Acetyl-l-carnitine Health Benefits

Acetyl-L-carnitine, also known as ALCAR or L-carnitine, is an amino acid the body creates from methionine and lysine, two other amino acids. In North America, you can buy L-carnitine as an over-the-counter supplement. Before taking L-carnitine, talk to your doctor about optimal dosage, possible side effects and drug interactions.

Brain Function

L-carnitine enables aged rats to learn better, according to a study published in the July 2010 issue of "Geriatrics and Gerontology International" by S. Kobayashi and colleagues. The authors noted that, compared with rats in a control group, rats fed L-carnitine had better neurotransmitter activity, accounting for the enhanced learning.

Fat Burning

Because L-carnitine helps increase fat usage and transforms it into energy necessary for various functions in the body, it is widely use in diet pills. L-carnitine also reduces the risk of developing complications in individuals with diabetes, heart disease and fatty liver, because in all these conditions the metabolism of fats is impaired, according to "Prescription for Nutritional Healing," by Dr. James Balch. While limited research shows L-carnitine helps people lose weight, the amino acid has proved effective in animal studies. For example, in a study published in the November 2000 issue of the "Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine," by C.A. Center and associates, obese cats had to eat a reduced-calorie diet; some also received L-carnitine in their food. Cats in both groups lost weight, but the cats that received supplementation with L-carnitine lost weight faster.

Nerve Repair

Acetyl-L-carnitine may also assist with nerve repair, according to a study published in the July 2010 issue of "Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery," by A.D.Wilson and associates. The researchers on this study dissected rats' sciatic nerves, and then injected some rats with acetyl-L-carnitine and some with a placebo. Compared with the control group, the rats that got acetyl-L-carnitine regenerated more nerve fibers, and the quality of those fibers was better. The researchers concluded that acetyl-L-carnitine could improve the nerve supply associated with an organ and prevent nerve loss.

Other Health Benefits

Acetyl-L-carnitine may improve heart function in individuals who have a history of angina, heart attacks or heart failure. This amino-acid may also improve exercise performance, help erectile dysfunction, male infertility and Peyronie's disease. Ongoing research is investigating L-carntine's possible benefit in improving symptoms associated with kidney disorders, overactive thyroid, chronic fatigue syndrome and peripheral vascular disease, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center; however more research is needed to confirm these benefits. Acetyl-L-carnitine is not approved by U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat any medical condition.