Acetyl-L-Carnitine has Many Uses
The popular supplement, Acetyl-L-Carnitine, is popular for its many uses, including healthy aging, neuropathy, carpal tunnel, memory, fatigue, mood, and male reproductive health. Since it crosses the blood-brain barrier, it is a more bioavailable supplement. It’s also neuroprotective, making it a strong choice for supporting brain and nerve health.
Healthy Aging
It is well known that mitochondrial function and quality decline with age, and this deterioration is believed to contribute to numerous age-related health conditions. Studies have shown that Acetyl-L-Carnitine restores mitochondrial function and reduces oxidative damage to promote healthy aging. Carnitine levels also naturally decline with age, so older people may benefit from supplementation.
Nerve Health
As a result of studies showing it helps regenerate nerve fibers and improve the quality of the regenerated nerves, Acetyl-L-Carnitine is increasingly being used to support healthy nerve function. In 2019, a systematic review of 14 clinical trials published in the Journal of Pain Research looked at evidence of Acetyl-L-Carnitine’s efficacy in diminishing pain associated with peripheral neuropathy. In total, Acetyl-L-Carnitine was able to reduce pain by more than 20 percent when compared with placebo.
A 2020 study of 80 people with mild to moderate carpal tunnel pain found that three months of supplementation with Acetyl-L-Carnitine improved sensory nerve conduction and reduced pain.
Brain Health/Memory
Students have shown that Acetyl-L-Carnitine may improve attention, learning, recall, verbal fluency, and memory in people with mild cognitive impairments.
In a 2021 study published in Metabolic Brain Disease, people with reduced cognitive function showed improvements in memory and information-processing speed.
And a 2020 meta-analysis of 21 double-blind clinical trials published in Nutrients showed significant cognitive improvement in people who took Acetyl-L-Carnitine versus the placebo.
Fatigue
Because of Acetyl-L-Carnitine’s ability to boost energy production, researchers have keenly investigated its ability to alleviate fatigue.
In a study of 96 people aged 70 or older, published in 2008 in Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics, those who took Acetyl-L-Carnitine demonstrated improvements in both the frequency and severity of physical and mental fatigue, as well as in cognitive and physical functioning.
Mood
Some research shows that people with depressive symptoms exhibit reduced levels of Acetyl-L-Carnitine. And because Acetyl-L-Carnitine stimulates brain-energy metabolism and regulates neurotransmitters important in mood, considerable amounts of research have looked at the role it can play in emotional health.
In 2014, a randomized, controlled study of 80 people published in European Neuropsychopharmacology found that those who received Acetyl-L-Carnitine for seven weeks showed improvement on clinical measures of depressed or anxious mood.
Additionally, a 2018 meta-analysis of 12 randomized, controlled trials with a total of 791 people, published in Psychosomatic Medicine, concluded that Acetyl-L-Carnitine significantly reduced depressive symptoms when compared to placebo.
Male Reproductive Health
Carnitine is found in high concentrations in the male reproductive tract. Researchers believe it plays a critical role in the development of healthy sperm.
In a 2004 double-blind, randomized, controlled trial published in Fertility and Sterility, 56 infertile men received either a placebo or a combination of Acetyl-L-Carnitine for six months. Those who received the treatment showed significant improvements in sperm motility.
Source: Emerson Ecologics
These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease.