| If you haven’t heard of Acetyl L-Carnitine, | | | | carnitine, particularly proprinylcarnitine. |
| then you are missing out on a simple supplement | | | | 4. Alcohol-related Liver Disease - Some |
| that can help our bodies in so many ways. | | | | researchers speculate that alcohol consumption |
| Acetyl L-Carnitine is naturally found in meats, | | | | reduces the ability of carnitine to function properly |
| vegetables and grains, with the highest | | | | in the body. This can lead to a buildup of fat in the |
| concentration in red meats such as beef and lamb. | | | | liver. Supplementation with carnitine has been |
| For instance, beef has about 145 mg of | | | | shown to prevent and reverse the damage |
| L-Carnitine per every 100 grams while vegetables | | | | caused by alcohol-induced fatty buildup in the liver |
| such as carrots have only 0.4 mg. Your body can | | | | of animals. |
| produce a very small amount of L-Carnitine on a | | | | 5. Down's Syndrome - In a study of individuals |
| daily basis with the highest concentrations in the | | | | with Down syndrome, L-acetylcarnitine (LAC) |
| heart and skeletal muscles. | | | | supplementation significantly improved visual |
| Acetyl-L-carnitine is similar in form to the amino | | | | memory and attention. |
| acid L-carnitine and also has some similar | | | | 6. Kidney Disease and Hemodialysis - Given that |
| functions, such as being involved in the | | | | the kidney is a major site of carnitine production, |
| metabolism of food into energy. The acetyl group | | | | damage to this organ can cause a significant |
| that is part of acetyl-L-carnitine contributes to the | | | | carnitine deficiency. Many patients undergoing |
| production of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, | | | | hemodialysis also experience carnitine deficiencies. |
| which is required for mental function. | | | | For these reasons, individuals with kidney disease |
| Other names for acetyl-L-carnitine include: | | | | (with or without the need for hemodialysis) may |
| acetyl-levocarnitine, acetylcarnitine, l-acetylcarnitine, | | | | benefit from carnitine supplementation, if |
| levacecarnine, and ST-200 | | | | recommended by a healthcare provider. |
| So how does Acetyl L-Carnitine help the body. | | | | 7. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) - Some |
| Here are a few examples: | | | | researchers speculate that chronic fatigue |
| 1. Congestive Heart Failure - Studies suggest that | | | | syndrome may be caused by deficiencies in a |
| people who take L-Carnitine supplements soon | | | | variety of nutrients, including carnitine. L-carnitine |
| after suffering a heart attack may be less likely | | | | has been compared to a medication for fatigue in |
| to suffer a subsequent heart attack, die of heart | | | | a study of 30 people with CFS. Those who took |
| disease, experience chest pain and abnormal heart | | | | L-carnitine did much better than those who took |
| rhythms, or develop congestive heart failure. | | | | the medication, particularly after receiving the |
| (Congestive heart failure is a condition that leads | | | | supplement for 4 to 8 weeks. |
| to a back up of blood into the lungs and legs | | | | 8. Hyperthyroidism - Some research suggests |
| because the heart loses its ability to pump blood | | | | that L-carnitine may prove useful for preventing |
| efficiently). | | | | or diminishing the symptoms associated with an |
| In addition, people with coronary artery disease | | | | overactive thyroid. These symptoms include |
| who use L-Carnitine along with standard | | | | insomnia, nervousness, elevated heart rate, and |
| medications may be able to sustain physical | | | | tremors. In fact, in one study, a small group of |
| activity for longer periods of time. | | | | people with hyperthyroidism had improvement in |
| 2. High Cholesterol - In several studies, people | | | | these symptoms, as well as normalization of their |
| who took L-Carnitine supplements had a significant | | | | body temperature, when taking carnitine. |
| lowering of their total cholesterol and triglycerides, | | | | Carnitine is available as a supplement in a variety |
| and an increase in their HDL ("good") cholesterol | | | | of forms, but only the form L-carnitine (alone or |
| levels. | | | | bound to either acetic or propionic acid) is |
| 3. Intermittent Claudication - Decreased blood flow | | | | recommended. |
| to the legs from atherosclerosis (plaque build up) | | | | * L-carnitine (LC): the most widely available and |
| often causes an aching or cramping pain in the | | | | least expensive |
| legs while walking or exercising. This pain is called | | | | * L-acetylcarnitine (LAC): this form of carnitine |
| intermittent claudication and the diminished blood | | | | appears to be the one to use for Alzheimer's |
| flow to the legs is called peripheral vascular | | | | disease and other brain disorders |
| disease (PVD). At least one well-designed study | | | | * L-propionylcarnitine (LPC): this form of carnitine |
| suggests that carnitine supplements may improve | | | | appears to be most effective for chest pain and |
| muscle function and exercise capacity in those | | | | related heart problems, as well as peripheral |
| with PVD. In other words, people with PVD may | | | | vascular disease (PVD). |
| be able to walk farther and longer if they take | | | | |