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The Heart Health Benefits of Acetyl-L-Carnitine & ALA

Jun 5, 2011 | By Natalie Stein

Acetyl-L-carnitine and alpha-linolenic acid, or ALA, are nutrients which may support heart health. Alpha-linolenic acid is an essential omega-3 fatty acid, and the daily value is 1.6 g per day. Your body can make its own acetyl-L-carnitine, but you may get additional benefits from supplements of 500 to 2,000 mg per day. Do not take dietary supplements without your doctor's approval, and follow medical advice if you have concerns about your heart health.

Heart Attack Support

A heart attack, or myocardial infarction, occurs when plaque in your arteries ruptures and blocks blood flow to your heart, cutting off the supply of oxygen. Dietary supplements of acetyl-L-carnitine may reduce the amount of damage to your heart when you suffer from a heart attack, according to the Linus Pauling Institute Micronutrient Information Center. Alpha-linolenic acid may reduce your risk of a second heart attack. However, neither of these dietary supplements is a substitute for medical treatment for heart attacks.

Preventing Heart Disease Complications

Heart failure is a condition which occurs when your heart cannot pump blood well enough to supply sufficient oxygen to your body tissues, and another potential benefit of acetyl-L-carnitine is that it may strengthen your heart. Individuals with a higher intake of alpha-linolenic acid tend to have a lower risk for death from cardiac disease, which is the leading cause of death in the U.S. Talk to your doctor if you have risk factors for heart disease.

Reducing Heart Disease Risk

Alpha-linolenic acid may reduce your risk for heart disease by lowering levels of total and bad LDL cholesterol in your blood, according to the Mayo Clinic website. High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a risk factor for stroke and heart disease, and ALA may support a healthy blood pressure. It may also lower triglycerides. Acetyl-L-carnitine is essential for the oxidation of fats, and a supplement may support proper fat metabolism to reduce your risk for heart disease.

Healthy Diet

The best natural sources of L-carnitine include beef, pork and Canadian bacon, according to the Linus Pauling Institute Micronutrient Information Center. These foods are high in cholesterol-raising saturated fats and dietary cholesterol, and a benefit of acetyl-L-carnitine as a supplement is that it does not contain these unhealthy components. You can take alpha-linolenic acid as a supplement, or get it from nutrient-dense foods such as flaxseed, walnuts, flaxseed oil or canola oil. Other heart-healthy components in these foods are vitamin E, dietary fiber and phytosterols.

References

Article reviewed by Christine Brncik Last updated on: Jun 5, 2011

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