoic acid, not the R form. If you know of one, let me know!
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