A lack of energy is something that many people struggle with in their daily life. They may not be sleeping well, unable to eat a balanced diet regularly, or may even have a vitamin deficiency that impacts their energy levels. In these cases, adding an Acetyl-L-Carnitine supplement into your daily routine can have many benefits – including those that go beyond added energy.
While you can incorporate it into your diet by adding more animal products like poultry, milk, cheese, and other meats, many people wish to eliminate these foods for one reason or another. If this describes you, then you may choose to take Acetyl-L-Carnitine as a daily supplement.
On your journey to health, it is important to consume all the vitamins and supplements that your body needs. Whether you want to increase your bone strength with calcium, lower your risk of heart disease with vitamins like B12, or help your hair grow longer and healthier with biotin, there are supplements that can help. Vitamins and supplements are also helpful in some surprising circumstances.
What Is Acetyl-L-Carnitine?
Your body naturally produces compounds called amino acids, which work to convert fat from the foods you eat into energy. L-Carnitine is one of the most common amino acids, and it is created in your kidneys, liver, and brain. The main purpose of this compound is to move fatty acids into your cells so they can be converted into energy. There are several different types of L-carnitine that your body may produce, and they each serve a different purpose.
Some L-carnitine forms can reduce muscle soreness after exercise, lower blood pressure, or increase blood flow. Some experts argue that Acetyl-L-Carnitine is one of the most effective sources of L-carnitine available. Compared to other forms, it may be more effective in increasing brain function, reducing symptoms of neurological issues like depression, and reducing the severity of nerve pain for individuals with diabetes.
Benefits of Acetyl-L-Carnitine
Nutrient supplements can be useful for a wide range of concerns. For example, making sure you get enough fluoride can help to ensure strong bones and prevent cavities. A steady intake of sodium can help with muscle health and lower your blood pressure. You can find supplements to help with many different things, but it can be especially useful to find a single supplement with many benefits for multiple uses.
Adding Acetyl-L-Carnitine into your daily routine can have multiple benefits for your mental and physical health.
Cognitive Function
Keeping your brain functioning well as you age is essential to your overall health. Taking Acetyl-L-Carnitine on a daily basis may help you prevent mental fatigue, make you more alert, improve your mood, and help with your overall cognitive ability. This compound is thought to improve the activity of neurons in the brain by crossing the blood-brain barrier. It may also increase blood flow to your brain, which can improve oxygen levels in your brain, add more nutrients, and increase your overall cognitive function.
Depression
If you struggle with depression, you know the toll it can take on your mental, physical, and emotional health. It can cause your appetite to change, which can impact your weight. You may feel restless or hopeless because sleeping, maintaining an adequate energy level, and concentrating can all become more difficult. It can also cause mood swings or keep you from being interested in hobbies you used to enjoy.
Supplementing your daily routine with Acetyl-L-Carnitine can help to improve the symptoms of major depression in many people. This compound increases blood flow to the brain, which may improve your brain metabolism. It could also help increase neuroplasticity – your brain’s ability to reorganize itself in response to stimuli – and regulate neurotransmitter levels. A study published in 2021 showed that Acetyl-L-Carnitine levels were very low in patients with moderate or major depressive disorder, but they were significantly improved following treatment.
Diabetes
Over time, chronic diabetes pain can cause significant problems in your daily life. Chronic pain can keep you from working, make it difficult to complete tasks at home, and impact the time you are able to spend with your loved ones. Acetyl-L-Carnitine has been shown to help your pancreatic beta cells function, which will also improve your sensitivity to insulin. This can, in turn, make it easier to exercise and move. Using the supplement regularly can ultimately decrease the pain you may experience from diabetic neuropathy or nerve pain caused by diabetes.
Fatigue
Fatigue can go far beyond simply missing a night of sleep by increasing your likelihood of getting dizzy when you stand, making you more prone to stomach upset, and making it difficult to concentrate or complete tasks. Acetyl-L-Carnitine improves your cells’ mitochondrial energy output, so it can help to combat symptoms of fatigue.
Similar to depression, individuals who have been diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome often have much lower levels of Acetyl-L-Carnitine in their bodies. Studies have shown that taking a supplement of at least 1000 mg of Acetyl-L-Carnitine each day can significantly improve symptoms of chronic fatigue. With supplementation, you may find that you have more energy and feel more rested after a night’s sleep.
Physical Performance
As you get older, keeping your body physically strong can help make everyday tasks easier and reduce the risk of falls or injuries. Incorporating Acetyl-L-Carnitine into your diet or taking it as a supplement can help you maintain your muscle mass. As mentioned, improved energy levels are one of the primary benefits of this supplement, which can make exercise easier and increase your overall physical performance. When you are able to move better and more consistently, you can increase muscle strength and maintain your physical wellness.
If you are trying to fight fatigue, overcome symptoms of depression in your daily life, or maintain your physical strength as you get older, Acetyl-L-Carnitine could help you reach your goals. As with any supplement, however, it is important to know how much and how often you should take it.
Average Doses of Acetyl-L-Carnitine
The average dose of Acetyl-L-Carnitine for most individuals rests somewhere between 1.5 and 3 grams each day (1,500 to 3,000 mg). If you take more than 3 grams, or 3,000 mg, daily for an extended period of time, you risk side effects, including vomiting and diarrhea. We recommend starting with a lower dose, such as 500 to 1,000 mg daily, and evaluating how it impacts you. Then, raise or lower the dose as you need, staying below 3,000 mg until you begin to see positive effects.
When Do You Need Acetyl-L-Carnitine?
Along with finding your proper dose, it is also important to know when to take your supplement and how often it should be taken. When you are taking any dose of Acetyl-L-Carnitine, it is recommended that you take the supplement first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. This will help your body to absorb the compound more quickly so it will reach your brain as early as possible.
When you follow this schedule regularly, it can help to ensure that you get as many benefits from Acetyl-L-Carnitine as possible. Your body is working throughout the day, and you can redose every morning.
When to Avoid Acetyl-L-Carnitine
In most cases, taking a regular supplement of Acetyl-L-Carnitine is safe so long as you do not exceed 3,000 mg per day. It is important to note that this maximum threshold may be a bit lower with some individuals, who may tolerate less Acetyl-L-Carnitine before experiencing an upset stomach. As with any compound or supplement, there are also some individuals who should avoid Acetyl-L-Carnitine entirely so they do not experience potentially dangerous side effects.
History of Seizures
Individuals who have had seizures in the past seem to have a higher risk of repeated seizures if there is too much L-carnitine in their system. It is not entirely clear whether or not Acetyl-L-Carnitine will have the same effect on you or increase the likelihood of another seizure if you have had seizures before. However, it is still recommended that anyone with a history of seizures avoid the supplement.
Underactive Thyroid
When your thyroid fails to produce enough thyroid hormone, you have what is known as hypothyroidism. This condition can cause symptoms like dry skin, stiffness in your joints, a slow heart rate, and more. Acetyl-L-Carnitine can further impact your body’s production of thyroid hormone and cause more problems. If you have been diagnosed with hypothyroidism, it is best to avoid this supplement.
Nerve Damage From Cancer Treatment
Some chemotherapy drugs, called taxanes, fight cancer by stopping the division of cells. These drugs can cause significant nerve damage in the hands and feet of patients that take them. Acetyl-L-Carnitine could make the symptoms of this nerve damage worse, so it should be avoided.
While there are many benefits to incorporating an Acetyl-L-Carnitine supplement into your health routine, it is not the best option for everyone. If you have any health concerns that you think may be worsened because of Acetyl-L-Carnitine, avoid taking the supplement. However, if you do not have the underlying health issues listed above, Acetyl-L-Carnitine could prove to be an effective treatment for weight loss and fatigue caused by multiple sclerosis.
Acetyl-L-Carnitine for Weight Loss
Losing weight can be a major part of an overall health plan for many people. Maintaining a healthy weight can help you sleep better, improve mobility, and increase your mood and overall mental health. Some people have found that the functions of Acetyl-L-Carnitine make it a potentially useful supplement to aid in weight loss.
One of the primary functions of Acetyl-L-Carnitine in the body is to carry fatty acids and other compounds through the blood-brain barrier and into your cells. Once they have been successfully transported to their destinations, they will be converted into energy.
This process is instrumental in helping to maintain your metabolism while burning various carbs and fats. When you take an Acetyl-L-Carnitine supplement regularly, it may ensure these systems function properly and potentially lead to weight loss.
Does Acetyl-L-Carnitine Relieve Fatigue if You Have MS?
If you are like nearly 80% of those with MS, you may deal with fatigue in your day-to-day life. This fatigue could be the result of physical exertion throughout the day, waking up during the night, side effects of medication, the impact of being sedentary, and the pain you experience on a daily basis.
Many early studies have shown that Acetyl-L-Carnitine can help reduce multiple sclerosis-related fatigue by increasing the function of certain nerve cells. In one of the most recent, many patients reported a significantly lower fatigue score and improved quality of life. If you have MS and are seeking alternative methods to treat your fatigue, consider adding an Acetyl-L-Carnitine supplement to your routine.
Trust Compounding Pharmacy of America for Supplements
Staying healthy is not always an easy process. Everybody has different needs, and a one-size-fits-all approach won’t be sufficient to address your unique circumstances. It is best to find the movement, foods, and supplements that work best for your body and your wellness goals.
If you’re trying to find the ideal course of vitamins and supplements to keep you healthy, it can be helpful to have guidance from experienced professionals. Compounding Pharmacy of America can help you determine which vitamins and supplements will meet your needs. If you want to reduce your fatigue, combat symptoms of depression, and potentially see weight loss, a 500mg dose of Acetyl-L-Carnitine may be the right choice for you. Whatever your needs, you can trust the team at Compounding Pharmacy of America to get you what you need.
References :
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/l-carnitine
- https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Carnitine-HealthProfessional/
- https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/listing_of_vitamins
- https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-834/Acetyl-L-Carnitine
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/multiple-sclerosis/expert-answers/Acetyl-L-Carnitine/faq-20057801
Chief Operating Officer, The Compounding Pharmacy of America
Matthew Poteet, Pharm.D. graduated with Honors from Lee University with a Bachelors of Science in Biological Science. After his undergraduate training, he completed the Doctor of Pharmacy program at Mercer University Southern School of Pharmacy, graduating in 2004. Dr. Poteet has spent much of his pharmacy career on staff at two of the most prestigious academic teaching hospitals in the Southeast; Emory University in Atlanta and Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville. At these institutions he received extensive experience and training in sterile products compounding.
He returned home to East Tennessee in 2010, where he has held the position of Pharmacy Director at two sterile products pharmacies in Knoxville. Matthew lives in Knoxville with his wife, Chris. Dr. Poteet is Tennessee’s first Board Certified Anti-Aging Pharmacist by the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine.
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