Acetyl-L-carnitine, also known as ALCAR, is a naturally occurring molecule that is found in your brain, liver and kidneys. Supplementing with ALCAR, however, may provide benefits that exceed what the body can provide. ALCAR's benefits affect the brain and cognitive abilities as well as other important systems of the body.
Cardiac Function
Research has shown that aceytl-L-carnitine can benefit your heart. A study from the journal Mechanisms of Aging and Development found that ALCAR supplementation in rats resulted in a reversal of decline in cardiac function. The researchers believe that ALCAR improved the function of cardiac cells and led to the change.
Improving Insulin Resistance
Insulin resistance is a condition in which your body doesn't respond appropriately to insulin secretion, resulting in excess insulin in your blood stream. This can lead to diabetes if untreated. A study from the journal Hypertension found that ALCAR might be helpful---patients treated with it experienced reductions in insulin resistance and superior glucose tolerance.
Treating Depression
Another effect that acetyl-L-carnitine can have is improving depression. According to research from the journal Bipolar Disorders, supplementation of ALCAR influences chemicals in the brain that lead to a decrease in feelings of depression and improvement in mood.
Memory
One of acetyl-L-carnitine's brain benefits involves preventing memory loss. A study performed on rats and published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease found that the supplementation of acetyl-L-carnitine prevented memory loss induced by experimentation. More studies involving human participants are needed, however.
Alleviating Anxiety
One more benefit of acetyl-L-carnitine is the elimination of anxiety. Researchers from Ben Gurion University in Israel discovered that administering acetyl-L-carnitine to rats eliminated signs of anxiety-like behaviors.
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